ELECTIONS chairman George Garcia yesterday defended the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) continued preparation for the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) even after Congress has already transmitted the signed copy of the bill postponing the exercise for the signature of President Marcos.
In a radio interview, Garcia said they don’t see anything wrong with preparing for the BSKE despite the looming possibility of it being reset to October 2023.
“In truth, it is clear that we are not prohibited from preparing in advance for the elections. We can prepare early for the elections,” Garcia insisted, adding: “This is why, initially, our plan is to really continue preparing (regardless of the moves to postpone it).”
Garcia reiterated that the election supplies and paraphernalia to be purchased for the BSKE can be used even if the poll exercise is postponed to a later date.
“We can still use them even though the election is reset and postponed,” he said.
The poll chief said even the official ballots, which bear the date of elections, can still be used next year.
“Even though they state that the Election Day is December 5, 2022, we can issue a resolution stating that these are the same ballots to be used for October 2023,” said Garcia.
He said the only factor that could stop them from preparing is on the issue of auditing.
“Our legal team is looking at possible implications with the Commission on Audit. If the elections (are) not pushing through, can we still pay our suppliers for the elections? We are looking at this if the law will still allow us,” related Garcia.
Leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate yesterday signed the enrolled copy of the bill resetting the BSKE to October 2023.
Copies of the enrolled bill were forwarded to Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Sec. Mark Mendoza who will turn them over to the President for signing into law, which is expected on Thursday afternoon.
