Comelec-Albay preps up for 2022 brgy, SK polls

By Sally A. Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- Preparations are ongoing for the 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections in the province of Albay despite concerns on its possible postponement.

Atty. Ma Aurea Bunao, Commission on Elections Albay provincial election supervisor, said that the proposed bill for the postponement of the BSK elections is currently on the third and final reading at the congress and senate as of Sept. 29.

“The senate and congress approved on third and final reading the bill on the postponement of election. The two versions will be ratified in a bicameral meeting. The unified final version will then be submitted to the president for approval,” she said.

Bunao noted that despite the issues on postponement, the COMELEC continues its preparations in accordance with the existing law.

“As of today, we need to be prepared because there is no assurance that the 2022 BSK elections will be postponed,” Bunao said.

She also cited the changes in the date for the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) from October 6 to Oct 22 - 29.

In case of postponement, she assured that the preparations will not be wasted since it can still be used for the next election.

Part of the preparations are printing of official voters to be certified by the Election Regulation Board (ERB) to confirm if the voters are complete and visitation in barangay voting areas.

Bunao added that as of September 29, the COMELEC has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the printing of ballots.