By Gerry Lee Gorit
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A top official of the province of Misamis Oriental is hoping the appeal of the Comelec to the Supreme Court would be approved.
ABC President Robert “Bobet ” de Lara of the Misor Liga ng mga Barangay said they are supporting the Comelec appeal because it can lighten the workload of the Comelec, as well as save money from the coffers of the government.
“There’s an appeal to the Supreme Court by the Commissions on Elections which I think it’s very valid,” de Lara said.
Based on the appeal, de Lara said, the Comelec cannot afford to hold two elections in one year and the total budgeted cost of one election alone was over P17-billion.
The Comelec is now appealing to hold the Barangay elections in 2026. Considering the cost of the elections is P17-billion.
HOLD OVER CAPACITY
With the opinion that the Supreme Court rules on “hold over capacity” of old and new barangay officials, the ABC president claimed “it’s the SC ruling, the highest law making body of the country. We cannot question the Supreme Court ruling,” he said.
“Right now, we only hope the SC will grant the appeal of the Commission on Elections to extend the Barangay elections in 2026,” De Lara added.
