THE BARANGAY ELECTIONS MUST PROCEED

The attempt to postpone the synchronized Barangay and SK elections is politically unacceptable. It does not go well with a democratic society like the Philippines. The holding of these elections is long overdue, considering that it was previously re-set. The elected barangay leaders, councilmen and youth leaders have been serving their terms since 2002. The lawfully scheduled Oct. 31, 2005 election mandated under RA 9164 was already postponed through another law - RA 9340. Their term of office was already extended by two years.

In a free and democratic society, citizens are given the chance to participate in governance. Leaders should not perpetuate themselves into power. They should be instruments in making the community grow by shunning monopoly of ideas and tyranny of the few. Genuine development can only be attained if people are politically, socially and economically free. The people's basic right to choose their leaders must be upheld.

Senate's act of technically abandoning the move by the House of Representatives to postpone the Barangay and SK elections is a welcome development. The people in the barangays will now have the chance to elect their leaders. Let the deserving be re-elected and the undesirables be replaced, let the barangays be truly empowered by electing qualified village leaders with a vision and solid program of government. Let the youth chart their destiny by allowing them to change the old ones with a fresh set of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.

The October 29, 2007 Barangay and SK elections must proceed as scheduled. This political exercise will put to rest the perception that the Philippines is not capable of upholding its own laws. Amidst numerous national crises and scandals, the holding of the synchronized elections will help boost our country's image as the bulwark of democracy in Asia.