By Liway C. Manantan-
Yparraguirre
ANY postponement of the scheduled barangay election on October 29 will need a new law.

That law must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed by President Gloria Arroyo.

This was explained by House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. yesterday morning after the inauguration of the new San Jacinto Police Station.

De Venecia said there are ‘two very strong schools of thought’ concerning the upcoming barangay elections.

“One is to hold it on October 29, the other one to postpone it either on May or October next year simultaneous with the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) election in order to save on funds,” he said.

“One school of thought says all the mayors, vice mayors, councilors, governors, board members, including the congressmen are completely dried up. They ran out of money because of the May election. Now they are calling upon them to spend money for the barangay elections. The other school of thought says matagal ng napo-postpone ang barangay elections, pagbigyan naman yong iba,” he added.

De Venecia said the Commission on Elections is inclined to recommend the postponement of the election as the ballot boxes are occupied as there are protests filed by some losing candidates in different electoral posts.

The ballots are important in case of recount.

“There are several bills filed in the House urging postponement. The key is whether the Senate will approve it or not. There are unconfirmed reports now that the majority in the Senate is inclined to recommend for postponement, with the possible exception of Senator Aquilino Pimentel,” the Speaker remarked.

He further said that consultations will be made among the congressmen and senators as, in case of postponement, there is a need to amend the existing election laws.

As to his personal stand, De Venecia said he will consult the mayors, vice mayors and barangay officials in his district.

“If majority will go for postponement, i will go for postponement,” he said.

The Speaker also announced that the ground breaking for the construction of a drug rehabilitation center in Bonuan Binloc at the former site of old provincial hospital will be held next week. The rehabilitation center will cater to patients from Northern Luzon.

“We will also help the project of Atty. Gonzalo Duque in Burgos town. Pangasinan is such a big province. That one in Burgos can take care of Western Pangasinan and part of Zambales. We are now waving the red flag because the drug menace has become very dangerous, affecting families and youths,” he stated.