MATI CITY–Rep. Joel Mayo Z. Almario of the second district of Davao Oriental filed a bill last Monday seeking the holding of barangay elections in May 2023, not on a date earlier.

Almario told reporters covering the 52nd founding anniversary of Davao Oriental at the provincial capitol gym last July 1st that holding an election just after the just concluded May 13 Midterm polls will trigger more divisiveness.

“The nation can afford to spend P5 billion on a nationwide election but not the divisiveness that it would spawn, ” he said.

Almario said a number of other lawmakers have also filed similar bills seeking postponement of the barangay elections.

Isabela Rep Faustino Dy 5th, who authored House bill 47, said the bill aims to give officials elected last year a full five-year term. He wants the village and SK polls to be held on the first Monday or May in 2023.

Almario also delivered a message during the anniversary celebration wherein he bared some projects and legislative proposals aimed at benefitting the people of his province.

He thanked Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang for swearing him as one of the two elected members of the House of Representatives.

The other House member of the province, Congresswoman Corazon N. Malanyaon of the First District failed to make it to the celebration as she was stranded in Bicol due to a typhoon. AMA