Presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Santiago (right) and vice-presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left), the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, gesture to supporters during a campaign rally in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Tuesday, at the start of the campaign for the May 10 national elections.(MNS photo)
SAN MANUEL, Tarlac (Mabuhay) – Fresh from the Holy Week break, Senator and vice-presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. started his campaign by visiting Tarlac – the home province of President Benigno Aquino III.
Marcos joined municipal hall employees during the flag raising ceremony and told them about his accomplishments and experience.
He also told barangay officials that he is in favor of postponing the barangay elections this year.
“Meron na kasi sa Congress, ang plano ko i-adopt ko sa Senado para wala ng hearing para mabilis na ang pagpasa sa pagpostpone ng halalan. May dahilan yan, hindi lamang magpo-postpone para mag postpone. Mag postpone tayo para pag-aralan ang pagbabago ng termino at term limits,” he said.
“Una, postponement. Ang gagawin, gagayahin natin yung sa Sangguniang Kabataan. Pag-aaralan yung mga pagbabago. So ang ginawa namin habang nakapostpone ang halalan ay napag aralan kaya nagkaroon ng SK Reform Law,” he added.
Republic Act Number 9164, which amended Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, provides that subsequent synchronized Barangay Elections and SK elections in 2002 be held on the last Monday of October and every three years thereafter. In January this year, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act has been signed by President Benigno Aquino III.
Marcos also said that in 2012, then Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo agreed on a compromise that there will be a two-term limit for barangay captains with each term lasting five years.
“Yan nilakad ko na yan noong 2012. Pumayag na ang DILG noong panahon pa ni Sec Jess pero sinabi nila ang compromise ay 5-year-term pero 2-term limit. Habang pinag-uusapan, nag anunsyo ang Palasyo na walang pagbabago pero yung Liga ng mga Barangay ay talagang ito ang hinihingi ng mga kapitan,” he said.
He told municipal hall employees of San Manuel that the national government must listen to the needs of local government units.
Marcos campaigned and met with municipal officials in the towns of San Manuel and Moncada in Tarlac this morning. (MNS)