President Duterte said Friday that he was in favor of the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October for fear that it would be influenced by drug money.
“The reason I tell you now…why I agreed with the Congress to postpone the barangay elections, do you know why?
Because I am afraid that drug money will seep into the electoral process,” the Chief Executive said in his remarks during the 10th anniversary of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City.
“You will just be adding to our headache. People who will win might be those that are funded by drug money,” he added.
And if this happens, Duterte said that there might be a need to impose Martial Law, but was quick to give assurance that he will never resort to such action.
“Kailangan mo na mag-Martial Law to eliminate all, which I will never do in the first place. Mahirapan na talaga tayo,” the President said.
Another reason why he is inclined to support the postponement of the barangay and SK polls, Duterte said, is the budget.
“You have to spend billions of pesos…might as well use that to help the rehab, I have to build the rehab centers.
As a matter of fact, I ordered you, the military guys to give us space there in your camp because you have huge territory given by the government. You have reservations numbering to hundreds of hectares. Give a little space in the mountains, not here,” said Duterte. (Elena L. Aben)
