Prepare for village, SK polls, Rep. Mercado advises interested individuals

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
September 10, 2007

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  In the light of uncertainty on whether or not the scheduled barangay and youth elections would push through next month, Rep. Roger Mercado offered this advice:  just prepare.

The lone Southern Leyteño lawmaker stressed that those aspiring to become leaders in their respective barangays better get ready for the October 29 balloting, for even if it will be postponed there’s still no harm in preparing.

Cong. Mercado made the unsolicited advice to interested, would-be candidates in an informal talk with local media right after the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting at the Ruperto K. Kangleon (RKK) Function house here Friday, September 7.

This was the very first PDC meeting presided by Gov. Damian Mercado since he assumed the new post three months ago.

Mercado said the certificates of candidacy will be received by the Comelec for the village polls in a months’ time, and granting that a measure seeking to postpone the said elections can pass in the Lower House it will still be delayed in the Senate, and would be overtaken by time, he added.

In any case, whether the village polls can be reset or pushed through, he remained steadfast in his advice to interested takers to just be ready and prepare.

In two other national developments where his views was sought, first on the controversial NBN deal, Cong. Mercado said he would rather wait for the congressional investigation to unfold before making comment.