Iloilo Lone District Rep. Jerry Treñas reiterated Wednesday his call to the Congress to swiftly act on his proposal to postpone the 2013 barangay elections.

In a news release of the House of Representatives, Treñas noted that this measure mau insulate the barangay elections from the influence of partisan politics.

Treñas said that with the ongoing impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato Corona and the looming 2013 national elections, Congress only has a very limited window of opportunity to give full attention in fast-tracking the passage of a measure which would move the barangay polls to a more suitable schedule.

He noted that holding a barangay election only five months after the national polls will put an undue financial strain on the national budget, apart from the fact that partisan conflict would still be too intense if elections are held almost simultaneously in one year.

Treñas' House Bill 6005 seeks to reset the 2013 Barangay elections to the last Monday of October 2015, instead of the October 2013 set by law.

"The spirit of our laws and the practical realities of the highly-political and divisive nature of the upcoming May elections dictate that the Barangay polls be postponed to a later date," Treñas said.

The Barangay is the basic unit of the country's social structure. It has therefore been decided by the lawmakers of our country to insulate the barangays from the influence of partisan politics, he said.

Unfortunately, Trenas said, the next barangay election is scheduled on the same year as the nationwide national and local elections in 2013.

"Suffice it to say, the highly polarizing and political nature of the May 2013 elections will greatly influence the conduct and outcome of the next Barangay election, if such is to take place immediately after the May polls," Treñas added.

Treñas noted that his proposal would save the government funds as well as make the incumbent barangay officials to continue implement their projects and initiatives.

"In other words, holding the 2013 barangay polls will surely disrupt the continuity of the programs and the implementation of projects in the various barangays all over the country," Treñas concluded.*MAS