It has been consistently provided under the various barangay election laws, including the law which postponed the barangay elections to October 2017, that all barangay elected officials shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless meanwhile they have been dismissed for cause.

Existing laws, which must be maintained, do not provide for appointment of OICs for elective barangay positions.

Any further postponement of the village polls must not allow the appointment of OICs either by the President or the Secretary of DILG.

The choice of elective officials belongs to the electorate.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN