Barangay Officials

     The smallest political unit in the Philippines is the barangay, like a village in many other countries. Even urban centers are divided into smaller units called barangays too. Today these barangays are lead by elected officials every three years I think, and current barangay officials can be re-elected for three terms, after they can rest and run again after three-year hiatus or run for another post.

     Today Manny Piñol, an ex-government Secretary of Agriculture when Duterte started but he resigned and didn't complete the six-year term, posted in his FB something that I completely agree.

He urges for barangay officials to be appointed instead of elected 

     It's a lot of savings for the government because running an election incurs a lot for the government. It too will depoliticize the barangay level. I know the local government will definitely use politics in their appointments but it will minimize too much politics in the villages. It will be easier for them, responsible LGU, to implement programs to benefit the villages 

     This reminds me of Malaysia, a British inspired form of government. In there, these local governments are run by civil employees. They are therefore not politically aligned with any of the local kingpins. Thus they have minimal elections, less politicking and implement programs easier and faster. The parliament representatives may change but the local officials remain as employees of the government.