Comelec says better for poll body to hold BSKE in 2026 instead of December 2025 | ABS-CBN
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Comelec says better for poll body to hold BSKE in 2026 instead of December 2025
Comelec says better for poll body to hold BSKE in 2026 instead of December 2025
Comelec Board of election Inspectors and poll clerks begin the counting of ballots as voting ends at the Paranaque Elementary School Central in Paranaque City on October 30, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
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MANILA — The Commission on Elections said on Wednesday that it would benefit the poll body should the upcoming December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections be moved to 2026.
MANILA — The Commission on Elections said on Wednesday that it would benefit the poll body should the upcoming December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections be moved to 2026.
This, amid moves by some lawmakers to reset the BSKE anew in October 2026, or a year and a half after the 2025 midterm elections. They noted that if the elections will push through next year, current village and youth officials will only serve for two years, instead of three.
This, amid moves by some lawmakers to reset the BSKE anew in October 2026, or a year and a half after the 2025 midterm elections. They noted that if the elections will push through next year, current village and youth officials will only serve for two years, instead of three.
Comelec Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco says they recognize the power of the Congress and the Executive Department to reset the date of the elections.
Comelec Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco says they recognize the power of the Congress and the Executive Department to reset the date of the elections.
“Sa isang banda po sa parte ng Comelec ay malaking kagaangan po ito kung maililipat kahit ilang buwan lamang po sa 2026 iyong barangay at SK elections, dahil po sa ngayon na hindi pa kami tapos maghanda sa May elections kami po’y kasabay nang naghahanda para sa Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” he said.
“Sa isang banda po sa parte ng Comelec ay malaking kagaangan po ito kung maililipat kahit ilang buwan lamang po sa 2026 iyong barangay at SK elections, dahil po sa ngayon na hindi pa kami tapos maghanda sa May elections kami po’y kasabay nang naghahanda para sa Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” he said.
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Laudiangco also noted that having the midterm and BSKE elections in the same year will result in a shorter voter registration period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.
Laudiangco also noted that having the midterm and BSKE elections in the same year will result in a shorter voter registration period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.
“Isa pa pong epekto nito, kung sakali po talaga may halalan tayo sa 2025, iyong period po ng pagbubukas muli ng registration para sa sangguniang kabataan at iba pa pong magkwa-qualify na botanteng Pilipino ay maaaring maging maikli lamang, siguro po mga sampung araw lang iyan,” he said.
“Isa pa pong epekto nito, kung sakali po talaga may halalan tayo sa 2025, iyong period po ng pagbubukas muli ng registration para sa sangguniang kabataan at iba pa pong magkwa-qualify na botanteng Pilipino ay maaaring maging maikli lamang, siguro po mga sampung araw lang iyan,” he said.
“Pero kung maililipat po ng 2026 ang halalan ay mas mahaba po iyong period na maibibigay natin para makapagpa-rehistro iyong sangguniang kabataan at iyong magku-qualify pang barangay voters na mga bago po.”
“Pero kung maililipat po ng 2026 ang halalan ay mas mahaba po iyong period na maibibigay natin para makapagpa-rehistro iyong sangguniang kabataan at iyong magku-qualify pang barangay voters na mga bago po.”
In an earlier interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that the reset of the 2025 village and youth elections is up to Congress.
In an earlier interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that the reset of the 2025 village and youth elections is up to Congress.
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Pope suffers respiratory crisis, condition critical: Vatican
Pope suffers respiratory crisis, condition critical: Vatican
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 23, 2025 03:12 AM PHT
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Updated Feb 23, 2025 10:26 AM PHT
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(UPDATED) Pope Francis's condition "continues to be critical", the Vatican said Saturday, saying the 88-year-old was alert but had suffered a "respiratory crisis" that required "high-flow oxygen", and also blood transfusions.
(UPDATED) Pope Francis's condition "continues to be critical", the Vatican said Saturday, saying the 88-year-old was alert but had suffered a "respiratory crisis" that required "high-flow oxygen", and also blood transfusions.
"The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen," the Holy See Press Office said in a medical update.
"The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen," the Holy See Press Office said in a medical update.
"At the moment the prognosis is reserved," the Vatican said, as the head of the Catholic Church prepared to spend his ninth night in Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was diagnosed this week with double pneumonia.
"At the moment the prognosis is reserved," the Vatican said, as the head of the Catholic Church prepared to spend his ninth night in Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was diagnosed this week with double pneumonia.
"The Holy Father's condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday, the pope is not out of danger," the Vatican said in its regular early evening update.
"The Holy Father's condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday, the pope is not out of danger," the Vatican said in its regular early evening update.
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"This morning Pope Francis presented a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, which also required the application of high-flow oxygen," it said.
"This morning Pope Francis presented a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, which also required the application of high-flow oxygen," it said.
Daily blood tests "showed thrombocytopenia, associated with anaemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions", it added.
Daily blood tests "showed thrombocytopenia, associated with anaemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions", it added.
"The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair even if he was suffering more than yesterday."
"The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair even if he was suffering more than yesterday."
The Vatican earlier confirmed the Argentine pontiff would not deliver his usual weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday, saying the text would be published, as it was last weekend.
The Vatican earlier confirmed the Argentine pontiff would not deliver his usual weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday, saying the text would be published, as it was last weekend.
Prayers for the pope
Francis has been head of the Catholic Church since 2013, but has suffered numerous health issues in recent years, and underwent major surgery in 2021 and 2023.
Francis has been head of the Catholic Church since 2013, but has suffered numerous health issues in recent years, and underwent major surgery in 2021 and 2023.
This latest hospitalisation has cast doubt over his ability to continue as leader of world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics, fuelling speculation over his potential resignation -- and who might take over.
This latest hospitalisation has cast doubt over his ability to continue as leader of world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics, fuelling speculation over his potential resignation -- and who might take over.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told Italy's Corriere della Sera daily that such discussion was normal but said he would not enter into "useless speculation".
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told Italy's Corriere della Sera daily that such discussion was normal but said he would not enter into "useless speculation".
"Now we are thinking about the health of the Holy Father, his recovery, his return to the Vatican: these are the only things that matter," the cardinal said.
"Now we are thinking about the health of the Holy Father, his recovery, his return to the Vatican: these are the only things that matter," the cardinal said.
A group of nuns and priests from around the world gathered Saturday outside the entrance to the Gemelli hospital, where Francis is staying in a special papal suite on the 10th floor, to pray for him.
A group of nuns and priests from around the world gathered Saturday outside the entrance to the Gemelli hospital, where Francis is staying in a special papal suite on the 10th floor, to pray for him.
"We are praying today for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and our hope is that he will recover well in the Grace of God," Brazilian priest Don Wellison told AFP.
"We are praying today for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and our hope is that he will recover well in the Grace of God," Brazilian priest Don Wellison told AFP.
Francis has been moving between his bed, a chair and an adjacent chapel where he prays and has also been doing some work, the Vatican says.
Francis has been moving between his bed, a chair and an adjacent chapel where he prays and has also been doing some work, the Vatican says.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, who leads the pope's medical team at the Gemalli, said Friday the pontiff's condition has been slightly improving, allowing doctors to incrementally lower the amount of medication he is taking.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, who leads the pope's medical team at the Gemalli, said Friday the pontiff's condition has been slightly improving, allowing doctors to incrementally lower the amount of medication he is taking.
But he made clear then that the situation was very serious, noting the pontiff's age and general condition of health.
But he made clear then that the situation was very serious, noting the pontiff's age and general condition of health.
"Is the pope out of danger? No, the pope is not out of danger," Alfieri said, but added: "If you then ask whether he is in danger of dying at this moment, the answer is still no."
"Is the pope out of danger? No, the pope is not out of danger," Alfieri said, but added: "If you then ask whether he is in danger of dying at this moment, the answer is still no."
Francis has said the papacy is a job for life, but has also left the door open to resigning like his predecessor Benedict XVI.
Francis has said the papacy is a job for life, but has also left the door open to resigning like his predecessor Benedict XVI.
He has often joked about the scheming his health woes inevitably prompt, particularly among those who oppose his attempts at reform.
He has often joked about the scheming his health woes inevitably prompt, particularly among those who oppose his attempts at reform.
After undergoing colon surgery in 2021, he joked that "they were preparing the conclave", the meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope following a death or resignation.
After undergoing colon surgery in 2021, he joked that "they were preparing the conclave", the meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope following a death or resignation.
A lot of respect
Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told the Corriere on Friday he did not rule out Francis stepping down.
Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told the Corriere on Friday he did not rule out Francis stepping down.
But Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, who leads the Holy See's powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said he had heard no particular manoeuvring this time.
But Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, who leads the Holy See's powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said he had heard no particular manoeuvring this time.
"I don't see a pre-conclave environment, I don't see more conversations on a potential successor than there were a year ago," he told Argentina's La Nacion daily.
"I don't see a pre-conclave environment, I don't see more conversations on a potential successor than there were a year ago," he told Argentina's La Nacion daily.
"So far I perceive a lot of respect."
"So far I perceive a lot of respect."
The pope maintains a punishing work schedule, and in September made a 12-day tour to the Asia-Pacific.
The pope maintains a punishing work schedule, and in September made a 12-day tour to the Asia-Pacific.
But he has suffered increasing health issues, from his colon surgery to a hernia operation in 2023.
But he has suffered increasing health issues, from his colon surgery to a hernia operation in 2023.
He is also overweight and suffers constant hip and knee pain, which force him to use a wheelchair most of the time.
He is also overweight and suffers constant hip and knee pain, which force him to use a wheelchair most of the time.
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