In Valmocina’s statement in a forum, he said that barangay officials should not be campaigning for charter change.
He also said that the DILG does not have a directive for all local government units to intervene in this.
It is also said that there is a violation for any official who gets involved in the people’s initiative.
But based on what Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos read from the Comelec En banc Resolution dated April 20, 2022,.
Abalos also said that the people’s initiative, or cha-cha, is a sensitive issue, so it is necessary to clarify all the words released by government officials, especially their agencies.
After that, they said that their agency also wrote to the Commission on Elections about the real role of the barangay officials regarding the said matter so that everything could be clarified about the duties of the barangay officials.
At the same time, Abalos also reminded all their secretaries under their agencies to be careful when releasing statements that may confuse the majority.
He also added that he was responsible for statements that did not reflect the overall image of the agency.
Meanwhile, Valmocina also issued a clarification statement and said that his statements are only his personal views and do not represent the entire DILG agency.
For now, Abalos said he will have to wait for the COMELEC’s answer from his agency regarding the role of barangay officials, which he said will be released to the public immediately.