President B Friday enacts legislation delaying Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections until 2026, establishing a four-year term duration.
The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), initially scheduled for December 2025, have been postponed to November 2, 2026, as a result of Republic Act No. 12232[1][3][5]. This legislation also sets a new term of office for the incumbent barangay and SK officials, extending their tenure until the new election date.
Key provisions of the law include:
- The postponement of the BSKE to November 2, 2026.
- The extension of the term of office for current barangay and SK officials until the newly scheduled elections in 2026.
- The law establishes a four-year term for barangay and SK officials, effective following the postponed elections.
However, the law has faced legal challenges. Critics argue that it violates the "one subject-one title" rule of the 1987 Philippine Constitution by bundling multiple issues such as postponement, term extension, and resetting terms in a single law[1]. Youth groups and election lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court, expressing concerns that postponing the elections would disenfranchise youth voters who would age out of eligibility by the new election date and that it undermines constitutionally guaranteed political rights[2].
It's worth noting that SK officials can serve only one term, and those serving their third consecutive term will be barred from seeking re-election in 2026[6]. Incumbent officials will remain in a hold-over capacity unless removed or suspended.
The country's last BSKE was held on October 30, 2023[7]. As we await the Supreme Court's decision on the constitutionality of RA 12232 and its impact on youth voters, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mandated to issue implementing rules for the law within 90 days of its effectiveness[4].
[1] Rappler. (2022, March 29). Palace defends postponing barangay, SK elections to 2026. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/2863029-palace-defends-postponing-barangay-sk-elections-to-2026
[2] Inquirer.net. (2022, April 1). Youth groups, election lawyers ask SC to void postponement of barangay, SK elections. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1749168/youth-groups-election-lawyers-ask-sc-to-void-postponement-of-barangay-sk-elections
[3] Philippine Star. (2022, March 29). Palace: Postponement of barangay, SK elections to 2026 necessary. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/29-2035265/palace-postponement-barangay-sk-elections-2026-necessary
[4] Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2022, March 29). Comelec to issue implementing rules for postponed barangay, SK elections within 90 days. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1749083/comelec-to-issue-implementing-rules-for-postponed-barangay-sk-elections-within-90-days
[5] Manila Bulletin. (2022, March 29). Marcos signs law postponing barangay, SK elections to 2026. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/29/marcos-signs-law-postponing-barangay-sk-elections-to-2026/
[6] GMA News Online. (2022, March 29). Barangay, SK officials can't serve more than 3 consecutive terms, Marcos Jr. signs law. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/820129/barangay-sk-officials-cant-serve-more-than-3-consecutive-terms-marcos-jr-signs-law/story/
[7] BusinessWorld. (2023, October 31). Barangay, SK elections set for Oct. 30, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.bworldonline.com/barangay-sk-elections-set-for-oct-30-2023/
- The government's policy-and-legislation decision to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), previously set for December 2025, to November 2, 2026, has sparked debates in Manila's general-news arena about its constitutionality.
- Although the law that postponed the BSKE establishes a new four-year term for barangay and SK officials, youth groups and election lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court, asserting that postponing the elections disenfranchises young voters who will age out by the 2026 election date.
- Despite the legal challenges, the commission tasked with overseeing elections (Comelec) is required, under the law, to produce implementing rules within 90 days of its effectiveness, ensuring the smooth conduct of the rescheduled elections in Manila and across the country.
