By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), extending the term of office for all elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from three years to five years.
President Marcos Jr. on Friday announced in a Facebook post the signing of Republic Act (RA) No. 12326, moving the regular BSKE from Nov. 2, 2026 to the second Monday of November 2028.
“Ang dagdag na panahon sa panunungkulan ay dagdag na panahon para maglingkod. Sa paglagda natin sa Republic Act No. 12326, na nagtatakda ng limang taong termino para sa mga opisyal ng barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan, malinaw ang ating inaasahan sa ating mga kasalukuyang opisyal,” he said.
“Gamitin ang panahong ito upang mas pagbutihin ang serbisyo, tapusin ang mga nasimulang programa at mas tutukan ang pangangailangan ng bawat komunidad, pamilya at kabataan,” he added.
The President said the term extension for all barangay and SK officials is not an additional time in office but an “additional time to be accountable to the people.”
Under RA No. 12326 signed by Marcos on Thursday, elective barangay officials are limited to a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same position, while SK officials are limited to one term in the same post.
Following the conduct of the BSKE on the second Monday of November 2028, the next BSKE will be held every five years thereafter.
Vacancies in SK membership will be filled through appointment by the city or municipal mayor, provided the appointee meets the requirements under RA No. 10742, as amended.
Vacancies in the SK chairperson post are excluded from mayoral appointments and must be filled through succession.
Due to the two-year term extension, incumbent elective barangay officials will be considered to have completed one full term.
Incumbents currently serving their final term will be ineligible to run for the same position in the November 2028 elections.
Incumbent officials will remain subject to ongoing or future investigations, while courts or competent authorities may order preventive suspensions during the transition period.
Concerned agencies are directed to institutionalize continuing training programs for barangay and SK officials to ensure program continuity and duty execution.
Unexpended balances from previous election budgets remain available as continuing appropriations for the Commission on Elections to fund preparations for the 2028 National and Local Election preparations.
RA No. 12326, which was made public on Friday, takes effect immediately after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Comelec stops preparations
Following the development, Comelec chairperson George Garcia announced that they have halted the preparations for the village and youth polls in November.
“Our Commission En Banc session was ongoing earlier when we learned that our President has signed the new law fixing the term of Barangay and SK officials from four years to five years, and this has the corresponding postponement that the elections will take place not on Nov. 2 (2026) but in the 2nd week of November of 2028,” he said in an interview.
“We will release a resolution shortly where we will cancel all activities related to our preparations for the Nov. 2, 2026 Barangay and SK Elections.”
The poll body chief added that the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) of aspirants scheduled next week will no longer push through, and the provisions on social services, even on public works, have also been lifted.
He also announced that because the BSKE is no longer pushing through, they are set to hold the nationwide voter registration from the second week of November to July 30, 2027 in preparation for the 2028 national and local elections. (With a report from Ferdinand Patinio)
