Senate panel OKs BSKE postponement, 5-yr barangay–SK terms

A Senate panel in the Philippines has advanced legislation that would postpone the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), originally scheduled for November 2026. The panel on local government concluded its deliberations on bills that would delay the polls and also extend the term of local officials.

Specifically, Senator Imee Marcos's Senate Bill No. 2067 proposes moving the BSKE from November 2, 2026, to October 2027. This postponement is intended to alleviate the financial burden on voters, particularly concerning travel costs, in the context of high fuel prices. Senator Chiz Escudero's Senate Bill No. 2387, meanwhile, aims to establish a fixed five-year term for barangay and SK officials, replacing the current four-year term to allow for more effective implementation of local projects.

During the hearing, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) noted that a five-year term could be implemented even if the November 2026 election proceeds. However, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already allocated P8 billion in preparation for the polls, with expenses covering voter registration, personnel services, and overtime work. Comelec Chairman George Garcia indicated that procured items like ballot boxes and ballots could be stored until a rescheduled election.

The panel's approval will lead to a committee report, which will then be presented to the plenary for further consideration. The proposed measures, if enacted, would significantly alter the electoral calendar and the tenure of local governance in the Philippines.

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The natural effect will, of course, be to postpone the upcoming election, but the subject matter of this bill is fixing the term, not just postponement.