TARLAKENYO — Amid widespread public confusion over whether the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will be postponed, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Garcia clarified on September 18, 2026, that preparations for the November 2, 2026 polls remain fully underway.
Addressing rumors surrounding the status of the local elections, Chairman Garcia dismissed claims that the polls have already been called off:
“Tuloy na tuloy ang [BSKE] eleksyon hanggang sa araw na ‘to, sapagkat ‘yun po ang batas… ‘Yan po ay hindi fake news; totoo po ‘yan,” Garcia said.
“Wala pa tayong batas. Batas ang ating hahanapin,” he added.
The confusion stems from rapid legislative movements in Congress seeking to extend the terms of local officials from four to five years and push the elections to November 2028:
- Senate & House Action: On September 14, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2387 on third reading. Two days later, on September 16, the House of Representatives formally adopted the Senate’s version.
- Bypassing Bicameral Talks: By adopting the identical bill, lawmakers eliminated the need for a conference committee, fast-tracking the measure directly to Malacañang.
As of this moment, the postponement measure is an enrolled bill awaiting action by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Until the President signs the bill into law (or lets it lapse into law), Republic Act No. 12232 remains the active law governing the polls.
Garcia emphasized that COMELEC must continue its full operational preparations under existing law, but noted that if a new law is officially enacted, all election activities will immediately halt the following day.
