TARLAKENYO — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a new law that postpones this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to November 2028 and extends the term of barangay and youth officials to five years.
The new law, Republic Act No. 12326, was signed on September 24, 2026. It amends Republic Act No. 12232, which previously set the term of office for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.
Under the new law, the next regular barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will be held on the second Monday of November 2028 and every five years after that. The elections were originally scheduled for November 2, 2026.
In a Facebook post, Marcos said the extra time in office is an opportunity for officials to serve their communities better.
“Ang dagdag na panahon sa panunungkulan ay dagdag na panahon para maglingkod,” Marcos 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 also stressed that the extension is not just about staying in power.
“Hindi ito dagdag na panahon sa puwesto. Dagdag itong panahon ng pananagutan sa taumbayan,” he added.
The law also sets term limits. No elected barangay official may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position. No elected Sangguniang Kabataan official may serve more than one term in the same position.
The new law also allows city or municipal mayors to appoint members of the Sangguniang Kabataan if there are vacancies. The appointee must meet the qualifications under the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015. However, vacancies in the position of Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson will still be filled by succession.
The law also requires the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to work with other agencies to provide continuing training and capacity-building programs for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.
Under the transitory provision, current elective barangay officials will be considered as having completed one term in their positions because of the two-year extension. Incumbent officials who are already serving their last term will not be allowed to run for the same position in the 2028 elections.
The law states that any unexpended funds for the 2026 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will be used by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for preparations for the 2028 National and Local Elections.
The postponement is expected to result in the loss of about P8 billion already spent on election preparations. However, COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia earlier said the materials could still be used in future elections.
Some groups and individuals are expected to file a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and a petition before the Supreme Court to question the law. They argue that the postponement affects the right of citizens and the youth to take part in the democratic process.
