MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is continuing preparations for the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) despite Congress’ move to postpone the polls to 2028.
The reason is straightforward: the postponement measure has not yet become law.
COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Friday that the poll body cannot simply stop its preparations while the existing law still requires the BSKE to be held on November 2.
“Hindi po kami humihinto” — Garcia said preparations must continue because, until a new law takes effect, the existing election schedule remains in force.
That puts the election process in a race against the calendar, with the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) scheduled from September 28 to October 5.
The bill has cleared Congress—but it is not yet law
Congress has already taken a major step toward postponing the elections.
The House of Representatives earlier approved House Bill No. 10971, while the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2387, both seeking to move the BSKE to November 2028 and establish five-year terms for barangay and SK officials.
But instead of proceeding to a bicameral conference committee, the House subsequently adopted the Senate version. That move was intended to speed up the legislative process by eliminating the need to reconcile separate House and Senate versions.
The measure now requires presidential action before it can alter the election schedule.
Malacañang previously said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would review the measure before deciding what to do with it.
Until that happens, however, COMELEC remains bound by the existing law.
What the current law says
Under Republic Act No. 12232, signed in August 2025, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials have four-year terms, while the next regular BSKE is scheduled for the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter.
That law is the reason COMELEC continues to prepare for a November 2 election.
The proposed legislation would change that framework.
If enacted, the measure would establish five-year terms for barangay and SK officials and move the next BSKE to the second Monday of November 2028, with succeeding elections held every five years.
The proposal also contains new transition and term-limit provisions for incumbent officials.
COMELEC has already spent billions preparing
The uncertainty comes after COMELEC has already spent approximately ₱8 billion on preparations for the 2026 BSKE.
Garcia said the spending would not necessarily be lost if the election is moved because various materials, including printed ballots and other equipment, could still be used for a rescheduled election.
At the same time, COMELEC has delayed the delivery of some supplies, including items such as pens and indelible ink, to protect their quality in case the election is postponed.
COMELEC has also emphasized that it needs an early decision because election materials would have to begin moving across the country in the first weeks of October if the November 2 polls proceed.
September 28 is becoming a critical date
One of the biggest pressure points is the scheduled September 28 opening of COC filing.
COMELEC has repeatedly asked lawmakers to settle the issue before the filing period begins so candidates, election workers and the poll body will know which election calendar to follow.
The Philippine News Agency reported that COMELEC wants the postponement law enacted before September 28.
If the law is not enacted by then, COMELEC’s preparations for the November election will continue under the existing legal framework.
Election-related bans have also started
The uncertainty has not stopped other election-related rules from taking effect.
GMA News reported that the ban on certain public works and social-service releases began on September 18, 45 days before the scheduled November 2 election. The restrictions are intended to prevent public resources from being used for campaign-related purposes.
Regional COMELEC officials have likewise said preparations and election prohibitions remain in force while the postponement legislation is still pending.
What happens next?
For now, there are effectively two possible election calendars:
If the postponement measure becomes law:
The 2026 BSKE would be moved to November 2028 under the proposed five-year-term framework.
If it does not become law:
COMELEC must continue preparations for the November 2, 2026 BSKE under RA 12232.
The situation could also face further legal scrutiny. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has publicly urged the President to veto the postponement measure, while earlier discussions surrounding the proposal have already raised legal questions about repeatedly delaying barangay elections.
For voters and prospective candidates, the immediate issue is therefore not simply whether Congress voted to postpone the elections.
The key question is whether the postponement measure will actually become law before COMELEC reaches the next major stages of the 2026 election calendar.
Until then, November 2 remains the date on the books.
