MANILA, Philippines — The 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) could be pushed back once again after a Senate committee approved a measure seeking to move the polls to November 2028 and establish a five-year term for barangay and SK officials.
The Senate Committee on Local Government, led by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, approved the proposal on Monday, August 24, clearing the way for the measure to be tackled by the full Senate.
Under Senate Bill No. 2387, Escudero wants to amend Republic Act No. 12232, the law that currently provides for four-year terms for elected barangay and SK officials.
Instead of holding the next BSKE on November 2, 2026, the measure would move the elections to November 2028, with subsequent barangay and SK elections to be held every five years.
Not Just a Postponement, Escudero Says
Escudero has argued that the proposal should not simply be viewed as another postponement of elections.
His position is that Congress should establish a permanent five-year term so barangay and SK officials will have a more predictable period to implement programs and projects, while reducing the likelihood of repeated election resets in the future.
The proposal would also contain transitional provisions affecting incumbent officials.
Under the bill, the additional two years would be treated as part of the officials’ completed term. Barangay officials who are already serving their third consecutive term would therefore be barred from seeking the same position in the proposed 2028 elections. Existing term-limit rules for barangay and SK officials would otherwise remain.
But the Bigger Question Is the Election Postponement
The proposal has already attracted opposition from election watchdogs.
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) questioned whether postponing the election should be bundled together with the proposal to establish a five-year term.
Namfrel has argued that Congress could allow the November 2, 2026 elections to proceed and apply the five-year term to officials who are elected, rather than giving incumbents additional years without a new electoral mandate.
That distinction could become one of the most closely watched issues as the proposal moves to the Senate floor.
Comelec Has Already Spent Billions Preparing for the Polls
Another major complication is the amount of money and resources the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already committed to the 2026 BSKE.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body has a budget of about ₱19.57 billion for the elections and has already spent roughly ₱8 billion on preparations, including election-related materials and personnel expenses.
Garcia has repeatedly urged Congress to make a decision on the fate of the elections as early as possible.
The Comelec wants clarity by the second week of September, saying uncertainty affects the procurement and deployment of election materials as well as preparations for teachers and other election personnel.
Some materials also have limited shelf lives. Garcia specifically cited items such as indelible ink and other supplies that could potentially be wasted if the election is repeatedly delayed.
Why the Timing Matters
The proposed 2028 reset would come after the 2023 BSKE and the previous postponement that moved the next barangay and SK elections to November 2026.
That means another postponement would again extend the tenure of officials elected in 2023.
The issue is particularly sensitive because the Supreme Court previously struck down a law that postponed the BSKE in 2022, emphasizing that Congress must have sufficient legal and constitutional justification for moving constitutionally scheduled elections. Comelec officials have warned lawmakers that any new postponement could face legal scrutiny.
What Happens Next?
The Senate committee approval does not mean the 2026 BSKE has already been cancelled or moved to 2028.
The proposal must still undergo plenary deliberations and the rest of the legislative process before it could become law.
For now, the November 2, 2026 BSKE remains the scheduled election date unless Congress ultimately passes a new measure and it takes effect.
That leaves barangay officials, SK candidates, voters and the Comelec waiting for one critical decision: Will the 2026 polls proceed as scheduled, or will voters have to wait until 2028?
And with billions of pesos already spent preparing for the elections, the answer could have consequences far beyond the barangay level.
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