Namfrel opposes move to postpone 2025 BSKE

MANILA, Philippines — Warning that any delay would disrupt the democratic process, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) yesterday expressed strong opposition to the proposed postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) scheduled on Dec. 1.

“(We) strongly believe that democracy works best when elections are held regularly, on time and fairly. We urge Congress to protect the right to vote and let the Dec. 1, 2025 elections push through,” NAMFREL said in a statement.

The poll watchdog underscored the importance of holding timely elections in the barangay, the smallest and most immediate government unit, noting that it plays a critical role in resolving community concerns and implementing grassroots programs.

“As the closest government to the people, voters must regularly and periodically choose their leaders,” the group added.

NAMFREL also emphasized the role of youth leaders in shaping community development, saying the SK plays a crucial part in giving the youth a platform to lead and take part in local governance.

“Postponing SK elections deprives young people of representation and delays youth participation in governance,” the group noted.

NAMFREL recalled the Supreme Court ruling related to the 2022 BSKE postponement, which stated that meaningful voting requires “genuine periodic elections which ensure that the authority of government continues to be based on the free expression of the will of electors.”

The group further expressed concern about the holdover provision in Senate Bill 2816, warning that although it ensures continuity of services, it may extend the terms of officials “beyond their original mandate without direct public consent.”

It clarified that while it supports the bill’s goal to define term limits for barangay and SK officials, this must not compromise the conduct of regular elections.

“The proposed law extending the term of barangay and SK officials should be applied in consideration of the 2025 BSKE,” it said.

The ratified version of the bill, approved by both the Senate and House, seeks to extend village officials’ terms to four years with up to three consecutive terms, while youth council members would serve a single four-year term. It also aims to reset the December 2025 BSKE to the first Monday of November 2026.?

Intent clarified

Amid public criticism and legal objections, Sen. Imee Marcos defended yesterday her sponsored measure resetting the 2025 BSKE, stressing that its primary objective is to formally establish term limits for barangay officials, not merely to delay the polls.

“(Election lawyer Romulo) Macalintal speaks of postponement while the intention of the bill is clearly to set the term of barangay officials,” Marcos said.

Macalintal earlier argued that there was no compelling reason for another postponement, calling the bill a “draconian measure” and pointing to a previous Supreme Court ruling that struck down an earlier BSKE postponement law as unconstitutional.

Marcos maintained that Congress has the authority to legislate term lengths under Article X, Section 8 of the Constitution, which allows lawmakers to determine the term of barangay officials.

She also emphasized that the measure fixes the term of barangay officials to four years with a maximum of three consecutive terms, and limits SK officials to a single four-year term starting November 2026. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab