Barangay execs’ term extension slammed

MANILA, Philippines — The extension of the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials is a violation of the 1987 Constitution, Kabataan party-list said yesterday.

Kabataan issued the statement as the Senate passed on second reading the bill postponing the upcoming Nov. 2 BSKE and extending barangay and SK officials’ terms to five years.

Five senators opposed the measure – Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III and Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Joel Villanueva, Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros – for denying the village voters’ right to choose their new barangay leaders this November.

“We pushed for the suspension of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) from 2026 to 2028 and extending the term of sitting officials for two years without providing sufficient basis. The Supreme Court (SC) said postponing elections needs to have a compelling governmental interest like protecting suffrage of a true emergency,” Kabataan Rep. Renee Co said. 

“It should not be merely administrative convenience or seeking for continuity. It has not been a year since we passed a law that extends the term of BSK officials to four years, and yet we will extend their term again for another year?” she asked.

House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of party-list Mamamayang Liberal also voted against the measure.

“Regular elections, held on time, remain the surest foundation of accountable governance at the grassroots level, because it is at the barangay where the impact of leadership, for better or worse, is felt most directly by ordinary Filipinos,” she said.

Rep. Sarah Elago of women’s group Gabriela also opposed the bill, saying “it will deny our citizens their right to choose their leaders. Because of the effect of postponement, they used term-fixing to push delaying BSKE this year.”

Sotto said fixing of their terms in office at five years from the current four can be done without postponing the upcoming BSKE.

“Considering that this is the eighth time that we have postponed barangay elections, it might give an impression to the public of how little regard we are giving to the unit of government closest to the people,” Sotto said yesterday.

Under the bill, barangay officials will be limited to two consecutive terms, while SK officials will continue to be limited to one term. Incumbent barangay officials already serving their third consecutive term will be disqualified from seeking the same position in the 2028 elections.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has vowed to challenge the law before the Supreme Court.