Senator Win Gatchalian on Sunday cautioned that delaying the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) again would be “unconstitutional,” stressing that the government has sufficient funds to conduct the polls while addressing aid programs amid the fuel crisis.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, underscored the public’s eagerness to elect new local leaders after previous suspensions.
“Unang-una, unconstitutional na ‘yan. At pangalawa, dahil pangalawang suspension na ’yan, ‘tas pangatlo, maraming tao umaasa na pumili ng kanilang local leader,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
He noted that the estimated cost of the elections is between ₱8 billion and ₱9 billion, a fraction compared to the ₱230 billion currently available in the national coffers.
“Kasi ‘yung barangay election is only ₱8 to ₱9 billion. Ngayon, meron pa tayong ₱230 bilyon na puwedeng gastusin. So in other words, hindi naman kulang ang pera,” he added.
Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo confirmed that about ₱238 billion remains available for high-impact initiatives and aid programs, sourced from the 2026 national budget and unused appropriations from the past two years.
Gatchalian also cited a previous Supreme Court ruling warning against repeated election delays, saying such actions undermine democracy.
“Sinabi na ng Korte Suprema nu’ng huling pagsuspinde natin, ‘last na ‘yan’ at hindi na natin puwedeng isuspinde dahil gumagawa lang kayo ng kahit anong dahilan, dahil ang katapatan nito ay pagkawala ng demokrasya,” the senator said.
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia backed Gatchalian’s stance, reiterating that the Supreme Court prohibits reallocating funds specifically earmarked for elections.