President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will first review the details of a proposal seeking to extend the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials before taking an official stance on the measure, Malacañang announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at a Palace briefing, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro explained that the President cannot support or oppose the initiative—which aims to lengthen local terms to five years and defer the next elections to November 2028—without evaluating its specific justifications.
”Sa ngayon po ay dapat mabasa muna kung anuman po ang kanilang panukala,” Castro said.
”Hindi po maaaring sumang-ayon agad, hindi puwedeng sumang-ayon or hindi sumang-ayon hanggat hindi nakikita kung bakit kailangan ng ganitong klaseng panukala at bakit kinakailangan ma-postpone,” Castro added.
”So, mas maganda bago po sumagot ang Pangulo patungkol sa ganyang isyu ay makita niya kung ano nilalaman ng panukalang ito,” Castro further emphasized.
The statement comes after Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero filed Senate Bill 2387, seeking to amend Republic Act No. 12232, which governs the tenure of village and youth council leaders.
Escudero noted that extending term limits aims to foster stable governance, allow local leaders adequate time to execute long-term projects, and reduce the administrative and social disruptions tied to frequent election cycles.