The Senate passed on second reading Senate Bill No. 2387, a measure extending the term of office for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from four to five years and resetting the next local elections from November 2026 to November 2028.
Introduced by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the proposed amendment to Republic Act No. 12232 dictates that future local youth and barangay polls will occur every five years following the 2028 elections. The last local elections took place in 2023.
Key provisions of the measure include:
- Term Credit: Incumbent officials will be credited with completing a full term given their two-year extension.
- Term Limits: Officials currently serving their third consecutive term will be ineligible to run in the November 2028 elections.
- Public Safeguards: Mechanisms remain available through local Sanggunians, courts, and the Office of the Ombudsman to discipline or dismiss corrupt and underperforming leaders.
The approval came despite formal opposition from five lawmakers: Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, and Risa Hontiveros.
In opposing the bill, Sotto cautioned that continually delaying local polls deprives citizens of their democratic rights, pointing out that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is fully prepared to conduct the 2026 vote.
“Considering that this is the eighth time that we have postponed barangay elections, it might give the impression to the public of how little regard we are giving to the unit of government closest to the people,” Sotto said.
“Thus, I am hopeful that it will proceed,” Sotto added, maintaining that COMELEC “is ready and equipped to conduct the November 2026 BSK elections.”
Escudero countered concerns over extended terms for abusive leaders, stressing that legal remedies remain accessible to the public.
He noted that municipal and city councils retain administrative authority to reprimand or suspend erring officials, while judicial channels and the Ombudsman hold the power to issue perpetual disqualifications from public office.