MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12326 into law, officially deferring the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to the second Monday of November 2028.
Enacted on Thursday, September 24, the legislation amends RA No. 12232—which originally scheduled the polls for 2026—and establishes a new five-year electoral cycle moving forward. Consequently, the tenure of incumbent local and youth officials will be extended to five years, allowing them to remain in office until their successors are chosen and qualified.
This adjustment marks the fifth postponement of the synchronized BSKE since 2016. Previous reschedules occurred under various laws in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
Although the Supreme Court subsequently invalidated the 2022 postponement legislation, it permitted the October 2023 elections to proceed on practical grounds.
Under RA 12326, specific transitional rules govern the extension. Notably, incumbent barangay leaders who complete a full term under this prolonged arrangement are prohibited from seeking the same post in the November 2028 polls.
The new law also mandates the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), alongside the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), state universities and colleges, and partner government institutions, to establish permanent training and capacity-building programs for barangay and youth representatives.
The measure was finalized after the Senate passed its version on September 14, followed by the House of Representatives adopting the Senate amendments on September 16, prior to receiving presidential endorsement.