MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) confirmed it is prepared to abide by any directive the Supreme Court (SC) issues concerning a legal petition questioning the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to 2028.
COMELEC Chairperson Atty. George Erwin Garcia reiterated Monday, September 28, that the electoral body remains bound to execute whatever ruling the high bench decrees.
“The COMELEC is the law enforcer. And the current law is that there will be no elections on Nov. 2,” Garcia stated.
Garcia stressed that the poll body stands ready to adjust its measures should the high tribunal issue an order altering the implementation of the law.
“If anything happens the next day, the Comelec will act accordingly and take appropriate action. Just to be clear,” he said.
The election commission previously halted all operational preparations for the scheduled November 2 polls following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act (RA) No. 12326 on September 25.
Under RA 12326, the local barangay and youth council polls are rescheduled for November 2028, extending the tenure of incumbent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials by three years.
Garcia clarified that COMELEC will continue to enforce the existing statute unless the Supreme Court steps in.
“Until it is stopped or a restraining order is obtained from the SC, we have to maintain the status quo,” Garcia added.
The legislative deferment faces a direct legal challenge before the high tribunal.
On Monday, September 28, veteran election lawyer Atty. Romulo Macalintal filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to block the execution of the law moving the BSKE to 2028.