The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a legislative measure lengthening the tenure of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders from four to five years.
House Bill No. 10971 secured plenary approval on Wednesday, September 8, recording 211 affirmative votes, 13 negative votes, and one abstention. Presiding Officer and Iloilo 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron announced the result following nominal voting.
The proposed law seeks to amend Republic Act No. 12232, titled “An Act setting the term of office of barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), and for other purposes”. The measure, which was reported out by the House Committee on Local Government, previously passed second reading on September 2.
The bill’s approval comes less than two months before the Commission on Elections is scheduled to conduct the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in November.
Should HB No. 10971 be signed into law, the upcoming local polls will be deferred from November 2026 to November 2028. Future elections would subsequently take place every five years.
According to the measure’s authors, expanding the term duration aims to foster administrative stability and policy continuity at the primary local government level. Proponents argued that reducing the frequency of electoral exercises will minimize local government disruptions and allow officials to complete long-term community development initiatives.
Under the bill’s provisions, the two-year term extension will count as one full tenure for incumbent barangay leaders. Consequently, officials serving their third consecutive term will be disqualified from running for the same office in the 2028 elections.
The proposed statute retains the current statutory limits on tenure, capping barangay officials at three consecutive terms and SK representatives at a single term.
House Bill No. 10971 represents a consolidated measure derived from House Bill Nos. 1125, 10656, 10713, 10714, and 10924.