MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos expressed concern on Friday, October 2, that a “no-election” or “no-el” situation could occur in 2028, following the halting of preparations for the upcoming local polls.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) suspended its operations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacted Republic Act No. 12326 on September 24.
The legislation amends RA No. 12232, pushing the November 2026 BSKE back to the second Monday of November 2028, establishing a five-year electoral term and extending incumbent local officials’ tenures.
Senator Marcos highlighted that congressional authority over terms of office is limited to village and youth council posts, rather than local and national elected positions.
”It is also clear that the postponement of elections under Section 5 of the Omnibus Election Code does not contemplate postponement on a national scale or for a prolonged period of time,” Marcos stressed.
She added that the current administration has failed to adhere to the strict textual meaning of the Constitution and statutory laws.
”Thus, I am not ruling out a no-el scenario in 2028 just yet,” she emphasized.
According to the lawmaker, COMELEC Chairperson Atty. George Erwin Garcia noted that while the electoral body will abide by any upcoming ruling from the Supreme Court (SC), restarting preparations would present significant timing issues, as the poll body no longer has sufficient time to conduct the BSKE by November 2.