President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has confirmed that he will sign into law the bill seeking to postpone this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
In a press briefing following his state visit to India, Marcos said the signing will take place on Tuesday, August 12.
“I’ll sign it, I’ll sign it,” the President said.
According to him, the decision would be more practical for the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), noting that the 2025 midterm elections had just concluded and the parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are also fast approaching.
“One of the biggest elements here is katatapos lang natin ng malaking eleksyon, midterm elections, susunod na rito yung BARMM, isasabay pa natin ‘yung Barangay, masyado nang… actually COMELEC na ang nagsabi na hindi namin kaya, kailangan natin tutukan ang BARMM,” Marcos stressed.
He added that his administration places greater priority on the upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled this October, as it will have a significant impact on the region’s peace process.
“You have to remember the BARMM elections that is upcoming in October is the first time we have ever had this kind of elections at all, at all, sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, hindi pa nagkaroon ng BARMM parliament na hinalal ng tao,” the President said.
“So that is why, it is so important and if that election fails, malaking bagay, malaking failure ‘yan doon sa peace process kaya’t kailangan maging matagumpay ang pagganap ng halalan ng BARMM,” he added.