MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday questioned a proposal to postpone the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to 2028, saying another extension could affect voters’ right to elect their local leaders.
Sotto raised his concerns during interpellations on Senate Bill No. 2387, sponsored by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, which seeks to set the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials at five years. The measure would move the next BSKE from November 2026 to November 2028.
“I hope that the November 2026 elections will push through and just apply the new fixed term prospectively if possible,” Sotto said.
Sotto questioned whether another postponement would effectively deny voters an opportunity to choose new barangay officials. He noted that the measure could extend the terms of incumbent officials for a second time.
The last BSKE took place in 2023. Congress originally scheduled the next elections for 2025 but moved them to November 2026 after lawmakers extended the officials’ terms to four years.
Sotto said another delay would keep the current officials in office for an additional three years, from 2025 to 2028.
He also cited disciplinary and criminal cases involving barangay officials as another reason to hold the elections as scheduled. He pointed to cases involving alleged misuse of government assistance, delayed honoraria and alleged violations of anti-graft and ethical rules.
Sotto also questioned whether postponing the polls could amount to “gerrymandering” or manipulation of election arrangements to benefit particular political groups.
Escudero, meanwhile, said Congress had already postponed BSKE polls seven times since 2005.
He said the proposed five-year term would apply to the incumbent officials if Congress approves the measure, with their extended tenure counting as one of the two terms they could serve.
Escudero also pointed to existing remedies against erring barangay officials, including recall elections that allow voters to remove officials before the end of their terms.
The Commission on Elections has urged Congress to decide on the fate of the 2026 BSKE by September.