President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs Republic Act No. 12326, shifting the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to November 2028 and establishing five-year terms with term limits for officials.
The Philippine government has enacted Republic Act No. 12326, officially postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) originally set for November 2, 2026, to the second Monday of November 2028. Signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the measure also sets the term of office for elected barangay and SK officials at five years, extending it from the previous three-year term.
Key provisions of the law include limiting elective barangay officials to two consecutive terms in the same position, while elective SK officials are limited to one term in the same position. The changes are intended to provide elected officials additional time to improve public service, complete ongoing programs, and address community needs.
President Marcos emphasized that this additional period should be viewed not as extra time in office but as increased time for accountability towards constituents. The postponement continues a trend of shifting barangay and SK elections in recent years to accommodate other political schedules and administrative priorities, such as the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Commission on Elections (Comelec), which had begun preparations for the 2026 elections, halted ongoing activities following the law’s enactment. Despite significant resources already invested in readiness for the November 2026 polls, Comelec officials indicated that purchased election equipment remains usable for future elections.
This legislative move is significant in the Philippines’ local governance landscape as it adjusts electoral timelines and terms to better align with administrative goals and public service improvement efforts at the grassroots level.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1003757/explainer-what-to-know-about-the-new-law-moving-the-bske-to-2028/story/