Marcos Commits to Signing Barangay Elections Postponement
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. confirmed on Friday that he will sign the bill postponing this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. This move aims to concentrate government efforts on the landmark Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections.
In an interview in Bangalore, India, Marcos addressed reports quoting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman, who said Malacañang might let the bill lapse into law without a formal signing. The President firmly stated, “No, I’ll sign it. I’ll sign it.”
Focus on Historic BARMM Polls
Marcos explained that the government recently wrapped up a major midterm election, and the upcoming BARMM election represents an unprecedented event in Philippine history. “Now we’re adding the barangay elections as well. It’s too much—actually, it’s the Comelec saying, ‘We can’t handle it,’” he added in a mix of Filipino and English.
The President emphasized the importance of the BARMM elections, set for October, as they will elect the region’s first-ever Parliament by the people. “Failure of BARMM elections would affect the peace process in the region,” local leaders noted, underlining why the government must fully focus on this critical vote.
Rationale Behind Election Postponement
Marcos pointed out that local officials expressed concerns about holding barangay elections soon after finishing another local election. “It feels the same. Almost the same,” he stated.
He further explained that based on a Supreme Court ruling, the terms of barangay officials cannot be shortened. Therefore, the postponement effectively extends their term lengths. “So that’s not in conflict. So I think the most sensible and the most common-sense solution is to postpone,” the President remarked.
Legislative Changes and New Election Schedule
Earlier this year, both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved a bill extending barangay and SK officials’ terms from three to four years. This legislation also reschedules the barangay and SK elections to the first Monday of November 2026, instead of the originally planned December 1, 2025.
This adjustment aligns with efforts to reduce electoral strain and prioritize the successful conduct of BARMM elections, which are crucial for sustaining peace and autonomy in the region.
For more news and updates on barangay elections, visit Filipinokami.com.
