Rejecting Barangay and SK Term Extension Bill
MANILA, Philippines — Approving the proposed bill aiming to extend the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) officials means abandoning the Filipino people’s sacred right to vote, an election lawyer warned on Sunday. This key concern highlights why the barangay and SK term extension bill faces strong opposition from legal experts and civil society.
Atty. Romulo Macalintal urged President Ferdinand Marcos to reject the bill ratified by Congress, which seeks to prolong the current three-year term of barangay officials to four years. He emphasized that this extension would undermine the fundamental right of suffrage that Filipinos deserve.
Election Postponement and Its Consequences
If signed into law, the upcoming BSK elections originally set for December 1, 2025, will be postponed to the first Monday of November 2026. Macalintal highlighted the impracticality of this new date, November 2, 2026, as it coincides with the traditional day Filipinos honor departed loved ones.
He stressed, “For President Marcos to approve this bill or allow it to lapse into law would be tantamount to abandoning the sacred right of suffrage of the Filipino electorate. Filipinos justly deserve to elect their leaders and should not be led by individuals without the people’s mandate.”
Legal Precedents and Government Interest
Macalintal reminded that the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in Macalintal vs. Comelec clearly states that postponing any election requires a valid government interest to protect the free and meaningful exercise of voting rights. Without such justification, election delays become unduly arbitrary and oppressive.
He further explained that the reconciled bill Congress wants Marcos to approve lacks any legitimate reason or government interest, echoing the Court’s concerns about arbitrary postponements. The bill thus suffers from the same constitutional flaws found in Republic Act No. 11935, which the Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional for unjustifiably infringing on the people’s suffrage rights.
Call to Uphold Democratic Principles
Macalintal urged President Marcos to respect the High Tribunal’s ruling in Macalintal vs. Comelec concerning the postponement of the BSK elections. He warned, “The Court warned that election postponement could foster a government that is not democratic and republican as mandated by the Constitution.”
He also recalled that RA 11935, previously signed by the President, was struck down for arbitrarily violating voters’ rights without valid government interest. This legal precedent serves as a clear guide against approving the current term extension bill.
Ultimately, the election lawyer’s call is clear: any move to extend terms without justifiable cause undermines democracy and the people’s right to freely choose their leaders. The Filipino electorate deserves genuine periodic elections reflecting their will.
For more news and updates on barangay and SK term extension bill, visit Filipinokami.com.
