MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is bracing for the potential postponement of the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) while keeping its operational machinery running for the scheduled filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) on September 28.
Speaking during a media walkthrough at the Random Manual Audit (RMA) Center in Davao City on Tuesday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia confirmed that the enrolled bill moving the village polls was elevated to Malacañang after receiving signatures from Senate President Francis Escudero and House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.
"If the bill becomes law before September 28, the issue is resolved," Garcia said. "But if September 28 arrives and candidate filing begins before the law takes effect, we will immediately halt the process the moment the law is enacted."
The poll chief assured that election supplies procured for the BSKE will not be wasted, as an En Banc resolution can authorize their deployment for the rescheduled date.
However, Garcia noted that the commission is currently negotiating with suppliers to extend product warranties, particularly for items with limited shelf lives like indelible ink from one year to two years to account for a potential delay until late 2028.
