THE Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill setting a five-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and postponing the next elections to 2028.
During a plenary session, 13 senators voted for the approval of Senate Bill 2387, which extends the term of village officials from four to five years, and moves the elections from the first Monday of November 2026 to the first Monday of November 2028 and every five years thereafter.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Francis Escudero, was approved despite the opposition of five senators. Those who voted against the measure are Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III, and Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Joel Villanueva, Bam Aquino, and Risa Hontiveros.
Under Section 5 of the bill, “incumbent elective barangay officials shall be regarded as having completed one term in their respective positions, considering the extension of their terms by two years.”
However, those on their third consecutive term can no longer run in the November 2028 barangay elections.
The last barangay and SK elections (BSKE) were held in 2023.
In voicing his opposition to the measure, Aquino said that the elections should not be delayed because doing so would also postpone the people’s opportunity to exercise their right to choose their community leaders.
He said that many young Filipinos are prepared to run for office and serve their communities and fellow youth.
Aquino also reiterated that he believed the BSKE should proceed in November, making his decision to vote against the postponement clear.
“That is why my decision is clear: the BSKE should push through this November, and hence, I vote ‘no,’” he added.
Pangilinan echoed Aquino’s opposition, saying the elections should proceed as scheduled and provide young Filipinos an opportunity to participate in local governance.
“We tell them: ‘Get involved. You are the spark of change. You are the hope of the nation.’ Then, when they are ready to run, vote and lead, why would we suddenly move back the starting line?” Pangilinan said.
He added that the call to proceed with the elections cuts across regions, political affiliations and generations.
“Across regions, political affiliations, and generations, the sentiment is the same: proceed with the election,” he said.
Pangilinan said the BSKE is important not only to young people but to the entire Filipino population because local leaders will make decisions affecting communities facing issues such as climate disasters, employment, food prices, education, mental health, public safety and digital misinformation.
He argued that the country needs the “boundless energy, courage, and conscience” of young people, as well as fresh voices, new ideas and new blood in local leadership.
“Democracy does not become stronger when it is delayed or postponed. It becomes stronger when more citizens are given the opportunity to participate, take a stand, act and serve,” he said.
Escudero, during his sponsorship of the measure, dispelled fears that extending the term of barangay and SK officials might leave Filipinos stuck with non-performing or corrupt officials for longer periods.
He said that the bill has set in place safeguards and mechanisms available to the public in case they face such errant officials under a longer five-year term.
