President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12232, which postpones the December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and moves them to the first Monday of November 2026.
Under RA 12232, subsequent regular BSKE will be held every four years thereafter.
The newly signed law also provided that the term of office of all elected barangay and SK officials shall be four years.
No elective barangay official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position.
The law stated that no elective SK official shall serve for more than one term in the same position.
Voluntarily renunciation of office does not interrupt an elective official’s full term of service.
The term of office of elected barangay officials and SK members shall commence on the first day of December following their election.
The law also stated that incumbent barangay and SK officials will remain in office until their successors are elected and qualified, unless removed or suspended for cause.
Incumbent barangay officials on their third consecutive term cannot run for the same position in the November 2026 BSKE.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall issue the rules to implement the law within 90 days from its effectivity.
“If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect,” the law stated.
President Marcos earlier revealed his plans to sign the measure to allow the COMELEC to fully focus on the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections scheduled in October.
During a media forum in Bengaluru, India, last week that capped his five-day State Visit, the President announced his plan to sign the bill postponing the BSKE.
According to the President, the preparation of BARMM elections in October and Barangay and SK polls in December could overstretch the COMELEC and divert attention and resources from ensuring the success of the landmark BARMM vote.
President Marcos emphasized the significance of the upcoming BARMM elections, noting that it will be the first time in Philippine history that the people will elect the region’s parliament representatives.
President Marcos said that failure of the BARMM elections would be a major setback for the peace process in Mindanao. | PND
