KAPITAN, SAFE KA NA: Barangany and sangguniang Kabataan Elections pushed to 2028

MANILA, Philippines — And just like that, the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for November 2, 2026 are off the calendar.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act No. 12326, officially postponing the village and youth council elections and moving the next regular polls to November 2028.

The Palace announced the signing of the new law on Friday, September 25, after Marcos approved the measure extending the terms of incumbent barangay and SK officials.

Under RA 12326, the terms of elected barangay and SK officials are now fixed at five years. The next regular elections will be held in November 2028.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President and lawmakers considered the continuing role of barangay officials in government programs, particularly those involving crime prevention and flood mitigation.

“Nakita po ng mga mambabatas natin; nakita rin po ng Pangulo kung gaano ba kahalaga sa ngayon ang papel ng mga barangay officials,” Castro said during a press briefing in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

She added that replacing barangay officials through an election at this time could make the implementation of some government programs more difficult.

For Marcos, however, the extension should not simply be viewed as extra time in office.

In a statement posted online, the President said the additional period should instead mean greater responsibility to their constituents.

“Hindi ito dagdag na panahon sa puwesto. Dagdag itong panahon ng pananagutan sa taumbayan,” Marcos said.

With the signing of RA 12326, barangay and SK officials who were preparing for the November 2 polls will now have to wait until 2028 before voters again head to the polls for the regular BSKE.