“Tuloy na tuloy ang BSKE hanggang sa araw na ’to (Sept. 18). ’Yan po ay hindi fake news”: Garcia says preparations continue amid postponement talks

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) continues preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for November 2, 2026, according to Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia.

“Tuloy na tuloy ang BSKE hanggang sa araw na ’to (Sept. 18). ’Yan po ay hindi fake news,” Garcia said in a media interview on September 18.

Garcia said the Comelec is continuing its preparations in accordance with Republic Act No. 12232, which provides for the next regular BSKE on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter.

Garcia’s statement came amid proposals in Congress seeking to change the terms of barangay and SK officials and reset the next BSKE. On September 16, the House of Representatives adopted the Senate version of a bill seeking to move the next regular BSKE to November 2028, although the measure still requires final action before it can become law.

Despite the proposals, the Comelec said it has to continue preparing for the elections until a new law changes the current schedule. Garcia also said on September 18 that the Comelec had already spent around ₱8 billion on preparations for the BSKE.

Garcia earlier said the Comelec wanted Congress to provide a clear decision on the possible postponement before the filing of certificates of candidacy from September 28 to October 5, to give candidates and election personnel certainty over the election schedule.

For now, November 2, 2026 remains the scheduled date of the BSKE under the existing law, pending final action on the proposed changes to the election schedule.