Bicol voters face longer wait as Senate weighs BSKE reset

By Jordan Domingo

VOTERS in the Bicol Region may have to wait longer to choose their barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials as the Senate is set to decide this week whether to postpone the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Sunday that senators would discuss the proposed postponement and the possible extension of the terms of barangay and SK officials from four to five years, with a decision expected before the end of the week.

The BSKE is currently scheduled for Nov. 2, 2026, but a Senate proposal seeks to move the elections to October 2027. Another measure seeks to amend the law and set the term of barangay and SK officials at five years.

For Bicol voters, the proposed reset could mean an additional year before they can elect new barangay and SK leaders, including officials who directly oversee community-level programs and services.

Gatchalian said extending the officials’ terms could save government the cost of conducting one election cycle. The Commission on Elections (Comelec), however, has already spent about P8 billion of its P19-billion BSKE budget, raising questions about the financial implications of postponing the polls.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said some election supplies, including indelible ink, could be used even if the BSKE is postponed.

Gatchalian also acknowledged a disadvantage of extending the officials’ terms: voters would have to wait longer to replace barangay officials whom they consider ineffective or frequently absent.

Senator Francis Escudero has filed Senate Bill No. 2387, which seeks to extend the terms of barangay and SK officials to five years, while Senator Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill No. 2067, seeking to move the BSKE from November 2026 to October 2027.

A Senate panel approved the proposed measures in August.

However, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) have opposed the postponement, citing the Comelec's preparations, fiscal concerns and the need to respect the scheduled election.

Gatchalian said the Senate must act soon because the filing of certificates of candidacy for the BSKE is scheduled toward the end of September, while the proposed measures would still have to pass through a bicameral conference committee, ratification by both chambers and publication before taking effect.

For Bicol voters, the Senate's decision this week could determine whether they will cast their ballots for new barangay and SK officials as scheduled on Nov. 2—or wait until October 2027.