BSKE POSTPONEMENT: Bicol candidates left in limbo over Nov 2 polls

By Jordan Kurt Domingo

CANDIDATES and potential candidates in Bicol who had been preparing for the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been left in uncertainty following the latest developments on the postponed polls, with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) saying it may no longer have enough time to conduct the elections if the Supreme Court (SC) orders them to proceed.

However, Naga City Election Officer Maico B. Julia Jr. said the elections could still be held if they are rescheduled, possibly for a month later, giving the Comelec sufficient time to undertake various pre-election activities.

These include finalizing the list of candidates, conducting training seminars for teachers, and transporting election paraphernalia and supplies, among other preparations, Julia said.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia made the statement Monday during the Senate finance committee hearing on the poll body’s 2027 budget, in response to a question on what the commission would do if the SC issues a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the postponement of the elections.

“Mukha pong, hindi namin kayang mag-November 2, Mr. Chair,” Garcia told senators, saying the Comelec may not be able to hold the elections on Nov. 2 because preparations have already been stopped.

The uncertainty has also stalled election preparations among candidates in Bicol who had been gearing up for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), originally scheduled from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5. The Comelec halted the filing and other activities after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12326 on Sept. 25, moving the next barangay and SK elections to November 2028 and extending the terms of incumbent officials.

Garcia said the Comelec could not simply resume the filing of candidacies immediately should the SC issue an order allowing the Nov. 2 elections to proceed. The poll body would have to issue a new resolution and conduct information dissemination nationwide, a process he said could take up to two weeks.

“Hindi po kami kaagad ... mag-iisyu kaagad ng resolution na filing tayo ng candidacy,” Garcia said, explaining that the Comelec would first have to inform the public about the new arrangements.

Despite the difficulty, Garcia said the Comelec was prepared to act on whatever order the SC may issue. He also said the commission could invoke its authority under the Omnibus Election Code in a situation that it considers a force majeure, potentially allowing the election period to be extended for up to 30 days after the situation prompting the force majeure has ended.

“Whatever the Supreme Court will release by tomorrow, the Comelec is prepared, just in case,” Garcia told the senators.

The latest development follows a petition filed before the SC challenging the constitutionality of RA 12326 and seeking to stop the postponement of the barangay and SK elections. The Comelec earlier said it would comply with whatever ruling the high court issues.

Garcia also disclosed that the Comelec has already spent about P8 billion for preparations for the 2026 barangay and SK elections. He said election materials and equipment already procured would not necessarily go to waste if the polls are reset, as these could still be used in a future election provided they are properly stored.

The roughly P11 billion in unexpended funds from the postponed elections, meanwhile, could be used for preparations for the 2028 national and local elections under the new law. The Senate finance committee subsequently approved the motion to recommend the Comelec’s budget for consideration by the plenary.