PH Senate approves five-year term for barangay, SK officials on 2nd reading

The Senate on Wednesday approved on second reading a measure extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years, effectively pushing back the next local elections to 2028.

Senate Bill No. 2397, sponsored by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, passed despite opposition from five lawmakers: Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, along with Sens. Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan.

If enacted, the bill would move the scheduled November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to November 2028. The last local polls were held in 2023.

Sotto strongly objected to the delay, emphasizing that the polls had already been rescheduled from 2025 to 2026. He warned that another postponement would deprive voters of their right to elect grassroots leaders.

During the period of amendments, Sotto urged his colleagues to reconsider, noting that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is already preparing for the vote.

“Considering that this is the eighth time that we have postponed barangay elections, it might give the impression to the public of how little regard we are giving to the unit of government closest to the people,” Sotto said.

“My dear esteemed colleagues, the Comelec is ready and equipped to conduct the November 2026 BSK elections. Thus, I am hopeful that it will proceed,” he added, urging lawmakers to review what he described as an "unconstitutional extension."

Sotto proposed an amendment that would bar barangay officials facing pending charges from benefiting from a term extension or holdover capacity, citing widespread complaints against local administrators.

“There are 149 cities, 1,493 municipalities, 42,011 barangays, and there is no single city or municipality without a barangay official being charged with something,” Sotto claimed. “This is a safety measure. If you have a case, you cannot be on holdover... You have a graft case. You have an administrative case.”

Escudero acknowledged the intent behind the proposal but warned it could be weaponized against elected officials.

“With this measure, what will happen is that [political rivals] will sue him,” Escudero pointed out. “The effect is that he will not be able to perform his duty... Just by filing a case, effectively, we are suspending and removing the barangay official.”

Escudero emphasized that disqualification from public office typically requires a final conviction rather than a mere pending charge.

The measure now awaits a third and final reading vote in the Senate before advancing in the legislative process.