Politics
Marcos signs law postponing BSKE 2026
September 30, 2026
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signs RA 12326 (Photo credit: Inquirer)
What happened?
Republic Act No. 12326, signed on September 24 and announced on September 25, sets five-year terms for barangay and SK officials and moves the next polls from November 2, 2026 to the second Monday of November 2028 (November 13). Incumbents remain in office during the transition.
Insights
House Sponsors said five years give barangay and SK leaders time to finish long-term projects. Sen. Tito Sotto, however, argued that the new term could’ve just been applied to the new set of officials following the supposed November 2026 elections.
Why move the election to 2028? Considering the BSKE had already been postponed last year from December 2025 to November 2026, and now, again pushed further to November 2028, incumbents get two more years in office—consequently allowing them to avoid an indictment in the polls from people dissatisfied with the current administration. Certain groups/individuals have signaled moves to challenge the new law before the Supreme Court, arguing it’s unconstitutional, as it deprives Filipino voters of the chance to vote and for aspiring candidates, specifically the youth leaders, who may no longer qualify to run for office by 2028.