Comelec hopes for BSKE decision by September

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is hoping for clarity by September on whether the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will push through as scheduled, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said Tuesday.

In an interview, Garcia said an early decision would allow the poll body to adjust its preparations, particularly as it also needs to gear up for the 2028 National and Local Elections (NLE).

"May dalawang hearing sila na gagawin upang mas makuha ang sentimento ng lahat. Kung tatapusin nila ng Agosto, sana may balita na sa bandang September man lang kahit papaano," he said.

(Congress will conduct two hearings to get the sentiments of all stakeholders. If they finish them in August, we hope to have some news by September.)

"Hindi sa pag-i-impose sa ating Kongreso ng condition. Kami lang nag-e-express, kung hindi talaga matutuloy, sana maliwanag na maliwanag na by September," Garcia added.

(We're not imposing any condition on Congress. We're just expressing our hope that if the BSKE will not push through, it should be made very clear by September.)

Comelec is set to begin preparations for the 2028 NLE in 2027.

Garcia said Comelec could accommodate a postponement of the BSKE only until May 2027, as the poll body would need to shift its focus to preparations for the 2028 national and local elections.

"Hindi naman sa iniimpluwensyahan ang decision ng ating Kongreso, pero mukhang hindi namin kakayanin ang lalampas second quarter ng 2027 kasi crucial sa amin na mag-focus ang Comelec sa 2028 National and Local Elections. The most siguro diyan May 2027, kakayanin pa namin," Garcia said.

(We are not trying to influence Congress' decision, but it seems we may not be able to go beyond the second quarter of 2027, as it is crucial for Comelec to focus on preparations for the 2028 National and Local Elections. At most, we can probably manage until May 2027.)

Last week, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero filed a bill seeking to extend the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to five years and reset the elections to November 2028.

Senate Bill 2387 seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No. 12232, or "An Act Setting the Term of Office of Barangay Officials and Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan, and for Other Purposes."

Several bills have also been filed in the House of Representatives seeking to postpone the barangay and SK elections.

Comelec has already spent P8 billion of its P19-billion budget for the BSKE.

Garcia said some election supplies, including indelible ink, may go unused if the BSKE is postponed.

The BSKE is scheduled for November 2. If the elections are postponed, Comelec will open the voter registration in September 2026 until September 2027.

On Sunday, Garcia said Comelec was ready to hold the BSKE, having completed the acquisition of election paraphernalia and the printing of additional ballots.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed a law in 2025 setting the terms of all elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials at four years.

RA 12232 also sets the next regular BSKE on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter.— MCG, GMA News