President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has signed into law the postponement of the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to make way for the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Under Republic Act 12232, the BSKE originally set for December 1, 2025 will be moved to the first Monday of November 2026.

The law also sets the BSKE every four years and extends the term of elected barangay and SK officials from three to four years.

Despite the signing, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will proceed with preparations for the 2025 BSKE in case the law is challenged before the Supreme Court.

“Tuloy-tuloy lang ang preparasyon ng Commission on Elections kasi nga may expectation ang ating mahal na chairman na baka kwestyunin ang naturang batas sa Supreme Court,” Atty. Reddy Balarbar, acting regional election director of Comelec-1, said.

Comelec’s central office is now working on procuring election materials, while regional and provincial offices prepare for Election Registration Board hearings to approve or reject voter applications.

In Mangaldan, Pangasinan, over 2,000 people registered from August 1 to 10.

The postponement drew mixed reactions from voters.

“Hindi na dapat i-postpone para mapalitan na ang mga opisyal namin,” Liza Imburnal said.

“’Yung kapitan naman namin okey at mabait kaya sana ma-extend siya,” Teresita Marcella added.