President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure extending the term of office for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from three to four years and officially postponing the December 2025 elections to November 2026.
Signed by the President on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Republic Act No. 12232 amends the current three-year term and limits barangay officials to a maximum of three consecutive terms in the same position. SK officials, meanwhile, are limited to one term.
Under the law, the next barangay and SK elections will be held on the first Monday of November 2026, and every four years thereafter.
Winners will assume office on the first day of December following their election.
All incumbent barangay and SK officials will remain in their posts until their successors have been elected and qualified, unless they are removed or suspended for cause.
The measure bars incumbent barangay officials serving their third consecutive term from running for the same position in the 2026 polls. The same applies to SK officials who have already served their maximum term.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mandated to issue implementing rules and regulations within 90 days of the law’s effectivity, which takes place immediately after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
The BSKE postponement aims to ease the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) workload amid preparations for the historic Bangsamoro Parliament elections in October. (Argyll Geducos)
