Postponing the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

Senate Offier of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 APR 22 P2:46 First Regular Session SENATE 2067 S.B. No. - RECEIVED BY: Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT POSTPONING THE NOVEMBER 2026 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12232, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), presently scheduled for November 2026, are vital democratic exercises that uphold grassroots representation and foster youth participation in governance. Nonetheless, prevailing national circumstances necessitate a prudent reassessment of the timing of these elections. There is a compelling basis to anticipate that voter turnout will be significantly impaired due to the sharp escalation in fuel prices brought about by the ongoing oil crisis. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has increased the passenger fuel surcharge to Level 19—near the maximum threshold-from the pre-conflict Level 4. Concurrently, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) approved a 30% increase in passenger and freight rates as of 30 March 2026, while fare adjustments for buses and other public utility vehicles are imminent. These substantial increases are compounded by broader inflationary pressures that continue to erode the purchasing power of the public, particularly among marginalized sectors. As a result, a considerable number of registered voters especially those residing in localities different from their place of registration-may be effectively unable to travel and exercise their right of suffrage. At present, technological and logistical limitations, as well as the imperative to safeguard electoral integrity, preclude the extension of internet or absentee voting to barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Taken together, these circumstances create a real and substantial risk of widespread voter disenfranchisement. This is a consequence that must be avoided. Postponing the BSKE to a later date, when economic conditions are expected to stabilize, will help mitigate this risk and promote broader electoral participation. Moreover, such postponement will enable incumbent barangay and Sangguniang

Kabataan officials to focus on addressing urgent community concerns. At a time when local government units serve as the frontline of crisis response, continuity in leadership is essential to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of basic services, the effective implementation of local development programs, and the maintenance of peace and order at the grassroots level. In addition, the postponement will afford the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) sufficient time to study and implement measures aimed at reducing voter disenfranchisement under present economic constraints. It will likewise allow for an extended voter registration period, thereby enabling voters to transfer their registration to their current place of residence and minimizing the need for costly travel on election day. Finally, it bears stressing that significant economic pressures, inflationary trends, and fiscal constraints demand prudent allocation of limited public resources. According to COMELEC, it will require up to 16 billion pesos to conduct nationwide barangay and youth elections. This sum excludes the billions of pesos that other government agencies will have to spend to support the BSKE. Beyond the appropriations of the COMELEC, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is required to deploy over one hundred thousand personnel nationwide, incurring significant costs for mobility, fuel, and operational support-expenses that are directly magnified by the current surge in fuel prices. The Department of Education (DepEd) likewise bears administrative and logistical burdens arising from the nationwide mobilization of public school teachers and the use and restoration of school facilities as polling places. At the same time, local government units (LGUs) are compelled to allocate considerable resources for the preparation of polling are drawn from already limited local funds. Taken together, these election-related expenditures amount to several billions of pesos and inevitably compete with resources urgently needed for social services, economic relief, and crisis response. In the context of an ongoing fuel and economic crisis, proceeding with the elections as scheduled will not only risk voter disenfranchisement but will also impose avoidable fiscal strain on the national and local governments. Accordingly, this measure seeks to postpone the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to October 2027. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Imee h. marca TIMEE R. MARCOS

Senato Offier of the Scoretary P2:46 APR 22 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) RECEIVED BY: First Regular Session SA667 S.B. No. - Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT POSTPONING THE NOVEMBER 2026 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12232, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 12232 is hereby amended to read

2 as follows: "SEC. 2. Date of Elections. - The next regular barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections shall be held on the first Monday of [November 2026] OCTOBER 2027 and every four (4) years thereafter.

SEC. 2. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 12232 is hereby amended to read as

8 follows: "The term of office of barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan elected after the effectivity of this Act shall commence on the first day of [December] NOVEMBER next following their election."

SEC. 3. Hold-over. - Until their successors shall have been duly elected and

14 qualified, all incumbent barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials shall remain in

1 office, unless sooner removed or suspended for cause: Provided, That barangay and 2 sangguniang kabataan officials who are ex officio members of the sangguniang bayan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang panlalawigan, as the case may be, 4 shall continue to serve as such members in the sanggunian concerned until the next 5 barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this

7 Act shall be taken from the appropriations of the Commission on Elections 8 (COMELEC) under the General Appropriations Act and/or supplementary 9 appropriation thereafter.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

11 declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or

parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,