The proposed five-year tenure for barangay and Sangguniang
Kabataan officials could take effect without moving the scheduled 2026
elections, according to Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia.
Garcia said an alternative arrangement was raised during a
Senate committee hearing on Monday that would allow voters to proceed with the
Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Nov. 2 as planned. Under the
proposal, those elected in the November polls would serve under the new
five-year term.
The option comes as the Senate Committee on Local Government
has endorsed a separate measure seeking to postpone the elections from November
2026 to November 2028. The proposal would also establish a five-year interval
for subsequent barangay and youth council elections.
Allowing the November 2026 polls to proceed could provide a
more immediate path to implementing the longer tenure while avoiding another
electoral delay. It would also preserve the extensive preparations already
undertaken by Comelec for the scheduled vote.
Garcia said around P8 billion has already been spent on
preparations for the elections, underscoring the financial implications of
postponing the exercise.
Despite the competing proposals, the electoral timetable
remains in motion. Candidates are scheduled to file their certificates of
candidacy from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5.
The final direction will depend on congressional action and
the eventual legislation governing the term of barangay and Sangguniang
Kabataan officials.
Comments
Post a Comment