Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia raised concerns on Thursday over the possibility of the Supreme Court acting against the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) should a law be passed for this.As the House Committee on Suffrage &amp; Electoral Reforms held a hearing on bills to move the polls, Garcia cited “very strict guidelines” on postponement previously issued by the high court.“Nakita po namin ang title is really postponement because of the energy crisis, because of what is happening in the Middle East, and because of what perhaps will be increased in the prices of commodities and etcetera,” Garcia told lawmakers.Garcia continued, “‘Yung ground na ito, kung sakali po ito’y maipapasa ng ating pong Kongreso will be tested as against the very strict measure or guidelines issued by the honorable Supreme Court. So doon po siya ibabangga. And therefore, whoever are the proponents of this postponement should be prepared to defend to the honorable Supreme Court later kung sakali pong ito&#x27;y maipasa as against that very strict guidelines.”Back in 2023, the Supreme Court declared a law moving the BSKE to a later date unconstitutional, and detailed guidelines for any government action to postpone elections. Among criteria is that the rescheduling should be justified by substantial reasons.“The Supreme Court can always issue an injunctive relief. And therefore, isipin niyo po, Mr. chair, pagka po nakakuha ng restraining order, alam namin wala na. Hindi na tuloy. Tapos biglang nakakuha ng restraining order, bigla pong natuloy. So may mga aktibidad kami na hindi na po– for example po, ang filing namin ng candidacy September 28. Kung bigla po magpasa kayo ng batas before September 28, hindi na po namin itututloy ‘yung filing ng candidacy sa September 28. That’s a useless exercise,” Garcia said.House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Zia Alonto Adiong said they can guarantee they will not put Comelec in “further problematic position.”“Whatever would be the outcome of this discussion, definitely we will not put Comelec in further problematic position. Neither would we want this committee to also do things that would again attract the ire of the Supreme Court. That is what we can guarantee,” Adiong said.Garcia also brought up how calling a measure a “term-fixing” law instead of one on postponement could mean the previous Supreme Court decision would not apply to this.“‘Yung huling postponement ay sapagkat nagkaroon po ng batas fixing the term of office of barangay and SK officials. From 3 years ginawa po itong 4 years,” Garcia said.Referring to RA 12232, Garcia said, “Doon sa nangyari sa 12232, ang ginawa po nila doon ay hindi postponement. It became what we call as term-fixing law. Hindi po siya postponement law. And therefore, dahil term-fixing law siya, hindi po in-apply ang Macalintal doctrine. Hindi po tini-RO. Hindi po ni-reverse ang law at dineclare na unconstitutional.”<div>ADDITIONAL P2.5B MAY BE NEEDED</div>Garcia admitted he expects the energy crisis to affect the conduct of the elections, and an additional P2.5 billion may be needed if the elections push through on November 2.“‘Yung deployment– ‘yan po talaga ang may effect kasi nga po ‘yung pong krudo dahil nagmahal– siyempre ‘yun pong mga barko na pagsasakyan nung ating mga kagamitan lalong lalo na rin po ‘yung mga sasakyan,” Garcia said.“More or less kailangan po natin ng mga 2.5 hanggang 3 to 3.5 billion dahil doon sa effect. Wala po kaming kukuhanan. Wala po kaming savings na ganoon,” Garcia added.Taking logistics into account, the Comelec official requested that a decision on the election date be finalized before October.And should the polls be moved, these should land on a date before the second half of 2027 due to preparations for the national and local elections, according to Garcia.“Sana po maging maliwanag ang lahat bago po matapos ang September… ‘Yun pong piniprint natin na mga listahan ng mga botante sa loob ng presinto, ‘pag natapos na po namin lahat iyang ma-print, hindi na po natin magagamit ‘yan sa susunod sa buong Pilipinas,” Garcia explained.“Ang sa amin pong pakiusap ay huwag lang po sana naman na lalampas sa kalaghatian ng next year, ng 2027. Kasi critical po sa amin ang June onwards, 2027, sapagkat ‘yun po ay preparasyon para sa national and local election,” Garcia added.<div>LAWMAKERS DIVIDED ON POSTPONEMENT</div>House lawmakers in attendance had split reactions to the possibility of rescheduling the polls.Citing the economic crisis, San Juan City Lone District Representative Ysabel Zamora said that holding the BSKE just over a year before the national elections puts unnecessary strain on government resources.“Having the BSKE election just over a year before the national elections puts some unnecessary strain on government resources when in view of the economic crisis, the government can focus on economic recovery instead,”But for Gabriela party-list Representative Sarah Elago, postponing due to the crisis sets a dangerous precedent, especially if the situation persists.“Paano kung hindi pa naresolba ang krisis na ito? Dahil magpo-postpone na tayo ngayon dahil dito sa energy crisis, ito ho ay isang delikado na precedent na sinasabi natin na hanggat nandiyan ang krisis, ibigsabihin postpone lang tayo nang postpone ng isang napakahalagang exercise na ito,” Elago said.Even some lawmakers absent from the hearing commented on the possible postponement.In a post online, ML party-list Representative Leila de Lima opposed resetting the BSKE, saying this would only violate the people’s right to choose leaders.“NO to resetting of Barangay and SK Elections! Panibagong gastos na naman at paglabag sa karapatan ng mamamayang pumili ng pinuno,” De Lima wrote.

As the House Committee on Suffrage &amp; Electoral Reforms held a hearing on bills to move the polls, Garcia cited “very strict guidelines” on postponement previously issued by the high court.

As the House Committee on Suffrage & Electoral Reforms held a hearing on bills to move the polls, Garcia cited “very strict guidelines” on postponement previously issued by the high court.

Comelec raises concerns over possible SC order should BSKE be postponed

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Comelec raises concerns over possible SC order should BSKE be postponed

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 13, 2026 05:27 PM PHT

Read More:

BSKE

Comelec

Supreme Court

elections

House of Representatives

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.