Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Residents arrive to cast their votes for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Taguig City on October 30, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANIlLA — The Senate Subcommittee on the Fixing of the Terms of Office of Barangay Officials and Sangguniang Kabataan Members has endorsed a bill to make village-level officials&#x27; terms five years long from three.</p><p>The final proposed date of the new polls, originally scheduled for November, will be known when the panel issues the committee report this week.</p><p>Sen. JV Ejercito moved for approval and directed the committee secretary to prepare a report for plenary discussion. </p><p>Sen. Francis Escudero, panel chair, noted that the National Citizens&#x27; Movement for Free Elections does not oppose a five-year term but wants the November polls to push through.</p><p>Officials elected then would have five-year terms if the bill is enacted by then.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/6/house-members-cite-fuel-prices-in-bid-to-move-barangay-polls-to-2028-1319"><strong>Citing fuel prices, House members seek to move barangay polls to 2028<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>TERM-FIXING BILL</strong></div><p>Escudero, who is also author of Senate Bill No. 2387, said his proposal is to give barangay officials longer terms of office. </p><p>&quot;The natural effect will, of course, be to postpone the upcoming election, but the subject matter of this bill is fixing the term,” he said.</p><p>Under the proposed measure, the transition would count current terms to ensure fairness and to prevent incumbents from benefiting from an extension.</p><p>The bill also seeks to enable local leaders to focus on long-term community development, disaster response, and peace and order.</p><p>Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia maintained they are still ready to hold the November 2 elections as scheduled since materials have already been printed or are being produced.</p><p>Comelec has already spent P8 billion of P19 billion allocated for the elections, he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/11/palace-no-position-yet-on-proposals-to-postpone-barangay-sk-polls-1704"><strong>Palace: No position yet on proposals to postpone Barangay, SK polls<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;MONEY NOT WASTED&#x27;</strong></div><p>In case the barangay elections are rescheduled, the Comelec can use the ballots already printed for those polls. Ballot boxes and other materials can be put in storage until needed.</p><p>Garcia said, however, that money to hire staff has already spent and that the Comelec is looking at a sunk cost of around P3 billion.</p><p>But Escudero said the money was not wasted since election materials can be used when the BSKE is held.</p><p>&quot;Hindi siya sunk cost in the sense na nawala na, nawalang pakinabang. Kasama siya sa cost ng printing ng ballots and storing the ballots.&quot;</p><p>(It&#x27;s not a sunk cost in the sense that the money is gone and we can&#x27;t use the materials. The cost of printing and storing ballots is part of it.)</p><p>Senate President Win Gatchalian meanwhile said funds that Comelec will not use for BSKE can be tapped for the commission&#x27;s 2027 budget.</p><p>But Garcia said he wants to use the savings for the 2028 national elections instead, which he said is the commission&#x27;s prerogative.</p><p>&quot;For 2028... we&#x27;ll be needing P20.361 billion,&quot; he said. <strong>— RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></p>

<p>The Senate Subcommittee on the Fixing of the Terms of Office of Barangay Officials and Sangguniang Kabataan Members has endorsed a bill to make village-level officials' terms five years long from three.</p>

The Senate Subcommittee on the Fixing of the Terms of Office of Barangay Officials and Sangguniang Kabataan Members has endorsed a bill to make village-level officials' terms five years long from three.

Bill pushing back barangay polls advances to plenary debate at Senate

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Bill pushing back barangay polls advances to plenary debate at Senate

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2026 05:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

Commission on Elections

Elections

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.