Marcos Jr. signs law extending BSK execs’ term; polls reset

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday signed into law a bill setting a four-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials and moving the barangay and SK elections to November next year.

Under Republic Act 12232, no elective barangay official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position.

It also prohibits elective SK official from serving for more than one term in the same position.

RA 12232 also moved the barangay and SK elections from December this year to the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter.

The law is expected to face a legal challenge before the Supreme Court (SC), which had previously declared as unconstitutional the repeated postponement of the BSKE for an unduly long period, which effectively extended the terms of the officials.

Marcos said the BSKE must be postponed again to fully focus on the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections on Oct. 13.

He said the SC ruling on the BSKE postponements, which started during the Duterte administration, was factored into the decision.

The term of office of barangay officials and members of SK elected after the effectivity of the law will commence on the first day of December succeeding their election.

All incumbent barangay officials and SK members will remain in office unless sooner removed or suspended for cause until their successors have been elected and qualified.

RA 12232 states that incumbent elective barangay officials serving their third consecutive term in the same position will not be eligible to run for the same position in the November 2026 polls.

The law directs the Commission on Elections to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of the law within 90 days from its effectivity. It will take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.