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The Palace has reaffirmed its stance on the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), stating it is prepared to defend the decision before the Supreme Court (SC). This comes after the SC directed the respondents in a petition filed by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal to comment on his plea to declare Republic Act (RA) No. 12326 unconstitutional and halt the postponement of the BSKE. The named respondents in the petition include the Office of the President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec). During a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Malacañang press officer Claire Castro confirmed that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is awaiting a copy of the petition. The OSG serves as the government's principal legal counsel and represents the government in court. Castro explained that both Comelec and the Senate have already coordinated with the OSG and are ready to respond immediately upon receiving the petition copy. They will comply with the SC's order requiring a response within five days of receiving the petition. When asked about confidence in the law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. withstanding legal scrutiny, Castro stated that from the President's and lawmakers' perspective, the postponement is the appropriate course of action. However, they will abide by whatever decision the SC makes. The executive branch, Comelec, and the Senate will have their position defended by the OSG. RA 12326, or the Act Fixing the Term of Office of Barangay Officials and Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan to Five Years, sets the next BSKE for the second Monday of November 2028 and every five years thereafter. This law extends the terms of officials elected in 2023 by an additional two years. However, Macalintal argued that the new law violates the electorate's right to vote under the guise of fixing officials' terms of office. The law specifies that incumbent elective barangay officials shall be considered to have completed one term in their respective positions due to the two-year extension. It also states that incumbent officials serving their last term in the same position shall be ineligible to run for the same position in the November 2028 elections. Vacancies in the Sangguniang Kabataan shall be filled by appointment by the city or municipal mayor, while vacancies in the SK chairperson position shall be filled through succession as provided by law.

The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the Office of the President, Congress, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to comment on a petition challenging the postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). The Court provided a non-extendible five-day period for the respondents to submit their comments following the filing of the petition by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal. Macalintal sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) or a status quo ante order to prevent the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 12326, which moves the regular BSKE to the second Monday of November 2028, with subsequent elections to be held every five years. The petition also asks the SC to declare the law inoperative, invalid, or unconstitutional regarding the postponement. Macalintal expressed confidence that the SC would issue a favorable resolution soon, noting that Comelec has the administrative capacity to reschedule the election if the Court rules in favor of the petition. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia stated that the Commission will abide by the Supreme Court's decision on the matter. The petition challenges the postponement of the 2026 elections, which were originally scheduled for 2026 but have been moved to 2028 under RA 12326. The Court's directive aims to ensure all relevant parties have the opportunity to present their positions before a final ruling is made. This development is significant as it directly impacts the electoral calendar and the timeline for local elections in the Philippines. The Comelec has previously ordered the cessation of activities for the 2026 barangay and SK elections, indicating the ongoing legal and administrative complexities surrounding the postponement. The case highlights the tension between legislative actions and judicial oversight in electoral processes, with potential implications for the integrity and timeliness of future elections. The Court's decision will determine whether the 2026 elections can proceed as scheduled or must be postponed further, affecting voter preparation, campaign activities, and the overall electoral process. The SC's handling of this petition underscores its role in safeguarding the constitutional mandate for regular elections and ensuring that legislative changes do not undermine the democratic process.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has confirmed that the plebiscite for the conversion of Naga City into a highly urbanized city will be conducted on November 21, 2026, despite the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE). The Comelec had initially planned to hold the plebiscite simultaneously with the BSKE on November 2, but Malacañang postponed the twin elections to 2028. Comelec Chairman George Garcia stated that Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo requested to proceed with the plebiscite this year, even as the BSKE was deferred. The city government has committed to providing an additional P30 million to cover the costs, as the Comelec had only prepared P20 million for the plebiscite when it was scheduled alongside the BSKE. Garcia explained that the city has nearly 160,000 registered voters who will participate in the plebiscite. The Comelec had previously approved Robredo's request to synchronize the plebiscite with the BSKE to reduce costs, noting that a standalone plebiscite would require approximately P50 million. Other local plebiscites planned to coincide with the BSKE, including those for proposed name changes in Ayala Alabang, Camarines Sur, and Davao, may not proceed this year due to the increased costs of conducting them separately. The plebiscite will determine whether residents of Naga City support the conversion into a highly urbanized city following a declaration from Malacañang. Garcia emphasized that only registered voters of Naga City are eligible to participate in the plebiscite. The Comelec is now preparing to conduct the standalone plebiscite on November 21, 2026, with the city government covering the additional costs.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has asked the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has announced plans to challenge the newly passed law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). The law, signed into effect recently, delays… · Photo : Matt Popovich · CC0 · Flickr

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