Metro Manila, Philippines — Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has filed a bill seeking to extend the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and postpone the November 2026 elections.
The bill, filed on Thursday, Aug, 6, proposes a five-year term for barangay and SK officials instead of four years. It also seeks to move the next barangay and SK elections to November 2028.
It proposes that incumbent elective barangay officials would be deemed to have completed one term by 2028. Those who are on their third consecutive term would no longer be eligible to run for the same post in the 2028 elections.
In the bill’s explanatory note, Escudero said barangay governments serve as the frontline public service arm of the government, implementing programs, maintaining peace and order, resolving disputes, responding to disasters and calamities, and delivering basic services.
He said the measure aims to enhance the stability and continuity of public service at the barangay level.
“Such intervention would promote continuity in governance, provide sufficient time for community development initiatives, reduce disruptions caused by frequent electoral exercises, and enable local officials to focus on public service rather than on electoral cycles,” he said.
