Quezon City, September 22, 2026 — Congress has passed a bill extending the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from four to five years. The bill amends Republic Act No. 12232, moving the BSKE, originally scheduled for November 2, 2026 to November 2028.

We call on President Marcos to veto this bill.

The 1987 Constitution enshrines the right of suffrage and requires that elections be held regularly so that officials remain accountable to the electorate. Another law postponing the elections is unconstitutional and is in direct contrast with the principle of accountability.

President Marcos himself has staked his administration’s credibility on accountability. Speaking on the flood control anomalies that have angered the public over the past couple of years, he said: “I cannot say that we have done enought because we are not done yet.”

If that principle is to mean anything, it cannot stop at exposing corruption in infrastructure spending; it must also extend to the accountability that regular elections themselves provide. Extending barangay and SK officials’ terms again, without letting voters weigh in, is a step away from accountability at the government level closest to ordinary Filipinos.

A bill postponing elections postpones accountability. A veto of the bill by President Marcos is another step towards ending corruption at all levels of government. ###