The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) confirmed on Thursday, June 29, that the winners in the upcoming 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will only have a two-year term of office due to the recent ruling of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court declared Republic Act 11935, which postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections from December 5, 2022, to October 30, 2023, as unconstitutional.
However, the tribunal still allowed the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on October 30, 2023.
The Supreme Court also declared that the country must hold Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on the first Monday of December 2025, and every three years thereafter.
COMELEC chairperson George Garcia sees no issue with the effect of the ruling on the term of the barangay officials.
Garcia cited Article 10, Section 8, of the 1987 Consitution which states that 'the term of office of elective local officials, except barangay officials, which shall be determined by law, shall be three years and no such official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms'.
"Pwedeng mas mahaba kaya na-extend sila na na-extend at pwedeng mas maiksi yung term nila," the COMELEC chief said during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
While the winners of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will only serve for two years, Garcia stressed that they will still be considered to have completed a single term.
"Dahil ito ay involuntary sa part nung mga mananalo, dahil ito mismo ay imposed ng desisyon ng Supreme Court, ito ay considered na one term kaya lang shortened one term," Garcia said.
However, Garcia said that COMELEC and Congress could still file a motion for reconsideration to question the Supreme Court ruling.
