The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to extend the term of elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from three years to six years.
During a plenary session on Monday, 153 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill No. 11287, while four voted against it and one abstained.
The bill covers all current barangay and SK officials who were elected on October 30, 2023. They will remain in office until the next elections in May 2029, unless they are removed or suspended for cause.
The proposed law also sets a term limit: two terms for barangay officials and one term for SK officials.
According to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the bill aims to ensure continuity of projects in the barangay and reduce political maneuvering.
A similar proposal was filed in the Senate by Senator Imee Marcos. While both bills aim to extend the term, the Senate version only proposes a four-year term compared to the House's six-year proposal.
The Senate bill was already approved with a 22-0 vote.
