President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday signed into law the postponement of this year's barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to allow the government to focus on the first-ever parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Under Republic Act No. 12232, the BSKE—originally scheduled for Dec. 1, 2025—will now be held on the first Monday of November 2026, which falls on Nov. 2, coinciding with All Souls' Day.
"The next regular barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections shall be held on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four (4) years thereafter," the law states.
The new law also extends the term of barangay and SK officials to four years from the current three years under the Local Government Code of 1991.
Barangay officials may still serve for up to three consecutive terms, or a total of 12 years in the same position. However, the term limit for SK officials has been shortened to just one term.
Incumbent barangay officials currently serving their third consecutive term in the same position will no longer be eligible to run for the same post in the November 2026 BSKE.
President Marcos earlier voiced his support for rescheduling the BSKE, calling it the "most sensible and common-sense solution" to ensure the smooth conduct of the BARMM parliamentary elections set for Oct. 13, 2025.
During these polls, BARMM voters will elect new members of parliament to replace the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which is composed of presidential appointees.
The President emphasized that failure to hold successful BARMM elections could undermine the peace process in the region, underscoring the need for the government to devote its full attention to ensuring their success.
