Senator Imee Marcos wants to extend the term of barangay and Sangguinang Kabataan (SK) officials elected in the October 2023 polls to six years.
Interviewed on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Tuesday, March 12, she said the existing term is too short and that this hinders elected barangay and SK officials from fully accomplishing their planned projects and programs.
"Sana gawin nang six years ang term ng barangay kasi nakita natin, hirap na hirap tayo sa three-year term," Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on electoral reforms.
Senator Imee Marcos, sa kalagayan ni former First Lady Imelda Marcos: Maganda naman ang kalagayan ng nanay ko. Sa awa ng Diyos, wala nang pneumonia. Talagang nakita na sa X-ray, wala nang lagnat.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) March 12, 2024
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Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) after the elections in October 2023 will be held on the first Monday in December 2025, and every three years thereafter.
In 2025, the Philippines will have two elections — the midterm polls or National and Local Elections in May and the BSKE in December.
The senator recommends moving the 2025 BSKE to 2026 or 2028.
"Sana habaan na lang. Kung gusto nila, sabihin natin ay 2026, o 'di kaya kung talagang six-year term, so that everybody has a fresh mandate, right after the Presidential elections [in May 2028]," Marcos said.
She described the current term of barangay and SK officials as "unreasonable".
"Talagang sobrang ikli. Wala pa silang nagagawa, eh tatakbo na naman ulit. At ang hilig natin sa eleksyon, nag-e-enjoy lahat election, pambihira [.....] Siguro once and for all, ayusin natin ang term nila. Mahirap din ang trabaho ng barangay, sila ang tinatakbuhan ng lahat.," the senator added.
