Veteran election lawyer Atty. Romulo Macalintal opposed the postponement of newly signed law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on December 1, 2025.
In an interview on DZRH’s Special on Saturday, Macalintal firmly stated that the law was not thoroughly studied, as the election was scheduled on All Soul’s Day.
“Dahil sa kung ‘yan ay pinag-aralan, sa’n ka naman nakakita ng eleksyon na araw ng kaluluwa? Araw ng mga patay? Unless mga patay ang pagbobotohin. We honor the dead sa panahong ‘yan,” Macalintal remarked, criticizing the decision behind the schedule change. “Ang iba’y nananalangin tapos hahaluan natin ng pulitika, ‘Yan ay hindi pinag-aralan.”
He asserted that the Supreme Court has already said that such postponements are deemed unconstitutional, emphasizing that elections can only be deferred for valid and compelling reasons, not merely to adjust the terms of office.
“Ang mabigat din diyan, bukod sa araw ng mga patay, pinatay din ng batas na ‘yan ang karapatan nating bumoto,” he added.
The election lawyer also questioned the existence of the signed law that formally postpones the BSKE.
“May inilabas silang batas kahapon pero ang nakalagay ‘an act setting the term of office of barangay officials’. Walang sinasabing postponement,” he pointed out, noting that it does not explicitly mention any postponement of the elections. “Kahit basa-basahin mo yung batas na yun na pinalabas nila kahapon, wala kang makikitang word postponement.”
Moreover, Macalintal said that he is asking the Supreme Court for a restraining order, which will temporarily stop the implementation of the law postponing the elections, and to allow the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to proceed with its preparations while the case is being resolved.
