Barangay, SK term extension bill faces constitutional challenge

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Senate has passed on second reading a bill that would extend the terms of barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK, youth council) officials from the current four years to five years, and postpone the elections scheduled for this November. However, the move has drawn strong criticism, with opponents arguing it violates the constitution and denies citizens their right to choose their leaders. Kabataan party-list stated that the term extension violates the 1987 Constitution. Kabataan Rep. Renee Co argued, "Suspending elections needs a compelling governmental interest like protecting suffrage from a true emergency. It should not be merely administrative convenience or seeking for continuity." She further questioned, "It has not been a year since we passed a law that extends the term of BSK officials to four years, and yet we will extend their term again for another year?" Five senators, including Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Joel Villanueva, Bam Aquino, and Risa Hontiveros, opposed the bill. They criticized it for denying village voters the right to choose their new barangay leaders this November. House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of party-list Mamamayang Liberal also voted against the measure. "Regular elections, held on time, remain the surest foundation of accountable governance at the grassroots level, because it is at the barangay where the impact of leadership, for better or worse, is felt most directly by ordinary Filipinos," she said. Rep. Sarah Elago of women's group Gabriela also opposed the bill, saying "it will deny our citizens their right to choose their leaders. Because of the effect of postponement, they used term-fixing to push delaying BSKE this year." Sotto said that fixing of their terms in office at five years from the current four can be done without postponing the upcoming BSKE. "Considering that this is the eighth time that we have postponed barangay elections, it might give an impression to the public of how little regard we are giving to the unit of government closest to the people," Sotto said yesterday. Under the bill, barangay officials will be limited to two consecutive terms, while SK officials will continue to be limited to one term. Incumbent barangay officials already serving their third consecutive term will be disqualified from seeking the same position in the 2028 elections. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has vowed to challenge the law before the Supreme Court, indicating a likely legal battle.