Ombudsman Pushes for Civil Service Eligibility for Barangay, SK Officials

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla is pushing for civil service eligibility for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, emphasizing their role as "the frontline of service." He believes this measure will bring order and strengthen government service delivery. This proposal comes in the wake of Congress's approval to postpone the barangay and SK elections to November 2028, though the bill awaits the President's signature. Remulla also alleged that some barangay and SK officials are receiving "pork barrel" or lump-sum allocations, which the Supreme Court has already declared unconstitutional. He stated, "All of them have pork barrel, up to SK councilors." The Civil Service Commission currently grants civil service eligibility to youth council officials. Recently, the House of Representatives adopted a Senate bill that extends the term of barangay and SK officials from four to five years.