Philippines House Approves Bill Extending Barangay, SK Officials' Terms

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials. Lawmakers approved House Bill 10971, which seeks to grant barangay officials a five-year term instead of the existing four-year term, with 211 lawmakers voting in favor, 13 against and one abstaining. The measure would postpone the next barangay and SK elections to 2028, instead of holding them this year. House Assistant Minority Leader Renee Co of Kabataan party-list, who voted against the measure, said it was a clear example of perpetuating political patronage. “The Supreme Court had said that postponement of elections needs a compelling governmental interest, like protecting the right to suffrage, and a real emergency. The law giving them a four-year term is not even a year old, and yet here we are extending it again,” Co, a lawyer, said, referring to the existing law that extended the terms of barangay and SK officials from three to four years. “This makes this bill, for me, without basis and unconstitutional,” she added.— MCG, GMA News