Philippines Awaits Presidential Action on Barangay, Youth Polls Postponement Bill

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday said the proposed measure postponing the 2026 village and youth council elections has yet to reach his office. “It’s not with me yet,” Mr. Marcos told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of an event in Manila when asked whether he intends to sign the enrolled bill. Congress passed a measure setting a five-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, which would move the next elections to the second Monday of November 2028 from Nov. 2 this year. The House adopted the Senate version, Senate Bill No. 2387, on Sept. 16 after the Senate approved it on third and final reading with 13 votes in favor and five against. The measure would amend Republic Act No. 12232, which Mr. Marcos signed in August 2025 and which set four-year terms for barangay and SK officials and scheduled the next elections for November 2026. The Commission on Elections earlier said preparations for the Nov. 2 polls will continue unless the postponement is enacted into law. The filing of certificates of candidacy is scheduled from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5. This postponement of elections highlights ongoing challenges in local governance and the electoral process in the Philippines. Barangay councils represent the most basic administrative units, and their postponement could impact community governance. SK elections provide an avenue for youth political participation, and their delay also concerns the nature of youth engagement in politics.