SIGN THE BILL

June 24, 2025 Opinion

The two houses of Congress, the Lower House and the Upper House (Senate), finally ratified the bicameral conference committee report that would fix the term of elected Barangay and SK officials to four years, with the former enjoying three consecutive terms in the same position while the latter shall serve for only one term of four in the same position. The report, which reconciled the version from the Lower House with that of the Senate version, sets a four-year term for barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials. The reconciled version is Senate Bill No. 2816, which not only fixes the terms of Barangay officials in the country but also schedules the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) on November of 2026, which is one year more than what the Supreme Court, in deciding that the postponement of the BSKE under Republic Act 11935 is unconstitutional, has scheduled on December 1, 2025.

If President Bongbong Marcos will sign the consolidated bill, then all barangay officials will henceforth enjoy a term of four years for three terms or 12 years in office, assuming they are re-elected twice into the same office. Also under the said bill, no elective SK official shall serve for more than one term in the same position. Previously, Barangay officials enjoy a three year term for three consecutive terms in the same position, which if they are re-elected twice is nine years. Now, if the president will sign the bill into law, expect suits to be filed in the courts to question the constitutionality of the said law. This is already anticipated as the advisers of the president carefully consider whether he should sign the said bill. However, if the President will veto, meaning refuse to sign into law the said bill, then the term of the barangay officials will remain at three years and the next BSK elections will be on December 1, 2025, following the decision of the Supreme Court.

But if you carefully consider the present situation of those barangay officials who have been voted into office last 2023, and if we follow the mandate of the Supreme Court that the next BSK elections will be on December 2025, then they will have served only two years as an elected official, which is one year less than that of the three-year term which they are supposed to enjoy. If that’s the case, then can we honestly say that those barangay officials elected in October 30, 2023 and who served for only two years were able to effectively discharge their duties and responsibilities to their constituents? Those working in government and collaborating with the barangays might have a different opinion about that. To recall, when the government comes up with a plan it usually covers three years to see its fruition, and in fact, sometimes there is no guarantee that within the short span of three years those programs and activities contained in that three-year plan will be realized.

What we’re saying is, and this is to argue for the president signing Senate Bill 2816 into law, there is a need—no, in fact, it is necessary for practical purposes—that these barangay officials elected in 2023 should remain in office until 2026 to fully capacitate them as public servants, especially those who have been elected for the first time into their position, given that their original term should have been three years. A challenge must be issued to those who believe that two years is enough for a barangay official to do all the things they are supposed to do while in office and serving their constituencies in the community. So if the president is to sign the bill into law, let it be done with the justification that the present crop of barangay officials should stay in office for at least one more year to allow them to mature as public servants and leaders in the community, and subscribing to their original term of three years as allowed by law. There is no postponement or extension of term to speak of this time because if the BSK election will be held in 2026, it will only be allowing this present crop of barangay officials to complete their original term of three years. Let us hope that the president will see it in this light.