Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced that a bill establishing a fixed five-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials was officially transmitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., clearing the way for its signing.
Gatchalian noted that the executive branch has given no indication of a veto, paving the way for the measure to take effect ahead of upcoming election deadlines.
“Pinadala na namin kay Presidente…At sa pagkaka-alam ko wala namang balita na ive-veto niya. So, mag extend ng five years, ma-extend ng additional two years yung incumbent na barangay officials,” Gatchalian stated during an ambush interview.
While no official schedule has been released regarding the presidential signing, lawmakers hope for swift action as the filing of certificates of candidacy for the barangay and SK polls is set for next week.
Passed by the Senate on its third and final reading on September 14, the bill sets a five-year fixed tenure for local village and youth leaders. The measure also postpones the barangay and SK elections originally scheduled for November this year to the second Monday of November 2028, effectively granting two-year term extensions to incumbent officials.
The Senate approved the measure with 13 affirmative votes. Five senators—Vicente Sotto III, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino, and Joel Villanueva—voted against its passage, with no abstentions recorded.
Gatchalian confirmed that the House of Representatives formally adopted the Senate’s version to expedite the legislative process.
“In-adopt ng House. Lahat ng mga nakita namin iba sa House, pinasok na lang sa Senate para hindi naman pabalik. Simple bill lang,” Gatchalian added.