Malacañang stands ready to defend the constitutionality of postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) before the Supreme Court, maintaining that deferring the local polls serves the national interest and allows adequate time to implement electoral reforms.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto affirmed that the administration remains confident in the legal grounding of Republic Act No. 11935, which rescheduled the village and youth council elections to allow local governments to stabilize after recent administrative adjustments and fiscal realignments.
”The decision to reschedule the elections was grounded on compelling public interest and fiscal necessity,” Recto said during a press briefing.
Addressing legal challenges brought by petitioners arguing that repeated postponements infringe on democratic rights, Recto maintained that Congress acted strictly within its constitutional authority when it enacted the postponement law.
”We respect the right of petitioners to question the law, but we are fully prepared to justify the necessity and legality of the move before the High Tribunal,” Recto also said.
The Solicitor General is set to represent the executive branch as oral arguments or formal comment submissions are scheduled by the Supreme Court, while the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) prepares contingency plans based on the upcoming judicial ruling.