Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez has urged Congress to immediately pass a measure postponing the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to the last Monday of November 2028, citing the need for orderly, credible and efficient polls amid ongoing national challenges.
Gomez, a principal author of House Bill No. 10591, welcomed the filing of a Senate counterpart measure and called for swift, bipartisan action.
“I am hopeful that both the House of Representatives and the Senate will act decisively on this measure. When both chambers recognize the urgency of an issue, we move one step closer to meaningful and responsible legislation,” Gomez said.
The lawmaker emphasized that delaying the polls protects the integrity of the electoral process while ensuring government resources are properly managed against economic and logistical constraints, such as the ongoing international energy crisis noted in the bill.
“The strength of our democracy is measured not by how quickly we hold elections, but by how credible, orderly, and inclusive those elections are. This is a measure that puts the national interest and the Filipino people first,” he added.
According to Gomez, shifting the timeline gives authorities adequate time to prepare while maximizing public funds during a challenging period.