By Gerard Naval
POLL lawyer Romulo Macalintal yesterday expressed strong opposition to the bid to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled on December 1, 2025 to May 8, 2029, saying it is “misleading and deceptive.”.
In a statement, Macalintal said Senate Bill No. 2816 would delay the BSKE and extend the terms of barangay and SK officials to six years.
“Senate Bill No. 2816 aimed at setting the term of office of barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan members for six years is deceptive and misleading,” said Macalintal.
“The bill is actually one postponing the BSKE scheduled on December 1, 2025 to May 8, 2029 without complying with the guidelines set by the Supreme Court in its 2023 decision in Macalintal vs. Comelec,” he added.
He said the measure would be against the SC ruling declaring Republic Act (RA) 11935, which postponed the 2023 BSKE, as unconstitutional.
“In the said case, the SC ruled that the postponement of the elections must be justified by reasons sufficiently important, substantial or compelling under the circumstances, and that, shortness of the existing term is not a sufficient governmental interest to justify the postponement of an election,” said Macalintal.
He said the bill gives an additional four years of service for incumbent barangay and SK officials on a hold-over capacity.
“This is in violation of the rights of the voters to elect their own barangay and SK officials,” said Macalintal.
The Senate had said that Senate Bill 2816 is one of its priority measures before Congress adjourns from February 8 to June 1.