Comelec to continue BSKE preparations despite term extension bill

Commission on Elections Chair George Garcia — Photo by Noy Morcoso/ INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will proceed with its preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) despite reports that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign a bill extending the term of elected barangay and SK officials.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia made the statement on Monday during an inspection of the Special Register Anywhere Program for the BSKE at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 Recto Station in Manila.

READ: Marcos to sign law postponing barangay, SK polls – Comelec

Garcia earlier disclosed that Marcos is expected to sign on August 12 the law postponing the BSKE, originally scheduled for December 1. Despite this, he said the voters’ registration period, set from August 1 to August 10, will proceed as planned.

“Our preparations are continuing because even if the president signs the law, what if someone files a case before the Supreme Court? What if a restraining order is issued and the Comelec isn’t prepared?” Garcia said in Filipino.

The House of Representatives and the Senate previously ratified a bill seeking to extend the current three-year term of barangay and SK officials to four years. If enacted into law, the elections will be moved to the first Monday of November 2026.

Garcia said the Comelec is continuing its procurement process and plans to proceed with certain election activities should the BSKE not be postponed.

“Later on, if things are still unclear, we will proceed with the filing of certificates of candidacy for those planning to run. But if it becomes absolutely clear that the elections will not push through, then we will cancel certain activities and hold off on moving forward,” he said in Filipino.

Garcia also assured the public that no significant public funds have been spent so far on preparations for the BSKE, as the poll body remains in the procurement stage.

READ: How to register as a voter for the 2025 BSKE

“If we’ve spent anything so far, it’s mostly for the overtime pay of our staff, which is necessary. But as for major expenses—none yet. We haven’t even started training the teachers. This registration involves only minimal costs and is part of Comelec’s regular operations,” he added.

When asked whether the postponement of the BSKE would disrupt the Comelec’s regular processes, Garcia said the poll body merely serves as an implementing agency of the law.

“For us, if the elections push through, we must be ready. If they don’t, we need to be even more prepared because the preparation period will be longer,” he said.

Garcia said the poll body is also preparing for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections set for October 13.

The Comelec has scheduled the voters’ registration period for the BSKE from August 1 to August 10, 2025. In addition, the Special Register Anywhere Program is being implemented in several areas across Metro Manila from August 1 to August 7./mcm