CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (September 30) — The five-year term granted to barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials does not shield them from administrative, civil or criminal liability, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday.
The reminder followed the signing of Republic Act 12326 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 24, 2026. The law was published the following day and took effect immediately, moving the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to the second Monday of November 2028 and setting five-year terms for barangay and SK officials.
“With a longer term comes greater responsibility and accountability,” the DILG said.
The department stressed that the extension does not diminish the duties of incumbent officials or exempt them from pending or future administrative, civil or criminal investigations and liabilities arising from their incumbency.
The law also revises term limits, provides mechanisms for filling SK vacancies and requires continuing training for local officials.
Transition to 2028
The law’s immediate effect means the November 2026 BSKE will no longer proceed under the previous schedule, unless the Supreme Court orders otherwise. The Commission on Elections has suspended preparations for the polls following the law’s enactment.
With the elections reset to 2028, the final inventory and turnover of barangay and SK properties, financial records, documents and other assets originally intended for the transition after the 2026 polls will no longer proceed on the original schedule.
The October 2026 Barangay Assembly, however, will still push through on any Saturday or Sunday of the month.
The DILG said the extended terms should give local officials more time to complete programs and respond to community needs while remaining answerable for their actions.
“Ang mas mahabang termino ay hindi lamang dagdag na panahon sa panunungkulan. Ito ay dagdag na panahon para maglingkod, maghatid ng resulta, at managot sa taumbayan,” the department said.
Under RA 12326, succeeding barangay and SK elections will also be held every five years. The law further provides that incumbent barangay officials whose terms are extended by two years will be regarded as having completed one term for purposes of the transition, affecting their eligibility to seek the same position in 2028.
The law is currently being challenged before the Supreme Court, with a petition seeking to stop its implementation. The administration has said it will comply with whatever ruling the Court issues.
For now, RA 12326 is in effect, with the next BSKE set for November 2028 unless the Supreme Court intervenes.
