Comelec confirms: BSKE postponement law to be signed on August 12

DAVAO CITY (August 1) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign into law the bill postponing the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on August 12 at 2 p.m., signaling another delay in the youth’s electoral participation.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia confirmed in an interview that Malacañang has formally scheduled the ceremonial signing, following Congress’ approval of the measure. The bill moves the elections to the first Monday of November 2026 and mandates that subsequent BSKEs be held every four years.

“Even if the law is signed, we will continue our preparations because someone may question it before the Supreme Court (SC),” Garcia explained. “What will happen if it issues a temporary restraining order and the Comelec is not prepared?”

He added that the poll body will maintain its preparations for the December 1, 2025 election date until a final resolution is made by the courts

This is not the first time the BSKE has been postponed, raising concerns among youth leaders and good governance advocates about its impact on democratic participation and accountability at the grassroots level.

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) serves as the formal entry point for young Filipinos into public service. Postponing elections effectively extends the terms of current officials, many of whom were elected in 2023 following delays due to the pandemic.

Critics of the postponement argue that it deprives young voters and aspiring youth leaders of a timely opportunity to engage in public service and governance reforms. Others view it as a political maneuver that affects barangay-level accountability and performance review.

Comelec, for its part, is walking a tightrope — complying with the expected law while preparing for the possibility of legal challenges. “We will prepare until it becomes clear that the Supreme Court won’t act on a petition questioning the postponement,” Garcia said.

The 2025 BSKE was originally scheduled for December 1. The newly approved bill seeks to institutionalize a four-year interval between elections and aligns the terms of barangay and SK officials with broader governance reform plans.