The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may postpone the voter registration for the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BKSE) set in July amid the looming term extension for barangay and SK officials.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia made the remarks Thursday after the Senate on Wednesday evening ratified the bicameral conference committee report seeking to extend the term of office for barangay and SK officials from three to four years, and postpone the elections to the first Monday of November 2026.
“Una, dapat nating maintindihan na ito ay political decision at siyempre, hindi pupwedeng makialam ang Comelec sa political decision, lalo na ng ating legislative department,” Garcia said.
“Ginagalang natin yan at kung ano mapagkasunduan nila, susunod ang Comelec lalo na ito ay pagpapaliban ng isang halalan,” he added.
Garcia said they will wait for the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. whether to approve or veto the proposed measure.
He also said the poll body is set to hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss BSKE preparations, including the procurement of requirements, and the possible suspension of voter registration.
“Yan ay isa sa mga pinakamataas na consideration namin — na kung magkakaganun might as well gawin na lang namin ang voter registration pang-BSKE, simula na lang after ng Bangsamoro elections at pahabain namin kahit ilang buwan sa taon na to, halimbawa October hanggang August next year,” Garcia added.
With the extended voter registration, the Comelec is now expecting at least 70 million Filipinos will register to vote for the BSKE. The poll body is likewise eyeing to request for a higher 2026 budget.
“Hindi pa natin naco-compute sa kasalukuyan pero iinsist natin, lalo na sa executive department, para sa budget ng 2026 baka maihahabol pa na maibalik yung P2,000 across-the-board na binibigay natin sa ating mga electoral board members,” said Garcia.
“Kahit man lang yung P2,000 maibalik natin and at the same time, magdadagdag tayo ng presinto, guro na maglilingkod, election paraphernalia,” he added.
The Philippines is set to hold the 2025 BSKE on December 1.
