House, Senate agree on 4-year term for barangay, SK officials
Both chambers of Congress ratified on Wednesday the bicameral conference committee report, which sets four-year terms, from the current three-year limit, for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.
The report, which consolidates Senate Bill No. 2816 and House Bill No. 11287, amends Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly the terms and the date for the next barangay and SK elections (BSKE).
It will be sent to President Marcos for his signature. Should the President sign it into law, the next BSKE will be held on the first Monday of November next year instead of Dec. 1 this year.
Terms set
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia said this would entail adjustments on their part, including postponement of voter registration and suspending purchase of certain items needed for the BSKE polls.
The reconciled measure, “An Act Setting the Term of Office of Barangay Officials and Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan, and for other purposes,” imposes a single four-year term for SK officials and three consecutive terms for barangay officials.
“Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of service for the full term for which the elective official was elected,” it stated.
Opposition
The four-year term of office for village and youth officials means they are in position longer than House representatives, mayors, and other local officials who serve for three years per term. Legislators, including Speaker Martin Romualdez, who pushed for the longer term said this was to ensure continuity of projects.
The draft law further provides that all incumbent village and SK officials were to remain until their successors are elected. The transitory provision states: “Incumbent elective barangay officials serving their third consecutive term in the same position shall not be eligible to run for the same position in November 2026 BSKE.”
Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, in opposing the approval of HB 11287 on Monday, warned that the constitutionality of the draft measure could be challenged in the Supreme Court. He explained that postponing this year’s BSKE would contravene its ruling that the “BSKE must not be postponed without grave and sufficient reasons.”
He also said that the bill could give rise to political entrenchment and pointed out that what SK needs instead of a longer term is “continued support through legislation such as an SK compensation and empowerment law.”
Manuel added that more leadership trainings and seminars need to be conducted for SK officials to help them prepare for their responsibilities as representatives of the youth.
Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec would adhere to what was agreed upon by Congress.
“Currently, this is still just a bill. It is a bicameral conference committee report that was adopted and approved by the upper house and lower house,” he said in an online interview on Thursday.
Garcia added that the poll body will wait for the President’s decision on whether to approve or veto the draft law.
Emergency meet
“In the meantime, we will have an emergency meeting—all our staff [and] Comelec officials—in a week to discuss what things we need to stop, the preparations and procurement,” he said.
Garcia noted that P11 billion has been allotted for the conduct of the BSKE.
He also said he would prefer the BSKE to be held next year as the Comelec is conducting the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in October. —JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE, INQUIRER.NET
