• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Barangay officials should use the additional time provided by the postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to review their policies, correct shortcomings and further improve public service.
This was emphasized by Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE) on Friday, Sept. 25.
Escalante said local officials must respect the decision of national leaders after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act (RA) 12326, extending the terms of incumbent barangay and SK officials to five years and moving the next regular BSKE to November 2028.
“We have to adhere to the wisdom of our national leaders. They are there to exercise their prerogatives in passing laws,” Escalante said.
He said local governments in Negros are prepared for either outcome, but welcomed the law as an opportunity for incumbent barangay officials to reassess their performance.
“Here sa dalum (underneath), we are ready for anything,” Escalante said, noting the overwhelming support for the postponement measure in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Escalante also has advice for incumbent barangay and SK officials who may have been worried about facing voters this year.
“If you are afraid if there is BSKE, something is not right, or may kakulang. If kampante ka sa performance mo, why bother?” he said.
He stressed that regardless of whether an election is held, public officials must continue delivering services.
“We have still two years to correct, adjust your policies. Election is a gauge of our performance,” he said.
Escalante added that officials who believe they have encountered increasing opposition should take it as a reason to review their approach.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Alfredo Abelardo Benitez welcomed the signing of RA 12326, saying the extended term should be used by incumbent barangay and SK officials to continue programs and respond to community needs.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for signing RA 12326!” Benitez said.
He said the additional term would be an opportunity to continue quality programs and better address the needs of communities.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has stopped activities related to the 2026 BSKE, following the enactment of the law.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said all activities for the Nov. 2 polls had been cancelled.
Garcia also said the poll body expects petitions challenging the postponement to be filed before the Supreme Court.
He raised the possibility of an injunctive restraining order that could affect the implementation of the postponement. | GPB
