• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections-Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) on Tuesday, June 2 dismissed as “fake news” the social media posts saying that the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) scheduled on Nov. 2 may not push through.
Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano said the report was based on inaccurate information and a misinterpretation of existing laws.
He explained that the law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. only postponed the BSKE originally scheduled for May 2025 and reset it to Nov. 2, 2026.
He stressed that this date remains valid and unchanged.
“The BSKE has not been postponed. The election will definitely proceed this November because there is no legal basis or new legislation that moves or delays the date,” Castillano said.
He emphasized that Congress has not passed any new law, resolution, or directive that would postpone, cancel, or reschedule the Nov. 2, 2026 elections.
As preparations continue, Castillano reported that the Election Registration Board hearings began on June 1 to process voter registration applications and address any opposition filed against applicants.
He said Comelec is expected to complete the consolidation of voter registration data within the next two to three weeks and subsequently prepare its quarterly progress report.
The poll body will also proceed with the clustering of polling precincts and other election-related preparations ahead of the barangay and youth elections.
Castillano urged the public not to be misled by unverified social media posts and to rely only on official announcements issued by the Comelec and authorized government information channels. | GB
