• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez filed House Bill 10591 on Aug. 4, seeking to defer the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from its scheduled date of Nov. 2, 2026 to November 2028.
The proposed measure reportedly got the support of 63 lawmakers.
Benitez pushed the rescheduling of BSKE 2026 due to the declaration of National State of Energy Emergency, which has placed severe strain on resources, education priorities, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao electoral alignment.
He noted that millions of student learners remain affected by recent earthquake disruptions across Visayas and Mindanao, making educational recovery an immediate focal point.
As stipulated in the bill, the synchronized village and youth polls will be held in November 2028 while the incumbent barangay and SK officials will remain in their posts in a holdover capacity.
The extended period will not be counted against term-limit rules.
Unless the bill successfully navigates committee reviews, plenary debates, and is enacted into law prior to the timeline, the Commission on Elections remains legally bound to proceed with the Nov. 2, 2026 polls. | GPB
