Comelec suspends voter registration amid pending term extension bill

National

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has postponed the scheduled voter registration originally set for July 1 to 11 this year in anticipation of potential changes to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced that voter registration will now be moved to the last week of October, following the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections. The registration period will then continue until July 2026.

Garcia explained that the rescheduling is in preparation for the BSKE tentatively set for November 2026—pending the approval of a proposed law that would extend the terms of barangay and SK officials.

Despite the suspension of registration, Comelec will continue preparations for the December 2025 BSKE, as the bill has yet to be signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Garcia stressed the importance of readiness, noting that the legality of the term extension could still be challenged in the Supreme Court.

“If we halt preparations and the law isn’t signed or is blocked by a temporary restraining order (TRO), we could face delays. It’s safer to continue, especially with procurement,” Garcia said in a Philstar report.

He added that Comelec is including a cancellation clause in its procurement contracts in case unforeseen legal developments arise.

At the same time, lawmakers are actively pushing for the passage of House Bill 11287, which proposes to reset the December 1, 2025 BSKE to the first Monday of November 2026 and extend the terms of incumbent barangay and SK officials. Proponents of the bill argue that the postponement would lead to better efficiency, reduced public spending, and longer terms for grassroots leaders.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez emphasized the potential cost savings, noting that conducting the BSKE this December would require around P12 billion—funds that could be redirected to development projects in over 42,000 barangays.

Rodriguez also warned of the strain posed by holding three major elections in a single year: the May 2025 midterm polls, the October BARMM elections, and the December BSKE. “It would result in multiple unnecessary expenses running into billions,” he said.

The lawmaker also addressed criticisms from election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who urged the President to veto the measure.

“There’s no question that Congress has the authority to set the term lengths of barangay and SK officials,” Rodriguez countered.

According to him, the proposed postponement would also allow officials to serve a full three-year term, unlike the shortened two-year stint they would get if elections proceed in 2025.

House Bill 11287, principally authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez, also introduces a two-term limit for barangay officials and a one-term limit for SK officials. It schedules future BSKE every six years starting May 2029 and amends the Local Government Code to extend the terms of those elected in October 2023 until May 2029—unless removed or suspended for cause.

The measure aims to strengthen continuity in barangay-level programs and minimize politically driven disruptions in local governance.(Jocel Tuanson, CNU Comm Intern)