Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the newly enacted law extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years will help provide greater stability and continuity in local governance.
In a statement following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act No. 12326, Escudero thanked the President and fellow lawmakers for supporting the measure, which also moves the next Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) to November 2028.
“Malinaw sa atin na ang layunin ng batas na ito ay ayusin ang sistema at tiyakin na may malinaw na ikot o siklo sa pamamahala sa barangay. Kapag maayos ang termino, maayos din ang serbisyo,” Escudero said.
Marcos signed RA 12326 on September 24, 2026, postponing the BSKE previously scheduled for November 2, 2026. The next elections will be held in November 2028, with succeeding barangay and SK polls to be conducted every five years.
Escudero, a principal author of the measure in the Senate, emphasized the importance of barangays in delivering government services at the community level.
“Ang barangay ang frontliners ng pamahalaan sa anumang serbisyo publiko,” he said, noting that the new law is expected to provide “katiyakan at katatagan sa pamamahala.”
The Senate president also acknowledged the support of lawmakers from both chambers of Congress in passing the measure.
“Maraming salamat din sa ating mga kasamahan sa Senado, pati na rin sa ating mga kapwa mambabatas sa House of Representatives, sa kanilang suporta at pakikiisa upang maipasa ang repormang ito,” Escudero said.
Under RA 12326, barangay officials will have five-year terms and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same position. SK officials, meanwhile, are limited to one term in the same position.
The law also bars incumbent barangay officials serving their final term from seeking the same position in the 2028 elections.
Escudero said the reform is aimed at creating a more stable and organized cycle of barangay governance and ensuring continuity in the delivery of public services.
