BSKE to push through on December 1 – Comelec

Despite pending proposals in Congress to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and extend the terms of incumbent officials, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed that the polls will proceed as scheduled on December 1, 2025.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized that preparations are underway for a fully manual election, addressing speculation on the possibility of automating the process.

“Of course, the preparations of the Comelec are for full manual elections,” Garcia said. He added, however, that a pilot test of automated elections is under study. “If we’ll do that, you will have to rent machines again, and therefore, this will add to the expenses for the BSKE,” he explained.

In Cebu City, provincial election supervisor Marchel Sarno urged the public to participate in the voter registration period from July 1 to 11, 2025, which will accommodate new registrants, transferees, and those needing reactivation or corrections of their records.

“This is a short period of time, so take advantage of it. Don’t wait until the last day of registration because our capacity is not that huge,” Sarno said.

He also reminded candidates in the May 2025 midterm elections to submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) by June 11, warning that failure to do so may lead to administrative sanctions or disqualification from public office.

Sarno pointed out that barangay elections typically draw high voter turnout and passionate engagement because of the “deeply personal” nature of local contests.

“We expect that, especially for the barangay elections, many will register. This is because the opponents are neighbors and relatives,” he noted.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in both chambers of Congress continue to file bills seeking to postpone the polls. House Bill 10344 seeks to move the BSKE to October 26, 2026, to allow a full three-year term for barangay officials. Senator Imee Marcos and some colleagues have also proposed extending the term to six years, citing the need for less frequent elections.

However, the Supreme Court ruled in June 2023 that postponing barangay elections is unconstitutional and that polls must be held regularly.

Garcia maintained that the BSKE will push through on December 1, 2025, unless a new law is passed and signed into law. TRACY CABRERA