Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan voted “no” to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections, saying the polls are a critical part of the country’s democratic process and that delaying them is a disservice to the youth and local communities they hope to serve.
“Hindi lumalakas ang demokrasya kapag dine-delay o-pinopostpone. Lumalakas ito kapag mas maraming mamamayan ang binibigyan ng pagkakataong makilahok, manindigan, kumilos, at maglingkod,” he said in his explanation of his “no” vote.
“Kaya ang boto ko, ituloy ang halalan. Ang boto ko ay ‘no’ to postponement,” he added.
On Monday, September 14, the Senate approved on third reading a bill setting the barangay and SK term to five years.
Voting 13-5-0, the bill effectively postpones the BSKE elections originally set for November 2 this year.
Citing an August 2026 National Momentum Survey that said Millennials, Generation Z, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation strongly support holding the BSKE this November, Pangilinan highlighted the importance of youth participation in nation-building.
This includes the youth’s contribution to addressing current issues—climate disasters, job creation, food prices, education, mental health, safety, digital misinformation, and the future of communities.
“Hindi lang kabataan ang naaapektuhan. Lahat ng mamamayang mabubuhay o masasaktan sa mga desisyon ng mga namumuno,” the senator said.
“Kailangan natin ang kanilang boundless energy, courage, and conscience sa mga barangay. Kailangan natin ng fresh voices, bagong ideas, at bagong dugo sa local leadership,” he added.
The last BSKE was held on October 30, 2023, and was supposed to be held again in December 2025, but President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. postponed it.
On Monday, senators approved on third reading Senate Bill No. 2387, which fixes the term of barangay and SK officials to five years, with a two-term limit. This also effectively moves the BSKE from November 2026 to November 2028.
The House of Representatives also approved a counterpart measure—House Bill No. 10971—establishing the same fixed five-year term for members of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan.