THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it will focus on preparations for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) following the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the legality of Republic Act No. 12232, which reset the polls to November 2026.
Comelec chairman George Garcia welcomed the high court’s decision, calling it a “timely development” that allows the poll body to proceed with full implementation of its timelines and logistical plans.
“This hopefully puts an end to endless speculations concerning the BSKE. Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, the Comelec can concentrate on our preparations,” Garcia said in a statement.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed petitions questioning the constitutionality of RA 12232, ruling that the measure is a valid “term-setting law” establishing a four-year term for barangay and SK officials and prohibiting consecutive terms.
The tribunal explained that “it is not a law postponing elections,” as the change in schedule was “merely incidental.”
Enacted by President Marcos last August, RA 12232 moved the BSKE originally set for December 1, 2025, to the first Monday of November 2026, and every four years thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Comelec reported that more than 356,000 Filipinos have applied to register for the upcoming 2026 polls as of November 9. Of the total, 297,600 applications were for the barangay elections, while 58,821 were for the Sangguniang Kabataan.
Calabarzon recorded the highest number of applicants with 75,936, followed by the National Capital Region with 49,342, and Central Luzon with 39,841. Central Visayas posted 22,821 registrants, while the Register Anywhere/Anytime Program accounted for 1,686 applications. Vito Barcelo
The voter registration period will run until May 18, 2026, according to the Comelec. Vito Barcelo
