President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he will sign into law a measure postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, citing the need to focus government resources on the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) polls.
The President stated that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had warned that holding the barangay polls alongside the BARMM parliamentary elections in October would stretch its capacity, especially after the recently concluded midterm elections.
“This BARMM election is the first time we have ever had this kind of election in our history. If it fails, it will be a big setback to the peace process,” Mr. Marcos told reporters on Friday, stressing that ensuring its success is a top priority.
He noted that local officials had also raised concerns about holding back-to-back polls so soon after the midterm elections.
The President added that the postponement would not violate the Supreme Court’s ruling against shortening the terms of barangay officials, as it would effectively extend their tenure.
“So I think the most sensible and the most common-sense solution is to postpone,” Marcos said.
Under the measure, the elections will be rescheduled, allowing the Comelec to concentrate on preparations for the BARMM polls, which will determine the region’s first directly elected parliament.
