IMEE FILES BILL POSTPONING BARANGAY, SK ELECTIONS TO OCTOBER 2027

SENATOR Imee R. Marcos has filed Senate Bill 2067, seeking to move the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to October 2027, warning that soaring travel costs could bar Filipinos from the polls.

The senator raised concern that the election will fall exactly on All Souls’ Day, when travel demand spikes and fares and fuel prices are expected to rise, adding financial strain on families going to the provinces.

“All Souls’ Day is important for Filipinos to pay their respects to the dead, but because of increasing travel expenses, it may discourage others to go home, let alone to vote,” Marcos said.

While she acknowledged that these elections are vital to grassroots democracy, she stressed that current economic conditions threaten voter turnout. 

“The oil crisis has triggered significant increases in transportation fares, creating a serious risk of disenfranchisement, especially for voters registered outside their residence and marginalized sectors already struggling with the cost of living,” she said.

Marcos noted that a postponement would give voters more time to transfer their registrations, allowing them to update records and avoid expensive travel come election day.

The senator also highlighted the fiscal strain of the polls, noting that COMELEC’s ₱16 billion estimate for the BSKE excludes additional funding required for support from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Education (DepEd), and local government units (LGUs). 

“These funds may be better directed toward urgent needs such as economic relief, basic services, and crisis response,” Marcos proposed.

Furthermore, she emphasized that the delay would ensure continuity in local leadership, allowing barangay officials to remain focused on community concerns amid ongoing economic challenges.