Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — All preparations and ongoing activities for the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been canceled following the enactment of the law postponing the polls, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia said.
President Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12326 into law, postponing the BSKE to November 2028 and extending the term of incumbent barangay and SK officials from four to five years.
READ: Marcos signs BSKE postponement into law
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Upon the law’s publication in the Official Gazette, its effectivity clause prompted the Comelec to cancel all activities related to preparations for the BSKE, including the filing of certificates of candidacy scheduled for Sept. 28, Garcia said.
Likewise, prohibitions imposed by the commission will no longer apply upon the law’s effectivity.
“The prohibition on social services is no longer effective, even in public works. And those who are asking us for an exemption, they do not need to continue,” Garcia said.
The Comelec will still procure preparatory materials for the BSKE and keep them in its warehouse in Biñan, Laguna. Other materials, such as indelible ink, will also be stored in warehouses to preserve their quality.
The Comelec has already spent P8 billion of the P19 billion allocated for the BSKE, Garcia said.
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He said the remaining P11 billion will be allocated for preparations for the 2028 national and local elections.
“We were pleased with the provision in the law that our President signed because it states that whatever remaining budget for Comelec, which is P11 billion, will be used for [the 2028 elections],” Garcia said.
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Garcia noted simultaneously preparing for the BSKE and the 2028 national and local elections would be “heavy,” as the commission would have only a few months to prepare for the BSKE scheduled for November 2028.
In line with the postponement, the Comelec will re-open voter registration from the second week of November until July 30, 2027.
The registration period will allow the public to register, transfer, or reactivate their voter registration records in preparation for the 2028 elections.
Garcia said that while a temporary restraining order or petition before the Supreme Court remains possible, the Comelec will still halt all activities and follow the status quo under the postponement law.
“We cannot continue. If we continue, we will be sued by COA because we are the ones who are spending money and there are already new laws,” Garcia said. /mr
