The Supreme Court has directed the government to respond to a petition questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act 12232, which postponed the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) and extended the terms of incumbent officials.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who filed the petition, argued that the law violates the Constitution’s “one subject, one title” rule since the postponement of elections is not stated in the measure’s title.
RA 12232 primarily extends the term of office for barangay and SK officials to four years, with barangay leaders allowed three consecutive terms and SK officials only one.
It also resets the BSKE to November 2026, effectively postponing the December 2025 polls, which Macalintal claims has no valid basis.
The Commission on Elections, Congress, and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin were given 10 days to submit their comments.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 20, 2025
