The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of Republic Act 12232, which sets the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to four years and moves the next elections to November 2026.
In a ruling penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez, the Court said Congress has the exclusive authority to define the term of barangay officials, as they are not bound by the three-year limit for other local officials.
The Court clarified that the law is primarily a “term-setting measure,” and the rescheduling of elections is only incidental.
It added that the measure does not violate the people’s right to vote since elections remain regular and periodic.
The decision also ruled that RA 12232 is not discriminatory, as the Constitution allows barangay officials to be treated differently.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 12, 2025
