SOTTO REJECTS BSKE POSTPONEMENT, CITES VOTERS’ CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT

Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday expressed opposition to postponing the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), warning that it could undermine voters’ right to suffrage.

Sotto said he was not convinced of the need to delay the polls until 2028 under Senate Bill No. 2387, noting that incumbent barangay officials have already had their terms extended.

He also cited cases involving erring barangay officials and said voters should be allowed to elect new leaders and hold officials accountable.

Sotto further raised concerns that postponing the elections could amount to political manipulation or “gerrymandering.”

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, however, said BSKE polls have already been postponed seven times since 2005 and noted that mechanisms such as recall elections remain available against officials who fail to meet voters’ expectations.

Source: PhilNews24 | September 3, 2026