House OKs bill extending barangay, SK terms to six years

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill, House Bill No. 11287, that extends the term of elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to six years by amending the Local Government Code of 1991.

The bill passed with 153 affirmative votes, four negative votes, and one abstention, a slight revision from the initially reported 173 affirmative votes.

If signed into law, synchronized barangay and SK elections will be held on the second Monday of May 2029, and every six years thereafter.

Incumbent barangay and SK officials elected in October 2023 are set to remain in office until the May 2029 elections.

This measure, co-authored by Rep. Sandro Marcos, aims to give elected officials two- and one-term limits, respectively.

However, a Supreme Court ruling has previously declared such protracted term extensions for these officials to be unconstitutional.

The Senate's version of the bill proposes four-year terms with elections on the first Monday of October 2027, necessitating a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differences.

Poll lawyer Romulo Macalintal deemed the bill unconstitutional, deceptive, misleading, and a violation of voters' rights.

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