Comelec may delay July voter reg for barangay elections

Despite potential term extensions for barangay officials, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may postpone voter registration for the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set in July.

House Bill No. 11287 aims to extend the terms of barangay and SK officials from three years to six, but the Senate ratified a bicameral conference committee report on Wednesday evening, extending their terms to four years with elections postponed until November 2026.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that they will wait for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s decision regarding the proposed measure and plans an emergency meeting next week to discuss preparations, including procurement of requirements.

Garcia also mentioned the possibility of extending voter registration after the Bangsamoro elections from October to August 2026, expecting at least 70 million Filipinos to register for BSKE.

The Comelec is eyeing a higher budget request for 2026 to cover additional funding for polling precincts, teachers, and election paraphernalia.