Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s proposal to establish a fixed five-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials has gained strong support from various sectors during Monday’s public hearing of the Senate Sub-Committee on Local Government.
Representatives from the Liga ng mga Barangay, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and National Youth Commission (NYC) expressed support for the measure, which seeks to institutionalize a five-year term and put an end to the repeated postponement of barangay and SK elections.
During the hearing, Escudero stressed that Senate Bill No. 2387 is not intended simply to extend the terms of incumbent officials but to establish a fixed term of office. “My bill does not extend. My bill fixes,” Escudero said, explaining that while the measure could result in the postponement of the upcoming elections, its primary objective is to establish a permanent five-year term.
Escudero said longer and more predictable terms would allow barangay governments, which serve as the frontline of public service, to implement community development, disaster response, peace and order, and other local programs without frequent interruptions caused by elections.
NYC representative Eriven Nepomuceno described the proposal as a strategic step toward giving local officials enough time to implement meaningful programs and improve public service delivery.
Meanwhile, Councilor Jose Maria Rodriguez, representing the Liga ng mga Barangay, said the organization supports a consolidated measure fixing the terms of elected barangay and SK officials at five years and establishing a definite election schedule.
Under SB 2387, existing term-limit provisions would remain in place. Barangay officials may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms, while SK officials are limited to one term. Those who are already serving their third consecutive term would be barred from seeking another term in the November 2028 elections.
Escudero said counting the terms already served would ensure fairness and prevent incumbent officials from benefiting from what could be viewed as an outright extension of their tenure.
The committee also considered Senate Bill No. 2067 filed by Senator Imee Marcos, which seeks to postpone the November 2026 barangay and SK elections to October 2027 due to economic and logistical concerns.
Following the hearing, Escudero directed the committee secretariat to prepare a report incorporating the proposed amendments and recommendations from the resource persons. The report is expected to be completed this week for consideration by the Senate plenary.
Escudero said the committee report would consider several proposals, including the possible decoupling of the election schedule, the Commission on Elections’ concerns regarding appropriations and election dates, and the positions of PPCRV and NAMFREL favoring the conduct of elections as scheduled, with the five-year term taking effect thereafter.
