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 a Senate hearing on Monday.
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 Senate Bill No. 2387, which seeks to institutionalize a five-year term and provide a definite schedule for barangay and SK elections.
During the hearing of the Senate Sub-Committee on Local Government, which he presided over, Escudero stressed that his proposal is not simply an extension of the officials’ tenure but a measure designed to establish a fixed term.
“My bill does not extend. My bill fixes,” Escudero said.
He explained that while the proposed measure could result in the postponement of the upcoming elections, its primary objective is to establish a permanent five-year term for barangay and SK officials.
Escudero said longer and more predictable terms would allow barangay governments, which serve as the frontline of public service, to sustain community development projects, disaster response efforts, and peace and order programs without frequent disruptions caused by elections.
NYC representative Eriven Nepomuceno described the proposal as a strategic step toward giving local officials enough time to implement meaningful community programs and improve public service delivery.
Councilor Jose Maria Rodriguez, representing the Liga ng mga Barangay, also expressed support for a consolidated measure establishing a five-year term and a definite election schedule for barangay and SK officials.
Under SB 2387, existing term-limit rules would remain. 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 running in the November 2028 elections.
Escudero said counting the terms already served would ensure fairness and prevent incumbent officials from effectively benefiting from an outright extension of their tenure.
The hearing also tackled Senate Bill No. 2067 filed by Senator Imee Marcos, which seeks to move the November 2026 barangay and SK elections to October 2027 due to economic and logistical considerations.
Escudero directed the committee secretariat to incorporate the proposed amendments and recommendations raised during the hearing into a committee report, which is expected to be completed this week before being submitted for plenary deliberation.
He said the report would also consider proposals concerning the decoupling of the elections, the Commission on Elections’ concerns regarding appropriations and the election date, and the positions of PPCRV and NAMFREL that the elections should proceed as scheduled, with the five-year term taking effect thereafter.
