President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that he will sign the bill postponing the December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to next year, citing the need to ease the load on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and prioritize the historic Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections in October.
In a press briefing in Bangalore on August 8 before his return to Manila, Marcos confirmed his decision to sign the measure, which is set to lapse into law by August 14 if left unsigned. “No, I’ll sign it. I’ll sign it,” Marcos told reporters.
He stressed that the Comelec is already handling two major elections this year—the midterm polls last May and the upcoming BARMM elections. According to the President, conducting another nationwide vote in December would overwhelm the poll body. “Ang COMELEC actually ang nagsasabi: ‘Hindi namin kaya’ (It’s actually the Comelec that’s saying: ‘We can’t handle it’),” Marcos stated.
The BARMM elections will mark the country’s first-ever direct vote for a regional parliament, a crucial milestone in the peace process in Mindanao. Marcos highlighted the significance of this vote, saying, “In the entire history of the Philippines, there has never been a BARMM Parliament directly elected by the people.”
He warned that any failure in the conduct of the BARMM polls could seriously impact the peace gains in the region. “If that election fails, that would be a major blow to the peace process,” he said.
The President also cited local fatigue following the recent May elections. “We’ll have another barangay election. It’s practically the same,” he noted, referring to the proximity of the two polls and the potential strain on local governance.
Regarding legal issues, Marcos clarified that the postponement aligns with a Supreme Court ruling that disallows shortening the term of barangay officials. “We are actually lengthening the term. So that’s not in conflict,” he said.
In conclusion, Marcos said, “I think the most sensible and the most common-sense solution is to postpone,” emphasizing the need to focus national efforts on ensuring a successful BARMM parliamentary vote.