Senator Imee Marcos is optimistic that the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will be postponed.
Marcos, Senate electoral reforms committee chairperson, speaking before barangay officials on the 2nd District in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, March 15, said she expects both Houses of Congress to fast track the reconciliation of their bills that would grant the postponement of the BSKE when they convene in June.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said a postponement would be good news for the barangay officials, especially the current batch who were elected to serve for less than three years.
“This postponement is not new as this has been done many times before, “ Lacson said.
Marcos said while she, along with the Lower House, are pushing for two six-year terms for the barangay officials, there are some in the Senate who want three four-year terms.
If the four-year term version is approved the next elections will be held in 2027 and if it is a six-year term the polls will be in 2029, Marcos said.
She said it is impossible for the barangay elections to be held this year because the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) polls are also going to be held.
She said extending the terms of even other elected government officials to six years would mean less politics and more time to work.
Marcos, who was in Sagay City for its 29th Sinigayan Festival, at a press conference also stressed her support for the push for funding for the Negros Island Region.
She also said the case of President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court is not good.
“I’m discussing with everyone what are the steps that we can take as senators to abate the anxiety and anger of many, many sectors,” she said.*