Comelec cancels October COC filing for BSKE

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Negros Island Region announced it will no longer proceed with the scheduled filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Regional director Lionel Marco Castillano said Tuesday that the poll body has not received any directive authorizing the October 1–7 filing period, despite an earlier resolution setting those dates for the supposedly December 2025 BSKE.

The delay arises from the absence of a Supreme Court temporary restraining order against the law postponing the elections to November 2, 2026, Castillano said.

He explained that “under the law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the 2025 BSKE has been moved to 2026. Since the Supreme Court has not intervened, our earlier resolution is no longer valid.”

The postponement, passed by Congress earlier this year, effectively extends the terms of current barangay and SK officials for another year.

Castillano stressed that Comelec-NIR will comply with the law and shift preparations toward the 2026 polls.

“Our focus now is on following the legal framework. We will coordinate with local governments to ensure readiness once the new election timeline is set,” he said.

He assured the public that updates will be released promptly once the Comelec central office issues fresh instructions.

As of press time, the Supreme Court has yet to issue any comment, leaving the November 2026 election date in effect under existing legislation.