Panay groups oppose bid to delay 2026 BSKE

By Juliane Judilla

ILOILO CITY — Two cause-oriented groups in Panay are opposing a proposal to postpone the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, saying the polls should proceed as scheduled on Nov. 2.

Kahublagan Kontra Kurapsyon (KKK) said repeated postponements of barangay and youth elections have weakened grassroots accountability and deprived voters of regular opportunities to choose their local leaders.

The group urged Malacañang and Congress to allow the elections to proceed, saying there should be “no more delays and excuses.”

KKK cited the history of barangay elections, saying the polls have been postponed eight times since the first barangay elections in 1982, compared with 10 elections that were held.

The group also said SK elections have been postponed nine times, while seven polls have been conducted.

KKK said another postponement would further normalize the continued tenure of officials beyond the terms for which they were elected.

It also rejected arguments that national or international crises should be used to delay the 2026 polls, saying communities need local officials with fresh mandates to address rising living costs, employment concerns, and other local problems.

KKK further argued that regular elections are an important mechanism for fighting corruption at the barangay level, where residents directly encounter government services and programs.

Barangay officials oversee or participate in matters involving social welfare assistance, local infrastructure, and the use of barangay funds.

The group said elections allow residents to assess the performance of their officials and replace those they no longer trust.

KKK also questioned the proposed postponement because the November 2026 elections have already been scheduled and public resources allocated for their conduct.

Meanwhile, Kabataan Party-list Panay also called for the elections to proceed as scheduled.

Arlie Bosque, secretary-general of the party-list group, said voters should be given the opportunity to elect a new set of barangay officials.

For the SK, Bosque said many incumbent youth officials have already reached the age limit, while others are seeking employment opportunities outside their communities.

He said the 2026 elections would also open opportunities for other young people who want to serve their barangays.

Bosque warned that moving the elections to 2028 could lead to another postponement, particularly because the proposed new schedule would follow the 2028 national and local elections.

The groups issued their statements amid a proposal in Congress to move the BSKE from Nov. 2, 2026, to November 2028.

Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez filed House Bill No. 10591 seeking to reset the elections, citing the continuing energy crisis among the reasons for the proposed postponement.

The measure seeks to amend the law governing the synchronized barangay and SK elections and reset the

The current Nov. 2 schedule stems from Republic Act No. 12232, signed in August 2025, which postponed the elections previously set for December 2025 and moved them to the first Monday of November 2026.

The Commission on Elections has continued preparations for the Nov. 2 BSKE under its existing election

The opposing positions come as lawmakers consider whether the 2026 BSKE should proceed on schedule or be moved to a later date.

For the groups opposing the postponement, the issue goes beyond the election calendar, emphasizing the need to preserve regular grassroots elections, public accountability, and voters’ ability to choose their local leaders.