Lawmakers divided on barangay poll delay to fund oil relief

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MANILA, Philippines — Senators have expressed differing views on proposals to postpone the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), as the government weighs redirecting funds to address the oil crisis.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian opposed the move, calling it against the law and unnecessary.

“First of all, that is unconstitutional. Second, because it’s the second suspension and third, many people are hoping to choose their local leader,” said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on finance, in a statement Sunday, April 19.

He also questioned the need to realign funds, saying the cost of barangay elections is relatively small.

“The barangay election is only P8 to P9 billion. Now we have P230 billion that we can spend. So in other words, money is not lacking,” he said.

Gatchalian warned that repeated postponements could undermine democratic rights, citing previous guidance from the Supreme Court against further delays.

In contrast, Sen. Imee Marcos backed the proposal, citing fiscal pressures and the need to prioritize spending.

“At a time when the country is confronted with serious economic challenges brought about by the oil crisis, prudence demands that we prioritize the allocation of limited public resources,” she said in a separate statement Sunday, April 19.

She noted that the Commission on Elections had estimated the cost of nationwide barangay and SK elections at around P16 billion, which could instead be used to support fuel, food and essential services.

Marcos also argued that postponement would allow local officials to focus on governance and crisis response, rather than election activities.

The Palace earlier said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to proposals to delay the elections if they would benefit the country, noting potential savings of about P16 billion.

The 2026 BSKE is already the result of a previous postponement. In August 2025, President Marcos signed Republic Act 12232, which moved the elections from December 2025 to the first Monday of November 2026.

Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are typically held every three years under Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code, although Congress has repeatedly postponed them through legislation, citing administrative, fiscal or policy considerations.

The Commission on Elections has said preparations for the 2026 polls are ongoing and would not be wasted even if another postponement is enacted.