MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a bill that would extend the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from three to six years and postpone the December 2025 elections to May 2029.
In a session held Monday, 153 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill No. 11287, with four opposing and one abstaining.
One of the dissenters, Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, raised concerns about the measure’s constitutionality and warned that it may encourage political entrenchment, potentially undermining public interest.
“The six-year term for barangay and SK officials is excessive and may hinder democratic accountability,” Manuel cautioned.
The proposed law seeks to amend Section 43 (c) of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), stating that barangay and SK officials will serve six-year terms, beginning June 30, 2029, following the synchronized elections scheduled for the second Monday of May 2029.
Additionally, the bill sets term limits:
Barangay officials may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position.
Voluntary resignation will not count as an interruption in service.
SK officials will be limited to one term only.
A transitory provision allows those elected on October 30, 2023, to stay in office until the new elections. However, only first-term barangay officials from 2023 may seek reelection. SK officials elected in 2023 will be barred from running again for any SK post.
While Rep. Manuel acknowledged that an extended term could help current SK leaders carry out long-term plans, he maintained that six years is too long a mandate for both barangay and youth leaders.
