Sen. Imee Marcos’ post supporting the proposed postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) sparked disagreement online.
The senator reacted after the Senate Committee on Local Government on Monday, August 24, approved bills seeking to postpone the BSKE.
One of the measures was Marcos’ bill, which seeks to move the BSKE to October 2027, noting that this year’s election is scheduled for November 2, or All Souls’ Day.
“YES! ‘Di na tuloy ang BSKE sa November. 2024 pa natin ‘yan sinasabi,” she said in a Facebook post.
“Sa wakas, nagka-good news din!” the senator captioned her post.
Marcos said that moving the BSKE would give voters more would ease the financial burden on Filipinos who would have to travel to their provinces to vote.
She added that high cost of fuel could discourage some voters from exercising their right to vote.
Marcos also said that postponing the BSKE would give voters more time to transfer their registrations, allowing them to update their records and avoid traveling on election day.
However, several Filipinos did not agree with Marcos’ sentiment and aired their reactions to the proposed postponement of the local elections.
“Happy yarn? Ang tanong, happy kaya ang sambayanan?” a Facebook user wrote.
“Ang saya ng mga buwaya, madadagdagan laman ng maleta,” another commented, referring to corrupt barangay and SK officials.
“GOOD NEWS BA ITO? ‘Yung KUPITAN NAMIN, GUSTO KO NG MAWALA SA PWESTO KASAMA NG MGA ALIPORES NIYA,” a different Facebook user wrote, referring to their barangay captain.
“So kailan na naman? Bulok na kasi ‘yung nakaupo eh. Walang trabaho… haha,” another Pinoy wrote.
“Ba’t ‘di tuloy? Di ramdam na may nakaupo, lahat nakatayo HAHAHAHA,” another commented, joking about the incumbent local officials.
Comelec Chair George Garcia said around P3 billion of the P8 billion already spent or obligated for the 2026 BSKE would be considered sunk costs if the elections were postponed again.
He added that the poll body had already finished printing the BSKE ballots, including additional ballots needed to accommodate the increase in voters.
Earlier this month, calls against the postponing the local polls were made online, with several saying that youth leaders already want to end their terms due to the “toxicity” of Philippine politics.
“Ngayon, nadagdagan pa ang inyong stress at pangamba dahil sa balitang maaari na namang ma-postpone ang BSKE at ma-extend ang inyong panunungkulan. Habang may ilang Barangay at SK officials naman na tuwang-tuwa sa posibilidad na ito,” Nestie Villaviray, founder of the Model Sangguniang Kabataan Network, previously said.
ALSO READ: ‘#NoToBSKEPostponement’ sparks pushback against bid to delay polls
The BSKE will allow voters aged 18 and above to elect a new set of barangay officials in their communities, including a barangay chairperson and councilors.
Meanwhile, voters aged 15-17 will elect a new set of SK officials, including an SK chairperson and councilors.
The BSKE was originall to be held in December 2025, but was moved to November 2026.
The BSKE was originally scheduled for December 2025 but was moved to November 2026
