Sen. Imee Marcos has filed a bill to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from November 2026 to October 2027, citing the ongoing oil crisis and conflict with All Souls’ Day. She warned that high transportation costs could disenfranchise voters traveling home. Marcos suggested realigning the election budget to address inflation.
MANILA, Philippines — Citing the need for more funding amid the ongoing oil crisis, Sen. Imee Marcos has filed a bill postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) from November 2026 to October 2027.
Marcos noted that the BSKE schedule conflicts with All Souls’ Day, when millions of Filipinos travel to their home provinces. “All Souls’ Day is important for Filipinos to pay their respects to the dead, but because of increasing travel expenses, it may discourage others to go home, let alone to vote,” she said.
“The oil crisis has triggered significant increases in transportation fares, creating a serious risk of disenfranchisement, especially for voters registered outside their residence and marginalized sectors already struggling with the cost of living,” Marcos added.
A one-year postponement would give voters time to transfer their registrations to current localities, avoiding costly trips, she explained. Marcos proposed realigning the multibillion-peso election budget to mitigate inflation effects and ensure continuity in local governance amid campaigning distractions.
“Let us honor the departed and allow Filipinos to focus on prayer and remembrance in November, without the added strain of voting and local politicking,” she said.
Lawmakers are divided. Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian called it unconstitutional, the second such suspension, and noted public desire to choose local leaders. Sen. JV Ejercito emphasized alignment with Supreme Court parameters. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal attributed the push to politics ahead of the 2028 elections.
