THE current term of sitting barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials may be extended, as more lawmakers support Senator Imee Marcos' advocacy for a fixed six-year term.

In a press conference in Cebu City on Thursday, October 17, Marcos announced that her move for longer terms for barangay officials now has a corresponding bill filed in the House of Representatives.

“I have already spoken to my peers about it. There is also a bill in the lower house, at least, nakumbinsi na sila,” she answered in response to a question from MyTV Cebu.

Marcos first introduced Senate Bill No. 1195 on August 16, 2022, seeking to amend Section 43 (c) of the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) to extend the terms of barangay and SK officials from three to six years.

In April 2024, she followed this up with Senate Bill No. 2629, which also advocates for a fixed six-year term while limiting officials to two consecutive terms in the same position.

In August, the House of Representatives filed House Bill 10747, which proposes extending the terms of barangay and SK officials to six years, in line with the Senate’s proposal.

Marcos stressed that the current three-year term is "far too short for these officials to see their own projects through," as they spend much of their time implementing policies and projects from the national and local governments.

She described barangay officials as the "frontliners" of government service, with responsibilities including serving as mediators, peacemakers, social workers, and rescue workers.

However, Marcos said that now they are figuring out how to address the SK with this pushed term extension, noting that there is an age limit enforced for the youth polls.

Marcos also noted that postponing the 2025 barangay elections would ease the burden on the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Next year, more elections will be conducted, including the midterm elections and the first-ever Bangsamoro Parliament election are already scheduled, calling 2025 a "super election year."

“It is quite overwhelming for the Comelec, ayaw din nila sa totoo lang,” she said.

As of August 14, a total of 857 resolutions from barangays, cities, municipalities, and provinces have expressed support for Marcos' legislative measure, with many urging the House of Representatives to follow suit.

Additionally, 107 SK chapters nationwide have formally endorsed Marcos' Senate Bill No. 2707, filed on June 5, 2024, which proposes synchronizing the SK elections with the national and local elections on May 8, 2028.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Imee Marcos
• #Barangay Officials
• #Sangguniang Kabataan Officials
• #House of Representatives
• #Senate Bill No. 1195
• #Term Limit