22/09/2026
Press Release
September 22, 2026
MODEL SK NETWORK URGES MARCOS TO VETO 5-YEAR TERM BILL, ALLOW 2026 BSKE TO PROCEED
MANILA, Philippines — The Model SK Network, a national youth-led network of elected and appointed Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, Local Youth Development Council members, and Katipunan ng Kabataan leaders, submitted an appeal to Malacañang on September 22, 2026, urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to veto the enrolled bill extending the terms of barangay and SK officials to five years and postponing the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The group said Congress has the authority to prescribe terms of office, but such power is subject to constitutional limits, particularly the people’s right of suffrage and the requirement for regular elections.
Citing Macalintal v. COMELEC (2023), the Model SK Network said election postponements must be supported by sufficiently important, substantial, or compelling reasons and must not unduly impair the electorate’s right to vote.
The group also warned that the measure could affect not only the right to vote but also the right of qualified young Filipinos to run for SK office. Because SK candidates are subject to age requirements, postponing the elections could cause some otherwise eligible youth to reach the age limit before they have the opportunity to seek an electoral mandate.
“Ang pagpapaliban ng halalan ay maaaring mangahulugan hindi lamang ng pagkaantala sa karapatang bumoto, kundi pagkawala rin ng pagkakataon ng ilang kwalipikadong kabataan na tumakbo dahil sa age limit ng SK,” the group said.
The Model SK Network also questioned provisions allowing vacancies in certain elective positions to be filled through appointment, emphasizing that while appointment may ensure continuity of government, it does not carry the same electoral mandate as an official chosen directly by the people.
The group further said that calling the measure “term-fixing” should not remove it from constitutional scrutiny if its operative effect is to move a scheduled election farther into the future and extend the tenure of incumbent officials.
“Hindi lamang ito usapin kung gaano katagal mananatili sa puwesto ang isang opisyal. Ito ay usapin ng karapatan ng mamamayan na pumili at ng karapatan ng kabataan na makilahok sa pagpiling iyon,” the Model SK Network said.
The group urged the President to veto the enrolled bill and allow the BSKE to proceed as scheduled on November 2, 2026, stressing that the electoral mandate of incumbent officials should not be extended without a fresh mandate from the electorate.
“Let the people choose. Let the youth participate. Let democracy proceed.”
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