MANILA — Postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) beyond Nov. 2 could force the government to spend more on the polls despite the Commission on Elections (Comelec) having already used about P8 billion for preparations, Chairman George Garcia warned Tuesday.
Garcia said the poll body has spent roughly P8 billion of its P19.57-billion allocation as preparations continue for the barangay and youth council elections, which Comelec said are already about 90 percent complete.
A postponement, however, could require Comelec to reopen voter registration, potentially increasing the number of voters and driving up expenses for additional polling precincts, election workers, materials and supplies.
Garcia said that if the elections are reset, voter registration could reopen as early as September.
A larger voting population would require Comelec to establish more polling precincts and deploy additional teachers as election workers, further adding to the cost of conducting the elections.
Garcia said a substantial portion of the P8 billion already spent went to election-related procurement, including the printing of ballots and other official forms.
The BSKE remains scheduled for Nov. 2, 2026, but proposals in Congress have raised uncertainty over whether the polls will push through as planned.
Sen. Francis Escudero has proposed extending the terms of incumbent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to five years and moving the next elections to 2028.
Despite the possibility of postponement, Garcia said Comelec continues to prepare for the November elections and is already about 90 percent ready.
The filing of certificates of candidacy is scheduled from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5.
Garcia has previously urged Congress to resolve the election timetable before the end of September to give Comelec enough time to adjust its preparations depending on whether the BSKE proceeds on Nov. 2 or is moved to a later date./PN
