ILOILO City – Malacañang has opened the door to a possible postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to save government funds, but election officials in Iloilo City are moving full speed ahead with preparations unless Congress passes a law authorizing the delay.
During a press briefing in the city on April 17, Palace Press Officer Clarissa “Claire” Castro said the administration is considering suggestions, including postponement, as part of broader efforts to manage government resources.
“Nabanggit nga po na maaaring makatipid ng P16 billion kung hindi maitutuloy ang eleksyon,” Castro said. “Ang Pangulo at ang gobyerno ay open sa lahat ng maaaring suggestion na makakabuti sa bansa.”
She added that any proposal to defer the BSKE must go through Congress and will be carefully studied by President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr.
In Iloilo City, however, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is proceeding with preparations as scheduled, according to City Election Officer Pinky Tentativa.
“Sa Comelec, we will wait if Congress passes a law postponing the BSKE. Without such a law, we will continue our preparations,” Tentativa said in an interview.
She noted that the city is currently in the voter registration phase, which began in October 2025 and will run until May 18, 2026. This will be followed by key preparatory activities such as determining the number of precincts, ballots, and election personnel.
“We aim to cater to qualified voters aged 15 and above,” she said.
Tentativa reported that 5,600 voters were approved during the October to December 2025 registration period, while 11,834 applicants from January to March 2026 are awaiting approval through the Election Registration Board (ERB).
She added that the city has already surpassed its target of 20,000 new registrants, with additional applicants continuing to sign up before the May deadline.
Under the current timeline, the filing of certificates of candidacy is set from September 28 to October 5, 2026, followed by the campaign period from October 22 to October 31. Election day is scheduled for November 2, 2026.
Tentativa emphasized that preparations will only be halted if a law postponing the elections is enacted.
“If there is a law, Comelec will stop its preparations. But for now, this is only a possibility, so we continue to prepare,” she said./PN
