ILOILO – The postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to November 2026 has exposed a divide in Iloilo between barangay officials who see the delay as a chance to complete unfinished projects and residents who clamor for new leadership.
Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB)-Iloilo president and ex-officio Provincial Board member Amalia Victoria Debuque openly backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of the law deferring the elections, saying the extended term would give local leaders more time to deliver on their promises.
“Ako isa sa nagakalipay, because duha katuig ang ginhatag sa amon originally to serve and mapakita ang amon mga promise sa kabarangayan Bal-an ta man two years are not enough. Subong pa lang ang aton mga projects, especially given sa akon barangay manug-manifest pa lang ina, wala pa gani naumpisa,” Debuque said.
For Debuque, the first year of a barangay official’s term is typically spent identifying and proposing projects, while the second year focuses on approvals and initial implementation.
She argued that it usually takes a third year for projects to bear results, making the original two-year term insufficient.
“Ako nagapasalamat gid sa aton national bodies nga gin hatagan chance-sa ang aton barangay officials nga mag serve sang tatlo ka tuig. So, happy gid ako,” said Debuque.
President Marcos signed into law the postponement of the barangay and SK angguniang Kabataan polls as a calculated move aimed at giving the Commission on Elections (Comelec) undivided focus on the country’s first-ever regular parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Far from being a routine election adjustment, the decision carries heavy political and peace process implications. For the first time in Philippine history, BARMM voters will directly elect their parliament—a milestone Marcos warns must not fail.
“You have to remember, the BARMM election is the first time we would ever have this kind of election at all. Sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, hindi pa nagkaroon ng BARMM parliament na hinalal ng tao,” Marcos said.
“If that election fails, malaking failure ‘yan sa peace process. Kaya’t kailangang-kailangang maging matagumpay ang pagganap ng halalan ng BARMM,” he added.
Marcos revealed that Comelec itself pushed for the BSKE deferment, citing the logistical strain of managing both a nationwide grassroots election and the high-stakes BARMM polls in quick succession./PN