The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 12326, extending the terms of barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan members from four to five years.
The high court dismissed a petition filed by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal challenging the law.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court said its standards for postponing elections do not apply to the measure because the law only determines the length of officials’ terms.
The court explained that Congress may change the duration of these terms, provided there is a reasonable interval before the next election.
Under the ruling, incumbent barangay and SK officials will remain in office through the hold-over provision until their successors are elected and qualified to assume their positions.
The decision also sets the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections for November 2028.
With the dismissal of Macalintal’s petition, Republic Act No. 12326 remains in effect, allowing the five-year terms for barangay officials and SK members to be implemented.
The ruling settles the legal challenge against the extension and establishes November 2028 as the scheduled date for the next village-level and youth council elections.
