Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s proposal to fix the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials at five years has gained support from several groups during a Senate hearing.

Representatives of the Liga ng mga Barangay, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and National Youth Commission (NYC) backed the measure during Monday’s (Aug. 24) hearing of the Senate Sub-Committee on Local Government.

Escudero, who presided over the hearing, stressed that his proposal is meant to establish a fixed five-year term rather than simply extend the tenure of incumbent barangay and SK officials.

“My bill does not extend. My bill fixes,” he said.

“The natural effect will, of course, be to postpone the upcoming election, but the subject matter of this bill is fixing the term, not just postponement.”

Senate Bill No. 2387 seeks to institutionalize a five-year term for elected barangay and SK officials and establish a definite election schedule.

Escudero said longer and more predictable terms would give barangay governments enough time to implement programs on community development, disaster response and peace and order without being repeatedly disrupted by election postponements.

NYC representative Eriven Nepomuceno described the proposal as a way to give local officials enough time to carry out community programs and improve public service.

Councilor Jose Maria Rodriguez, representing the Liga ng mga Barangay, also expressed support for fixing the terms of barangay and SK officials at five years.
The proposal does not remove the existing term limits.

Barangay officials may still serve up to three consecutive terms, while SK officials remain limited to one term.

Escudero said previous terms would be counted to ensure that incumbent officials would not gain an advantage from the proposed change.

Those who are already serving their third consecutive term would therefore not be allowed to run again in the November 2028 elections.

The hearing also tackled Senate Bill No. 2067 filed by Senator Imee Marcos, which seeks to postpone the November 2026 barangay and SK elections to October 2027.
The Senate panel subsequently moved both measures forward for further legislative action.

Escudero earlier said the proposed five-year term should put an end to the recurring cycle of postponing barangay and SK elections.IMT