Senator Imee Marcos has filed Senate Bill No. 2067 seeking to postpone the November 2026 Barangay and SK elections to October 2027, citing rising travel costs that could keep voters from the polls.
Marcos warned the elections will fall on All Souls’ Day, when travel demand surges and fares and fuel prices spike, adding burden to families heading to the provinces.
“All Souls’ Day is important for Filipinos to pay their respects to the dead, but because of increasing travel expenses, it may discourage others to go home, let alone to vote,” she said.
She stressed that while the BSKE is vital to grassroots democracy, the oil-driven increase in transport costs risks disenfranchising voters, especially those registered outside their residence and marginalized sectors.
The senator said postponement would give voters time to transfer registration and avoid costly travel, while also easing the P16-billion election expense—excluding support from PNP, DepEd, and LGUs—which could be redirected to urgent needs.
The proposed delay would also allow barangay officials to stay in office and focus on community concerns amid economic challenges.IMT
