President Bongbong Marcos has signed into law the measure postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to the last Monday of October 2023 from December 2022.
The Chief Executive signed the Republic Act no. 11935 on 10 October but its copy was promulgated on Wednesday, 12 October.
Due to its enactment, incumbent barangay and SK officials must serve until their successors are elected or they are earlier removed or suspended.
The law stated that newly elected barangay and SK officials’ terms of office must begin at noon on 30 November 2023.
The succeeding polls will be held after three years.
In a statement on Wednesday, Commission on Elections chairperson George Garcia said the poll body would comply with the law.
“The Commission will release an announcement regarding an adjustment of the calendar of activities at the soonest possible time,” said Garcia.
“We shall also revisit our existing and planned procurement contracts related to the barangay and SK elections and act accordingly with the best interest of all parties in mind,” he added.
For Garcia, the postponement would enable his office to proceed with voter registration, allowing more voters to be registered and enjoy their right to vote.
“This postponement also gives this Commission an opportunity to further institute education and information programs for the benefit of our electorate and prospective barangay and SK election candidates,” he noted.