President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure postponing the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and extending the terms of incumbent officials to five years.

In a social media post on Friday, Marcos said he expects incumbent officials to use the additional time to improve public service.

The BSKE was originally scheduled for Nov. 2

“Ang dagdag na panahon sa panunungkulan ay dagdag na panahon para maglingkod,” Marcos said.

“Sa paglagda natin sa Republic Act No. 12326, na nagtatakda ng limang taong termino para sa mga opisyal ng barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan, malinaw ang ating inaasahan sa ating mga kasalukuyang opisyal. Gamitin ang panahong ito upang mas pagbutihin ang serbisyo, tapusin ang mga nasimulang programa at mas tutukan ang pangangailangan ng bawat komunidad, pamilya at kabataan,“ he continued.

“Hindi ito dagdag na panahon sa puwesto. Dagdag itong panahon ng pananagutan sa taumbayan,” Marcos added.

In a press briefing in Ilocos Norte on Friday, minutes before Marcos announced the signing on social media, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro confirmed that the President had signed the measure.

The signing came three days before the scheduled filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the elections.

Under RA No. 12326, the next regular BSKE will be held on the first Monday of November 2028, instead of the previously scheduled Nov. 2, 2026 elections.