Pimentel backs 6-year term for barangay, SK officials

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III proposed a six-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, counted from their election in 2023.

Pimentel said the adjustment is necessary to avoid holding the next barangay elections in 2028, which coincides with the presidential polls.

"Let's not exhaust the Filipino people," Pimentel said. "Right after electing a new president, vice president, senators, and congressmen, do we really want to send voters back to the polls for barangay elections? It's too much."

The House of Representatives has already passed a bill extending the term to six years. The Senate's version, however, is limited to four years.

In the bicameral conference committee, where both chambers meet to reconcile differing versions of the bill, Pimentel said he would push for a six-year term starting from 2023, when the current barangay and SK officials were elected--effectively setting the next elections in 2029.

"I will propose that the six-year term begin from 2023, the year they were elected," Pimentel said. "That means the next barangay elections will be in 2029, avoiding overlap with the 2028 presidential elections and giving our communities a period of political stability."

The senator further explained a six-year term would give barangay officials enough time to implement programs, allow continuity in local governance, and give the electorate a break between major elections.

"Barangay leaders are at the frontlines of service delivery," Pimentel said. "They need time and stability to see projects through--whether it's health programs, infrastructure, or disaster response systems. We can't expect meaningful impact if we're constantly cutting their terms short."

Pimentel said his proposal will help break the cycle of delayed barangay polls and bring more predictability to the local electoral calendar.