Eastern Visayas braces for barangay, SK polls as Senate weighs 5-year terms

Posted on September 2, 2026 at 5:42 pm

Tacloban City — The political picture in Eastern Visayas is expected to become clearer later this month when candidates begin filing their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the November 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE).

For the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the region, the filing period will show not only who wants to run, but also which barangays could see closely fought contests or the return of old political rivalries.

COMELEC Eastern Visayas recorded 3,259,554 registered voters in the region for the 2025 National and Local Elections, according to commission data.

That figure is not the final number of voters for the 2026 BSKE. Registration for the barangay and SK elections ran from October 20, 2025 to May 18, 2026, with applications subject to processing and verification.

The next step is the filing of COCs from September 28 to October 5.

Regional Director Jose Nick Mendros said this period will give election authorities a better idea of what they may face on the ground.

They will know who is running, who is running against whom, and whether previous political disputes could spill into the coming elections.

A barangay that appears calm today, Mendros noted, could look very different once candidates are officially identified and the campaign begins.

A possible change before the polls

While COMELEC is preparing for the November elections, senators are considering a proposal that could affect the officials voters will elect and how long they will remain in office.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing the Senate to act on Senate Bill No. 2387, which seeks to extend the term of barangay and SK officials from four years to five.

Escudero wants the Senate to decide on the measure before the end of September, pointing to the approaching filing of COCs and the November elections.

“Mr. President, I ask that the body act on this bill with urgency for or against it, before the end of September,” Escudero said during his sponsorship speech on the measure under Committee Report No. 77.

He said the Senate needs to settle the issue soon so candidates and voters will know whether the elections will proceed under the existing rules or whether a new term structure could take effect.

“Although I favor this measure, I hope this body will give priority to this measure so that we can decide on it and so that there will be predictability with respect to the upcoming elections,” Escudero said.

For prospective barangay and SK candidates in Eastern Visayas, the outcome could determine not only the rules surrounding the election but also the length of the term they are seeking.

For now, however, the five-year term remains a proposal. The November 2 election date and the existing four-year term remain in effect unless Congress approves a change that takes effect.

Why the term matters

Barangay officials are often the first government representatives residents turn to when something goes wrong in their communities.

That role is especially visible in Eastern Visayas, a region regularly affected by typhoons, flooding, landslides and other hazards.

During emergencies, barangay officials help coordinate evacuations, relay warnings, identify vulnerable residents and work with municipal and city governments.

Outside disasters, they deal with the everyday concerns of their communities settling disputes, addressing peace and order issues, coordinating local programs and helping residents access basic services.

Escudero described barangays as “planners, implementers, first responders, peacekeepers, conciliators, and frontline service providers.”

He said a five-year term would give officials more time to organize and carry out programs, as well as assess whether those programs are working, before another election interrupts the process.

He also pointed out that five-year terms for barangay officials are not new, citing Republic Act No. 6653 and Republic Act No. 8524.

Escudero said the Constitution gives Congress the authority to determine the term of barangay officials.

More time, but less frequent accountability

The proposal comes with a trade-off.

A longer term could give barangay and SK officials more time to finish programs and pursue longer-term plans. But it would also mean voters would wait an additional year before having another opportunity to choose their local leaders.

Escudero said Congress must weigh continuity against accountability and administrative efficiency against democratic change.

The Senate Committees on Local Government and Finance have recommended approval of SB 2387 with amendments, taking into consideration Senate Bill No. 2067 filed by Senator Imee Marcos.

During a Senate hearing, the Liga ng mga Barangay, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and National Youth Commission expressed support for the proposed five-year term.

They said a longer term could provide greater stability for barangay and SK governments and reduce disruptions caused by repeated election postponements.

Eastern Visayas waits for the candidates

For COMELEC in Eastern Visayas, the immediate task is still the November 2 election.

Registration is over. The next major milestone is the filing of COCs.

That is when election officials will begin to see where the closest contests may be, which political groups are facing each other, and where old disputes could resurface during the campaign.

At the same time, the Senate is being asked to settle another issue before the election season fully gets underway: whether the officials elected in November will serve four years under the current law or five years under the proposed measure.

For now, the election moves forward under the existing rules.

The candidates will soon be known.

The local contests will begin to take shape.

And before voters cast their ballots, Congress may also decide how long the people they elect will serve.

Photo Courtesy: Commission on Elections Region 8