A petition was filed by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal before the Supreme Court against the extension of the term of office of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to November 2026.

The petition for certiorari and prohibition, and immediate issuance of a status quo ante order, temporary restraining order, and writ of preliminary injunction, was filed Friday.

The petition seeks to declare RA No. 12232, entitled “An Act Setting the Term of Office of Barangay Officials and Members of Sangguniang Kabataan, and for Other Purposes,” as unconstitutional, null, and void.

“With utmost due respect to the public respondents, the assailed law smacks of deception and clear misleading provisions. As if rammed down on one’s throat, Section 2 of RA 12232 unwarrantedly impose the electorate that, whether we like it or not, the next BSKE will be held on 2 November 2026, All Souls Day."

To recall, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, signed Republic Act No. 12232, postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from December 2025 to November 2026 and fixing the term of office of village and youth officials at four years.

Under the new law, no barangay official may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same position, while SK officials may serve only one term.

The next BSKE will be held on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter, with winners assuming office on 1 December following the elections.