Senate approves on 3rd reading 5-year term of barangay, SK officials

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on third reading a bill setting the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years.Thirteen senators voted for the approval of Senate Bill no. 2387, while five senators, Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Sens. Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, and Joel Villanueva voted against the passing of the bill.No senator abstained.The proposed measure sponsored by Sen. Francis Escudero fixes the term of barangay and SK officials to five years, with a two-term limit.In effect, the bill also postpones the barangay and SK elections on November 2, 2026 to the second Monday of November in 2028.The House of Representatives has also approved a counterpart measure, thus it is set to be taken up in a bicameral conference committee, before it is submitted to the President to sign. /gsg