Macalintal seeks TRO vs. BSKE postponement

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Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in November 2026.

In his petition, Macalintal asked the Court to issue a TRO or a status quo ante order directing the Office of the President, through the Executive Secretary, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to refrain from implementing Republic Act (RA) No. 12326.

RA 12326 moves the next regular BSKE to the second Monday of November 2028, with succeeding elections to be held every five years thereafter.

Aside from this, he asked the SC to declare the law inoperative, invalid, and/or unconstitutional in so far as it pertains to the postponement of the BSKE.

“Sinasabi natin na ang pag po-postpone na ito ay labag sa ating karapatan na mamimili ng mga mamumuno ng ating barangay. Ang pag postpone ng halalaan ay tatlong taon,” he said in an ambush interview.

(We are saying that this postponement violates our right to choose the leaders of our barangay. The postponement of the election is for three years.)

Meanwhile, he asked the SC to direct the Comelec to continue with its preparations.

Last week, the Comelec ordered the cessation of all activities related to the BSKE.

He also expressed disappointment with barangay officials who may be celebrating the postponement.

“Nakakalungot naman na mga barangay officials ay nagdiriwang. Nagdiriwang sila sa pag tanggal ng ating mga karapatan. Nagdiriwang sila sa pagtanggal ng karapatan ng kanilang ina, ng kanilang mga anak, ng kanilang mga magulang, ng kanilang mga kapatid,” he said.

(It is sad that barangay officials are celebrating. They are celebrating the removal of our rights. They are celebrating the removal of the rights of their mother, their children, their parents, and their siblings.)

“Dapat nga malungkot sila dahil sa inaalisan tayo ng karapatan,” he added.

(They should be said because this is a loss of our rights.)

Macalintal made an electronic filing on Sunday. — RSJ, GMA News