MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives adopted the Senate’s version of a bill extending the term of village and youth councilors to five years on Wednesday, sending the measure that effectively postpones their elections straight to Malacañang for executive action.
Sorsogon Rep. Marie Bernadette Escudero moved for the House to adopt Senate Bill No. 2397 in place of its own version, a motion that was approved by voice vote with no objections.
READ: House OKs bill setting barangay, SK execs’ term to five years
That move sends the bill to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for his signature without convening a joint congressional panel tasked with reconciling any differences in each legislative chamber’s versions. If signed into law, the bill virtually defers the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to the second Monday of Nov. 2028 from Nov. 2026.
The thorny measure had drawn flak from lawmakers and critics who say the proposal violates the Constitution and disenfranchises voters. An August Momentum Research poll showed that nearly eight of 10 Filipinos want the BSKE to proceed as scheduled in November this year. /mr
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