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Senate OKs five-year terms for barangay and SK officials

The Philippine Senate has advanced legislation extending the tenure of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from three to five years. The measure passed on third reading Monday with support from a majority of lawmakers.

LSN Philippines · 14 September 2026

The Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2387 on third reading Monday, with 13 senators voting in favor of the measure that would extend barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials' terms to five years. The bill previously served three-year terms under current electoral rules. Five senators opposed the passage, including Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Sens. Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan, among others who dissented from the majority position. The vote marks a significant step toward potential changes in local government electoral cycles in the Philippines. The measure now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration, where it will need to complete the legislative process before being forwarded to the president for final approval.