Politics · Philippines Bureau
Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of extended barangay, SK terms
The Philippines' highest court has upheld legislation extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials by two years and postponing elections. The decision, issued in October, was penned by then Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda.
LSN Philippines ·
The Supreme Court has declared constitutional the law amending the terms of office for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, effectively deferring scheduled elections for another two years.
The October 14 decision, authored by then Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, upheld the legislative measure against constitutional challenges. Zalameda has since assumed the role of Chief Justice of the Philippines.
The ruling represents one of Zalameda's final major decisions before his elevation to the country's top judicial post. The extended terms represent a significant adjustment to the electoral calendar for local government positions at the grassroots level.
The law's passage had generated considerable discussion regarding its implications for local governance and the conduct of barangay and youth council elections nationwide.