Another Wait for the People’s Vote
By Carl Hinlo
Another election has been postponed. Another chance for the people to choose their leaders has been pushed further away.
For ordinary citizens, this is more than a change in the election calendar. It is another wait to exercise a basic right in a democracy: choosing who will lead their community.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12326 on September 24, 2026, extending the term of barangay and SK officials from four years to five years and moving the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to November 2028.
The barangay is where government is closest to the people. Leadership is seen every day through public services, community programs, peace and order, and local development. Elections give residents a chance to assess performance and decide who they want to entrust with public service.
For some, however, waiting until 2028 may mean more than simply waiting for another election.
Aspiring leaders who have spent years serving their communities may find themselves in a different situation by then. Young people who are preparing for public service may even reach the age limit before they get the chance to run.
Time does not stop when elections are postponed.
Extending terms also raises an important concern. Without a fresh mandate from voters, stronger safeguards are needed to ensure that barangay officials remain focused on public service and are not pressured or used for political interests.
Barangay officials work directly with their communities. They know local needs and problems. They should have enough independence to serve without becoming instruments of political interests.
The delay should not discourage people from participating in community affairs. It should encourage citizens, especially young Filipinos, to stay involved, informed and ready to take part in local governance.
Perhaps this is also a moment to rethink how we can create more opportunities for young people and other aspiring leaders to serve.
Because elections are not simply dates on a calendar.
They are moments when people are given the power to choose.
“This editorial cartoon illustrates the critical delay of local elections in the Philippines, highlighting the extended five-year term for barangay and SK officials. The scene captures the frustration of a community waiting indefinitely, with aging citizens and young aspiring leaders alike facing a long, uncertain wait for the democratic process.”