SC asks Congress, Comelec for comment on appeals vs BSKE postponement

The Supreme Court (SC) did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would stop the postponement to November 2026 of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) originally set for Dec. 1 this year.

- By REY PANALIGAN

Instead, the SC asked Congress, the Office of the Executive Secretary, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to comment on the plea for TRO and on the petition that sought to declare unconstitutional Republic Act No. 12232.

The directive was issued during the SC’s full court session on Tuesday, Aug. 19. It was not known immediately if the 10-day period is non-extendible.

The petition against the constitutionality of RA 12232 was filed last Friday, Aug. 15 by lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal who sought the issuance of a TRO or a status quo ante order.

RA 12232, signed by President Marcos last Aug. 13, extended the term of office of the incumbent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to four years and postponed the elections to the first Monday of November 2026.