The Philippine government may yet again delay the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, with Malacañang signaling that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is willing to consider the proposal if it proves financially beneficial to the country.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, speaking to reporters in Iloilo City on Friday, said any such measure would be subject to thorough review before the President acts on it. “So, if there is any bill or measure, that will be studied by the President. As long as it benefits the country, the President is open to that,” Castro said.
Lawmakers pushing the proposal have estimated that suspending the BSKE could free up as much as P16 billion in government funds — savings that proponents argue would be significant given the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Castro framed the administration’s position broadly. “The President and the government are open to all suggestions that will benefit the nation,” she said during the press conference, while stressing that careful evaluation remains a prerequisite.
No formal decision has been announced, and the proposal would still need to pass through legislative and executive processes before any postponement takes effect.
