Kabankalan Gov’t Opposing Postponement of 2026 Barangay and SK Elections

The Kabankalan City government has become the first among the 32 local government units in Negros Occidental to formally push for a resolution opposing any further postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Mayor Benjie Miranda, through an executive endorsement dated April 28, 2026, asked the Sangguniang Panlungsod to consider and pass a resolution urging Congress not to defer the polls scheduled on November 2, 2026.

Following the endorsement, the proposed measure will undergo the standard legislative process in the Sanggunian, starting with its inclusion in the agenda and referral to the appropriate committee for review.

It will then be subject to committee deliberations and consultations before being elevated for plenary discussion.

The move comes amid ongoing national discussions about postponing the elections, with some sectors proposing to redirect funds to address economic concerns, such as fuel and energy costs.

However, the city government raised concerns over the implications of another delay, citing possible effects on the right to suffrage, accountability of barangay and youth officials, and the stability of the electoral calendar.

The endorsement emphasized that barangay elections are a direct mechanism for communities to renew or withdraw mandates from local leaders. It said that further postponement could weaken the principle of regular elections and extend officials’ terms without a fresh mandate.

The document also noted that, based on existing jurisprudence, the postponement of elections should remain an exception and must be justified by compelling reasons.* (Reymund Titong)