The measure extending the terms of elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from the current three years to four years was ratified on Wednesday night, June 11 by the House of Representatives.

It was only last Monday, June 9 when the House approved on third and final reading its version of the measure, embodied in House Bill (HB) No.11287. The particular bill sought to double the terms of the village and youth officials from three years to six years.

However, it was the Senate version of the measure--which provided for a more modest term extension--that prospered during the Bicameral Conference Committee hearings. This was the extension that was ratified by the House.

Under the ratified version, no elected Barangay official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position. Meanwhile, no SK elective official shall serve for more than one term.

The ratified measure also set the next Barangay and SK elections on the first Monday of November 2026 and four years thereafter. The term of office of the winners shall commence on the first day of December.

Moreover, incumbent elective barangay officials serving their third consecutive term in the same position shall not be eligible to run for the same position in November 2026.

All incumbent barangay officials and members of the SK shall remain in office unless sooner removed or suspended for cause until their successors have been elected and qualified.

Wednesday was the final session day of the 19th Congress.