Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will continue to prepare for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) despite the signing of the law postponing the polls for next year, its chairperson George Garcia said Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia stated that they are still anticipating a possible case to be filed before the Supreme Court (SC) that could question the legality of the law, which was recently signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ‘Let’s wait for a possible case to be filed with the SC. Because it is premature at this point to make an IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) of the law, if there is a case later. Let’s first see the SC’s judicial action. Almost sure someone will question the legality of the law. We should wait for that first,’ Garcia elaborated during a virtual meeting with reporters.

On the operational front, Garcia assured that Comelec’s preparations are ongoing. ‘On the part of the Comelec, our preparations are continuing. Just yesterday, we signed with the NPO (National Printing Office) to print BSKE ballots,’ he noted. He affirmed the commission’s readiness to conduct the village and youth polls, regardless of whether they occur this year or next year.

‘We are not stopping our procurement process. We are continuing, we are fully committed to the preparations. Let’s just put our readiness for BSKE at 8 to 8.5, whether Dec. 1 or reset next year,’ Garcia added. He also reported that they have procured essential materials such as ballot boxes, indelible ink, pens, and paper for the printing of ballots.

The recently signed Republic Act 12232 postpones the December 2025 BSK elections to November 2026 and extends the term of office of barangay and SK officials from three years to four years.