NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
24 APR-8 P4'-06
SENATE
S.B. No.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
SETTING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 25 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall ensure 
the autonomy of local governments. In addition, Article X, Section 8 of the Constitution 
makes it clear that the terms of office of barangay officials shall be determined by law.
Barangays are the basic unit of government in the Philippines. As of 31 
December 2023, there are 42,001 barangays in the country. These barangay rely on 
their respective Barangay officials for their smooth and proper operations.
However, running the barangay is not the only responsibility of Barangay 
officials. To say that the responsibilities and duties of these officials are varied is an 
understatement. The roles of barangay officials encompass those of a mediator, peace­
maker, social worker, rescue worker, and representative of the people. They also have 
pivotal roles in the planning and implementation of the policies, plans, programs, 
projects, and activities of the National Government and local government units.
It is unfortunate that because of their myriad duties and responsibilities, 
Barangay officials often do not get the chance formulate, develop, and implement their 
own policies and projects. The present term of three years is far too short for these 
officials to see their own projects through, since they spend the greater portion of their 
terms implementing the policies and projects of the National Government and as well 
as those of the city, municipal, or provincial government units.


In fact, from 1982 to 2022, average term of barangay officials has been 4 years 
and 4 months. During the same period, there have been countless postponements of 
the barangay elections. These are clear indications of the perennial problem of the 
insufficiency of the term of barangay officials. Therefore, it is necessary to set and fix, 
once and for all, the terms of office of these officials. A term of six years would be 
sufficient and would enable these officials not only to comply with all the orders and 
mandate of the National Government and various local governments, but also to design 
and implement their own policies and projects for the betterment of their respective 
barangays.
An equally important reason to fix longer terms of office for barangay officials is 
to enable the National Government to save billions of pesos. For the barangay elections 
in 2023, the COMELEC required a budget of around Php 18 billion. This upward trend 
in election costs will continue not only because of the general increase in the prices of 
election materials and manpower, but also because of the possibility that even 
barangay elections will also be automated in the future.
At this point, it must be pointed out that Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials 
also have crucial roles in the operation and development of the barangay. However, 
there is a need for a thorough review of the present SK laws. Thus, the terms of office 
of SK officials shall be dealt with in future amendments or revisions of the relevant SK 
laws.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill is 
necessary.
IMEE R. MARCOS


of f.H' !?■■ -‘ft ■''■>'
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B, No. °629
24 l\PR -8 P4 -06
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
SETTING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Term of Office. The term of office of all elected barangay officials 
shall be six (6) years. No barangay elective official shall serve for more than two (2) 
consecutive terms in the same position. Voluntary renunciation of office for any length 
of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of service for the full 
term for which the elective official was elected.
SEC. 2. Date of Election. The next regular barangay elections shall be held on 
the last Monday of October 2029 and every six (6) years thereafter.
SEC. 3. Assumption of Office. The term of office of barangay officials elected 
subsequent to the effectivity of this Act shall commence at noon of November 30 next 
following their election.
SEC. 4. All incumbent barangay officials shall remain in office unless sooner 
removed or suspended for cause until their successors shall have been elected and 
qualified.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC) shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary, within ninety (90) 
days, after the effectivity of this Act.


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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. -If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional, 
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and binding.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. -All other laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations, or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby likewise 
repealed or amended accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation
Approved,