`Legislation`

Senate Bill Seeks to Move Barangay, SK Elections from 2026 to 2028

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The Philippine Senate has passed a bill postponing the 2026 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to 2028. If enacted, the measure fixes a five-year term for all elected village and youth council officials, with the next polls held on the second Monday of November 2028. This directly affects local governance in Quezon City and across the Philippines, as barangay captains and SK chairs are the most immediate elected officials for residents. The postponement changes when communities vote for their local leaders and youth representatives, impacting budget planning, community programs, and youth engagement at the grassroots level. The bill must still be reconciled with the House version and signed by the President before becoming law. If passed, the five-year term would apply to all elected barangay officials (captain and seven councilors) and SK officials (chairperson and seven councilors) in the country’s 42,011 barangays.

Rappler Discusses Dangerous Anti-Disinformation Bills

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The episode features a discussion on proposed anti-disinformation bills in the Philippines, highlighting concerns about their potential dangers to media and free speech. These bills could impact how information is shared and regulated in the Philippines, affecting journalists and citizens alike. Understanding the risks is crucial for protecting democratic freedoms. The discussion includes journalist Rowena Paraan of the Movement for Media Safety PH and Rossine Fallorina, managing director of Sigla Research Center. The episode is part of Rappler’s ‘In the Public Square’ series.