MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act No. 12232, which sets the term of office for all elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials at four years.

Under the law, no elective barangay official may serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position, while SK officials are limited to one consecutive term. Voluntary resignation at any point in the term will not be considered an interruption in service.

The next regular barangay and SK elections will be held on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter. Those elected after the law takes effect will assume office on December 1 following their election.

All incumbent barangay and SK officials will remain in office until their successors are elected and qualified, unless removed or suspended for cause. However, those already serving their third consecutive term will be barred from running for the same position in the 2026 elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mandated to issue implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the law’s effectivity.

RA 12232, a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2816 and House Bill No. 11287, was passed by Congress on June 11, 2025, and approved by Marcos on August 13, 2025.