Supreme Court orders Comelec to comment on petition vs BSKE postponement

MANILA — The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Office of the President, the Commission on Elections, and the House of Representatives to comment on the petition of veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal against the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). 

During its en banc session, the court directed the respondent government agencies to submit their position within five days on the petition for certiorari, with a prayer for a temporary restraining order or status quo ante order, filed by Macalintal. 

The court noted that Macalintal argued in his petition that Republic Act No. 12326 which effectively postponed the November 2026 BSKE to November 2028, violates the electorate’s right to vote. 

In a statement, Macalintal thanked the court for acting immediately on his petition. 

“Considering the strict 5 days given to the respondents to submit their comments, I am highly confident that a favorable resolution will be issued by our Supreme Court in the very near future,” Macalintal. 

Macalintal said the public should not worry about any disruption nor delay in the electoral process. 

“Should the Supreme Court decide in favor of our petition, the Comelec fully possesses the administrative power and operational capability to move the election to another appropriate date close to November 2026, or as may be ordered by the Court,” Macalintal said. 

“Sa madaling salita, hindi pa tapos ang laban—nagsisimula pa lang ito,” he added.