THE government is prepared to defend the validity of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) law before the Supreme Court following legal petitions challenging the measure, Malacañang said on Thursday.
The Supreme Court directed key government stakeholders, including the Office of the President, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Senate, to respond to petitions filed against Republic Act No. 12326.
The measure, signed into law on Sept. 24, extends the term of office of village and youth officials to five years and effectively postponing the elections to November 2028.
At a news briefing, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the Office of the Solicitor General, which serves as the state’s legal counsel, would respond to the petitions on behalf of the government.
“Within five days from receipt of the said petition, they will comply [to the high tribunal],” Ms. Castro said in Filipino. “They are simply waiting for a copy of the petition, as both the Comelec and the Senate have already coordinated with them. They are prepared to respond immediately once they receive the copy of the petition and will comply with the Supreme Court’s directive.”
The legal action, brought by election lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal, contends that the BSKE law infringes on voters’ constitutional right to suffrage.
Ms. Castro affirmed that the Executive branch would abide by the ruling the judiciary hands down. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking