Manila, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has strongly condemned the alleged spread of misleading information on social media regarding the scheduled 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The statement came following online posts claiming that the village and youth council elections would no longer push through or had supposedly been postponed, despite being scheduled for November 2 this year.
According to COMELEC, the public is urged to remain vigilant against confusing and false claims suggesting that the elections may not take place.
The commission also clarified that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will proceed as scheduled in accordance with Republic Act No. 12232.
COMELEC also reminded the public that the law was formally signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on August 13, 2025, clearly setting the date for the next BSKE.
The agency further stressed that social media posts recycling the issue should no longer be treated as new information or “breaking news,” as these may only cause unnecessary confusion among voters.
The commission also warned that the dissemination of false information that misleads voters may be considered an election offense under Section 261(z)(11) of the Omnibus Election Code.
In light of this, COMELEC encouraged the public to remain discerning and to rely only on official announcements and credible sources for information related to the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Meanwhile, COMELEC reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair, orderly, and informed electoral process, urging voters to verify information before sharing it online and to help combat the spread of election-related misinformation.—Grachella Corazon, Eurotv News