Senior citizens arrive at a polling precinct in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City for the midterm elections on May 12, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — Malacanang said Thursday that the Office of the Solicitor General was ready to defend the law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), which had been challenged before the Supreme Court.
The SC on Wednesday ordered the Office of the President, the Commission on Elections, and Congress to comment on the petition of veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal against the postponement of the 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.
“Sa tingin po ng Pangulo at ng mga mambabatas, ito ang nararapat,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said when asked how confident is the Palace that the law approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this month would withstand legal scrutiny in the courts.
“Pero kung anuman ang magiging desisyon po ng Supreme Court, susundin naman po nila. Pero ang stance ng Ehekutibo, ng Comelec, at ng Senado ay ipaglalaban naman din po ng Office of the Solicitor General,” she added.
Supreme Court orders Comelec to comment on petition vs BSKE postponement
The OSG, which will represent the government in court, is awaiting a copy of the petition and will be ready to comply within the given timeframe, according to Castro.
“Nakausap po natin mismo ang Office of the Solicitor General, hinihintay lang po nila iyong kopya ng petisyon dahil mismo ang Comelec at ang Senado ay nakipag-ugnayan na rin po sa Office of the Solicitor General,” she said.
“Pero handa naman po sila na tugunan agad kapag natanggap na po nila iyong kopya ng petisyon at susunod po sila sa utos ng Supreme Court na kung dapat tumugon. Within five days from receipt of the said petition, they will comply,” she added.
Comelec prepared for Supreme Court ruling on BSKE postponement
Asked about the Palace’s position on Macalintal’s argument that the measure infringed upon the right to suffrage, the Palace official said it would be best for the OSG to comment on the matter.
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