Manila, June 16 -- Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday defended the constitutionality of a bill extending the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from three to four years, insisting it corrects the flaws flagged by the Supreme Court in a similar law declared partially unconstitutional in 2023.

Escudero explained that the earlier law was voided because it postponed the elections without defining the term of office for officials.

The new bill, he said, avoids that mistake by both rescheduling the elections and clearly stating the four-year term.

"Hindi ini-strike down ng Korte Suprema ang pagpapaliban ng eleksyon. Ang ini-strike down yung kawalan ng term (The Supreme Court did not strike down the postponement...