(UPDATE) MANA group of youth leaders has asked the Supreme Court to strike down a law postponing the 2025 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, arguing that the delay would permanently strip them and thousands of other Filipino youth of their constitutionally guaranteed right to vote and run for office due to age limitations.

In a Petition for Certiorari, Prohibition, and Mandamus filed through the TAM (Trojillo, Ansaldo, Maranon) Law Offices, the petitioners from the group Kaya Natin! Youth joined the legal challenge initiated by veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal against Republic Act (RA) 12232. The law effectively moves the Dec. 1, 2025 Barangay and SK Elections to a later date.

Youth group to SC: Stop postponement of BSKE

The petitioners — Mystro Yushi Fujii, Boyd Luis Antonio Tolentino Jr., Louise Adrian Magat, Roberto Garcia Jr., and Catherine Apple Arenas — are currently eligible to participate in the upcoming SK polls. They argue that the postponement to November 2026 would cause them to “age out” of the youth sector, resulting in an irreversible loss of their political rights.

“This temporal displacement permanently deprives them — and similarly situated youth nationwide — of a right that is incapable of post-hoc vindication,” the petition states.

The petition highlights the unique nature of SK suffrage, which is reserved exclusively for citizens aged 15 to 24 for candidates and 15 to 30 for voters. This contrasts with national elections, where the right to vote is exercisable throughout adulthood.

“Once lost due to aging out, the opportunity to vote and/or run in the SK can no longer be restored, effectively resulting in irreparable and direct injury to their right to political participation,” the petitioners argued.

Beyond the age-limit issue, the petitioners contend that the postponement law is a veiled attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s own ruling in Macalintal v. Comelec (2023), which prohibits election postponements without compelling reasons. They also allege that the postponement provision was an unconstitutional “rider” inserted into a bill primarily intended to lengthen the term of barangay and SK officials from three to four years.

The group is seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) to immediately halt the implementation of RA 12232. They have also requested a Writ of Preliminary Mandatory Injunction to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to continue its preparations for the December 2025 elections while the case is pending., This news data comes from:http://www.gangzhifhm.com

This, they said, would ensure that should the Supreme Court rule in their favor, the Comelec would still be able to conduct the elections on or near the original date, preventing further disenfranchisement of the country’s youth.