Romulo B. Macalintal v. Office of the President, et al. — Decision — Official PDF

Decision 8 G.R. No. E-08557 that the reasons offered for the law are superficial; and that the new election date, the hold-over, and the extension of terms are prohibited riders.7 On October 8, 2026, Jupiter Stalin M. Larida (Larida), the incumbent Punong Barangay of Barangay Kabangbang, Bantayan (Island), Cebu, filed a Motion for Leave of Court to Intervene and to Admit Attached Comment- in-Intervention, with the Comment-in-Intervention. He alleges that he was elected to and assumed the position in December 2023, and that the “affirmation of constitutionality or declaration of the unconstitutionality of [RA] 12326 could either favorably or adversely affect the status of the Intervenor as a Punong Barangay.”" Larida prays for the dismissal of the petition, arguing that the Petition raises no genuine issue of constitutionality, as it questions neither the mandate of Congress to change the term of office of barangay and SK officials nor the authority of the President to sign Republic Act No. 12326 into law; that, consistent with 2025 Macalintal, the primary purpose of Republic Act No. 12326 is to fix the term of office of barangay and SK officials, not to postpone the November 2026 BSKE; and that the Petition merely seeks an explanation for a matter that falls within the wisdom of the legislative and executive branches.!> He adds that a five-year term benefits both the officials and their constituents, as it gives officials sufficient time to implement their plans, programs, and projects, and to familiarize themselves with the preparation of the Annual Barangay Budget and the formulation of the Barangay Development Plan.!® Issues The issues for resolution are: 1. Whether direct resort to the Court is proper, and whether the requisites for the exercise of judicial review are present; 2. Whether Larida should be allowed to intervene; 3. Whether the determination of the term of office of barangay officials is a political question beyond judicial review; 4. Whether Republic Act No. 12326 is an election-postponement law subject to the guidelines laid down in 2023 Macalintal; 8 Id. at2-9. “Motion for Leave of Court to Intervene und to Admit Attached Comment-in-Intervention, p. 1. 5 Comment-in-intervention, pp. 1-5. 6 Id. at 6-11.