185 congressmen voted yes; 12 voted no: Bill postponing SK polls okayed

CEBU, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved on third reading a bill postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in a roll call vote yesterday afternoon.

A total of 185 congressmen backed House Bill 2349, which postpones the October 2013 SK elections to October 2016.

The 2013 SK election was meant to coincide with the barangay elections, which will push through on its own.

Twelve lawmakers opposed the bill. They are Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerciana De Jesus, Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap, Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate and Neri Colmenares, Camarines Norte 1st district Rep. Catherine Barcelona-Reyes,  Abra Rep. Jocelyn Bernos, Bacolod City Rep. Evelio Leonardia, LPGMA Rep. Arnel Ty and 1-BAP Rep. Silvestre Bello.

The Lower House, with inputs from the Commission on Elections, approved the bill to allow Congress time to consider the abolition of the SK.

The Comelec estimates some three million youths were registered to vote for the SK.

The bill will now proceed to a bicameral conference committee where it will be reconciled with the Senate version. Senators earlier also approved the bill on third and final reading.

The House bill, however, differs from the Senate bill.The House bill prescribes no holdover provision for the SK, which means incumbent SK members must step down at the expiration of their terms in November.

The Senate version prescribes a hold over provision. Also, the House wants to defer the SK elections for three years while the Senate wants to postpone the elections only for one year.

Once reconciled, the bicameral version will be sent back to both chambers for ratification. The bill has to become a law before the SK election, which is scheduled on the fourth Monday of October.

If the postponement of the SK elections pushes through and the Lower House version prevails, the office of the SK Federation of the Province of Cebu would be vacant in the next few months.

“Lisud na paagiha, mawad-an og representation ana ang mga batan-on sa gobyerno,” SKF president and ex-officio Provincial Board Member Aladin Wilyamie Caminero said.

Caminero, the son of second district Rep. Wilfredo Caminero, added that although there are non-government organizations working for the youth’s welfare, he feels that the government needs the SK to handle youth concerns.

He, however, stressed that he is not for the extension of their terms until the next election is held.

Despite the developments in the legislature, Comelec continues with preparations for the coming elections, one of which is the implementation of the gun ban.

The commission said yesterday that only 38 police and security agencies have sought exemption from the gun ban.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said security agencies account for the greater bulk of applications for gun ban exemption, and 11 of the 21 applications from security agencies are ready for release. The ban on carrying firearms and employing security personnel would be in effect from Sept. 28 until Nov. 12.

Earlier, the Comelec allowed gun ban exemptions issued for the May 13 national and local elections to be recognized as valid for the barangay and SK elections.

“There are two kinds of transactions of the gun ban right now, one is new application and the other is renewal,” Jimenez said.

Those with still valid exemption need not apply but those with lapsed exemption must seek renewal with the Comelec, he said.

Violators of gun ban would face imprisonment of one to six years, permanent disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote. — philstar.com (FREEMAN)