SK elections on

CEBU, Philippines - The elections for the Sangguniang Kabataan will push through on February 21, 2015, the Commission on Elections announced yesterday.

There are no reforms yet on the current SK system. The SK election was originally slated for October 2013 but was postponed through Republic Act 10632 to pave way for Congress to legislate reforms.

Under the law, it is the Comelec’s discretion to determine the date of the SK elections between October 28, 2014 and February 23, 2015.

Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano explained that the Comelec set the definite date since there was no law postponing the youth council elections anew.

He said the bill that sought to reset it to October 2016 to synchronize with the barangay elections only gained ground in the House of Representatives and that there was no further deliberation made in the Senate.

The Lower House approved the said bill on third and final reading December last year.

“Wala gyud ma-move sa Senate kay they deemed it (necessary) nga idayon g’yud ang SK elections,” Castillano told reporters.

He said the election body would have wanted to reset the SK elections since the postponement has not yet served its purpose.

“Aron gyod unta makita gyod ang katong reason sa pag-postpone, they want to reform the SK (system). Maka-minus pod og gasto ang gobyerno pero wa may order nga i-postpone na pud, so we have to push it through. Tigpatuman ra man ta sa balaod,” he said.

He, however, made it clear that preparations have already been made since 2013. He said they are now waiting for the election paraphernalia to arrive.

“That’s why we had the registration sa SK last year. In fact, we already have a timeline,” he said.

There are a total of 122,478 would-be voters to the SK elections, including the 83,421 qualified voters who registered in July 2013.

Gun ban

According to Comelec’s calendar of activities, election period starts tomorrow, January 22, until March 2, 2015. Prohibited activities within this period includes establishment of a new SK precinct or alteration of its territory, “illegal release” of prisoners, carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons and use of security personnel by the candidates.

The filing of certificate of candidacy will be on February 7, 8 and 9 while the campaign period is on February 11 to 19.

The Comelec reminded that donating and gift giving, whether in kind or in cash, are prohibited during the campaign, as well as the appointing of special policemen and agents, and destroying, tampering with, and preventing the distribution of lawful election propaganda.

Like in regular elections, campaigning during elections day, selling, buying and serving of intoxicating liquor, giving and accepting free transportation, food, drinks and “things of value” are also prohibited.

On elections day, qualified SK voters can cast their ballots from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This would be followed by the counting and canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates.

The day after the elections, February 22, until March 23, all candidates, whether they won or lost, should file their Statement of Contribution and Expenditures before the Comelec local office where they filed their candidacy.

Qualified SK voters should be 15 to 17 year old on or before the election day.

Shortened term

Castillano said the term of office of SK officials is shortened since the next SK elections will be synchronized with the barangay elections in October 2016.

“Unless there is a law passed changing otherwise, mag-synchronize gihapon,” he added.

The law postponing the 2013 SK elections did not allow incumbent SK officials to retain their positions in a holdover capacity and the appointment of temporary SK officials as well.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)