Youth challenged: Prove SK’s worth

CEBU, Philippines - An official of the Commission on Elections has challenged would-be candidates of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections to prove that its existence is worth fighting for.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-Cebu election supervisor, said those who would be elected to compose the youth council should also take the opportunity to show its relevance by trying to change the status quo.

This, despite the shortened term of office given to SK official since the elections is set on February 21 this year while another SK elections will be made in October 2016 to be synchronized with the barangay elections, unless another law would be passed.

Castillano suggested the scrapping of “unlawful” practices like vote-buying as one of the favorable things that the youth should do.

“Among hagit is you prove nga gusto sab mo og reformation. Gusto nato ipakita sa katawhan nga mo-matter pa mo. Kapoy na kaayo sige ta’g kadungog nga sa mga barangay dagko kaayo ang binayad,” Castillano said.

He said criticisms have spurred against the SK system because of such practices.

There have been advocacies calling to reform or abolish the SK because it has reportedly become a “training ground for corruption” rather than for future leaders.

 “Di ta anang dirty politics and campaigning. Di na unta mahitabo kanang mga botante mangawala na two days or day before election kay tua na sa usa ka resort,” Castillano said.

Among the reforms that have been pushed by some youth organization include adjusting the SK age range to 18 to 24 years old, from the present 15 to 17 years old, and the implementation of fiscal autonomy and anti-dynasty provisions.

Castillano said he has no knowledge on the status of the proposed reforms.

To recall, SK elections was supposedly conducted in 2013 but was reset to 2015 to allow the Congress to legislate reforms.

Since no legislation was made, the Comelec has set a definite date of youth council elections on February 21, 2015.

Election period starts today and will end March 2.

Meanwhile, the Comelec already reminded law enforcers and security personnel in the country to apply for renewal of their Certificates of Authority or Gun Ban Exemptions.

In a press statement, the electoral body said it revokes all the previous exemptions given during the last elections, including those authority given to security personnel with the exception of “the regular security complement of the President, Vice President, senators, congressmen and governors, all local elective officials except barangay officials, justices, judges, Cabinet secretaries, chairman and commissioners of the Commission on Elections, chief of staff of the AFP and PNP Major Service commanders, director generals and senior officers of the PNP.”

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas said they will start implementing the gun ban in the region today. — (FREEMAN)