Former SK head agrees to move election to 2016

CEBU, Philippines - The former president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) of Cebu City is supporting the move to reset the SK election next year.

“If the movement is to reform the SK, i-postpone na lang gyud to 2016. If we have the elections now, the term of the winners will only be one year,” said John Philip Po II.

However, if there is no reform, he said it would be better to have the election held this year.

“But if they don’t reform on 2016 and postpone it with no reason might as well have the election right now,” said Po, who is now the consultant of the Cebu City Youth Development Commission (CCYDC).

He said the SK election did not push through in 2013 because of the plan of the government to reform the organization.

“Ang ilang initial nga purpose gyud nga mo-postpone is para ilang ma usab ang system sa SK. Karon wala gihapon silay na nabuhat nga system so at least given enough time 2016 makahimo gyud sila dapat unta so mao na nga mouyon ko sa 2016 if they create a reform,” he elaborated.

The Comelec moved the SK Elections from February 21 to April 25 as a temporary measure while the enactment of law seeking its postponement to next year is still pending.

Po said part of the proposed system is to remove the SKF and will be replaced by Local Youth Development Commission (LYDC) which will be composed of two representatives in every subsector of the youth.

He said he does not totally agree with this move.

“Dili kaayo ko uyon sa LYDC… nga ilang tangtangon ang federation. Actually nindot ang federation because naay administration, maka-monitor sila sa activities so nindot gyud unta ang election sa federation,” he said.

However, he also recognized that there are SKFs in other areas whose members are not doing their mandate.

“Pero ang ilang gibuhat sa ubang lugar is ilang gihimo… pamaliton nalang makabutang og position so sige sila pamayad so bati na kaayo so mao na ilang gitang-tang ang federation. I would understand nga dili sa tanang situation mo-apply nga nindot ang federation,” he explained.

Part of the proposed system is the prohibition of political dynasty and the move to increase the age of the candidates from 18 to 24 years old. — Mechelle P. Florita/ATO (FREEMAN)