Oreta asks Comelec to focus on SK polls

Opposition Sen. Tessie Aquino Oreta called yesterday on members of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to set their differences aside so the proposed special registration of Sangguniang Kabataan members would proceed next week as scheduled, to ensure that three million young voters participate in the July 15 SK elections.

"We urge the Comelec to buckle down to work to make sure that the special registration pushes through on April 22 to 27," Oreta said. "It should act fast to ensure that three million new voters do not get disenfranchised come July 15."

Only three of seven Comelec commissioners have signed the resolution setting aside April 22-27 as the special registration period for new voters. The four remaining commissioners, who are at odds with the three, have so far refused to handle the resolution signed by Chairman Alfredo Benipayo and Commissioners Resurreccion Borra and Florentino Tuason Jr.

The special registration period covers new Filipino voters aged 15 to 17.

Oreta is pressing for a successful holding of the SK elections as she has authored a bill giving more funding and greater participation in decision-making to the SK.

Senate Bill 862 authored by Oreta also seeks to insulate the SK from the ills of traditional politics and make it a potent tool in training the Filipino youth as future national leaders.

The measure seeks to set aside five percent of the general fund of every town and province for the Pederasyon ng SK at the municipal and provincial levels, and at least 10 percent of the general fund of every barangay, for its SK "to ensure greater fiscal autonomy in their operations."

In a related development, Sen. Edgardo Angara said political leaders are still waiting for the proposals of feuding Comelec officials on how to smoothen their operations.

Political leaders led by Speaker Jose de Venecia, Sen. Blas Ople and Angara gave the Comelec officials four weeks within which to submit issues that they believe should be handled en banc, and issues that could be decided administratively solely by the chairman. That deadline was yesterday.

"There are still a few hours left for the day. Let’s wait for the end of the day," Angara said.

The frequent disagreements of the two opposing camps of the Comelec centered on what should be decided by the collegial body. These disagreements were highlighted by the unprecedented opposition filed by Commissioners Luzviminda Tancangco, Ralph Lantion and Mehol Sedain against the confirmation of Benipayo, Borra and Tuason by the Commission on Appointments. — Efren Danao