On SK Election postponement Negros Occ. officials have different views

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Top officials of Negros Occidental have diverse views on the postponement of the SK polls.

Some of them agreed with the postponement, and expressed optimism that the SK will be reformed.

Representative Alfredo Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occ.) said, "It's a step in the right direction. It's about time we review the effectiveness of the SK program in achieving its mandated objective."

Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said, "Now that the SK election has been postponed, Congress should legislate the necessary reforms to make the SK system effective."

Others agreed with the postponement, but were dismayed over the provision of a no-holdover.

Bacolod Councilor Em Ang said, "I welcome the decision of the bicameral committee postponing the SK elections, however, personally I am in favor of the holdover position of present SK chairmen until the next elections."

"There has to be a period of transition and adjustment before the total abolition takes place, if ever that will be the direction of both houses of Congress. Without holdover taking place, that would mean a de facto abolition of the SK, a move that is all too abrupt and without the benefit of consultation or public hearing," she said.

The city councilor added: "I believe reforms are needed to improve the present system in the implementation of the SK program but it is also important that the youth continues to be represented in local governance."

There were others who were however not in favor of the postponement. Bacolod Rep.Evelio Leonardia said he was among the 11 congressmen who voted against the bill postponing the SK elections.

Leonardia explained that he voted against it because the bill effectively dissolves the SK since it does not provide for the incumbent SK officers to stay on a hold-over capacity. "This means the SK will technically cease to exist after Oct. 28," he said.

The postponement is meant to reform the SK, Leonardia said. "So what do we reform if there is no more SK after October 28 this year. This bill in effect is a de facto abolition of the SK," he said.

Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito, for his part, said: "How could you change the rules in the middle of a game? Congress postponing the election of SK after the 10-day registration period that made us a witness to millions of young people braving the rain, experienced hunger, tiredness and fatigue, just to be able to register and participate in the election, is quite unfair and violative of the Constitutional right of the youth to be represented in government."

Distrito, who was once vice president of SK Federation in Bacolod, said that whatever would be the issues against the SK, it is more "important to give them the right to speak their mind, the voice to air their concerns and grievances, and the freedom to do what they think is best for them."

"If the issues raised against the SK would be the basis of its postponement, and eventual abolition, would it also be fair to say that the Senate and the Congress should also be abolished because of the 'pork barrel' scam?" he dared.

"The institutions are not the problem here, but the people who are in those institutions. Let us impose additional safeguards, reform the system, and strictly enforce the law, but not to abolish the institutions," Distrito added.  (FREEMAN)