Lawmakers hit P-Noy for SK abolition

Two youthful legislators today lambasted the proposal of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections for its failure to be functional and effective in the delivery of public services under the Local Government Code.

Rep. Raymond V. Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan) said the aim of the Sangguinang Kabataan is to encourage the youth to take active part in governance and to serve as an educational experience for them. It should contribute to the political education of the youth, Palatino said.



"We don't discourage students to join student councils since we believe these extra-curricular activities can improve the leadership skills of the youth. We should view SK in the same way. SK is even broader and better since it also involves out of school youth. If PNoy will insist this argument, will he also discourage students to stay away from campus politics?" Palatino argued.

Palatino said young people can become SK officers without abandoning their studies. "SK candidates should be aware that they need to balance their studies and SK work. There should be no conflict between education and SK work," Palatino said.

"If corruption is the issue here, then we should abolish barangays and other LGU units too. SK members can't access funds without approval of local officials. Abolishing SK does not eradicate corruption. If there are corrupt SK members, blame LGU leaders and even national leaders for being bad role models," Palatino stressed.

Palatino debunked statement that there are corrupt SK members. He said this is unfair to many SK officers who are performing their duties well and to many LGUs, which have successful partnerships with SK members. He believes that majority of SK members are not corrupt.

"Now there is a proposal to elect a single youth representative in the barangays. This proposal is inconsistent with the 2nd argument that youth should not be exposed to corruption at a young age. We don't want the SK to be contaminated with corruption but we can allow a single youth leader to take the risk of being seduced by corruption practices?" Palatino stressed.

Rep. Marcelino R. Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City) said the mandate of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) should be carefully reviewed but not totally abolished. Since there are instances of corruption as stated by the President, the system needs to be reviewed if not strengthened, Teodoro said.

Teodoro said instruments of corruption within the system can be abolished to dispel claims that SK is a breeding ground for corrupt officials.

"We should maintain a representative from the youth sector through the Sangguniang Kabataan less the budgeting, disbursement and procurement processes," Teodoro said.

Teodoro said it is not the SK that is corrupt but the system itself. The SK falls prey and is taken advantage of by unwieldy and unscrupulous contractors.

"The youth should play an important part in nation-building and should not be immediately dismissed without reviewing their mandate and finding ways to reform the SK system," Teodoro said.

Lawmakers hit P-Noy for SK abolition
Writer: Lorelei V. Castillo, MRS-PRIB





Transform SK into network vs corruption, misgovernance – Kabataan Partylist

Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino today called on the government to “reorient” the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and transform it into a youth watchdog vs corruption and misgovernance amidst proposals to abolish the youth council.

“We should not put to waste this large network of young Filipinos who want to participate in government and community service. Why not tap the SK and launch a nationwide campaign against corruption and misgovernance, train the youth to be advocates of new politics from the barangay level up,” said Palatino.

Palatino said this will “invigorate” the SK and will help develop a new breed of leaders. He said that the young people just need “a little encouragement” and a “progressive framework.”

Palatino also assailed the proposal of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to abolish the SK and instead give one seat to a youth representative in the barangay council.

“Robredo’s proposal to abolish the youth council and instead have only one representative will weaken youth representation and will make them more vulnerable to the influence of traditional politics,” he said.

Palatino said Robredo’s proposal will kill the Katipunan ng mga Kabataan (KK), a transparency and accountability mechanism of the youth council.

“This will only make the young people in the barangays less involved in governance and community affairs. This proposal will worsen the problem we have today with SK: it has been coopted and is now becoming a breeding ground for trapos precisely because the SK is not empowered enough,” he adds.

Palatino said the government should not undermine the capability of the youth to lead. “We need a new breed of leaders if we want change, those who will stand for patriotic change and social justice,” said Palatino.

“The more the young people participate in governance, the more they will be able to expose corrupt acts, anti-people policies and become inspired to rake on the role for social change. This way, we can tap the youth for the change we want in our society.”

Palatino filed HB 1963 or SK Reform and Strengthening Bill last week aiming to improve and further empower the SK.