Sanguniang Kabataan should be Abolished

Sanguniang Kabataan Should Be Abolished

By: Senorito Bernard

          Sanguniang Kabataan are the youth elected officials ages between 15 and 18 years who will represent the youth in every barangay. This was created way back in 1991 by virtue of RA no. 7160 or the Local Government Code. I am in affirmative side which aims to abolish the law.

          I go for its abolition why because it simply fails to address the real and pressing problems of children and young people that pertain to education and drug abuse.SK fails to submit annual and end of term reports which lead to non-monitoring of their project and programs, hence, the effectiveness of their projects are seldom measured. SK falls short on carrying out legislative functions which is to empower the youth, rather, it mostly revolve around sports.

          Allegations of corruption by inefficient, ineffective and non-performing Sanguniang Kabataan officials have caused calls for its abolition from various sectors and officials including no less than President Benigno Aquino Jr himself and Department of Local and Interior Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

          Ironically, even the very author of the RA 7160, otherwise known as Local Government Code which created the SK in 1991 Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel on his last term, filed a bill proposing for its abolition. also in 2004, Former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla filed the same bill at the House of Representatives. Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento also showed support to abolish the SK Election stressing that it is not a good training ground for young people. The youth will just be introduced to the early sign of bad politics like commissions in contract and projects.

          SK National President Jane Censoria Cajes was caught saying “ Kadalasan nagagamit kami ng mga Brgy. Captains at pulitiko kasi may boses kami sa council. we cannot sign contracts because we are minors, so it’s the Brgy.chairman who does it for us. Pag yung kapitan may gustong pabor, iniipit yung SK at hindi bibigyan ng budget. kawawang SK walang magawa kundi pumayag na lang.”

          Scrapping of the SK will not mean that the youth will be deprived of a voice in the community. Youth’s rights and needs will always be recognized and protected without necessarily electing a youth council because it is not the only method in which the welfare of the youth could be promoted. President Aquino promises in his platform to promote a better future for the youth by improving the country’s education system.

          Another Factor why we should abolish SK is that the fact that they are still minors. Under Article 37 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, SK members who are minors do not have the power to do acts with legal effects and likewise, under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344), they are not criminally responsible if they violate the penal laws or commit crimes. So what kind of official acts can they authoritatively do when under the law they do not have the power to do acts with legal effect?

          SK officials in every barangay get 10% of the budget for their unmonitored projects. The bigger the barangay means much bigger money allocated for them. If the SK election will be abolished, it can help the government save approximately P3.5 Billion in one term of an SK officials. That money is big enough to sustain and address some youth related problems without compromising the youth to be under influenced of dirty politics.

Young people at this age are expected to devote their precious time in their studies. It would be very difficult for them to combine both. They should be given more time to prepare and gradually realize what is behind politics.

          In all of the citations, I hereby affirm that Sanguniang Kabataan Election should be abolished.