Articles for the Case Study
Page number 1
Bill seeks longer
terms for barangay
officials
By: Leila B. Salaverria - Reporter / @LeilasINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:23 PM October 26, 2013
MANILA, PhilippinesThe three-year term
for barangay officials is too short for their
projects and reform activities to take off,
according to a lawmaker, who proposes that a
five-year term for the community leaders would
be more effective.
Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo
has filed a bill to increase the term of office of
barangay officials by two years, saying the
present three-year term is too limited.
Castelo noted that the third year in office of
the barangay leaders is usually devoted to
politicking or preparing for their next possible
term.
Lower House
committee approves
extension of terms
for barangay
officials
By: Philippine News Agency
July 12, 2012 6:57 AM
DUMAGUETE CITY - A committee on local
governments in the House of Representatives
has approved proposals to extend the term of
barangay officials to five years.
Committee chairman Rep. George Arnaiz of
the 2nd district of Negros Oriental said the
proposal was approved at the committee level
before Congress went into recess and was
already submitted to the committee on rules
before going to the plenary for discussions.
It would seem that a three-year term for
barangay officials is far too short for our local
leaders to hit the ground running in terms of
their value, role, and impact upon that smaller
political unit of society. It is so because the
supposedly third year of that peoples mandate
has become devoted to actions or inaction
preparatory to the subsequent barangay
elections, he said in the explanatory note to
the bill.
He contended that plans, programs, and other
activities require more than just three years to
bear fruit and their proponents should
therefore remain in office longer.
There have been earlier attempts to extend the
term of barangay officials to five years, with
proponents saying the longer term would give
the officials more training and experience in
local governance. This was important because
barangay officials usually become city or
municipal leaders later on, they said.
Arnaiz, however, said he cannot speak for the
rest of the congressmen and the senators.
The proposal is for the conduct of the
barangay elections on the last Monday of
October 2015, and thereafter will be five years
for every term.
Most members of the committee on local
governments observed that although elections
in the barangays are non-partisan, opposing
parties fight fiercely, with relatives running
against relatives, neighbors against neighbors,
employing dirty tricks that result in elections
worse than those for city or municipal
positions.
Under the proposal, officials in the barangays
will still enjoy a three-term limit with five years
for every term, Arnaiz pointed out.

Marcos Backs Calls
for Extension of
Term of Barangay
Officials
Senate of the Philippines, Press Release
January 5, 2016
Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. backed calls of
barangay officials to extend their term from the
current three years to five years.
Speaking before barangay officials and workers
in Rodriguez, Rizal, Marcos, Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Local Government noted
the continuing clamor of barangay officials for
a longer term.
In the 15th Congress Marcos filed a bill
seeking the extension of term of barangay
officials but it failed to pass.
"Initially, the DILG agreed to a 5-year term
with re-election for barangay officials but later
Malacanang said it will not support any move
to change the term of barangay officials, so the
process stopped there," Marcos said.
Despite this Marcos said he supports on-going
moves in the Senate and the House of
Representatives to push for at least a
postponement of the barangay elections in
October next year to give Congress time to
study proposals for term extension.
Robredo: Brgy.
Captains Term
Extension Hurdles
Committee Level
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 2
He said the three-year term is quite short for
barangay officials to effectively implement their
programs in their respective areas.
In filing the bill for term extension of barangay
officials, Marcos noted that this would also
enable the Commission on Elections to save at
least P16 billion from the term extension.
"For every barangay elections the government
spends around P8 billion so that in a fifteen-
year period when only three elections are held
under a five-year term instead of five, the
government will save around P16 billion which
can be used for other social services," he said.
Marcos is also the author of the approved bill
that gives retirement benefits to barangay
officials. Senate Bill No. 12 provides a
retirement pay of P100,000 for each qualified
Barangay Chairman, P80,000 for each member
of the Sangguniang Barangay and P50,000 each
for Barangay Treasurer and Secretary, Barangay
Tanod, member of the Lupon Tagapamayapa
and Barangay Health and Day Care Workers.
To be qualified for the benefits, a Barangay
Official or Worker must be at least 60 years
old and with at least nine years of service. Some
95,616 Barangay Officials and Workers are
qualified to receive the benefit as on June
2013, according to the National Barangay
Operations Office (NBOO).
The approved bill has been submitted to
Malacaang and is awaiting the signature of the
President to become a law.
Stability of service and continuity of the
barangay development plan are keys to
meaningful and true development.
Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate
and Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni
Robredo believes these will yield in the
Barangay Reform Bill that she has pushed as

these has been been approved by the House
Committee on Local Government.
During its initial deliberation, the committee
divided House Bill No. 6387 into two
measures to provide more benefits to the
countrys 42,000 barangays.
The committee has created bills concerning the
extension of terms of barangay officials and for
the benefits of barangay workers.
Under the first measure, the term of barangay
officials will be changed from three years with a
three-term limit to five years with a three-term
limit.
Barangay officials who have already served one
term may run two more times under the new
law while those who have already served two
terms may run one more time.
To accommodate the term change, the election
of new barangay officials will also be
Barangay officials
want term
extensions - again
Natashya Gutierrez
September 27, 2012
In their national convention, the Liga ng mga
Barangay pushes for benefits and term
extension from national leaders in exchange for
their support in the 2013 elections
MANILA, Philippines Barangay officials are
pushing to stay longer in office again. And
they are intensifying their lobby of lawmakers
during an election season again.
The Liga ng mga Barangay (League of
Barangays) pushed for their members' current
3-year term of office to be extended to 5 years
during a national convention on Thursday,
September 27, where Vice President Jejomar
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 3
postponed to 2018. Barangay officials who
have already served three terms will continue
serving until the new date of the elections in
2018 but may not run again.
With the proposed reform, the Brangay
Development Plan of five years would be
planned and implemented better as barangay
captains would concentrate on service delivery
and avoid politicking.
My experience with Jesse in Naga has taught
us that the barangay is the first and foremost
government entity which can quickly and
efficiently address the needs of our
countrymen, said Robredo as she thanked the
committee for swiftly passing and fine-tuning
her measure.
For a long time, Leni worked with her
husband, Jesse, when he was the mayor of
Naga, in pushing for the welfare of barangays
and its workers.
Binay and senatorial aspirants for next year's
polls were present.
Liga National President Ricojudge Janvier
"RJ" Echiverri of Kalookan City made it clear
that the organization is offering a quid pro
quo: senators and congressmen who are
supportive of a longer term for barangay
officials will get the Liga's support in the 2013
elections. The league represents the elected and
appointed officials of 42,000 villages across the
country.
"Napatunayan na ho namin sa mga nakaraang
laban, senatorial at local, kapag kami'y
nagkaisa, we can deliver the votes for any
candidate that we choose," he said.
Echiverri told reporters that the senators who
attended the convention and are willing to back
their extension can expect support form
barangays come 2013. "This is the basis for us
to support them, and who is supporting the

benefits and the term extension of the
barangay," he said.
As of 3:30 pm, senatorial hopefuls running in
2013 who attended the event included re-
electionist Francis "Chiz" Escudero and
aspirants Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco of
PDP-Laban, Cynthia Villar of Nacionalista,
and Sonny Angara of the Liberal Party.
Extended, shortened
If the current version of the House Bill
mandating barangay term extension is
approved, barangay officials can enjoy 15
consecutive years in office -- equivalent to 3
back-to-back terms.
Before this, the term of office of village
officials has been changed twice. The Local
Government Code originally provided for a 3-
year term, maximum of 3 consecutive terms. In
1997, the league started pushing for a term
extension and, when nobody was looking, a law
(Republic Act 8524) was passed in Febrruary
1998 just before the start of the campaign
period for the presidential elections.
In 2002, the term limit was reverted to 3 years
through Republic Act 9164. And now, the
barangay officials want to 5 years per term
again.
The league believes having five years per term
will allow those in office to implement and
sustain planned projects they have for their
respective barangays.
Senator Bongbong Marcos, the chairman of the
Senate committee on local governments, told
the convention that he supports the move and
has been in talks with Echiverri to understand
the league's wishes.
"Ipa-file ko sa Senado ang companion bill na
malapit na i-approve sa House of
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 4
Representatives para idaan na sa Senado at
mapabilis sa Senado," he said.
Marcos also said that while they had pushed
for the barangay elections to be synchronized
with the 2013 national elections, the
Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it
would be too difficult. He added that they are
instead proposing an automated election for
barangays in 2015.
In his explanatory note of the bill pending in
Congress, Cagayan de Oro Rep Rufus
Rodriguez said "the three year term of
barangay officials is too short a time for the
unity and stability in barangay leadership and
affairs," and that the last year of term is used
for campaigning. Five years "would ensure
more stability," he said.
No benefits?
Aside from term extension, another focus of
the convention were the benefits that the Code
mandates for barangay officials that, Echiverri
claimed, they did not enjoy. These include
honorarium, Christmas bonus, insurance,
medical care, free tuition for their children,
civil service eligibility, and preference in
appointment to government offices after their
term.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, who was the
convention's keynote speaker, promised that he
would speak to President Benigno Aquino III
to make barangay officials part of Government
Service Insurance System in order for them to
avail of the benefits afforded government
officials, including pensions for their
retirement.
Binay also initiated a partnership between the
league and Pag-IBIG in order for them to
receive the benefits from the home
development mutual fund including loans for
enrollment, medical needs and calamity relief.
Rappler.com
 Articles for the Case Study

Page number 5

De Lima seeks term years, with no barangay elective official serving

for more than two (2) consecutive terms in the
extension for same position.

barangay, SK The former justice secretary noted that her

proposal would spare barangay officials from
officials the regular political changes done almost every
three years corresponding to the term of office
Senate of the Philippines, Press Release
among other local and national elected officials.
August 9, 2016

"In order to promote continuity of service

Sen. Leila M. de Lima has filed a measure
at the barangay level, and to insulate the
seeking to extend the term of office for all
elective officials from the vagaries of partisan
elective barangay officials from the current
politics, this bill seeks to extend the term of
three to five years with a maximum of two
office for elective barangay officials," she said.
consecutive terms to allow them to fully
implement their programs in their localities.
She added the proposed 5-year term of
office for barangay officials would not only
In filing Senate Bill No. 371, De Lima said
minimize partisan political interference at the
the barangay as a basic political unit of the
village level but also, most importantly, allow
country serves as the frontliner in the delivery
them to pursue uninterruptedly the delivery of
of basic and important services to the people
programs for the public.
needing immediate assistance and support.
De Lima also explained that the measure
"The barangay officials, including the
also seeks to extend the term of office of the
Sangguniang Kabataan, are effective partners of
members of the Sanggunian Kabataan and to
the national government in maintaining law
immediately postpone the barangay and SK
and order, and in accelerating economic
elections from October 2016 to October
development throughout the country," she said.
2018.
"With this Herculean task, the present
"Given that the Commission on Elections
term of office for barangay elective officials
is still reeling from the daunting task of
may be too short for them to fully implement
accomplishing the requirements of the recently-
and realize their notable program of peace and
concluded national and local elections, the
development in their localities, she added.
hiatus will likewise provide the poll agency
sufficient time to prepare for the nationwide
Under Senate Bill 371, the term of office
conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang
for all elective barangay officials shall be
Kabataan synchronized elections," she said.
extended from the current three years to five

THEREs now a snowballing move in

Extending barangay Congress, notably in the House of
execs term of Representatives, to extend the term of office of
office village officials from three years to six years,

Written by Peoples Tonight / November 17, 2014


drawing cheers from various sectors of society.
And the good news is that Bulacan Rep.
Joselito Jonjon Mendoza has already filed
House Bill (HB) No. 5073 which seeks to
amend Republic Act (RA) No. 7160,
otherwise known as the Local Government
Code of 1991.
Our lawmakers -- senators and district/party-
list congressmen -- ought to get the message
that they cannot, and should not, ignore the
sentiment of the election-crazy Filipino people
at this time of economic hardship.
In fact, the people share the view of Mendoza
that the longer term for barangay officials will
minimize political interference in the village
level, allowing these overworked public servants
to focus on long-term service goals.
This will also maximize training programs for
barangay officials and also save public funds
that would have been spent on barangay
elections.
The Local Government Code of 1991, a
brainchild of former Sen. Aquilino Nene
Pimentel Jr. of Cagayan de Oro City, gives
Extending the term
of Barangay
Officials to 6
years: pros and
cons
August 6, 2015 by anneenigma
An act extending the term of Barangay
Officials to six years introduced by Sen.
Teofisto TG Guingona.
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 6
barangay officials the vital role of being front
liners in the delivery of basic services at the
grassroots level.
As the eyes and ears of the people, barangay
authorities, unlike other elected and appointed
government officials, work virtually 24 hours a
day throughout the year, including Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays.
But despite this gargantuan task, Mendoza
lamented that barangay officials have to
contend with political changes every three years
since they have the same term of office with
other local and national elected officials.
Kahit mahaba ang pinapanukalang anim na
taong panunungkulan ay walang problema
dahil puwede namang matanggal sa puwesto
ang mga walang silbing opisyal ng barangay sa
pamamagitan ng recall election, said a political
observer.
Thus, extending the term of office of elected
barangay officials as sought by HB No. 5073 is
a move in the right direction.
Talaga!
The Barangay Officials are the closest to the
people who have the vital role of delivering the
most basic services to their Constituents.
However, they need to contend with political
changes every three years as they share the same
term with City and National Officials. The
proposed measure of extending the terms of
Barangay Officials to six years has its purposes
such as improving local stability, allowing
Barangay Officials to focus on medium
and long-term service goals, programs and
projects, maximizing leadership trainings on
Administrative and Economic Management,
Katarungang Pambarangay, Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management and other training
programs for Barangay Officials, minimizing
political interference and saving public funds
that would have been spent on Barangay
Elections.
Our Barangay Council passed a Resolution
earnestly supporting this act. Ilan lang po ito sa
inilagay naming reasons na base rin po sa
natanggap naming kopya ng proposed act. If
this will be approved and will be implemented
effective this term, napaka favorable po sa
amin. Six years, two consecutive terms
(allowed). When I first heard of this, syempre I
really hoped na ma-approve. Sino ba naman po
ang ayaw na ma-extend sa trabaho? hehe. Pero
mali po ang ganitong rason kasi pangsariling
kapakanan lamang ang naisip ko. May
advantages, meron ding disadvantages. Tulong-
tulong po nating himayin kung alin ang mas
matimbang.
Alam naman po natin na ang Punong Barangay
at Barangay Kagawad, talagang may eleksyon
every three years. Kami po, from Barangay
Secretary down to Barangay Personnel
(Tanods, health Workers, Daycare Teachers,
etc.. etc..) nakaasa po sa Punong Barangay ang
status ng trabaho namin sa Barangay. Ang
Punong Barangay po kasi has the sole authority
to appoint pero dapat po approved din ng
majority ng Barangay Kagawads. As long as the
Punong Barangay and the Barangay Kagawads
are satisfied with our job performances, secured
po ang trabaho namin. Kung hindi po kami
efficient, pwede kaming palitan ano mang oras.
Coterminous po kami. Walng kasiguraduhan
kung pagkatapos ng susunod na eleksyon eh
may trabaho pa. Pag napalitan po kasi ang
Punong Barangay, pwedeng pwede kaming
palitan ng bagong mauupo. Bibihira po yung
nag-a-absorb ng dating Barangay Secretary o
Treasurer / Barangay Personnel. Kahit gano ka
pa kasipag sa trabaho mo, kung di ka
sumuporta sa bagong nanalo, naku, wala ka ng
babalikang trabaho. hehe. Kung mamalasin pa,
kung masama ang ugali ng napalitan, walng itu-
turn over na files sainyo. Like what happened
to us last December 2013 when the new
Council assumed their positions. Walang files
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 7
(Resolutions, Ordinances, minutes of Sessions)
which are very very important.
Isa-isahin po natin yung advantages:
1. Seminars and Trainings. Meron pong
Seminars / Trainings / Workshops that aim
to educate all Barangay Officials (new and old)
of their roles and responsibilities as public
servants stated in the Local Government Code,
Leadership Trainings, effective Planning and
Budgeting of the Annual Barangay Budget,
Disaster Trainings, Seminars on Katarungang
Pambarangay, Seminars on Children, Women
(halos lahat po ng Committees) etc.. etc..
Every three years po ito. Imagine the funds
used for these trainings na mababalewala kung
mapapalitan next election. The Government
will invest again on the trainings for new
Barangay Officials and Barangay Personnel /
Volunteers. Dapat ma-maximize yung
knowledge gained from trainings and seminars.
2. Programs and Projects. Kadalasan, ang kaya
lang pong paglaanan ng pondo ng Barangay na
projects eh maliliit lang like
pathways, footbridges, railings, sanitary bowls..
etc. na maximum po ay Php50, 000.00
Php150, 000.00 (depende po sa 20%
Economic Development Funds / EDF ng
Barangay). Hinahati-hati po kasi ang pondo
para mas maraming projects and mailagay.
Mahirap pong humingi ng pondo para sa
Barangay projects lalong-lalo na po kung
Infrastructure projects. Aside from madaming
kasabay na humihingi ng pondo, tinitingnan
din po ang dami ng beneficiaries sa isang lugar.
Halimbawa po Farm to Market Road, ito po
ay nire-request sa City o sa ibang Departments.
Sobrang hirap pong humingi. Ang daming
proseso. Dapat po tyaga talaga. Dapat masipag
magfollow-up ng requests. Gaya po sa amin,
naglalakad kami sa sobrang putik na daan araw-
araw lalo na pag tag-ulan (sa Bicol po mas
madami pa ang buwan na tag-ulan kesa tag-
init). Hanggang ngayon po, wala pang concrete
road (pathways lang po papasok sa mga
eskinita, palabas to Barangay proper, wala).
Konti lang po kasi ang population sa Zone
namin (konti ang botante hehe), that is why.

Kung halimbawa po yung present Barangay
Council ay nagrequest for a certain project, di
naibigay for three years at unfortunately ay
napalitan sila, di nila tinurn-over yung files
(which really happens), pano na po yung
requested project? Back to zero. Back to Step 1.
Gawa ng request, submit, follow-up. Kung di
pa masipag magfollow-up, matatabunan ng
matatabunan hanggang makalimutan. Tao ang
patuloy na maghihirap. Sayang yung effort.
3. Political Interference. Every Barangay
Elections, laging may mas malalaki at
maraming koneksyon na pulitiko ang nasa
likod ng kakandidato. You need campaign
funds and connections. Sila din kadalasan ang
nagdedesisyon sino-sino ang dapat na kasama
sa line-up mo. Pag nanalo sa Barangay, hawak
ng mas malaking pulitiko sa leeg. Kontrolado
pati projects. Tumiwalag ka, putol ang projects
mo. No choice. Regardless of what kind of a
public servant (on higher positions) you are
depending on, kelangan ng suporta for the next
election. This is what this act would want to
minimize. Mas mahaba ang term ng Barangay
Officials, mas maraming magagawa, mas stable.
They wouldnt have to contend with the
change of politicians in higher positions. Ika
nga, mas magiging independent yung nasa
Barangay natin. Hindi sunod-sunuran. Mas
mangangailangan ng suporta yung nasa higher
positions since three years lang yung term nila.
Bawas ang naiipit (iniipit) na projects.
4. Saving public funds used on Barangay
elections. Di ko po alam magkano talaga
SK: The Last Days
Posted by Kevin Samejon
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Day 362: Sangguniang Kabataan
Term Extension
I know every Sangguniang Kabataans talking
about whether or not there is an extension in
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 8
nagagastos ng gobyerno on Barangay elections.
Ang alam ko po, malaki. Imagine the funds the
Government can save if instead of disbursing
the funds allocated for Barangay elections every
three years, eh every six years na lang. Ilipat sa
ibang proyekto (wag lang makurakot), baka
walang kulang-kulang na classrooms ngayon o
mga batang buwis-buhay makapag-aral lang.
5. Bawas gulo. Aminin natin, pag eleksyon
kahit sa Barangay, ang gulo-gulo. Ang daming
away, bangayan, patayan. Pati mga inosenteng
tao, nadadamay.
Disadvantage
1. Yes, disadvantage. Isa lang po nakikita ko.
Paano kung ang nailagay natin sa position eh
manloloko pala, sinungaling, ayaw magtrabaho,
tamad, buwaya, walang intensyong magsilbi ng
tama at totoo sa tao? In short, walang
kuwenta. Handa ba tayong maghintay ng anim
na taon, maalis lang sa puwesto? Anim na taon
para mapalitan ng mas karapat-
dapat? Handa ba tayong isugal ang buwis
natin? Handaba tayong isugal ang anim na taon
natin?
Tayong mga simpleng tao ang nakararamdam
kung may nagagawa sa Barangay ang isang
public servant. Kung may nababago ba sa ating
komunidad. Tayo din ang unang-unang
naghihirap pag wala. Pag-isipan natin.
the term of office.
Do you think the extension is a good thing or a
bad thing? Personally, the indecision of our
government to now causes a slack to SKs who
have plans to work out after this term, i.e., this
year 2013.
Others I heard of are cynical about the
extension. Since they only have taken oath for a

specific term of office they can have lazy
days after the 2013, if there is an extension.
Some would just plainly remain stoic up to the
time they need to.
To give us a perspective, we have an article by
Ms. Sarah Consolacion, a Sumbanan Nominee
for Academic Excellence 2011, giving her view
on the issue.
Her take
There is more gain on the deferment of
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls to October
2012 and the extension of office terms of
barangay officials to five years. Prior to the
enactment of Republic Act No. 8524, An Act
Changing the Term of Office of Barangay
Officials and Member of the SK from Three
Years to Five Years, the bid for passing such
amendment is to address the issue of effective
governance and implementation of long term
projects nationwide.
A scrutiny of the previous short term office
(three years) for barangay and SK officials
would let us see that oftentimes the delivery of
services in the most basic level of governance is
affected. Furthermore, the previous short term
office leads the government to spending too
much and gaining not really much due to
funding short term projects of the sudden-
switching local politicians.
In the context of having elections on October
Responsibilities of Barangay Officials
1. Enforce all laws and ordinances which are
applicable within the Barangay;
2. Negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts for
and in behalf of the Barangay, upon
authorization of the Sangguniang Barangay;
3. Maintain public order in the Barangay and,
in pursuance thereof, assist the city or
municipal mayor and the sanggunian members
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 9
2012, the Filipino masses are given better
assurance that this will be automated and
implemented in at least two highly urbanized
cities and two provinces covering Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao to be chosen by the
Commission on Election (Comelec) in
accordance with the Automated Election
System law since the Comelec itself is given an
ample time to work on and prepare for the
matter. Moreover, there can be also sufficient
time for the Comelec to conduct a voters
education program for the interest of those
who are unaware of how automated election is
to be done.
In the face of all these budget and governance
challenges, the decision for term extension for
barangay and SK offices is a relevant measure in
the interest of effective public service. With
fingers crossed, let us be on a fervent hope of
welfare from this calculated risk.
Any more words?
Either way, one can always find advantages and
disadvantages on the issue.
However, as long as we are in the office I
believe we must carry out the functions we are
expected to. To the best we can and the extra
mile possible.
in the performance of their duties and
functions;
4. Call and preside over the sessions of the
Sangguniang Barangay and the Barangay
assembly, and vote only to break a tie;
5. Upon approval by a majority of all the
members of the Sangguniang Barangay, appoint
or replace the Barangay treasurer, the Barangay
secretary, and other appointive Barangay
officials;

6. Organize and lead an emergency group
whenever the same may be necessary for the
maintenance of peace and order or on
occasions of emergency or calamity within the
Barangay;
7. In coordination with the Barangay
development council, prepare the annual
executive and supplemental budgets of the
Barangay;
8. Approve vouchers relating to the
disbursement of Barangay funds;
9. Enforce laws and regulations relating to
pollution control and protection of the
environment;
10. Administer the operation of the
Katarungang PamBarangay in accordance with
the provisions of this Code;
Guingona wants
barangay
officials' term
extended from 3 to
6 years
By: Philippines News Agency
March 8, 2015 8:42 AM
CEBU CITY -- Barangay officials in the City
of Naga in southern Cebu are supporting a
Senate bill seeking to extend their term from
three years to six years.
Captain Aurelio Alinsonorin of Barangay
Pangdan, City of Naga Association of Barangay
Captains (ABC) president, said the move
would allow them to focus on long-term goals.
Sen. Teofisto Guingona III was in the city to
consult local officials on his proposed bill.
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 10
11. Exercise general supervision over the
activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan;
12. Ensure the delivery of basic services as
mandated under Section 17 of this Code;
13. Conduct an annual palarong Barangay
which shall feature traditional sports and
disciplines included in national and
international games, in coordination with the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports;
14. Promote the general welfare of the
Barangay; and
15. Exercise such other powers and perform
such other duties and functions as may be
prescribed by law or ordinance.
Guingona, chairman of the Senate committee
on accountability of public officers and
investigations, said he found it necessary to
consult barangay leaders to get their side on the
proposal.
City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong also
expressed support to the bill saying the
frequency of elections has created unwanted
political rows at the community level.
Chiong said the bickering that arises from these
political wars stymies the implementation of
long-term government policies and projects.
Chiong also shared Guingonas view that a
three-year term is too short for barangay
captains to implement and sustain their
projects and improve their disaster risk
reduction management plans.
Under Senate Bill 2390, barangay officials will
no longer be allowed to serve more than two
consecutive terms for the same position.

The Great SK
Debate: Do we
really need the
Sangguniang Kabataa
n?
Posted on August 26, 2010 by skreform
https://skreformcoalition.wordpress.com/2010/08/26
/the-great-sk-debate-do-we-really-need-the-
sangguniang-kabataan/
Allegations of corruption by inefficient,
ineffective, and non-performing Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) officials have caused mounting
calls for its abolition from various sectors and
officials, including no less than President
Benigno Aquino, Jr. himself, and Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Secretary Jesse Robredo.
Ironically, the very author of Republic Act No.
7160 or the Local Government Code (LGC)
which created the SK in 1991, is also pushing
for SKs demise. Former Senator Aquilino
Pimentel, on his last term, filed a bill proposing
its abolition. Former Cavite Rep. Gilbert
Remulla filed a similar bill in 2004.
But the SK National Federation (NF) and the
SK Reform Coalition are not taking this sitting
down, making a last-ditch effort to salvage
whats left of the youth organization.
SKNF president Jane Censoria Cajes, for
instance, has been doing the rounds of TV
shows, defending SK. SK Reform Coalition
convenor Marlon Cornelio also sought a
dialogue with Sec. Robredo.
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 11
Fortunately for the SK community, the
dialogue resulted to a change in Robredos
stand, from that of abolition to reform.
During the meeting last Tuesday, Robredo and
the SK Reform Coalition have agreed on the
necessary reforms that should be undertaken.
As of presstime, the barangay and SK elections
in October will push through, but Cornelio
says DILG hopes to have its proposal on
reducing the number of SK officials from eight
(one chairman and seven kagawad), to only one
youth representative, approved in time for the
elections.
PIONEERING
The Philippines is so far, the only country in
the world which has given its youth the
opportunity to take a participative role in
government through the SK. An offshoot of
the Kabataang Barangay of the 70s, the SK is a
governing body where youth, aged 15 to 18
years old, may register to vote and be voted in
the SK.
The SK chairman gets a salary while the seven
councilors (kagawad) that form the council
have no salaries but are required to serve
voluntarily for three years. They approve
resolutions of the Sanggunian and appropriate
the money allotted to the council. Marinelle
Formentera, SK City Federation president of
Paranaque says the SK gets 10 percent of the
budget of the barangay.
Pag malaki ang barangay malaki din ang
budget ng SK. Tulad namin sa NCR, P2.9
million ang budget ng barangay namin, so 10
percent nun ang sa SK. Pero nakalaan naman
ang parts ng budget for our programs, like 10
percent for green brigade, 10 percent for

infrastructure, and so on, explains Formentera,
19.
PRONE TO CORRUPTION
Due to loopholes in the system, the SKNF is
calling for reform.
One major loophole, Cajes says, is the 15 to 18
age bracket for those who can vote and run as
SK officials.
The original age of those who can register and
vote used to be 15 to 18 while candidates for
the SK posts were from 18 to 21. She says for
those who can run for SK posts, the
COMELEC lowered the age bracket in 2004
from 18 to 21, to 15 to 18 years old.
We felt that this was a bad move. Masyadong
bata yung mga SK officials, nasa high school pa
sila at madaling maimpluwensiyahan ng
pulitiko. Kadalasan nagagamit kami ng mga
barangay captains at pulitiko kasi may boses
kami sa council. We cannot sign contracts
because we are minors, so its the barangay
chairman who does it for us. Pag yung kapitan
may gustong pabor, iniipit yung SK at hindi
magbibigay ng budget. Kawawang SK walang
magawa kundi pumayag na lang, laments
Cajes, 20.
Both SKNF and Kabataan Partylist
Representative Raymond Palatino says electing
only one youth representative in the barangay
would make them prone to engage in corrupt
and anomalous activities because of the absence
of a check and balance mechanism provided by
the kagawads.
It doesnt solve anything. The single youth
representative, who is now not accountable to a
youth council, can be more easily seduced by
corruption practices because he is now alone;
and most likely he/she could still belong to a
dynasty. Since the youth representative will be
voted at large by barangay residents, we will
force that kid to adopt the campaign tactics of
adults in order to garner enough votes to win in
the election, Rep. Palatino says.
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 12
USELESS?
On the allegation that SKs are doing nothing
but hold sports activities, Cajes says that is
because sports is part of their mandate.
Then there is the issue on the SK
representatives neglecting their studies.
I believe that all SK officials are mostly
academic achievers. When they run in the SK
they know the responsibilities that go with it.
Usually, we sacrifice our studies to be able to
serve our constituents. Yung school andiyan
lang yan. Hindi kami iiwan. Pero yung SK
tatlong taon lang kami magsasakripisyo para
matulungan ang kapwa naming kabataan, says
Cajes, a senior European Studies student at the
Ateneo de Manila University. She has taken a
leave of absence from AdMU to concentrate on
her task as SKNF president, but is taking
courses at the UP Open University.
Despite the change of heart of President
Aquino and Sec. Robredo on the issue, former
Sen. Pimentel is still firm in his position.
While I was in the Senate I received hundreds
of requests complaining about the SK, na
walang silbi, walang concrete (project, law)
silang nagawa. Most of them are even studying
far from their barangays, so in effect they can
no longer do their job because they have to be
in school most of the time, reveals Pimentel
who is in favor of only one youth
representative.
SK IS A UNIQUE SYSTEM
The SKNF strongly deny this, stating that
many SKs are actually implementing projects
that benefit both the youth and adults.
For instance, Formentera has authored an
ordinance in her barangay, allocating P500,000
for an educational assistance program. The
program provides P1,200 weekly allowance for
poor students. More than 40 bystanders,
meanwhile, have graduated from the Alternative
Learning System program for out-of-school
youth.

In the SKNF, Cajes says they give P100,000 to
20 pilot provinces that implement
environmental projects.
There is an SK who rehabilitated their river.
In Lucena, the SK bought a multi-cab to use
for collecting garbage. In Cagayan de Oro, they
regularly hold debates and dialogues during the
Youth Week. In Paranaque, they planted
mangroves in the river. In my province in
Bohol, 10 day care centers were built by youth
groups of the Volunteers Club through our
funds. We also provide health and medical
assistance to both young and old people.
In 2007, a study was commissioned by the
United Nations Childrens Fund and
DILGILGILG to determine SKs impact in the
local government process. The study, made by
researchers of the University of the Philippines
Center for Integrative and Development
Studies Program on Psychosocial Trauma
revealed that abolishing the SK will not serve
the best interest of children and young people
Sangguniang
Kabataan Should Be
Abolished
Dust Entertainment
http://dustent.blogspot.com/2012/12/sangguniang-
kabataan-should-be-abolished.html
Our youth is the future of our nation, a quote
from our national hero Jose Rizal, but what if
our youth is already corrupt?
Objective and Purpose of the Sangguniang
Kabataan
To establish Katipunan ng Kabataan as the
mainstream government-sponsored
organization for the youths in every barangay
to serve as the barangay governments partner
in identifying programs and projects in their
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 13
nor will it shield them from the negative
influences of politics and politicians. It will
only destroy a unique system and a mechanism
that has great potential for youth participation
in governance and community service.
SK REFORMS
Among the reforms proposed by the SK
Reform Coalition and Akbayan Youth to Sec.
Robredo are the need to increase the age
bracket of the youth who can vote and be
elected from 15-18 to 15-25; the election of a
youth representative who will serve as a
councilor in the barangay council, from ex-
officio to regular membership; the creation of a
youth development council composed of youth
organizations in the barangay to serve as civil
society partner and substitute for the SK
kagawads, to ensure greater participation and
check and balance; the incorporation of an
anti-dynasty provision to limit politicization of
the youth rep; fiscal autonomy and
accountability on the youth fund; and
incorporation of accountability mechanisms
and ground for removal from office.
respective communities and in identifying
issues and concerns affecting them;
To provide a framework for the
improvement in youth governance by
strengthening the Katipunan ng Kabataan as
the mainstream government sponsored
organization and reforming the Sangguniang
Kabataan as the policy-making and
legislative body of the organization;
To provide the general directions in
youth governance at the local level, setting
policies and standards and establishing
authorities, accountability and responsibility in
achieving better performanceoutcomes;
To define the roles and responsibilities
of members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan and

Sangguniang Kabataan officials and federation
officers;
To provide resources to the
Sangguniang Kabataan and implement youth
related programs and projects and other
initiatives at the local level;
To make the Katipunan ng Kabataan
the most important vehicle for youth
participation in the implementation of civic,
economic and political activities in their
respective localities and for the Sangguniang
Kabataan as the training ground for future
leaders of this country by inculcating in them
basic social values and spiritual values; and
To ensure that the youths receive the
kind of focused attention from the national
and local governments.
Why should SK be abolished?
"Because it only adds burden to the heavily
grown bureaucratic red tape that is plaguing the
Philippine society today..It is the same way that
Baranggays should be abolished so that the
Mayors had something to do...
The society become so useless If you keep on
creating smaller and smallest units from smaller
units..It becomes a burden.
If you will ask how to make the Philippine
bureaucracy compressed and save resources on
useless politicians who steal money and break
the colonialist past of Filipinos, given the
country's small territory and population, It
should be divided only in 13 federal regions
with governors and 13 senators and maybe 26
representatives.
Currently, It is very bloated and very inefficient
the reason why the country remains the same."
-PHILCHN (yahooanswers.com)-
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 14
During the past SK and barangay election I
participated on becoming one of the supporters
and poll watcher of a barangay
chairman candidate to see the dirty secrets
behind Sanggunian Kabataan and Barangay
elections.
As usual, dirty tactics are as planned. The
money, the sure voters, the goons, and the guns
are already prepared. But one thing I noticed, is
that the SK election are more dirty than the
barangay. Registered SK voters are being forced
to be kidnapped and keep on a hotel until
election day. They were given money,
cellphones just for their vote. And when
election day comes, the drama begins... goons
and guns are all over the precinct, when the
vote has come to a tie, a missing kid was the
only hope to end the tie breaker. And then the
opposing camp reacts violently after seeing the
missing kid, because of that, one of their
goons start shooting on the air. A good thing
no one is hurt, but the trauma those kids
suffered will mark till they grow up.
The election used to be and only for the
YOUTH has now become corrupt. Parents
teaching their children to buy votes to get
elected is a stepping stone to become a great
corrupt leader. Most of them are not qualified
either to become a youth leader, the salary they
receive from the tax payers money are usually
used to buy iPhones, beer, a motorcycle, all the
things a youth desires... so much for public
service.

The objectives of an SK member is just a bluff,
no one is really serious about public service if
you are 17 years old. A teenager will do what a
teens would do, like drinking beer, party all
night, if you add money to that you are just
Time to abolish the
Sangguniang
Kabataan
INTROSPECTIVE By Tony Katigbak (The Philippine
Star) | Updated July 10, 2013
In theory, the Sangguniang Kabataan serves a
very noble purpose. It was created to serve as a
training ground for the countrys future leaders.
It was a place where those who wanted to learn
about politics might enter to enrich their skills
and learn what it would take to become a
future leader of the nation.
Over the years though, as what often happens
with a once-noble purpose, the Sangguniang
Kabataan has been twisted and turned into
something that is no longer in unison with its
original purpose. It has become as open to graft
and corruption as the government itself, and
instead of fostering future good leaders, it only
seems to teach the youth about the corruption
that exists in the government at a very early age.
I think that in the last couple of years the
purity and purpose of the SK has been
something that not everyone believed in
anymore. However, it remained important for
the youth to feel they have a voice so that they
remained interested in their government and
how the country was being run. Over the
weekend, Caloocan Rep. Edgardo Erice
proposed an amendment that would, in effect,
abolish the SK, something he had originally
proposed while he was in his first term in
office.
I read about this news over the weekend and I
could not help but agree with his line of
thinking. It just seems ridiculous to keep an
institution around that is no longer serving its
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 15
tolerating their will to have fun and not
minding obligations as public servant.
Abolishing SK will save the
government billions of pesos and will save our
children from early corruption training.
purpose. Unless drastic changes are made to
return the so-called innocence of the SK, there
really is no need to keep it around.
Other than just churning out younger corrupt
future politicians, the SK has also been known
to be the training ground for political
dynasties, a place where politician families can
put their kids to learn about politics until
they are of age and can take over the family
business. This seems rather unfair to those who
truly want to run for the SK because of a
genuine interest in politics and serving the
people. They stand no chance running against
candidates who are backed by their political
families. Its just another place for politicians to
gain a stronger foothold.
As mentioned by Erice, who himself had been a
part of the Sangguniang Kabataan when he was
younger, when he was in it there was absolutely
no budget allotted for the youth group. The
group was pure volunteerism and those who
joined did it out of a sincere desire to learn and
they worked on programs that directly
benefitted them. It was very different from the
current way the group is set up.
They are now a logical first choice target for
local politicians seeking a higher position.
Because of this SK leaders are truly exposed to
the ugly side of politics at a very young age and
instead of inspiration are being disillusioned
and even jaded by the system instead of striving
to find ways to improve it and better it.
Of course, the idea of abolishing the SK is also
having its fair share of opposition. There are
those who claim that the importance of the
group is still the same and that is giving the
youth a voice in the government and teaching
them about politics at a young age thereby

helping them understand how the government
works. With this mission I wholeheartedly
agree, however, that is not what is happening
now.
The Caloocan Representative went on to say
that he understood the importance of having a
youth voice and suggested instead the
organization of a Barangay Youth Council
headed by the youngest elected Sangguniang
Barangay member with four chairmen
appointed. They will tackle topics directly
related to the youth including education,
sports, environment, and culture and the arts.
I can see the merits of his suggestions and I
think it would be a good first step in cleansing
youth politics and keeping them focused on
what really matters building a better nation
for themselves and their generation. As is, there
are both pros and cons to abolishing the SK,
but in the end we have to ask ourselves which is
the path that will lead to more future growth
and development.
While the concept of the Sangguniang
Kabataan is noble, it is not being executed
properly. It cant be denied that it is a training
ground for political dynasties and more and
more political names are being put in the SK
than possible future leaders who may not come
from as prestigious a legacy but who are more
than capable of serving. Plus, there is a
substantial allocation of funds to the SK. If
these are not being run correctly, the funds will
surely not also be used the best possible way.
At the same time though, should the group be
abolished, how would the funding be used in a
way that it will still serve its intended purpose?
Sangguniang
Kabataan
By Carl Ulysses Aguillon
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 16
That is a serious question that needs to be
addressed as well. In an ideal world, the best
way to approach this problem is to institute
reforms and safeguards. I think the Barangay
Youth Council is a good idea in the right
direction. The government can also earmark
the SK funds for youth related projects in their
districts such as school renovations, park
and sports center buildings, and arts and
culture programs for the youth. I think, in
general, that is what these funds are for, but
due to the nature of politics sometimes
earmarking is not the same as actual budget
implementation.
Another idea given by the Representative of
Quezon City is to continue on the SK but with
zero budget. Give the youth their organization
to learn about politics and make their
suggestions within their barangays but dont
include money or budget in the process. He
claimed that the SKs corruption comes from
its leaders access to public funds. A budget-less
SK might be the antidote for such corruption.
Its a very radical reform, but something that
may also work. Without budget, the SK would
return to the purity it formerly had because the
young leaders elders politicians, barangay
leaders, and etc would not be tempted to
interfere.
Personally, I am not entirely sure about which
road is the best one to take at this point, but I
do agree that changes need to be made. This is
no longer something we can just ignore. The
longer it goes on, the harder it will be to fix.
Whether this is something that can be address
before the elections in October is something
only time will tell. Although for the
amendment to just come in now is cutting it
quite close though I must admit.
Philippines is the only country in the world
which gives a mechanism for the youth sector
to participate in governance, particularly, in
Local Government Unit (LGU)-Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK). This is a response to the
United Nations Convention on the rights of
children to create a path wherein they can

connect and represent their sector towards
active participation in the affairs of the
government and in the state as a whole. It only
speaks that Filipinos value the notion of young
blood leadership. However, in scores of
existence, SK had established a negative faade,
which brought them to the thorns of abolition
by our solons. With the barangay election is
fast approaching, our lawmakers are becoming
keener to open again the debate of the SK
Abolition.
In doing so, the result would give birth to
advantages and disadvantages. The advantages
would be: (1) our young people will not be
affected by the TRAPO (TRAditional
POlitics) concept; (2) the state will save a large
amount of budget; (3) young Filipinos will be
extracted from early corruption. Talking of
disadvantages: (1) the youth sector will be
deprived from contributing in nation building;
(2) our training grounds for our future leader
will become limited; and (3) youth legislation
will be removed. Moreover, it is enshrined in
Section 13, Article II of the Philippine
Constitution that The State recognizes the
vital role of the youth in nation-building and
shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It
shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and
nationalism, and encourage their involvement
in public and civic affairs, therefore it is very
hard to put an end to the tenure of SK in the
Philippine political system in just a pinch.
Because there are forces that hold the law to
close down SK, the concept of reformation was
born. The Members of Brotherhood of Destiny
Inc. (BROOD), proposed provisions in order
to preserve the value of SK; (1) Increase age
bracket of the Katipunang Kabataan (KK) from
15 to 17 to 15-21 and age qualification
bracket of SK officials to 18-21, amending
Sections 424 and 248 therein; (2) give some
degree of fiscal autonomy to the SK like those
granted in other Local Government Units in
order that the youth councils would not be
beholden or would not be used for partisan
activities by the barangay elders and the
mayors; and (3) increase relevant trainings of
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 17
the SK which focuses on their functions as SK
officials, this can be done through coordination
with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), National Youth
Commission (NYC), Department of Social
Welfare and Development(DSWD),
Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of
Education (DepEd), Commission on Human
Rights (CHR), National Sports Commission
(NSC), and other National Government
Agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs)
and Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs).
Nevertheless, in order for us to have a deeper
dissection of the topic and, as ordinary
individuals, we could decide whether it is right
to abolish or just reform SK let us lower down
the evaluation in the local, here in South
Cotabato. I am an SK Chairperson here in the
City of Koronadal, and in my political life I
had found out the two dimensions of the
Sangguniang Kabataan. Let us dock first to the
negative dimension. I had observed that there
are SK chairpersons who do not attend their
regular sessions in the sangguniang barangay, in
the regular session in the federation, and worst
of all, they do not conduct meetings in their
own sanggunian.
There are also those who do not know their
real role, those SK chairpersons who only know
one activity for the youth, and do not explore
in other realms of learning; they are those SK
Chairpersons who only focus on sports and
dropped other things dictated by the local
government code, youth development, which
also includes livelihood, socio-cultural,
education, pro-environment activities. And, add
to that those SK chairpersons who forget to
perform legislation; this function includes
making and passing resolutions and ordinances
in their councils.
These problems are caused, according to my
fellow young politicians, by two things: (1)
academic schedules; and (2) being a leader is
not their destiny at all. Most of them were
students and oftentimes, they neglect their
duties in the barangay because of conflicts in
their studies, or maybe, policies of the academic
institution they are in hinder them to perform
better. Also most of them could not really
perform, because, on the first place, they did

not even want to become who they are now.
Some SKs were in to admit that they are
MAGUNAT (Magulang Ang Umudyok Na
Tumakbo), therefore, they have no interest to
serve, but rather embodied by personal interest
of their parents.
Moreover, I had also found out that the current
political scenarios also contribute to the
malfunction. One of the deterrents to these
young implementers to perform well is the
misconception of the common people. This
delusion radically deviate these young leaders to
the dogs. For example, constituents of a
barangay would demand for a disco from the
SK chairman, supposedly genuine, would be
then chained in the concept of following what
the people is demanding, rather than listening
to what the law says and what is right, therefore
defeating his purpose in chair.
Does disco promotes youth development? Is it
rational to use the budget of the sangguniang
kabataan to a one night hell, and subsequently
contribute to the increases of rats of premarital
sex, gang confrontations, and drug addiction?
This thought gives birth to a truth that one of
the greatest failures of the system had offered
to these young leaders is the failure to define
their roles and educate the people about these
functions.
Behind these shortcomings of the system, there
are still saviors of the SK, those young blood
leaders who make most out of their sworn
duties. Here in the Province of South
Cotabato, not naming them on the sense that it
would be unfair to everybody, especially to
those who fell on the negative dimension, we
had those outstanding creams of the crop.
They performed their functions that would
prove why their role in the government should
not be brought to an end. They had organized
activities like leadership seminars, education
program to the IPs (indigenous peoples),
livelihood trainings, youth empowerment to
junior purok officials, sports rebuilding (or
instituting to the minds of the people that SK
is for all sports), and community extensions.
This is the positive dimension I had discovered
the SK has throughout these years. These
grounds are enough to make our solons hold
on.
As a Damean, who value my fellow young
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 18
people reflecting to the advocacy of St.
Marcellin Champagnat, I suppose it is not
rightful to abolish sangguniang kabataan.
According to Kabataan Party List
representative Raymond Palatino Abolition of
Sangguniang Kabataan is an insult to young
Filipinos. . .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.
This only utters that it is important to have a
governing body for the youth in every barangay
and in every federations.
In order to crack the case, the government must
not turn its wrath on young Pinoys, but to the
system that it had created for them. There is no
problem with the Filipinos of today, but the
dilemma is in the structure fed to them to
perform. Therefore, what is just to say is to
make provisions in laws regarding sangguniang
kabataan. Here are some proposals from
Kabataan Party List:
Changing the age requirement for SK
candidates from 15 to 18 years old to 18 to
years old to ensure that they have the legal
capacity to perform their functions;
Requiring SK units to deposit their funds in a
bank preferably government-owned and
granting SK units fiscal autonomy over their
allotted budget;
Requiring SK units to release a quarterly
financial report to practice transparency and to
curb corruption
Mandating that the Katipunan ng mga
Kabataan (KK) function as the highest policy
making body of the SK responsible for holding
regular consultations with other youth-based
organizations in the community;
Empowering and encouraging the SK to
engage in promoting basic rights such as
quality education for all, secure youth
employment, sustainable development, human
rights and social justice.
Let us not forget what Dr. Jose Rizal said,
Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan.
Retaining Sangguniang Kabataan will
continually prove what our national hero
believed.
 Articles for the Case Study

Page number 19
The OMNIANA conducted a random survey Out of 232 respondents- 103 said YES
on NDMU students with a question, is there (44.40%), and 129 said NO (55.60%).
a need to abolish Sangguniang Kabataan?

"having the capacity to buy votes"

Abolish the in the qualifications of candidates
and changing election to bidding.
Sangguniang Anyway, that is what it really is. So
Kabataan (SK) why the embarassment?

One of the powers and functions

http://strictlypinoy.blogspot.com/2007/
of the Sangguniang Kabataan is to
12/abolish-sangguniang-kabataan-
sk.html initiate programs designed to
enhance the social, political,
The recently concluded election of economic, cultural, intellectual,
the SK Municipal/City moral, spiritual, and physical
Federations was a blatant development of the members (Par.
corruption of the idealism of the (b), Sec. 426, Chapter 8, Title
Filipino youth. One, Book III of the 1991 Local
Government Code). Yet, only a
few really delivers and serve
The otherwise naive and idealistic
sincerely. Why? Most of them
minds were initiated in the ways of
entered public service the wrong
the corrupt and unscrupulous
way. There is no debt of gratitude
leaders and elders. SK Chairmen
for the support. So what if they do
and their parents were given
not do anything? Nothing. The
thousands of pesos and other gifts
prevailing mindset is: That is the
like cellphones and motorcycles in
way things are nowadays, why fight
exchange for their votes. Is this the
it?
way to go for the so called hope of
our fatherland? If so, then WE are
While the accomplishments of
LOSING our hope. For a price.
enlightened SK Officials are worth
mentioning, the moral decay
What lessons did our young people
overshadows their
learned from the exercise of the
accomplishments. The bad eggs
right of suffrage? Arrogance. Buy
greatly outnumbers the worthy
votes in order to get elected. And
officials of the Sangguniang
have the privilege of prefixing one's
Kabataan. Hence, the continued
name with the title Honorable.
existence of the SK brings great
What sheer mockery. Only in the
disadvantage to the development of
Philippines do we call people
our youth, which is contrary to its
buying votes as honorable people.
mandate. A good deal of tax payers'
money are wasted through the
I once overheard a radio salaries paid to inactive SKs.
commentator suggest adding

If we really want to train our youth
in governance, take away the
salaries but the scholarship
privelege may be retained. The
proposal of the National Youth
Commission to adopt rotational
leadership is also worth
considering. It will motivate out
youth to innovate, to think of
Beyond
Bureauccracy:
Assess the
Sangguniang
Kabataan
By Jan-Ace Mendoza, Sept 15, 2010
After much controversy, the Filipinos will after
all, elect their
respective barangay and Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) leaders come Oct. Unlike the
May national elections, this process will
include those from the younger demographic,
the Filipino youth.
The youth, aged 15 to 17, will have the chance
to elect officials, who would represent them in
the countrys government; however, this council
of youth officials called the SK has been
constantly casted doubt.
The SK has been criticized for being an
ineffective institution and a breeding ground of
corruption. Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel
Jr., author of the Local Government code of
1991 that created the SK, and former Cavite
Representative Gilbert Remulla have lobbied
House Bill No. 185, seeking the abolition of
SK.
Just last month, Secretary Jessie Robredo of the
Department of Local and Interior Government
Secretary (DILG) submitted a proposal to
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 20
better programs, and most
importantly, to work. This will
pose a challenge to everyone to
have an accomplishment. There is
also the SK Reform Bill that
should be looked into. Without
the necessary changes, the abolition
of the Sangguniang Kabataan will
continue to resonat
Malacaang, calling for the abolition of the SK.
He is proposing to rescind Section 423 and
439 of the Local Government Code. These
sections govern the powers of the SK.
In an article from balita-dot-ph, Robredo
defended his proposal by arguing that the SK is
ineffective and inefficient in serving their
constituents under the provisions of the Local
Government Code.
Conflict of interests
Jerome Cuevas, SK Kagawad of Barangay 791,
Zone 86, District 5 of Manila shares how the
SK in theirbarangay intentionally increase the
price of goods they donate so their officials can
get kickbacks.
He recalls how the price of a P5 ballpen was
increased to P20 because of the markup the SK
places. The illegitimate markup is used to
speed up the projects approval process with
the contractors. He then asserts that these
occurrences manifest how much the SK can
become an avenue in learning the ropes of
corruption.
Also in balita-dot-ph, Commissioner Rene
Sarmiento of the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) sees the disadvantage of letting the
youth participate in the SK since they get
exposed at a young age to the bad side of

politics, such as commission in government
contracts and projects.
He adds that it is difficult to combine
academics and a political career, referring to the
priorities a usual SK officer would face.
Sarmiento is one with the legislators who seek
to abolish the SK.
In an article from the website of The
Philippine Star, the Parish Pastoral Council for
Responsible Voting (PPCRV) also expresses
their support for the abolition of the SK since
it is an easy venue for political dynasties to
penetrate in.
PPCRV Chairperson Henrietta de Villa says
that it is not good for the youth to develop too
early on in their lives a mindset about politics
based on wrong values. She suggests a youth
representative in village councils instead of the
SK.
Robredo has a similar proposal to ensure that
the youth will still be well represented in
the barangays. Instead of the SK, which
comprises of several youth representatives, he
suggests that only there should be only one
elected by the yourth aged 15-17, per barangay.
Each election year, persistent legislators
continue to propose changes in the Local
Government Code. Political Science professor
Julio Amador shares that the SK receives
approximately seven billion from the countrys
annual budget. He believes that the benefits
that the public receive from the SK are not
equivalent to what tax payers contribute to the
SK.
The youth is an important sector of the
society, but we should be clear that it is not the
only sector that matters. Seven billion is a huge
amount of money taken from Local
Government Units (LGUs) to fund the
operations of the SK. Shouldnt that amount be
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 21
put to better use like building schools and
roads? Amador points out.
Concretizing the amendments
The DILG recently had an agreement with the
SK Reform Coalition to amend the Local
Government Code of 1991, particularly the
powers and duties of the SK. Some of the
proposed reforms include increasing the age
requirement of SK participation to 17 to 25
from the current 15 to 17.
Abby Generalia, former SK chairman
of Barangay 845, Zone 92, District 6 of
Manila, supports the efforts to increase the age
requirement of hopeful SK officials to prevent
unwise decisions brought by young age.
I think this group is still young and immature
to make decisions especially the ones that
involve the barangaybudget. Because of this,
they easily become the targets of the senior
corrupt officials to abuse, Generalia continues
The SK Reform Coalition also aims for
the creation of a youth development council in
exchange of the present SK. The new council
which will be composed of local youth
organizations within the barangay.
Keeping the faith
In spite of all the criticisms, there are still those
who believe that the SK could be used
effectively as a means of creating change in the
community, especially those who are just
entering the political arena.
The SK lets our voices be heard. I think that
this is the best way to give the youth an
opportunity to participate in nation building
for it molds the youth to become more
responsible and aware citizens, says Mikee
Rualo, a Lasallian currently running for SK

chairman in Barangay. 406, Zone 42. District
4, Sampaloc, Manila.
Julian Roxas, director of the SK federation in
District 1 of Manila believes the only reason
that the SK does not have a good reputation is
it is not given due attention. Much like an
underdog they [SK officials] only rise when
given the opportunity. The media can cover
only so much and if it does cover it, it doesnt
show any good sides [of the story], he
laments.
SK, not the only way
The SK was created in good faith yet it now
has grown into an unexpected turn for the
worse as corruption manifests itself early on the
lives of the youth. Prof. Amador emphasizes
Philippine
Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK):
Abolition or
Reformation?
Posted Sun, 12/04/2011 - 11:11 by admin
http://ourhappyschool.com/debate/philippine-
sangguniang-kabataan-sk-abolition-or-reformation
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or Youth
Council in the Philippines is the governing
body in every chapter of the Katipunan ng
Kabataan (Youth Federation).
Each barangay in the Philippines is mandated
by law to have its own chapter of
the Katipunan ng Kabataan, aging from 15 to
18 years old who resides in their respective
barangays for at least 6 months and registered
in the Sangguniang Kabataan, or in the official
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 22
the important role of the youth in nation-
building, but according to him, there are other
venues other than participating in the SK that
will also mold the youth into better citizens
I know of many young individuals who work
in government as researchers, political analysts
or staff members despite of the stereotype of
low wages. They do that because they feel that
they should give back to society through
behind the curtains public service, Amador
concludes. There are young entrepreneurs who
start their own businesses that give employment
to their fellow Filipinos.
In short, there can be better ways in ensuring
representation in public service and nation-
building, he ends on a high note.
list in the custody of the barangay secretary. It
is the local youth program and projects
implementation partner of the government.
The Katipunan ng Kabataanmembers elect their
officers known as Sangguniang Kabataan which
serves as the local youth legislature in the
village. The Sangguniang Kabataan is an off-
shoot of the KB or the Kabataang
Barangay (Village Youth) which was abolished
when the Local Government Code of 1991 was
enacted.
The Sangguniang Kabataan initiates
policies, programs and projects for the
development of youth in their respective
political territories. The Chairman/President
of theSangguniang Kabataan acts as the Chief
Executive of the Sanggunian (Council) while
the Kagawad (Councilor) as the legislative
council. The Kagawads approve resolutions of
the Sanggunian and appropriates the money
allotted to the council, a share in the revenue of
the Barangay.

Possible reasons to call for its abolition:
1. SK is only a training ground for corruption.
2. SK officials are youths, they are still in
school, they cannot function well, and
unprepared to discharge their duties.
3. The state will save a huge amount of money
in abolishing it.
4. This will remove the youth from culture of
politics which is usually associated with
corruption.
In the Know:
Sangguniang
Kabataan
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 01:51 AM July 04, 2013
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/437947/in-the-know-
sangguniang-kabataan#ixzz4RlMPFgMW
The Local Government Code of the
Philippines (Republic Act No. 7160) provides
for a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), which is
composed of a chair, seven members, a
secretary and a treasurer.
The SK initiates youth-related programs
designed to enhance social, political,
economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual
and physical development of the youth and
undertakes fund-raising activities.
Officials are allowed free education in public
tertiary schools, including state colleges and
universities, provided they are enrolled in an
Should the SK be
abolished
http://www.southernleytetimes.com/Should_%20the_SK_
be_abolished.html
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 23
Possible reasons to hold that it should not be
abolished:
1. SK trains the youth to become good
leaders of the community.
2. SK officers serve as the voice of the youth in
their community.
3. SK projects enhance the different skills and
abilities of the youth.
4. SK officers represent the youth in various
government programs and projects.
institution within or nearest their area of
jurisdiction.
To qualify for the SK, candidates must be at
least 15 years old but not older than 21 years
old on Election Day. Their terms last for five
years.
The powers and duties of the SK chair include
calling and presiding over SK meetings;
implementing policies, programs and projects
within his jurisdiction in coordination with the
Sangguniang Barangay (village council);
exercising general supervision over the affairs
and activities of the SK and its members; and
appointing, with the concurrence of SK, the
secretary, treasurer and other officers as may be
deemed necessary from among the members of
the SK, among others.
The SK chair also enjoys the same privileges
enjoyed by other sangguniang barangay
officials, which include insurance benefits and
free medical care.
Source: RA 7160, Comelec, DBM
This question will be discussed this August 23
when the Department of the Interior and Local
Government will meet in a regional
consultation with representatives from the
youth, local and national agencies involved in
youth affairs, media and SK representatives and
political leaders.

The meeting which will be held at the DILG-8
Regional Training Center at Kanhuraw Hill,
Tacloban City will be headed by DILG-8
Director Pedro Noval Jr.
We will come up with a broadbased
consensus on whether to support the abolition
or reform of the Sangguniang Kabataan, and
whether or not the SK elections slated on
October 28 should push through said Noval.
During the consultation, the group will present
the pros and cons of the proposed abolition or
reform of the Sangguniang Kabataan. There
shall then ensue a discussion on whether the SK
has effective or ineffective as a mechanism for
promoting youth leadership.
Lawmakers hit P-Noy
for SK abolition
15-August-2010, 09:41:17 AM
SOURCE: Press and Public Affairs Bureau
http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=4354
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
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 24
Should the group recommend SK reforms,
these should be identified and if the
recommendation is for postponing the SK
election then an alternate schedule should be
proposed, Noval concluded.
The SK serves as the youth legislature, elected
from the Katipunan ng Kabataan who are
barangay residents aged 15 to 17 years old. It
implements local youth programs and projects
in the barangays. The SK Chairman also serves
as an ex-officio member of the barangay
council, with municipal, city and provincial SK
federation presidents likewise getting to
represent the sector in their respective local
legislative councils. (PIA/8)
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
Whats in the new
Sangguniang
Kabataan?
Lou Gepuela
Published 5:18 PM, January 31, 2016
2016 will mark the first SK elections after a 3-
year hiatus
MANILA, Philippines - After a 3-year break,
the SK, or Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth
Council) is back.
This unique youth institution traces its roots
from the Kabataang Barangay (Village Youth),
instituted by virtue of Presidential Decree 684,
dated April 15, 1975, which provided Filipino
youth with a means and an ample opportunity
to express their views.
What came before
PD 684 instituted barangay youth officials
composed of a chairman and 6 members, aged
15 to 18, chosen by their peers.
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 25
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.
Later amended by PD 935, PD 1102, other
presidential decrees, and Batas Pambansa
337 in 1983, the Kabataang Barangay was
suppressed during the presidency of Corazon
Aquino until the enactment of Republic Act
7160, the Local Government Code of 1991.
Nepotism and dynastic politics were issues at
its inception, with no less than the president's
daughter, Imee Marcos, serving as National
Chairman of the Kabataang Barangay.
At an open forum at the Pamantasan ng
Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of
Manila) in August 1977, Archimedes Trajano,
a student of the Mapua Institute of
Technology, questioned this arrangement, and
raised the issue of human rights violations. He
was forcibly removed from the event by
security personnel, and was found dead in the
streets of Manila a few weeks later, his body
showing marks of torture.
The Local Government Code of 1991
With the new Local Government Code,
the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council)
was reinstituted with a chairman and 7 council
members, aged 15 to 21 years on election day,

and elected at large by the youth in the
community aged 15 to 21 years old. A
secretary and treasurer were appointed by the
SK chair from the members of the youth
council.
The youth in the community aged 15 to 21
years of age were also constituted into
theKatipunan ng Kabataan (Youth Assembly),
which was mandated to convene at least
quarterly, to decide upon important issues
affecting the youth of the barangay.
Similar issues of nepotism arose with this new
entity, with some SK Chairmen and SK
Councilors having blood ties to incumbent
local and national officials. Allegations of
corruption were also present, particularly
during the elections for municipal or city
president of the SK Federation (SK Federation
Presidents at the Municipal and City level
become members of the Municipal or City
Council).
Questions on their ability to handle large
amounts of money and capability to enter into
contracts were also raised, with failures to
convene the Katipunan ng Kabataan as required
by law, absenteeism from meetings, and a lack
of transparency with financial transactions
being some of the complaints.
The Sangguniang Kabataan as an institution
was also scored for having unsustained high-
publicity and low-impact youth projects such
as sports leagues, tree-planting, and youth
social engagements.
Task Force on Youth Development
Prorogued once more in 2013 by virtue
of Republic Act 10632, signed into law by
President Aquino on October 3, 2013, as well
as by Republic Act 10656 whichpostponed the
Sangguniang Kabataan elections to the last
Monday of October, 2016, youth concerns
were relegated to a little-known entity.
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 26
In the interim, an 8-member Task Force on
Youth Development, ostensibly nominated by
youth organizations in the barangay, as well as
by the Katipunan ng Kabataan(Youth
Assembly) and appointed by the punong
barangay (village chairman) took charge over
all community youth concerns and advocacies,
as well as over the SK budget, which comprises
10% of the Barangay General Fund.
Despite calls for reform, with some for outright
abolition, many remained hopeful that the SK
would live up to its promise of empowering the
youth.
The Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of
2015
With the enactment of Republic Act 10742 on
January 15, 2016, the SK received a new lease
on life.
It retains the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth
council) of one chairman and seven members,
who must be aged 18 to 24 at the day of the
election, elected at large by the youth resident
in the community. Each elected SK official has
a 3-year term.
A secretary and a treasurer from the youth of
the community are also appointed by the SK
Chair, with the approval of a majority of
the Sangguniang Kabataan. They serve
coterminus with the SK Chair.
The Katipunan ng Kabataan (Youth Assembly)
expands its membership to include all youth of
15 to 30 years of age, and living in the
community for at least 6 months. Instead of
being required to meet at least quarterly (as
mandated since 1991), the youth assembly is
now only mandated to meet once every 6
months, and to review the annual performance
and financial reports of the Sangguniang
Kabataan.
Section 10 of this Act includes an anti-dynasty
provision, making it the first law to comply

with Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution.
As part of the qualifications of elective SK
officials, it requires that they not be related
within the second degree of affinity or
consanguinity of any incumbent national,
regional, or local elected official at the city,
municipality, or barangay level.
Each province, city, and municipality now has a
Local Youth Development Council, which is
required to meet every 3 months, composed of
representatives of youth and youth-serving
organizations within their jurisdiction of the
local government unit, who are mandated to
assist in the planning and implementation of
plans and programs of the Sangguniang
Kabataan.
Each province, city, and municipality is also
required to create a Youth Development
Office, with paid staff, to serve as a focal point
and to provide support.
Why the Sangguniang
Kabataan needs an
overhaul
Charles Ladia
Published 5:12 PM, September 27, 2014
Ideally, the Sangguniang Kabataan is the venue
for young Filipinos to be trained as leaders, but
along the way, there seems to be a multitude of
issues surrounding the institution
I almost ran for a Sangguniang Kabataan
position when I was 17, until I heard what the
position entails: rumors about politicking,
corruption, and repetitive projects and
programs.
In conferences on youth empowerment and
leadership, I always get to meet new faces and
stories of inspiration. I have made friends with
young people who have found their life passion
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 27
Hope in the youth
During the deliberations on the SK reform bill,
National Youth Commission member Jose
Sixto Dantes III said that "(Fixing the SK) is a
call to revitalize the Sangguniang Kabataan as a
viable force for youth development, service, and
participation."
With the structure in place, all the SK needs
now are the young people to lead this change.
NYC Chairperson Gio Tingson hailed the law,
noting that "a new era for youth leadership has
come."
"Our legislators ensured that the law was not
left with a token approval. Given the anti-
dynasty clause and the training fund, there are
now more opportunities to empower our youth
leaders."
clean energy use, social enterprises, and
heritage conservation. There are so many young
Filipinos who possess the energy, grit, and skill
to become future leaders of this nation. One
cannot contain the aspirations of the juvenile
into just ideas and plans; they need an outlet so
that they can put these skills to good use and
they can be trained early as responsible leaders
in their own rights.
Ideally, the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth
Council) is the venue for young Filipinos to be
trained as leaders, but along the way, there
seems to be a multitude of issues surrounding
the institution.
Sangguniang Kabataan as an institution
The Local Government Code of the
Philippines (RA 7160) was passed in 1991
and it institutionalized the Sangguniang

Kabataan (SK) a body that aims to provide
an avenue for the youth to be trained as leaders.
Under RA 7160, the main functions of the SK
are to promulgate resolutions necessary to carry
out the objectives of the youth in the barangay;
to initiate programs designed to enhance the
social, political, economic, cultural, spiritual a
physical development of the members; and to
conduct fund-raising activities.
In the past years, SK faced a lot of issues as an
institution. A 2007 study by the Department
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
and the UNICEF entitled, The Impact of
Youth Participation in the Local Government
Process: The Sangguniang Kabataan
Experience, stated: The SKs performance for
the past ten years has been generally weak. This
is especially true in terms of coming up with
legislations, promoting the development of
young people, submitting reports and holding
consultations with their constituents.
Aside from the lack of concrete legislative and
youth development programs, I have heard of
certain issues raised against the SK like
corruption, nepotism, and recurring programs
focusing on sports festivals and pageantry only.
These issues were the main reasons why
Congress enacted RA 10632, causing the
suspension of the SK election in October 2013
and postponing it to around October 2014 to
February 2015. The 16th Congress began
deliberation on the bills that would amend the
Local Government Code, specifically the
Sangguniang Kabataan provisions. Some are in
favor of amendments while want to abolish the
youth representation.
One thing is for sure: a law should be passed in
time to determine the future of the
Sangguniang Kabataan.
What can be done?
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 28
The provisions in the Local Government Code
explaining the functions and the duties of the
SK and its officials are quite clear and, if
properly followed and implemented, can be
beneficial to the SK officials and their
communities.
Some SK reforms being considered include:
Increasing the age of SK officials and
members from 15-18 to 15-24 years
old
Providing training on local government
and financial administration
Broadening community involvement
not just in sports and youth
development but also in education,
employment, entrepreneurship and
health
Participation as stakeholders in the
Local Development Councils
Giving incentives (college scholarship
and health insurance), and not salaries,
to SK officials
Involving youth leaders in discussions on
financial matters should also be taken seriously.
The youth seems to have not proper guidance
and technical know-how on handling the
financial side of public service. Honestly, the
SK budget is big enough to fund a lot of
projects and programs. An audit and report of
budget execution can also be an SK reform. As
early as now, young Filipinos should put
premium to accountability and transparency so
that they can bring it to whatever careers they
may pursue in the future.
Is there a future for SK?
There should be. As a member of the youth
sector, the Sangguniang Kabataan is the best
venue to put the Filipino youths potential,
skills, and talents to good use. An overhaul is
probably the best thing to do. Give them
independence in financial management but
provide them with proper guidance and
training; inculcate in them the value and culture
of accountability and transparency; define their

roles in community development, and show
them what projects can and cannot be done.
Sadly, there seems to be no loud public clamor,
especially from the youth sector, for SK
reforms. I must commend several organizations,
like the National Youth Commission, and
public officials like Senator Bam Aquino and
Representative Kaka Bag-ao, who continue to
support such reforms. (READ: Bam Aquino:
Major overhaul, not abolition, of SK)
But there should be a support system for the
bill to pass both Houses, and once enacted into
law, to be implemented properly. This support
Comelec exec wants
Sangguniang
Kabataan abolished
Published July 4, 2013 8:22pm
BY MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316000/news/na
tion/comelec-exec-wants-sangguniang-kabataan-
abolished#sthash.Sg49W6jS.dpuf
A poll official on Thursday said they may
formally ask Congress to abolish the
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), alleging that it
exposes the youth to various forms of poll
fraud and is only being used by unscrupulous
local officials for corruption.
Commissioner Lucenito Tagle of the
Commission on Elections (Comelec) said this
was based on the poll protests that were
brought to them by SK candidates.
"Ang nakikita namin sa mga protesta na
hinawakan namin, nag-aaway lang sila at vote-
buying," Tagle said.
He added even parents got involved in SK
elections, noting instances where an SK
official's parent was the one who filed the
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 29
should come from the direct beneficiary the
Filipino youth. We should step up our game
and tell our legislators what we want our youth
representation to be.
If the name Sangguniang Kabataan itself
scares people that these youth officials might
do the same old things, leading to the same old
issues we can give it a new name: Barangay
Youth Council or Liga ng Bayaning
Kabataan (as Bam Aquino suggests). But we
should never underestimate the voices of the
young, because in them, our future lies.
Rappler.com
protest on behalf of his or her child.
The Marcos administration created the SK in
1975 to give the youth a definite role in
community affairs and to provide the
government a means to tap the youth in its
development efforts.
According to the Local Government Code, the
SK is composed of a chairperson, seven
members, a secretary and treasurer. The SK
chair and members have a term limit of three
years.
Used in corruption
Though the aim was noble, the SK, though the
years, has been used by corrupt local
government officials, eventually teaching the
youth the tricks of systematic corruption, Tagle
said.
"Maganda 'yung aim na turuan ang mga bata,
pero ang natututunan nila hindi 'yung tama,"
he said.
A 2010 undergraduate investigate study by
University of the Philippines' journalism
alumni Hon Sophia Balod and Cielo Goo said
some SK officials admitted to having pocketed

commissions from SK projects such as
streetlights and basketball leagues usually in
cahoots with corrupt higher local government
officials.
No to abolition
Meanwhile, youth groups such as Akbayan
Youth and Kabataan party-lists have
denounced the Comelec's call to abolish the
SK.
Incoming Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry
Ridon said abolishing the SK is not the
solution to its supposed corrupt nature.
Instead, he said SK should be given
"independence" from barangay officials.
"Minsan, ang barangay officials ang nag-
uudyok na mangurakot at maging instrumento
ng korupsyon ang SK," he told GMA News
Online in a phone interview.
Ridon added that penalties should be in place
to illegal disbursements of funds, in accordance
to Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and
Corrupt Practices Act.
The law penalizes public officials, elected or
appointed, for graft and corrupt acts with six to
15 years imprisonment, perpetual
disqualification from public office, and
confiscation and forfeiture of unexplained
"SK needs reform,
not abolition"
By Danny B. Dangcalan (The Philippine Star) | Updated
September 18, 2013 - 12:00am
BACOLOD CITY, Philippines
- The abolition of Sangguniang Kabataan is a
proposal that was made by the senate because
thecouncil could not get the youth involved in
community development. Some of the
privileges of anofficial in this council were
entitlement to receive honoraria, travel
allowances and any other relatedcompensation.
They were also treated as persons of authority
in the community.
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 30
wealth.
Comelec anti-youth
For his part, Akbayan Youth spokesperson JC
Tejano said Comelec's call to abolish SK is
anti-youth."
We are aware of the criticisms against the SK
but these can be resolved if only Congress takes
the time to pass the bills addressing these,"
Tejano said in a statement.
Tejano said abolishing the SK would remove
the institution that "produces new and vibrant
leaders."
"The flaws within the SK as an institution can
be remedied and thus should not be abolished,"
he said.
Meanwhile, as a solution, Tagle recommended
removing the bureaucracy in the SK by limiting
it to a single official who would represent the
youth sector in the Sangguniang Barangay.
"Kung reform, i-strengthen na lang natin 'yung
barangay representative sa youth," he said.
The synchronized SK and barangay elections
will be held on October 28, 2013. KBK,
GMA News -
The solution is reform, not abolition, of the
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK),declared Thea
Mae Dino, president of the SK-Negros
Occidental federation, when asked of her view
on thepressing call to abolish the SK.
"The SK is flawed, we don't deny that," Dino
said, but "we are asking help to reform the

system and not totally abolish it."The youth
comprised the majority of the population and
their voices need to be heard, Dino said.
"There will be no youth representation if the
SK is abolished," she said.Over the past days,
both the Senate and the House of
Representatives have voted for the
postponement of theSK elections in Oct. 28 to
another date to give time for the institution of
Articles for the Case Study
Page number 31
reforms in the system.Dino said she was in
favor of the postponement of the SK elections
to give the incumbent SK officials a"holdover
position" that would give them more
experience in public service and more
opportunities to grow.The current SK
representation is from ages 15 to 17 but there
is a proposal in Congress to raise the age to
18to 21.