Connect with us

Philippine News

Voters urged to vote for upright village, SK leaders

Published

on

PNA photo

PNA photo

MANILA — With the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated to push through as scheduled on May 14, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV on Tuesday urged voters to choose the right leaders who will lead and protect their communities.

In a radio interview, Aquino said that the youth and village polls would push through despite the passage of a House measure, calling for the postponement of the said elections on third and final reading.

Voting 164-27, the House of Representatives on Monday approved House Bill 7378, postponing the May 14 synchronized barangay and SK polls to the second Monday of October 2018.

The village and SK polls were originally scheduled in October 2016.

buy fildena online http://cosmeticsurgeryspecialists.org/scripts/css/fildena.html no prescription pharmacy

These were canceled and rescheduled for October 2017 and again rescheduled to May this year amid concerns that candidates financed by drug money would win the elections.

buy anafranil online http://cosmeticsurgeryspecialists.org/scripts/css/anafranil.html no prescription pharmacy

For the bill to be sent to President Rodrigo R. Duterte for his signature, the Senate must pass a counterpart proposal.

But Aquino said that senators are against another postponement of the local polls, stressing that the people should be given a chance to choose their next community leaders.

There are only two session days left before Congress goes on recess until May 13.

Even Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said that there is little chance for the bill to hurdle the Senate in that time as a counterpart proposal has yet to pass the committee level.

“Walang ipapasa na postponement sa Senado. Wala nang makapipigil pa sa halalan sa Mayo 14 (The Senate would not pass a [bill] for postponement. Nothing will stop elections on May 14),” Aquino said.

With the impending elections, Aquino called on the public to choose their next leaders wisely, saying they should elect “morally upright” candidates and not those who are involved in illegal activities.

“Piliin natin ang mga pinunong lalaban para sa komunidad: malinis, tapat at walang kinalaman sa anumang krimen. Piliin natin ang pinuno na sisiguraduhing ligtas ang ating mga komunidad sa mga krimen at pang aabuso ng mga nasa kapangyarihan (Let us choose leaders who would fight for the community: clean, with integrity and has no involvement in any crime. Let us choose leaders who would ensure the safety of the community against crimes and would not abuse their powers),” Aquino said.

Hee said that the coming elections would also be a good gauge in the effectiveness of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act in addressing various youth concerns.

Aquino pushed for its passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chair of the Senate Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

The SK Reform Act is the first law in the country that has an anti-political dynasty provision.

“Pagkakataon rin ito para makita natin kung epektibo ang SK Reform Act at kung makatutugon ito sa pangangailangan ng kabataan (This will be an opportunity for us to see if the SK Reform Act is effective and would address the needs of the youth),” Aquino said.

RA 10742 adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The law provides that candidates for any SK positions “must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected, and must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.”

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs and mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle1 month ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Ageing Gratefully and Joyfully

My 56th trip around the sun is just around the corner! Whew. Wow. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

7 Creative Ways to Propose!

Sometime in April 2022, my significant other gave me a heads up: he will be proposing to me on May...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

Why Eating Healthy Matters

We are what we eat, so don’t be fast, cheap, easy, or fake — we should take these words to...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

Maria Goes To Lapu Lapu Day Block Party!

On April 27, 2024, the Filipino community of Vancouver had its first Pinoy multi-Block Party in the most diverse neighbourhood,...