For their absences 4 SK chairpersons face suspension

CEBU, Philippines - Four Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons in Cebu City were ordered suspended without pay for two months by the SK Federation for violating provisions of the constitution and by-laws of the federation.

The memorandum of suspension for Mary Jane Chua of Barangay Labangon, Orlane Quijada of Barangay Punta Princesa, Gracielle Therese Araw-araw of Barangay Poblacion Pardo and Jason Turno Jr. of Barangay Capitol Site will be served immediately according to SKF president and ex-officio City Councilor John Philip Po.

Po said they are sanctioned because of their unauthorized absences for two consecutive regular or special meetings of the federation, failure to hold regular meeting for at least two consecutive months in their respective barangay, dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in office, gross negligence, or dereliction of duty and abuse of authority.

SKF Vice president Devyn Cabataña said the four erring chairperson sent their letters of explanation but the federation local executive committee finds their excuses “unreasonable and invalid.”

“Most of their letters of explanations are personal. Invalid gyud kaayo kay mi-apologized sila unya mo-cite lang sila sa ilang absences nga we are just human bound to commit mistakes. So, tan-aw namo dili gyud reasonable,” Cabataña said.

One example is the case of Araw-araw. She cited that her absences in the general assembly were because of her personal, school and barangay activities.

“We understand that but when we asked for photos of her barangay activities, she cannot produce any,” Cabataña added.

Article 15 Section 6 of the 2001 SK Constitution and By-laws provides that unauthorized absence for two consecutive, regular or special, meetings in the case of the Pambansang Pederasyon, or three consecutive, regular or special, meetings in the case of the Local Federation and the SK or five unauthorized absences in a year is ground for disciplinary actions.

 During the federation’s general assembly last Sept. 16, Po informed the members of the SKF about the actions to be taken against the four chairpersons.

Po said they have not received any communication from the four whether or not they will file a motion for reconsideration.

Upon effectivity of the suspension order, the first SK councilor of the concerned barangays will assume as the SK Chairperson and will be entitled to all the benefits of a SK chairman.

Punta Princesa Barangay Captain Jose Navarro, former Association of Barangay Captains president, said the SK has their own constitution and by-Laws that SK chairpersons should abide.

 “If that is the decision of the SK Federation, the barangay cannot intervene. We will respect the decision of the federation,” Navarro said. —/MBG (FREEMAN)