Comelec backs SK abolition

MANILA, Philippines - Agreeing that the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) does not serve its purpose, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday backed calls for its abolition for exposing the youth to the dark side of politics.

According to Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, SK has not been beneficial to the youth.

The poll body is considering a formal recommendation to Congress to abolish the SK.

The SK and barangay elections are held simultaneously during the month of October every three years. It covers youth aged 15 to 18.

“We have many (protest) cases wherein parents are the ones intervening about vote-buying (and other) irregularities. Imagine at a young age, those are the charges that they throw against each other,” he said.

The other day, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal asked Congress to revisit SK and scrap the system.

He was concerned that the SK has been exposing the youth to the dark side of politics, and cautioned that SK is worsening the problem on political dynasty.

Tagle said that the children of barangay officials, congressmen, mayors and other local officials are usually the candidates running for SK posts. “They are actually building them to run in the future (for local elective posts).”

The official also maintained that the money spent in conducting SK is not worth it.

There are only around two million SK voters and the turnout during elections is usually low.

Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim said SK should be abolished because those elected to the posts are minors and, therefore, not even allowed to sign legal documents.