House OKs bill postponing SK polls

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms yesterday approved a bill postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to October 2016 to coincide with the regular barangay elections.

The SK election was earlier set in February 2015 after President Aquino signed Republic Act 10632 that postponed the polls originally scheduled in October 2013. The law postponed the SK elections to allow Congress to reform the youth government.

Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, chairman of the panel, said the consolidated bill would be submitted to the plenary soon for voting.

The measure is a consolidation of House Bill 5006 filed by Davao del Norte Rep. Anthony del Rosario and HB 5043 of Baguio City Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr.

He said the committee report did not cover the proposed amendments to reform the SK that would be separately deliberated by the House committee on local government.

He stressed the importance of lawmakers thoroughly scrutinizing the proposed reorganization of the youth body.