Aiza Seguerra quits as National Youth Commission chief

MANILA, Philippines — National Youth Commission (NYC) chief Aiza Seguerra has resigned from her post effective April 5, citing personal reasons. 

Seguerra yesterday said she met with President Duterte on March 5 to tender her resignation.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed that the Office of the Executive Secretary has received the resignation letter of Seguerra. 

“I went to his office because I wanted to personally tell him my reason, knowing how social media can exaggerate or twist the truth,” she said.

 “He was supportive of my decision. He was like a father. He listened to me,” she added. 

Seguerra said she told Duterte how much she values his trust and that her stint at the NYC made her appreciate public service.

 “Thank you for believing in me and for making my chairmanship, as short as it may have been, one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life,” she told colleagues at the NYC. 

Seguerra called on the youth to continue serving the country. 

“In this divisive society, I hope you will lead the country in finding commonalities that will bring us all together,” she said.

Seguerra also expressed opposition to moves to postpone anew the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. 

She urged lawmakers not to “trample on the youth’s right to vote for SK leaders” after the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms approved on Monday a proposal to reset the polls to Oct. 8.

“We do not want the youth to lose interest in participating in SK elections,” said Seguerra. “The youth deserves to choose leaders from among themselves.”

Duterte appointed Seguerra to the NYC in 2016. 

She pushed for various advocacies, including gender equality and HIV awareness and prevention.  – Alexis Romero