DILG urged to clarify rules on barangay, SK federation elections

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been asked to clarify its guidelines and directives related to the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation elections to ensure smooth transition.

Sen. Nancy Binay said the DILG must ensure that the LnB and SK federation elections are free and independent from any political influence in order to have smooth and unbiased electoral conduct nationwide.

“We have to make sure that the results of the elections in the Sangguniang Kabataan Federations, and in the Liga ng Mga Barangays are orderly, clean and free of influence. Let’s start with a clean slate with our youth leaders and barangay executives… let’s maintain the integrity of the process in selecting new representatives in our councils as ex-officio,” Binay said in Filipino.

She said she expects the DILG to extend technical assistance to the LnB chapters and SK federations in their areas of jurisdiction.

Citing Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, Binay said presidents of the LnB and SK federation elected by their respective chapters should serve as ex-officio members of their respective local council or sanggunian.

She said the election of the SK federation and LnB officers is in compliance with the Local Government Code, which provides for the organization of the LnB and SK federation chapters at the municipal, city, provincial and metropolitan levels any election as provided under RA 7160.

This year’s LnB chapter and SK federation elections should be participated in by all barangay chairmen and SK officials, who were elected during the barangay and SK elections on Oct. 30.

Meanwhile, newly elected barangay and SK officials should maximize their two-year term to fully serve their constituents, according to Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

These officials should not undermine their number of years in service, Gatchalian said.
“Kahit na two years lang ang term na ito, that’s 730 days,” he said in a speech during the mass oath-taking of 528 village and SK officials in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela on Tuesday.

The ceremony was officiated by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Gatchalian said two years can make a difference in the life of their constituents. – Emmanuel Tupas