Parian SK chief elected federation president

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City's youth representative in the City Council is the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson of Barangay Parian, Rhea Jakosalem.

The 23-year-old Jakosalem garnered 55 of the 80 possible votes, besting Ethan Maamo of Barangay Banilad, who got 11; Matt Eztenzo of Barangay Guadalupe, who got 10; and Kim Kyle Beundia, who got four.

The following are the other new Cebu City Sangguniang Kabataan Federated officers: Vice President Riziel Saladaga (Brgy. Tisa), Secretary Jessie Apiag (Brgy. Basak San Nicolas), Treasurer Nhicole Adan (Brgy. Sinsin), Auditor Clyve Tan (Brgy. Kasambagan), and Public Relations Officer (Brgy. San Nicolas Proper).

In an interview right after her proclamation and oathtaking before Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia,  Jakosalem expressed her gratitude for the support she received from fellow SK chairpersons.

"Puno gyud kaayo akong kasingkasing sa suporta nga gihatag of the majority of the SK chairpersons of Cebu City," she said.

She promised that the Cebu City youth could expect more projects and programs and that she would continue what outgoing SKF President Jessica Resch has started.

“So we will be expecting nga mapun-an ang mga programa ni Miss Jessica Resch. Ang mga youth rehab, ato pa tong pun-an ug magbuhat ta or magpatukod ta puhon, kung kaya sa 18 months, since two years ra man among term. Or, mega youth center diri sa city ug sa bukirang bahin,” Jakosalem said.

She would join whomever the city's 80 barangay captains would elect as president of the Association of Barangay Councils as ex-officio members of the City Council, joining the legislative body in its sessions.

She is also entitled to have her office at the City Hall Legislative Building and her own staff as a city councilor.

Jakosalem, though, is no stranger to serving the youth, as she was Parian's SK chairperson since 2018.

A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in marketing, she is currently taking up Masters in Public Administration and is graduating soon.

On the allegation that the newly-elected SK chairpersons were compelled to sign a manifesto of support for her as SKF president candidate, Jakosalem said it is just "fake news."

Atty. Eric Medalle, Mayor Michael Rama's former chief-of-staff who ran in the Oct. 30 elections for Parian barangay captain but lost, had shared an online post by "Cebu Updates" of an open letter from a certain "Inday Josa" compelling other SK chairpersons to sign the manifesto of support for Jakosalem.

“Those are fake news gyud kay wala gyud na gi-threat atong SK chairman. Bisan pangutan-on pa nato na sila nga mopirma sa manifesto, but wala gyud nahitabo ingon ana,” she said. — (FREEMAN)