SK

Sen. Bam: Level playing field for promising youth leaders in new SK

The May 14 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election provides promising young leaders a level playing field through the anti-dynasty provision of the SK Reform Act, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Sa ilalim ng bagong SK Reform Act, lahat ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong manilbihan, lalo pa’t maipatutupad na sa unang pagkakataon ang probisyon kontra political dynasty, said Sen. Bam in a radio interview on Friday, the last day for youth leaders to file their COCs in Comelec offices.

Co-sponsored and co-authored by Sen. Bam during his term as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress, Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act is the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

In past SK elections, Sen. Bam said the usual winners were related to incumbent local officials, like mayor, vice mayor, councilors, barangay captains and barangay councilors.

“Ngayon, mabibigyan na ng patas na pagkakataon ang lahat na makapagsilbi sa bayan, kahit wala siyang impluwensiya o kamag-anak na nakaupo sa posisyon,” Sen. Bam stressed.

The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam challenges youth to serve countrymen, run for SK

Senator Bam Aquino encouraged the youth who want to serve their countrymen and make a positive impact in their communities by running in the May 14 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election.
 
“Hinihikayat natin ang mga kabataan na nais maglingkod sa kapwa at sa bayan na tumakbo sa ilalim ng bago at pinalakas na SK,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the passage of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act as co-sponsor and co-author during his term as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.
 
“Ito na ang pagkakataon ng kabataan para magserbisyo at solusyunan ang mga problema ng komunidad,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam also invited youth leaders to file their certificate of candidacy from April 14-20 and run for the new SK. The election will be on May 14.
 
The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.
 
The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.
 
The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.
 
The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.
 
More importantly, the SK Reform Act has the distinction of being the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

Sen. Bam: Fight No-El and term extension; participate in barangay, SK elections

Senator Bam Aquino encourages the youth to run and vote in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14 for their voices to be heard through the ballot.

“Nananawagan tayo sa ating mga kabataan na aktibong makilahok sa SK at barangay elections, bilang kandidato man o bilang botante. Ipakita niyo ang inyong boses sa pamamagitan ng pagboto, lalo na ngayong tinutulak ang no-el at term extension,” said Sen. Bam.

“We should push through with the elections. There is no reason to postpone it further,” Sen. Bam stressed, amid reports that administration lawmakers are planning to postpone the Barangay and SK elections to October or November this year.

The filing of certificate of candidacies will be from April 14, 2018 to April 20, 2018 while the campaign period will be from May 4, 2018 to May 12, 2018.

“We want to see the SK elections push through. This will be the first time that an anti-political dynasty provision in our laws will be implemented,” said Sen. Bam, referring to Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act.

Sen. Bam pushed for its passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

 “Pagkakataon rin ito para makita natin kung epektibo ang SK Reform Act at kung makatutugon ito sa pangangailangan ng kabataan,” said Sen. Bam.

The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam: Barangay, SK polls long overdue, must push through in 2018

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the government to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the long-overdue barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will be held as scheduled in May 2018.

“The imminent postponement of the barangay and SK elections next month will give our election officials and other stakeholders an additional eight months to prepare and iron out all the kinks,” said Sen. Bam.

‘This election is long overdue kaya dapat tiyakin ng ating mga opisyal na ito’y matutuloy na sa susunod na taon. Wala nang maaari pang gamiting dahilan dahil may sapat silang panahon para plantsahin ang lahat ng gusot,” added Sen. Bam.

The measure seeking to postpone the barangay and SK elections was recently approved by the House and Senate. There will be no bicameral conference committee as the House adopted the Senate version of the measure on Monday. The Senate version calls for the postponement to May 2018 and the holdover of current officials until the elections.

At the same time, Sen. Bam urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other private stakeholders to help encourage the youth to participate in the 2018 SK elections to give them a chance to work for the welfare of their sector.

“Kailangan nating kumbinsihin ang ating mga kabataan na lumahok sa nakatakang SK elections sa susunod na taon upang mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong makapag-ambag para sa kanilang kapakanan at sa pagpapalakas ng komunidad,” explained Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the 2018 SK elections must push through to check if Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act will initiate reform in the SK and make it more responsive to the needs of the country’s youth and the development of the next generation of leaders.

The law, which Sen. Bam pushed as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress, law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam: People, not the President, should choose next barangay, SK leaders

Let the people and the youth elect their barangay leaders.

Sen. Bam Aquino made this call as he criticized efforts to allow President Duterte to appoint barangay officer-in-charge once the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections are postponed.

“We stand firmly against appointing barangay officials. These leaders should represent the people, serve the people and not to be indebted to Malacanang,” said Sen. Bam.

 “We must uphold our democracy and respect the right of the Filipino people to vote and elect their barangay leaders,” added the senator.

 The lawmaker insisted that the people’s right to choose their leaders through the ballot is a foundation of our democracy that lawmakers must recognize and respect.

 “Even if we hold over the current officials before the next elections, at least they have the mandate from the people,” said Sen. Bam.  

But Sen. Bam wants the barangay and SK polls to push through this October, saying it is long overdue, most especially the implementation of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act.

 “The last SK election was seven years ago. Since then, we’ve reformed the SK and even included an anti-political dynasty provision. I would personally want to see the SK elections push through to empower our youth leaders,” said Sen. Bam.

 As a former student leader and former chairman of the National Youth Commission, Sen. Bam has long advocated for the welfare of the Filipino youth through several legislations, including RA 10742, which he pushed as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

 The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The law also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

 The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam: Encourage youth to help gov’t anti-drug campaign through SK

Sen. Bam Aquino wants to see the Sangguniang Kabataan elections push through this October and allow the youth to help in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“Instead of inciting fear, let’s give the youth the opportunity to help solve the drug problem and other issues in their community. Let’s encourage them through the SK,” said Sen. Bam.

During the Senate hearing on measures seeking to postpone the barangay and SK polls, Sen. Bam urged fellow lawmakers and concerned government to look into the possibility of holding a separate SK polls in October this year, saying the implementation of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act is long overdue.

“The last SK election was 7 years ago. Since then, we’ve reformed the SK and even included an anti-political dynasty provision. I would personally want to see the SK elections push through to empower our youth leaders,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam Aquino has long advocated for the Filipino youth as a student leader and former chairman of the National Youth Commission.

Sen. Bam pushed for the RA 10742 SK Reform law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The law also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.​

Sen. Bam is also the principal sponsor and one of the co-authors of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Sen. Bam to youth: Government needs you

More than ever, the government needs young, passionate and idealistic leaders to help change it from within.

Sen. Bam Aquino made this pronouncement in the light of moves to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated in the last Monday of October this year.

 According to the senator, more young Filipinos are joining the national conversation, taking to the streets to air their grievances and using social media to voice out their opinion and stand on matters of national importance.

“The SK is an opportunity to go beyond the streets, beyond social media and really work on programs to change their communities for the better,” said Sen. Bam, a former chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

“Many people underestimate the capability of the youth to lead but in my experience, big changes can come from the youth sector. Marami tayong youth leaders na nakakatulong sa kanilang komunidad at kailangan sila ng ating bayan,” he stressed.

 “Tama na ang walong postponements! Let’s roll out the new and improved SK and start developing better public servants for a better future,” said Sen. Bam, pertaining to Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act.

 “The new and improved SK will give the youth a chance to contribute to the development of the country and emerge as better public servants in the future,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

Earlier, Sen. Bam opposed the government’s plan to postpone SK elections and appoint barangay officials instead.

 “Mahalaga na mismong taumbayan ang magpasya kung sinong lider ang nais nilang iluklok. Sa ganitong paraan, makikitang gumagana pa rin ang demokrasya sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: Submit to democracy, let people choose their barangay, SK leaders

Let people choose their barangay and youth leaders.

Sen. Bam Aquino issued this statement as he called for an extension for the voters registration of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, which is set to end on April 29.

“Importante na ang mamamamayan ang pipili ng kanilang mga pinuno sa barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam stressed that government should investigate and prosecute barangay officials involved in the illegal drug trade and launch an information drive to help the people make an informed choice.

 “Huwag nating alisin sa ating mga kababayan ang karapatang mamili ng mga susunod na lider ng kanilang mga komunidad,” Sen. Bam stated.

 “While we are open to issuing a hold-over status for previously elected barangay officials, let’s make sure our SK elections push through,” he added.

 Sen. Bam maintained that the reforms passed under Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act will go for naught if the SK elections will be postponed again.

“Sayang naman ang mga reporma na pinagpaguran ng kabataan at mga mambabatas kung hindi na naman matutuloy ang SK elections,” Sen. Bam, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor in the 16th Congress during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth.

The SK Reform Act is the first legislation in the country with an anti-dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

 The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

 The law also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

BIDA KA!: Kalayaan sa pagpili ng lider

Mga bida, matapos ipagpa­liban ng ilang taon, nakatakda nang gawin ang halalang pambarangay at Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) sa ika-23 ng Oktubre.

Puspusan na ang paghahanda ng Comelec para sa nasabing halalan. Nasa kasagsagan na rin ang pagpapatala upang maabot ang target na 55 milyong botante, kabilang ang mga bagong botante sa SK.

Dapat noon pang ika-31 ng Oktubre ng nakaraang taon nakatakda ang halalan ngunit inilipat ngayong taon ­matapos maisabatas ang Republic Act No. 10742 o SK ­Reform Act.

***

Biglang nagkaroon ng agam-agam ang pagsasagawa ng halalan kasunod ng pahayag ni Pangulong Duterte na ­plano niyang ipagpaliban ang eleksiyon at magtalaga na lang ng mga bagong barangay chairman at iba pang mga opisyal ng barangay.

Katwiran ng Pangulo, nasa 40 porsiyento ng barangay captains sa buong bansa ay may kaugnayan sa ilegal na droga at baka mauwi sa narco-politics kapag itinuloy ang halalan.

Ano ba ang basehan ng pahayag na ito ng Pangulo? Mayroon bang intelligence report na nagsasabi na ganito talaga ang bilang ng mga kapitan ng barangay na sangkot sa droga? May pangalan na ba sila ng mga kapitan na sabit dito?

Kung may katibayan nga na ganito karami ang kapitan na sangkot sa ilegal na droga, dapat ipalasap sa kanila ang buong puwersa ng batas. Dapat silang alisin sa puwesto, kasuhan at patawan ng kaukulang parusa.

Kung wala namang matibay na katibayan para suporta­han ang pahayag na ito ng Pangulo, bakit kailangang itigil ang halalan sa mga barangay?

Bakit kailangang alisan ng karapatan ang taumbayan na mamili ng susunod na lider sa kanilang mga komunidad?

 

Ito ang mga katanungan na kailangang bigyang linaw ng pamahalaan.

***

Kung legal na argumento naman ang ating pagbaba­tayan, kailangan munang magpasa ang Kongreso ng batas upang maipagpaliban ang darating na halalan at mabigyan ang ­Pangulo ng kapangyarihang magtalaga ng mga bagong ­opisyal ng barangay.

Sa Senado, sinalubong ng pagtutol ang plano. Kahit mga mambabatas na kilalang kaalyado ni Pangulong Duterte, ­sama-samang binatikos at kinontra ang balak ng Palasyo.

Kahit saan kasing anggulo tingnan, malinaw na ito’y na paglabag sa Saligang Batas, na gumagarantiya sa karapatang ito ng mga Pilipino.

***

Payo natin sa Malacañang, kung mayroon ­silang matibay na ebidensiya laban sa mga opisyal ng ­barangay na sangkot sa ilegal na droga, gawin nila ang nararapat sa ilalim ng batas upang mapapanagot ang mga ito.

Naririyan ang puwersa ng kapulisan na maga­gamit ng pamahalaan upang labanan ang ilegal na gawaing ito hanggang sa lebel ng mga barangay.

Subalit hindi nila dapat idamay sa labang ito ang karapatan ng taumbayan na pumili ng mga ­susunod na lider na sa tingin nila’y makatutulong sa pagpapa­angat ng kanilang kalagayan sa buhay at pag-­asenso ng komunidad.

Ibinigay sa atin ng Saligang Batas ang ­karapatang ito bilang bahagi ng diwa ng isang demokratikong bansa.

Sagrado ang karapatang ito at hindi ­maaaring alisin ninuman, kahit sikat pa siyang pinuno ng ­bansa.

Gaano man ka-popular ang isang lider, hindi niya maaaring saklawin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan.

May kapangyarihan ding ibinibigay ang Saligang Batas sa taumbayan — ang pumili ng mga lider na kanilang naisin.

Mahalagang galing sa taumbayan ang mandato ng mga mauupong opisyal upang magkaroon sila ng pananagutan sa mga nagluklok sa kanila sa puwesto.

***

Sa pagboto, walang mahirap at walang mayaman. Kahit ano ang estado mo sa buhay, bilyo­naryo ka man o ordinaryong manggagawa, iisa lang ang ­bilang ng ating boto.

Sa panahon lang ng eleksiyon nagkakapantay-pantay ang kalagayan sa buhay ng mga Pilipino. ­

Tuwing halalan, nagkakaroon din ng pagkakataon ang taumbayan upang makaganti sa mapang-api o ­tiwaling pulitiko.

Ito’y isang karapatan na kailanma’y hindi ­maaaring ipagkait sa atin ng gobyerno, lalo na kung gagamit ng dahilan na walang sapat na katibayan.

Bam: Respect people’s right to choose leaders

A senator urged the government to respect the people’s right to choose their next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders amid the administration’s plan to postpone October village elections and appoint a new set of leaders.

“Our barangay elections are a way for us to exercise our democracy,” Sen. Bam Aquino said in a media interview

 “Mahalaga na galing sa taumbayan ang halal, especially at the smallest unit of governance, so that our officials are accountable to their constituents and serve the people. Appointing barangay officials will only strengthen the patronage system in our country,” he added.

 The senator also insisted a law is needed that will allow not just the postponement of the elections, but will grant the President the authority to appoint.

Sen. Bam insisted that elections must push through this October to give people a chance to choose their next barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan leaders.

 Sen. Bam also stressed that reforms that lawmakers fought for in Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act will go down the drain if the SK elections will be postponed anew.

“Maganda ang mga repormang nakapaloob sa batas na ito at napapanahon nang maipatupad. Mauuwi lang ito sa wala kung hindi na naman matutuloy ang halalan,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor in the 16th Congress during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth.

 The first legislation with an anti-dynasty provision, the SK Reform Act prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

 Furthermore, SK officials will now be required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

 The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

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