Senator Bam Aquino (FILE PHOTO)
Nothing can stop the May 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, Senator Bam Aquino said even after a bill pushing for postponement of the polls was approved by the House of Representatives Monday night.
“Tuloy na tuloy na ang barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” Aquino said in a radio interview.
“Walang ipapasa na postponement sa Senado. Wala nang makapipigil pa sa halalan sa Mayo 14,” he added.
Voting 211-29-0, the House passed on third and final reading a measure that seeks to postpone the village polls from May 14 to October 8, 2018.
But no less than Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has said that the postponement of the barangay elections has “no chance anymore in the Senate” as Congress is set to go on break starting on Thursday.
With the May 2018 elections slated to push through as scheduled, Aquino urged the public to choose their next leaders wisely, saying they should elect morally upright candidates and not those who are involved in illegal activities.
“Piliin natin ang mga pinunong lalaban para sa komunidad, malinis, tapat at walang kinalaman sa anumang krimen,” Aquino said. “Piliin natin ang pinuno na sisiguraduhing ligtas ang ating mga komunidad sa mga krimen at pang aabuso ng mga nasa kapangyarihan.”
The upcoming village polls, he added, will also mark the first implementation of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act, the first law in the country that has an anti-political dynasty provision.
“Pagkakataon rin ito para makita natin kung epektibo ang SK Reform Act at kung makatutugon ito sa pangangailangan ng kabataan,” said the senator.
The law, Aquino explained, adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15 to 17 to 18 to 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.
It 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 senator said.