At the first provincial assembly of the Sangguniang Kabataan today, I could not help but notice that most of the family names of these youth leaders were familiar names. It turned out later in a huddle with these young kids that a lot of them were indeed relatives of incumbent officials from their respective places.
The provincial SK federation chair, a young lady from Bataraza, agreed with my observation that over 70 percent of them, just judging from the name tags that I saw, are relatives of incumbent local officials in the province. So what does this mean? I thought it would be interesting to stir some discussion about this, noting that the SK has received so much flak as the breeding group of future trapos and corrupt public officials. I asked them what they will do when called to take a position on an issue. Will they will defer to their benefactors, mentors or relatives, or will they cast their votes based on their personal convictions?
Most of the answers were predictable and on the safe side. It seems though that the idealism characteristic of the youth flows in their collective vein, especially when they are together and speaking with one voice. The sad reality is when they are made to swim in the high seas of politics along with their accomplished elders, they are often relegated to the sidelines if not swept by the strong currents of political interests.
Maybe Senator Pimentel was right in calling for the abolition of the SK. Or maybe it should be completely overhauled so that leaders are chosen not necessarily by their affiliation but by their leadership abilities. Maybe they should not be elected, as elections are really mostly a sham in these parts. Maybe they should be chosen in a competitive process of selection where leadership qualities will be the norm.
Maybe they should not be given the same pork barrel privileges that are received by their elected peers in the local legislative bodies where they sit. This only creates temptations for them to do as the adults do. Governor JTR who was seated beside me told me of a complaint by his fellow governor from another place that their SK federation chair who sits in the provincial board has learned to lobby for certain contractors bidding for public works projects.
Of the several SK leaders that I’ve observed the past few years, I wasn’t impressed at all. That should explain my overarching cynicism.
August 13, 2008 at 11:10 am
just like here in our barangay..
tinutuligsa namin ang korap na SK dito na pamangkin ng Vice-Mayor at anak ng Brgy. Kagawad…
try to visit our site to know kung anong kabugukan ang ginagawa nila
http://www.kalumpang.wordpress.com
September 8, 2008 at 4:52 pm
You are right, almost all the youth leaders of this province are relatives of local government officials as well.
But there isn’t anything wrong with that. Everyone who criticizes the Sangguniang Kabataan for reasons that they are the breeding ground of corruption will never listen to the explanations and answers of the accused.
It’s always negative. The problem with politics is that even if politicians do 9 great things, when a misunderstanding or one bad thing has been made, the 9 great things they did right will be erased like chalk in a blackboard.
For instance, have they ever thought that the reason they elected this youth leader even though they are related to the mayors or vice mayors, councilors, etc., is because of the fact that the voters believed that they could lead the federation as well as their relatives could lead the municipality?
Now regarding the abolishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan. Lets try putting other government agencies in the position of the SK.
For Example:
If a reporter of a media corporation is corrupt, or not doing what is supposed to be done, is it right to abolish that media corporation?
If a high or low ranking official of the Philippine National Police is corrupt, is it right abolish the Philippine National Police?
If a senator from the Senate of the Philippines is corrupt, is it right to abolish the Senate?
What will happen to the Republic of the Philippines if all government agencies, etc., are accused of being corrupt. Is abolishing the agencies the only solution?
One more thing, you say that maybe they should not be given the same pork barrel privileges that are received by their elected peers in the local legislative bodies where they sit.
We are a new set of officials in the province leading the youth. Why compare us to the past administrations? Why not just observe first, before jumping into conclusions?
October 6, 2008 at 10:27 pm
comparable ba naman those institution sa SK? try to take-out all the SK officials on the list of gov’t fund… this organizaion is more of a liability to our people. and thre is wrong with that specially the money their spending is from public? now they would ask, show us the evidence!!!! hehehe yeah just like where losing billions of pesos on corruption and what the ombundsman will tell us… ahhhh it just all perception.