Tomas okay with SK prexy who is not popular

What does Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña look for in a Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) president?

More than being popular, he or she should be acceptable, the mayor told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

"Ang akong tuyo, ang acceptability. Not who is the most popular, but who is the most acceptable. Because we have to make everybody go with you," he said.

Another important thing an SKF president should have is the ability to motivate others.

Osmeña, however, clarified that the SK chairman's qualifications do not figure high on his list of concerns because he can train him or her.

Whoever wins in the SKF election will get a seat at the City Council.

The mayor revealed yesterday that the SK chairperson of Barangay San Nicolas Proper is among the three SKF president bets to be fielded by the BOPK.

Osmeña's party is also considering two other bets - one male and another female - whom the mayor only described yesterday as "cum laude graduates." He said he forgot the name of the other two.

"There are three, I think, that are aspiring. Two of them are cum laude graduates, but the third one is gorgeous," he said.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, meanwhile, said that Barug PDP Laban has many competent SK officials but he will leave it to the young officials who they will endorse as their candidate.

"The matter should be left for the discussion. Let's give them the privilege of determining among themselves," Labella said.

"Let us teach them self-governance, and for them to decide among themselves without interruption, without intervention from the elders," he added.

Senior political leaders, according to him, should not meddle in the affairs of the youth so that the SK leaders will be trained to be selfdetermined and independent, especially since they are now considered public officials under the Local Government Code. —