The SK affairs

Is the word war between Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino shifting to the affairs of the Sangguniang Kabataan in the city?

Osmeña accused Dino of influencing the SK leadership, saying the invitation for new SK officials to visit Malacañang is a "desperate" move by Dino in his effort to help his opposition allies in the City Council.

The mayor, in his statement on his Facebook page, criticized Dino for inviting newly-elected SK leaders to visit the Palace. "Wow Michael Dino, desperate much? Did you invite the SKs from Mandaue and all the other cities in the Visayas as well? Or are you just trying very hard to help your Team Suyop allies in a pathetic lastditch attempt to cling-on to control of the Cebu City Council?" Osmeña said.

Part of the Malacañang tour, which was supposed to take place Wednesday night, was for Cebu SK officials to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.

But the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas said the invitation to 80 new SK officials was aimed at acquainting the youth leaders with the national leadership and as a way of bringing the people closer to the Office of the President.

Well, let's take Osmeña's allegations as pure accusations unless it is proven that OPAV was really intending to brainwash the city's SK leaders to side with the opposition. Of course, there are also accusations that Osmeña is attempting to influence the SK leaders to support him by promising them cash incentives and scholarships.

In the first place, the youth organization should not have been dragged into the conflict between Osmeña and Dino. Under the law, its affairs are non-partisan and local leaders should refrain from using the SK for political purposes.

It would be better if the SK is left to function alone, away from the hands of political leaders. If the Malacañang tour was really part of the effort for youth leaders nationwide to learn about how the wheels of national leadership turn, then there's no reason for Osmeña to be alarmed.