Brgy Batinguel’s Tolentino wins by landslide
DUMAGUETE CITY — By a vote of 21 against her closest rival’s six votes, Barangay Batinguel Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Lei Marie Daniella Montesa Tolentino was declared winner “by landslide” for the post of SK Federation president for Dumaguete City.
The election, described by authorities as “very orderly and very casual,” was supervised by the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Commission on Elections, and the secretary of the Dumaguete City Council.
Other SK Federation officers elected were: Rez Macion of Barangay Poblacion 8 as vice president, Rabello Sumoson of Bunao (secretary), Airah Faye Tabotabo of Looc (treasurer), Dazille Dayuday of Pulantubig (auditor), Christianne Marie Oropel of Poblacion 5 (PRO), and John Mark Catalan of Motong (sgt-at-arms).
Tolentino would have garnered 22 votes but one was declared as invalid by the designated Comelec, which were also composed of SK chairperson from different barangays.
The young leader from Batinguel said she did not expect a landslide win upon hearing comments from others who said that, at first glance, she is still too young to take the cudgels as leader of the Dumaguete youths, but she said she was so happy with the results that disproved everything.
With the big responsibility on her shoulder right now, Tolentino, fondly called as Danni by her peers, said her administration will be consultative and collaborative with other young leaders in putting into action her plans for the youths of the city. She urged young leaders to work together to make Dumaguete City a better place for the youth.
Tolentino’s auntie, City Councilor Karissa Faye Tolentino-Maxino, who was also SK Federation president during her time, was surprised of the outcome, saying it was her niece’s own volition to run for SK Federation president’s post and to be of better service to the youth.
Her advice to Tolentino is for her to study further the Local Government Code and review the parliamentary procedure because the task of an SK Federation president could be taxing, by sitting as an ex-officio member of the City Council as a legislator, and performing as Batinguel SK chair, as mandated by the DILG.
Mayor Felipe Remollo, in his message after the proclamation of winners, said he is happy to see a rebirth of the SK. He called on them not to waste the opportunity of being leaders of the youth because “this is already the second lease in the life of the SK.”
The older generation may not be the right model, but please be your own model, said the mayor, as he reiterated his administration’s promise to protect the integrity and the future of the Dumaguete youth against attempts to bully the latter into submission.
Remollo wanted the Dumaguete SK leaders to be firm, independent and being true to their oath with their heart for public service.