Commission: No stopping barangay, SK polls

The National Youth Commission (NYC) is confident the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will finally push through on May 14.

NYC commissioner James Ceasar Ventura said nothing would stop the local polls, postponed twice already, after Congress went on recess last Thursday without passing a law to move it to another date.

Congress will resume session on May 14, election day.

“We have won the fight. It is up to us now to convince our legislators that the SK is a formidable institution for youth leadership and good governance,” Ventura said in a message to the Filipino youth.

“As we celebrate our victory in advocating for the nonpostponement of this year’s synchronized barangay and SK elections, let us maximize time to encourage other young people who are passionate, dedicated and committed to the service of the youth sector to be part of the reformed SK,” he added.

In his statement, Ventura urged the youth to choose the best candidates who personify the valuable traits of a new breed of SK leaders.

Citing rules issued by the Commission on Elections, the filing of certificates of candidacy will be from April 14 to 20.

To be eligible to run for SK, a candidate must be between 18 to 24 years old and a resident of the barangay for not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the elections.

Candidates must be able to read and write Filipino, English or the local dialect; must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected official; and must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.