Gov’t execs’ relatives now barred from seeking SK posts

President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) reform prohibiting relatives of elected or appointed officials up to the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

Aquino’s cousin, Sen. Bam Aquino, said Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act was signed by the President last Jan. 15.

“The passing of the SK Reform Act reflects our vote of confidence in the Filipino youth’s ability to lead and participate in our country’s development,” the senator, who also chairs the committee on youth, said in a statement on Tuesday.

“This has the potential to effect genuine change in our electoral system when it comes to youth representation,” he added.

The senator also said it was the first law in the country with an antipolitical dynasty provision.

Under the new law, he said, relatives of elected or appointed officials up to the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity were prohibited from seeking posts in the Sangguniang Kabataan.

Apart from its antidynasty provision, according to Senator Aquino, the new law also adjusts the age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and accountable for their actions.

Sangguniang Kabataan officials will now be also required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

Senator Aquino said the new law also mandated the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of the young through youth organizations.

He said the LYDC would be composed of representatives from different youth organizations in the community, such as student councils, church and faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based groups.

“The LYDC aims to harmonize, broaden and strengthen all programs and initiatives of the local government and nongovernmental organizations for the youth sector,” said the senator, who also headed the National Youth Commission. He was also the youngest senator of the 16th Congress.

With the enactment of the SK Reform Act into law, the senator said he expected a future with a larger, more diverse, and more capable set of public servants in the SK. RC