Macalintal: SKs churning out ‘trapos’

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal: Nothing good coming out from SKs INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal wants the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or local youth councils abolished.

He said taxpayers’ money was being wasted on these youth councils that “have become the training ground of trapos (traditional politicians).”

“It really no longer provides good training for the youth. Even those who lose in the SK elections have learned how to file (election) protests. Like ordinary politicians, they no longer accept defeat,” Macalintal said in an interview.

“So, what development occurs? Nothing. Instead, they’ve learned to follow the unsavory practices of some politicians when it comes to handling public funds,” he added.

Macalintal claimed many SK members do not learn how to become good public servants but are instead “immersed in the dirty politics of traditional politicians.”

“With due respect to the youth, for now, it does not serve the purpose for which it was created. We can’t see anything good coming out from this. They’re so young and yet they’re already being immersed in politics,” Macalintal said.

“I cannot see any program for the development of the SK as an organization. It should already be abolished,” he added.

Macalintal said that the government was spending too much money on the SK councils when these funds could be spent for other programs like public school buildings. The government allocates 10 percent of funds in each barangay (village) for SK projects.

“There’s even news that they’ve become the developing ground for dynasties…that it’s the mayor, councilor, or governor that’s lording over them,” Macalintal said.

He said Congress should pass a law to abolish the SK and instead focus on improving the city or municipal councils and their youth committees.

“A councilman would lead this so that there would be more youth involvement in helping in the development of their communities,” Macalintal said.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) had earlier expressed similar views.

PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa lamented that political dynasties have turned the SKs into the training ground for their spawns: Politicians have their children run and win SK elections in preparation for higher office.

“I’m really sad to see that SK is now an entry point for political dynasties. This is what political dynasties do now, De Villa said in an interview.

“They introduce their children in the SK and use it as basis for going after higher positions when they are of age,” she added.

She said scions of political clans were edging out other youth leaders who could serve as future leaders of their communities.

“That is not the way it is supposed to be. SK should be a practicing ground for authentic political leaders to emerge,” De Villa said.

“This is bad because it is like we are starting these young people, the future leaders of the land, in an already very anomalous way,” she added.

Earlier studies also said corrupt practices had also seeped into some SKs.

The SK was formed during the Marcos dictatorship and was initially led by the dictator’s daughter.