Press Release
April 19, 2018

JV to youth: Prove your worth; participate in SK elections

SENATOR JV Ejercito on Thursday challenged the Filipino youth to prove their worth and their sector's social significance by participating in the coming May 14 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections under the SK Reform law.

"I am calling on all the youth, 15-30 years old, to participate in the coming SK elections next month. It doesn't matter whether you are a candidate (18-24 years old) or not as long as you participate because this is your chance to prove your importance as members of the society," Ejercito said in a statement.

At the same time, he said that the youth would be able to show that they are serious in their intention to serve their sector and the general public if they would make this political exercise successful.

"We pushed for the SK Reform law because of criticisms that SK officials are insincere, incompetent, and being used by corrupt politicians. Critics had also described SK as 'breeding ground' for corruption. Now, under the SK Reform law, I'm daring the youth to prove the SK critics wrong," he said.

Ejercito is one the co-authors of SK Reform law, or Republic Act 10742, where he pushed vigorously, and successfully, for the inclusion of an anti-political dynasty provision.

Section 10 of the law states that an official of SK, either elective or appointive "... must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected..."

"SK Reform Act is the first law that has an anti-political dynasty provision. I hope that the Comelec (Commission on Elections) will strictly implement this," he said.

He added: "I always believe in the power and capability of the youth. If they want to be taken seriously, then they should show that they deserve it by making mature and correct decisions like participating in the SK elections, which is a serious matter. "

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