Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo,_ 2037

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The instant bill seeks the deferment of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections
scheduled this October 28, 2013 to the last Monday of October next year. This is in
order to give Congress sufficient time to seriously consider the various pending
proposals for the abolition of SK as an institution

It cannot be denied that there is a groundswell of momentum in favor of
terminating the SK’s existence in view of the widespread observation that instead of
serving as a training ground for the country's future leaders, it has become a tool and
a vehicle for the proliferation of corruption. The Sangguniang Kabataan is no longer
fulfiling the noble purpose for which it was created. Even the Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting
(PPCRV) have been quoted in the media calling for the abolition of SK, alleging “that
it exposes the youth to various forms of poll fraud and is only being used by
unscrupulous local officials for corruption”.

However, the tedious nature of legislation necessitates the allocation of
adequate time for this august chamber to consider and fully deliberate on the pros
and cons of maintaining the SK as a mechanism for youth participation in
governance. For one, there is the issue of whether the 10% budget allocation for
youth programs should be continued, or whether the SK should revert back to pure
Volunteerism as it was in the days of its predecessor, the Kabataang Barangay. For
another, there is the legal question of whether persons who are too young to be
allowed to enter into contracts, or to even get married, should nevertheless be
permitted to administer millions of government funds as elected officials.

For still another, there is the recent finding that the low turnout of voters for
Sangguniang Kabataan is a manifestation of the declining interest of the youth in the
SK polls or in public service. After all, conventional wisdom states that young people
should be in school finishing their studies, rather than in government learning
political skills


All of these point to the urgent need of postponing the SK elections so that the
burning debate will not be rendered moot and academic by the installation of a new
set of Sangguniang Kabataan officials. Add to this the fact that according to the
COMELEC, the government stands to save at least P1.1 billion in election expenses
if the said SK polls would be abolished

In the light of the foregoing premises, the undersigned strongly recommends
the immediate approval of this bill



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo._2537

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on sthe____th day of j
twenty hundred and thirteen.

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

AN ACT
DEFERRING THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS TO THE LAST
MONDAY OF OCTOBER 2014, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO, 9340 ENTITLED “AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164,
RESETTING THE BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. - Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9340 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"SECTION 1. Date of Election. - There shall be separate Barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan elections, with the former to be held on October 28, 2013,
while the latter to be held on the last Monday of October 2014. Subsequent
Barangay elections shall be held on the last Monday of October 2016 and every
three (3) years thereafter

Subsequent Sangguniang Kabataan elections shall be held on the last
Monday of October 2017 and every three (3) years thereafter, unless Congress
passes a law abolishing the Sangguniang Kabataan as an institution.”

SECTION. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9340 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"SECTION 2. Assumption of Office. - The terms of office of the Barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan officials elected under this Act shall commence at noon of
November 30 next following their election.”


SECTION 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9340 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"SEC. 3. Hold Over. - All incumbent Barangay and all Sangguniang Kabataan
officials shall remain in office unless sooner removed or suspended for cause until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified; Provided, however, That all
Barangay and all Sangguniang Kabataan officials who are ex officio members of the
Sangguniang Bayan,Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Panlalawigan as the
case may be shall continue to serve as such members in the Sanggunian concerned
until the next Barangay or Sangguniang Kabataan elections. The Liga ng mga
Barangay at the municipal, city, and provincial levels shall, within thirty (30) days
after the next Barangay election, conduct elections for ex officio positions in the
Sanggunians under the supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government."

SECTION. 4. All other provisions of Republic Act No. 9340 are hereby deemed re-
enacted.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) shall promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary
to implement this Act

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and
regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of
this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof
shall not be affected and thereby remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the
completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation