Republic of the Philippines a 9
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lu a
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

rm
HousE BILLNo.__ 1252

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Sangguniang Kabataan was conceived with very noble
objectives in mind. It sought to encourage youth participation in the
arduous task of nation-building. It aimed to be the training ground for
future leaders of our country.

Decades have passed, however, and it is becoming more apparent
that instead of infusing fresh blood into our decaying political system, the
idealism of the youth has been scarred by deep-seated flaws in our
political set-up, its vision of a good life blurred by endemic corruption
and inefficiencies, Our young leaders appeared to have been co-opted by
the realities on the ground which they are not mature enough to deal with.
Studies exist validating these sordid observations.

This measure, nonethele: ould not be construed as a vote of no
confidence against our young people. We believe in our youth. However,
we also believe that there is a time for everything under the sun as the
Good Book says. Young Filipinos ought to focus on their education as
there is no better way to prepare themselves for democratic citizenship.
The moment they get entangled in politics, they are bound to compromise
the time they have allotted for their studies and become less capable for
it, It is believed that we have enough historical experience already —
beginning with the Kabataang Barangay under the Marcos regime and the
Sangguniang Kabataan under the Local Government Code — to conclude
that education, not politics, is of the highest priority for our youth.

It goes without saying that with the proposed abolition of the
Sangguniang Kabataan, the elections appurtenant for the said office(s) are
also ipso jure abolished. This would save a lot of funds for the
perennially cash-strapped government, not only in terms of the election


expenses for the SK but also the public funds regularly allocated for the
performance of duties and responsibilities of the SK officials.

With the fast approach of the next SK elections this coming
October 2013, the immediate approval of this Act is earnestly requested.

‘TORRES-GOMEZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__ 1252

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT

ABOLISHING THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The Sangguniang Kabataan is hereby abolished and
the provisions of Book Three, Title One, Chapters Eight (8), Nine (9) and

Ten (10) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local

Government Code of 1991, are hereby repealed.

SEC, 2. Alll acts, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of

this Act are likewise hereby repealed, modified or amended.


SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

i

publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of gene

circulation.

Approved,