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

HOUS

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

158

Ze

House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE GERALD CLOYD ALEXIS V. GALANG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State Policy of the Philippines under Article 2, Section 13 of the 1987
Constitution provides that:

"Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and thus, promotes and protects their physical, moral. spiritual, intellectual and
social well-being, inculcates in them patriotism, nationalism and other desirable
values, and encourage, their involvement in public and civic affairs.

‘Towards this end, the State shall establish adequate, effective, responsive, and
enabling mechanisms and support systems that will ensure the meaningful
participation of the youth in local governance and nation-building.”

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015, or Republic Act 10742 has
been a landmark legislation that has advanced reforms to the SK as an important institution
for youth participation. Ten years after the law has been passed and after some amendments
have been introduced through the passage of Republic Act 11768 in May 2022, there
persists some issues that need to be further addressed.

While the anti-dynasty provision in the SK Reform law has been hailed as a
trailblazing reform that advances the 1987 Constitution prohibition on political dynasties,
the prohibition is anchored only upon an incumbent barangay or local government official.
The provision does not prohibit or prevent the creation of a dynastic set-up when a family
members or relatives who are both non-incumbent could simultaneously win in the BSKE
election.

In terms of the SK officials’ age range post SK reform, the language used in the
law can still be revised to make it less confusing to prospective candidates. “The age
provision can be changed to ‘below 25 years of age’ as a requirement to include those 24
years and a day or days more.

In view of the foregoing, the prompt passage of this bill is urgently sought

LD GALA!
2" Legislative District, City of Valenzuela



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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 156

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE GERALD CLOYD ALEXIS V. GALANG

AN ACT
AMENDING THE QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN SECTION 10 OF THE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11768 OR THE "SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN REFORM
ACT OF 2015"

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

SECTION 1. Section 10 of the Republic Act No. 11768 or Sangguniang Kabataan
Reform Act of 2015, in relation to Republic Act No. 7160, also known as The Local
Government Code of 1991 and Republic Act No. 8044, otherwise known as "Youth In
Nation-Building Act" is hereby amended to clearly define the qualifying age as below
twenty-five years of age on the day of the elections and adding additional disqualification
against an aspiring Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidate who has a relative within the
second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent or INCOMING elected
national official or to any incumbent or INCOMING elected regional, provincial, city,
municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected, , to be
read as follows:

"SECTION 10. Qualifications. - An official of the Sangguniang Kabataan, either
elective or appointee, must be a citizen of the Philippines, a qualified voter of the
Katipunan ng Kabataan, a resident of the barangay for not less than one (1) year
immediately preceding the day of the elections, at least eighteen (18) years but below
twenty-five (25) years of age on the day of the elections, able to read and write
Filipino, English, or the local dialect, must not be related within the second civil
degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent or incoming elected national
official or to any incumbent or incoming elected regional. provincial, city, municipal,
or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected, and must not
have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude."

SEC. 2. The amendment shall be implemented and enforced on the next SK election
in any date the COMELEC shall set in case of any postponement.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions, which are not affected, shall continue to be in
full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,