Sangguniang Kabataan

Sen. Bam to new barangay leaders: Listen to the community, find the best solutions

Senator Bam Aquino congratulated elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders and advised them to begin by listening to the people they have sworn to serve.

“Hindi lang tayo dapat magaling mangampanya, magaling din tayo dapat magserbisyo. Nagsisimula ito sa pakikinig sa komunidad. Alamin natin ang kanilang mga kuwento at kanilang pangangailangan,” Sen. Bam stressed.

To address the concerns of the community, Sen. Bam said our barangay and SK leaders should learn from one another and should not be afraid to try new, innovative solutions.

“Kailangan handa tayo na gawin ang mga bagay na kakaiba. Alamin natin ang mga best practices mula sa isa’t isa. Huwag tayong makulong sa laging nakagisnan pag naghahanap ng mga solusyon sa problema,” said Sen. Bam, an advocate of innovations, start-ups and social enterprises.

“Kailangang alam natin ang kailangan ng ating pinagsisilbihan at kailangang handa tayong matuto kung paano maibibigay sa kanila ang mga ito,” Sen. Bam pointed out, adding that Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act will provide the new SK officials with training and advise through the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) to help them become good leaders.

The SK Reform Act, which Sen. Bam co-sponsored and co-authored during his tenure as chairman of the Committee on Youth, is the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The law also mandates the creation of the LYDC, a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam: Use your voice, exercise right to vote amid assault on PH democracy

Senator Bam Aquino encouraged Filipinos to participate in and strengthen our democracy by voting in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday. 

“Ipakita natin na pinahahalalagahan natin ang ating boto, ang ating boses,” said Sen. Bam, who protested the Supreme Court’s decision to oust, via quo warranto, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. 

“Bumoto tayo at lumahok sa eleksiyon. Mahalaga ito sa kasalukuyang panahon na kailangang marinig ang ating mga boses,” added Sen. Bam. 

In a protest rally against the quo warranto decision of the Supreme Court, Sen. Bam said the decision was a blatant disregard of the Constitution and puts the rights of every Filipino at risk. 

With the government’s disrespect for our Constitution and our democracy, Sen. Bam says the right to speak and protest, and the right to vote have become even more valuable. 

“Huwag nating sayangin ang ating pagkakataong bumoto. Piliin natin ang mga lider na totoong magsisilbi at magbabantay sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam is among the minority senators and continues to oppose reforms he believes do not benefit the Filipino people. Sen. Bam is one out of the four senators who voted against the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Mahihirap na pamilya ang masasagasaan ng TRAIN, kaya tayo tumutol dito,” Sen. Bam said. 

Sen. Bam: Level playing field for promising youth leaders in new SK

The May 14 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election provides promising young leaders a level playing field through the anti-dynasty provision of the SK Reform Act, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Sa ilalim ng bagong SK Reform Act, lahat ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong manilbihan, lalo pa’t maipatutupad na sa unang pagkakataon ang probisyon kontra political dynasty, said Sen. Bam in a radio interview on Friday, the last day for youth leaders to file their COCs in Comelec offices.

Co-sponsored and co-authored by Sen. Bam during his term as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress, Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act is the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

In past SK elections, Sen. Bam said the usual winners were related to incumbent local officials, like mayor, vice mayor, councilors, barangay captains and barangay councilors.

“Ngayon, mabibigyan na ng patas na pagkakataon ang lahat na makapagsilbi sa bayan, kahit wala siyang impluwensiya o kamag-anak na nakaupo sa posisyon,” Sen. Bam stressed.

The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam challenges youth to serve countrymen, run for SK

Senator Bam Aquino encouraged the youth who want to serve their countrymen and make a positive impact in their communities by running in the May 14 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election.
 
“Hinihikayat natin ang mga kabataan na nais maglingkod sa kapwa at sa bayan na tumakbo sa ilalim ng bago at pinalakas na SK,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the passage of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act as co-sponsor and co-author during his term as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.
 
“Ito na ang pagkakataon ng kabataan para magserbisyo at solusyunan ang mga problema ng komunidad,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam also invited youth leaders to file their certificate of candidacy from April 14-20 and run for the new SK. The election will be on May 14.
 
The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.
 
The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.
 
The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.
 
The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.
 
More importantly, the SK Reform Act has the distinction of being the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

Sen. Bam: Vote Barangay, SK leaders who will protect you

With the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections slated to push through as scheduled, Sen. Bam Aquino urged voters to choose the right leaders who will lead and protect their communities.

“Tuloy na tuloy na ang barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” Sen. Bam said in a radio interview, despite the passage of a House measure calling for the postponement of the village polls on third and final reading.

“Walang ipapasa na postponement sa Senado. Wala nang makapipigil pa sa halalan sa Mayo 14,” stressed Sen. Bam, adding that the people should be given a chance to choose their next community leaders.

At the same time, the senator called on the public to choose their next leaders wisely, saying they should elect morally upright candidates and not those who are involved in illegal activities.

“Piliin natin ang mga pinunong lalaban para sa komunidad, malinis, tapat at walang kinalaman sa anumang krimen,” said Sen. Bam. “Piliin natin ang pinuno na sisiguraduhing ligtas ang ating mga komunidad sa mga krimen at pang aabuso ng mga nasa kapangyarihan.”

The upcoming village polls will mark the first implementation of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act, the first law in the country that has an anti-political dynasty provision.

“Pagkakataon rin ito para makita natin kung epektibo ang SK Reform Act at kung makatutugon ito sa pangangailangan ng kabataan,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for its passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam: Barangay, SK polls long overdue, must push through in 2018

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the government to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the long-overdue barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will be held as scheduled in May 2018.

“The imminent postponement of the barangay and SK elections next month will give our election officials and other stakeholders an additional eight months to prepare and iron out all the kinks,” said Sen. Bam.

‘This election is long overdue kaya dapat tiyakin ng ating mga opisyal na ito’y matutuloy na sa susunod na taon. Wala nang maaari pang gamiting dahilan dahil may sapat silang panahon para plantsahin ang lahat ng gusot,” added Sen. Bam.

The measure seeking to postpone the barangay and SK elections was recently approved by the House and Senate. There will be no bicameral conference committee as the House adopted the Senate version of the measure on Monday. The Senate version calls for the postponement to May 2018 and the holdover of current officials until the elections.

At the same time, Sen. Bam urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other private stakeholders to help encourage the youth to participate in the 2018 SK elections to give them a chance to work for the welfare of their sector.

“Kailangan nating kumbinsihin ang ating mga kabataan na lumahok sa nakatakang SK elections sa susunod na taon upang mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong makapag-ambag para sa kanilang kapakanan at sa pagpapalakas ng komunidad,” explained Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the 2018 SK elections must push through to check if Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act will initiate reform in the SK and make it more responsive to the needs of the country’s youth and the development of the next generation of leaders.

The law, which Sen. Bam pushed as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress, law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam: People, not the President, should choose next barangay, SK leaders

Let the people and the youth elect their barangay leaders.

Sen. Bam Aquino made this call as he criticized efforts to allow President Duterte to appoint barangay officer-in-charge once the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections are postponed.

“We stand firmly against appointing barangay officials. These leaders should represent the people, serve the people and not to be indebted to Malacanang,” said Sen. Bam.

 “We must uphold our democracy and respect the right of the Filipino people to vote and elect their barangay leaders,” added the senator.

 The lawmaker insisted that the people’s right to choose their leaders through the ballot is a foundation of our democracy that lawmakers must recognize and respect.

 “Even if we hold over the current officials before the next elections, at least they have the mandate from the people,” said Sen. Bam.  

But Sen. Bam wants the barangay and SK polls to push through this October, saying it is long overdue, most especially the implementation of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act.

 “The last SK election was seven years ago. Since then, we’ve reformed the SK and even included an anti-political dynasty provision. I would personally want to see the SK elections push through to empower our youth leaders,” said Sen. Bam.

 As a former student leader and former chairman of the National Youth Commission, Sen. Bam has long advocated for the welfare of the Filipino youth through several legislations, including RA 10742, which he pushed as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

 The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The law also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

 The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam: Encourage youth to help gov’t anti-drug campaign through SK

Sen. Bam Aquino wants to see the Sangguniang Kabataan elections push through this October and allow the youth to help in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“Instead of inciting fear, let’s give the youth the opportunity to help solve the drug problem and other issues in their community. Let’s encourage them through the SK,” said Sen. Bam.

During the Senate hearing on measures seeking to postpone the barangay and SK polls, Sen. Bam urged fellow lawmakers and concerned government to look into the possibility of holding a separate SK polls in October this year, saying the implementation of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act is long overdue.

“The last SK election was 7 years ago. Since then, we’ve reformed the SK and even included an anti-political dynasty provision. I would personally want to see the SK elections push through to empower our youth leaders,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam Aquino has long advocated for the Filipino youth as a student leader and former chairman of the National Youth Commission.

Sen. Bam pushed for the RA 10742 SK Reform law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The law also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.​

Sen. Bam is also the principal sponsor and one of the co-authors of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Sen. Bam to youth: Government needs you

More than ever, the government needs young, passionate and idealistic leaders to help change it from within.

Sen. Bam Aquino made this pronouncement in the light of moves to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated in the last Monday of October this year.

 According to the senator, more young Filipinos are joining the national conversation, taking to the streets to air their grievances and using social media to voice out their opinion and stand on matters of national importance.

“The SK is an opportunity to go beyond the streets, beyond social media and really work on programs to change their communities for the better,” said Sen. Bam, a former chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

“Many people underestimate the capability of the youth to lead but in my experience, big changes can come from the youth sector. Marami tayong youth leaders na nakakatulong sa kanilang komunidad at kailangan sila ng ating bayan,” he stressed.

 “Tama na ang walong postponements! Let’s roll out the new and improved SK and start developing better public servants for a better future,” said Sen. Bam, pertaining to Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act.

 “The new and improved SK will give the youth a chance to contribute to the development of the country and emerge as better public servants in the future,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

Earlier, Sen. Bam opposed the government’s plan to postpone SK elections and appoint barangay officials instead.

 “Mahalaga na mismong taumbayan ang magpasya kung sinong lider ang nais nilang iluklok. Sa ganitong paraan, makikitang gumagana pa rin ang demokrasya sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: Submit to democracy, let people choose their barangay, SK leaders

Let people choose their barangay and youth leaders.

Sen. Bam Aquino issued this statement as he called for an extension for the voters registration of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, which is set to end on April 29.

“Importante na ang mamamamayan ang pipili ng kanilang mga pinuno sa barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam stressed that government should investigate and prosecute barangay officials involved in the illegal drug trade and launch an information drive to help the people make an informed choice.

 “Huwag nating alisin sa ating mga kababayan ang karapatang mamili ng mga susunod na lider ng kanilang mga komunidad,” Sen. Bam stated.

 “While we are open to issuing a hold-over status for previously elected barangay officials, let’s make sure our SK elections push through,” he added.

 Sen. Bam maintained that the reforms passed under Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act will go for naught if the SK elections will be postponed again.

“Sayang naman ang mga reporma na pinagpaguran ng kabataan at mga mambabatas kung hindi na naman matutuloy ang SK elections,” Sen. Bam, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor in the 16th Congress during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth.

The SK Reform Act is the first legislation in the country with an anti-dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

 The law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

 The law also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

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