Sotto bill seeks to lower SK age limit to 15

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has filed a bill seeking to lower the minimum age for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from 18 to 15.

Under Senate Bill No. 2510, Sotto proposed that SK officials be at least 15 but not more than 21 years old on election day.

The current law sets the age requirement at 18 to 24 for elected and appointed SK officials.

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“Kailangan nating ibalik muli ang Sangguniang Kabataan sa ating kabataan,” Sotto said in the bill’s explanatory note.

(We need to bring the Sangguniang Kabataan back to our youth.)

“They are the voice and the representation of the youth in our governance framework, especially to the unit of government that is closest to the people,” he added.

Sotto said the bill would also put safeguards against corruption and limit the programs and projects that the SK can fund.

Under the measure, SK programs would focus on advocacy and campaigns, information and education, sports and physical development, welfare and support services, and other programs for the youth in their communities.

The bill specifically lists good governance, climate change adaptation and environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, health services, anti-drug abuse, gender sensitivity, sports development, accessible education, sustainable development, human rights and social protection among the areas that SK programs should address.

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It also seeks to bar the SK from using its funds for hard infrastructure projects and high-value property purchases exceeding 25% of its annual budget.

Procurement of goods would have to be included in the SK’s development plan. Purchases not included in the plan would require a notarized written justification.

Sotto filed the bill on Sept. 29, days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law a measure postponing the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

The next BSKE is scheduled for the second Monday of November 2028 and every five years thereafter. /ja

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