Elective officials who attempt to influence the outcome of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation elections set in towns and cities on Dec. 6 may be administratively charged for abuse of authority and dereliction of duty, Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta yesterday said.

Twenty-four SK chairpersons of barangays in Escalante City and Calatrava town allegedly have been brought by certain political leaders to Boracay.

They reportedly will only be brought home in time for the Dec. 6 SK federation polls to prevent them from shifting allegiance on election day.

Escalante City Administrator Rolando Ponsica last night said 14 SK chairmen and kagawads of the city went on “ sort of Lakbay Aral trip” recently to Manila through the efforts of the office of Rep. Julio Ledesma (Neg. Occ., 1 st district) and Mayor Melecio Yap but have since returned to Negros .

The trip was held to give the SK leaders a chance to see other places and was not designed to influence the outcome of their federation's election, he said.

The group of Escalante Vice Mayor Santiago Barcelona and Councilor Rose Maguilimotan also allegedly brought some SK leaders to Boracay but I have no confirmation, Ponsica said.

Barcelona , when reached for comment said he was not aware of any Boracay trip.

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said action taken by some leaders in attempting to influence the SK Federation vote distorts the development of the country's future leaders.

We need to reexamine the role of the SK in youth development, the governor said.

The SK federation elections for towns and cities is set Dec. 6, for the provincial level - Dec. 17, and national federation – Jan. 17, DILG Memorandum Circular 2007-150 states.

Trompeta said adopted under the 2007 circular are DILG guidelines set in Circular 2002-123 making it unlawful for any elective and appointive official, including SK chairmen, to campaign directly or indirectly for and against any candidate and interfere in the SK Federation elections.

The DILG circular said “to interfere” refers to any act through threat or intimidation or any offer of money or material consideration that would influence an SK Federation member's vote, cause him or her not to participate in the elections or cause disenfranchisement.

If an elective official allows immediate members of his family to campaign for or against a prospective candidate or in any manner interfere in the conduct of the elections, the official concerned may be administratively charged for abuse of authority and dereliction of duty, Trompeta added.

Any appointive official or employee who violates the circular can also be charged in accordance with the civil service law, rules and regulations, she added.

Candidates vying for SK Federation positions should only campaign during the scheduled date of election, the circular added.

Also prohibited is to give gifts, donations or pledges of any kind directly or indirectly to members of the federation or any member of his or her family within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, the circular states.

To provide transportation, food and drinks to SK Federation officials before, during and after the election is also prohibited, the circular adds.

It is also prohibited to hold organization meetings, orientations and seminars for SK chairmen and federation members on dates and places other than those specified by the DILG, Trompeta added.

To be elected on Dec. 6 are SK presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, treasurers, auditors, public relations officers and sergeant at arms.*CPG

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