Four-cornered fight seen in SK federation election
The election for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation president would be a four-cornered political battle between the sons and daughters of members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The nephew of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog also adds to the list of aspirants for the SK federation post.
Of the 180 SK chairmen in the city, four have already expressed their intention to run for the SK federation election. They are Frances Grace Parcon; daughter of Councilor Armand Parcon; Donnalyn Rose Acap, daughter of Councilor Lyndon Acap; Kesha Pesina, daughter of Councilor Antonio Pesina and John Mabilog, nephew of Mabilog.
Parcon, 17 is a first year AB English student at the West Visayas State University while Acap is a first year BS Management student at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Pesina, on the other hand is a third year high school at the Collegio de las Hijas de Jesus and Mabilog is a first year BS Marine Transportation student at the John B. Lacson University.
Of the four wannabes, Mabilog is the first SK chairman to ask for the help of Councilor Julienne Baronda. Baronda also started her political life as ex-officio member of the city council, being the SK federation president in her time. After her term ended as SK federation president, Baronda endorsed the candidacy of Councilor Stevie Rey Abitang. As to date, Baronda is still non-committal regarding Mabilog's request for endorsement.
Councilors Parcon and Acap were not available for comment regarding the plan of their daughters to run in the SK federation race. Earlier, Vice Mayor Mabilog already confirmed the plan of his nephew to run in the SK federation race. He vowed that he will extend help to his nephew.
Councilor Pesina, on the other hand, also confirmed the plan of his daughter to join politics. He said they don't have a budget for the SK election but they will try their luck. The money will be used for snacks of the SK whenever his daughter calls for a meeting and not necessarily to buy votes, he said.
The councilor clarified he is not meddling in the affairs of the SK. However, as a parent, he is around to guide his daughter being a minor. The perception that parents are dipping their hands on the SK race is only a perception of the media, Pesina said.