Questions hound Baronda-initiated SK training-workshop
BARONDA
Issues relative to the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation election are getting hotter as it gets nearer. Recently, City Councilor Julienne Baronda's move to lead a three-day training/seminar for newly-elected SK chairmen in the city was doubted as a scheme to ensure the victory of her favored candidate for SK federation president.
Information leaked that a reservation was made by one of Baronda's staff at the Racso's Woodland Resort in Guimbal, Iloilo for 200 participants in the upcoming training/seminar for new SK officials in the city. The training is set on November 30, December 1 and December 2, 2007. The federation election is tentatively set on December 3, 2007.
In an interview, Baronda admitted she initiated the so-called three-day training workshop. She, however, said there is nothing illegal on the training. She said the training will be more of an orientation seminar for newly-elected SK chairmen. Their roles and functions will be discussed during the seminar, she added.
Baronda has been accused of campaigning for John Melchor Mabilog, nephew of Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. She and Mabilog are good friends and allies at the legislative body.
Earlier, Baronda also called for a "get-together party" among the newly-elected SK chairmen at Punta Villa reportedly to endorse Mabilog.
Baronda's actions had already caught the attention of fellow Councilor Armand Parcon, whose daughter Frances Grace is also running for the SK federation.
Baronda asserted that there is nothing illegal on the seminar that she is calling. She said it is the Junior Ilang-Ilang Jaycees who will sponsor for the said gathering and not the city government. There is no provision in the law that prohibits the holding of the seminar, she stressed.
She said, in the seminar the SK chairmen will be given "bird's eye view" of their roles before they will officially assume office. They will be taught to be careful in signing documents specifically on the turn-over of equipment or documents from the previous SK officials.
Baronda added that she even texted Cong. Raul Gonzalez Jr. to join in the affair and declare the election as "zona libre."
Meanwhile, Councilor Parcon said it should be the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that will call for the training. The councilor already inquired before DILG Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta the rules regarding the so-called training for the newly-elected SK chairmen.
Parcon said the department has to issue guidelines for the said training. There are several questions that should be made clear such as the intention of the training, timing, sponsor and the corresponding guidelines from the DILG. The training should be made after the election and not before the election. The timing of the training is questionable, he said.
Parcon added that the motive of the seminar is likewise questionable. "Baronda is actively campaigning for Mabilog" and she is the one initiating for the so-called seminar for newly elected SK chairmen. "To avoid malicious insinuations, the training should be held after the election."
The councilor hopes that the group behind the training will not be used by Baronda's ulterior motive in holding the seminar. As to date, Parcon could not say yet on whether he will allow her daughter to join in the seminar.