Cebu Archdiocese Youth Commission to Youth: Follow Youth Council Member Running for Government Positions Rules

The Philippine Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Youth urged youth to respect procedures for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, including those for youth council members seeking government offices.

A barangay is a hamlet, district, or ward in Filipino, the smallest administrative entity in the Philippines. The first Filipino Malay migrants' vessel was named after it. The chief executive, captain, and council members of each barangay are elected.

In an interview with Radio Veritas 846-Philippines, Father Andrei Ventanilla, the Archdiocesan Youth Director of Cebu, stated that the purpose of the rules is to provide time to concentrate on serving the people.

"These guidelines are our way of preventing them from having conflicts of interest, thus giving them an avenue to focus on their role as public servant-leaders who will serve God by serving their country through their own localities," said Fr. Ventanilla.

In accordance with Section I, Rule V of Instruction 01-2022, young persons who aspire to serve the public should do the following:

a. Any youth in government elected official can hold a position only in the Pastoral Committee;

b. Any Council Officer who seeks government office must observe a mandatory leave from office during the election campaign period; that is, from October 19 - 28, 2023, as stated in the Resolution No. 10902 entitled 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

c. In case any Council Implementation Committee Officer is elected in a government office, he or she is required to resign from his or her council position but may still continue to be a member of the council.

Father Ventanilla emphasized that this does not prevent any council officers elected in the 30 October election from serving in the church.

The priest stated that it is an individual's right to vote because it is one of their fundamental rights as Filipinos but reminded them not to use the church for personal gain. 

"Please also remind them not to use their service in the church to their own advantage," Fr. Ventanilla insisted.

The priest appeals to the people to continue to pray for those who will run in the barangay elections, especially the young people who are expected to promote changes beneficial to the people.

The filing of candidacies launched the election period on August 28, but the Commission on Elections designated October 19–28 as the campaign period.

In the meantime, Taytay Palawan Bishop Broderick Pabillo and Bontoc Lagawe Bishop Valentin Dimoc urged the servant leaders of the church to compete in the upcoming barangay and youth elections so that they can demonstrate Christ-centered service to others.- Leahna Villajos