CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–At least 69 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) winning candidates may not be able to assume their position because they are beyond the allowed age when they filed their certificate of candidacy.
Of the 69 youth, 23 are from Cagayan de Oro, 22 from Misamis Oriental, seven from Lanao del Norte, one from Bukidnon, and 16 from Misamis Occidental, according to the records of the Commission on Elections-10 (Comelec-10), which did not release the names of the candidates.
Comelec-10 Regional Director Renato Magbutay said that once verified, SK winners who turned out to be over the age of 24 on the election day will have their proclamation suspended.
A winner who has already been proclaimed cannot perform their function as SK chairperson or councilor, Magbutay added.
Magbutay explained that overage candidates were able to file their candidacy because Comelec cannot turn away potential candidates, although election officers were instructed to brief the candidates on the age qualification rules.
Based on the election law, those qualified to run for an SK position must only be between 18 and 24 years old, must be a Filipino, a qualified voter of the Sangguniang Kabataan, and a resident of the barangay for at least a year. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)
