INSTEAD of scrapping youth leadership bodies such as the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is pushing for stronger reforms, emphasizing that student councils and youth governance programs play a vital role in developing future leaders.

Cayetano stressed that the core issue lies not in the existence of these institutions but in how they are guided, supported, and managed.

“There were three stands. One is to abolish SK completely. The other one is to keep it as it is. And the other one is to have major reforms. [But] if the student is being taught by the teacher to be corrupt, why will you abolish the student? Why not abolish the teacher? ‘Di ba? Logic lang,” he said.

The minority leader reiterated his long-standing opposition to proposals to abolish or postpone SK elections, which resurfaced during policy discussions last year.

He argued that concerns such as corruption are rooted in external influences rather than in the youth themselves, underscoring the need to improve systems rather than dismantle them.

For Cayetano, the solution lies in strengthening these institutions through meaningful reforms and sustained support.

He noted that while leadership training programs exist, they often fall short due to limited resources and insufficient guidance.

“Training programs are important. But programs need resources. It needs money, it needs models, it needs mission and vision, it needs mentors,” he said.

Cayetano described youth leadership initiatives as long-term investments, highlighting the importance of empowering young leaders who often bring fresh, idealistic perspectives to governance and public service.

Strengthening these programs, he added, could help bridge the gap between campus leadership and national governance, better preparing the next generation of public servants.

“Remember your power. Ang students mas pure ang hinihingi niyan kasi mas malawak pa at mas idealistic pa y’ung pag-iisip,” he said.