Angeles City Youth Leaders Escalate Governance Concerns to President Marcos
In a significant development within local youth governance, a substantial majority of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders in Angeles City have formally elevated a complaint to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. against their Federation president. The move highlights growing dissatisfaction with leadership and operational standards.
Formal Accusations of Incompetence and Procedural Lapses
Through a letter dated March 13, 2026, and routed via Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, 27 out of the 33 barangay SK chairpersons have leveled serious allegations against SK Federation President Richard Dela Cruz Gaza Jr. The document cites "incompetence, inconsistent leadership, failure to observe proper procedures, and lack of responsiveness" as core grievances.
The complainants, who represent elected youth leaders across the city, assert that these issues have severely undermined the coordination, functionality, and unity of the SK Federation. "As elected youth leaders in our respective barangays, we are mandated under Republic Act No. 10742 to represent and advance the welfare of the youth sector," the letter states. "However, we have observed and experienced several concerns regarding the leadership and performance of the current SK Federation President."
Specific Allegations and Impact on Youth Programs
The detailed complaints include:
- Alleged failures in leading and organizing essential programs for the youth.
- Inconsistent direction that has caused confusion among various SK councils.
- Lapses in following proper procedures during meetings and decision-making processes.
- A notable lack of responsiveness to the concerns and inquiries of SK chairpersons, particularly regarding youth programs and federation coordination.
"These issues have created challenges in maintaining effective coordination among the SK Councils and have affected the overall performance and credibility of the SK Federation," the group emphasized in their submission.
Calls for Inquiry and Continued Commitment to Youth Welfare
In response to these governance concerns, the SK leaders are now urging the Angeles City Sangguniang Panlungsod to conduct a thorough inquiry and take appropriate action. Their goal is to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsiveness within the federation's operations.
Despite the formal complaint, the group has reaffirmed its dedication to collaborative efforts for the empowerment and welfare of Angeles City's youth. This action follows an earlier signed manifesto calling for Gaza's resignation, indicating a prolonged period of unresolved issues.
Barangay Cutcut SK Chairperson Dennis Duya highlighted that Gaza has continued to ignore their concerns, which ultimately prompted the escalation to President Marcos. Efforts by media outlets, including Sun.Star Pampanga, to obtain comments from Gaza have so far been unsuccessful.
