ONE can take the statement of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) regarding its invitation to Malacañang of the newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons in Cebu City at face value. Or one can be suspicious of it in much the same way that one can suspect the dealings of Barug Team Rama and the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) with the same SK chairpersons.

“The activity is a symbolic gesture of recognition by OPAV to future leaders of the country who are Visayans. They will be exposed to the change agenda of President Duterte and his administration’s style of governance anchored on change, espousing a drug-free and corrupt-free leadership that transcends politics,” said a portion of OPAV’s press statement.

The intention may actually be honest. But considering the alignment of political forces in the city, one can understand Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s suspicions. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, after all, is known to be allied with Barug Team Rama, which is opposed to Osmeña’s BOPK. Complicating matters is the battle for control of the Cebu City Council.

The point is that both the barangay councils and the SKs are headed to a crucial phase, which is the election of officers of the Association of Barangay Councils and the SK Federation. Those chosen to head the two organizations will also function as ex-officio members of the city council. Thus whatever Dino, BOPK and Barug Team Rama will do is subject to scrutiny.

Even as Osmeña criticized Dino for wanting to gather together the SK chairpersons, he himself also did something questionable when he dangled to the newly elected SK officials cash honorariums and scholarships. The intention of the offer may have been honest but one can be suspicious of its purpose.

Given that dealings with the SK by both Barug Team Rama, and to a certain extent the OPAV, and the BOPK will always be subject to suspicions at this stage, the best option would be to let the SK officials be. Allow them to prepare for the SK federation unimpeded, meaning sans the interference of politicians.

That should be the best way to train them to become responsible leaders.