Heroic Young Leaders Arise!
A critical reflection
Let me just share you my thoughts and reflection on the hullabaloo and all the political noise that hound our country. Just to be clear, I am writing this not to privilege any groups nor attack any sector or personalities. I’m writing this not because I am member of any progressive organization. I am writing this because I envision seeing reforms in all realms of the Philippine society in this lifetime. And I believe genuine reform is no less than what is needed by the entire government systems with its structures, agencies and instrumentalities and I want to share this to all my friends.
Once again our country is confronted with socio-political issues left and right. We the young people are always criticized for our lack of interest to be part of these political events. We are accused of indifference! But are we really disinterested with what is happening around us? Or we are just confused and stuck in the crossroad because there is no clear signal as to where to go. The problem now is that there is none among our present political leaders who can stand up to rally us to a better direction because all of them are tainted with distrust and corruption! I have all my suspicions that they are also afraid to come out and make a stand to protect their interests and stakes on the next elections. It’s too sad, because these are the leaders who are positioning themselves to run; for the next presidential elections. Mga duwag kayo!
On call for PGMA resignation
Let’s face it; the resignation of PGMA will not solve our problem! Kahit sino pa ang naka upong presidente! The problem here in our country is systemic and endemic. I also believe that there is no one person that can solve these gargantuan problems ---even figures from the political opposition cannot present a clear-cut agenda; not even from among the people from the administration. Our country needs new breed of leaders, with new sense of fire and patriotism. Please, let us not fail our country again by electing the wrong leaders!
Let the TRUTH be heard!
At this point, it is difficult to know who is saying the truth. There are many actors claiming that they are right but I’m always skeptic of their motives… Let the truth be heard, because WE have the right to know the truth!
People power
Leaders EDSA had failed us in so many ways. Because, we are still faced with the same issues that we and our parents had fought against. This is a call for all Filipino youth to collectively discern. We collectively ask, how do we see ourselves five years from now? What type of Philippine society we want to have in the next five years? Then collectively, based on our aspirations we will draft our own standards which will be used as our basis in choosing our next leaders who share’s the same views come 2010. We must act intelligently! Or be used by the different actors in this political drama called EDSA.
The Challenge:
We call on all Filipino youth to demand for a meaningful change, call everyone to rise above the situation, be aware of what is happening and to be Vigilant! We must to look beyond the issue at hand. This call for resignation will just serve the interest of others since all our present politicians, or any political groups for that matter are not qualified to morally run this country. There must be REFORMS not just rhetoric’s!
I urge everyone to think and rethink as to what we really desire for our society in the next five years? Is this the kind of government that we envision? Do these politicians still carry our authentic interests and agenda? Is our government doing enough to secure our bright future? And also ask ourselves, what have we done for our part in the task of nation-building? Are we doing enough?
We call for systematic change---change in the culture of corruption, change in how we as Filipinos perceive our government! This is a challenge to all the Filipino youth to be involved -- take part and participate in governance. We call for heroic citizenship and leadership!
Steve Arquiza
President
5th National Youth Parliament
Davao City
Feb. 25, 2008
