Youth can impact
legislation – lawmaker photo by SHANA ANGELA S. CERVANIA
K
ABATAAN PARTYLIST representative Sarah Elago stressed in a forum the need to connect with the youth to inform them of trends and issues and to persuade them to do more to influence the country’s laws and policies. “[The youth] can really become a positive [cause] of change in their communities. That’s why it’s very important that they make bridges, linkages, not only among the ranks of the young people but with public servants as well: university officials, faculty members. Kumbaga lahat ng lahat ng puwedeng mag-contribute, aabutin mo.” She stressed the importance of personally showing up at the offices of lawmakers to urge them to lobby for certain policies. “[M]ahalaga yung pagtutulak sa loob mismo ng opisina ng mga leader natin. 'Yung pagkatok sa mga opisina nila, pagbigay ng sulat, pagbigay ng statement bilang expression. [...] Malaking bagay sa ating mga public servant at sa lahat ng may kapangyarihan ‘yung lagi silang napapaalalahanan na may nagbabantay sa kanila,” she explained. Elago also emphasized the need for the youth to get organized for a more prosperous Philippines and to make certain that they are not detached “from social and political realities.”
‘No ideologies behind political parties’ Meanwhile, a journalism alumnus and senatorial hopeful claimed that political parties in the country are not subscribed to any ideology because politicians merely kowtow to those in power. Atty. Angelo De Alban said he is “yet to see a politician adhere to just one political party.” “Politicians easily switch sides in the middle of crisis [...] I can name three mayors who switched parties in a few years’ time not because they believed in their principles but because it would ensure their winning probabilities in the next election. This turncoat phenomenon is so widespread [that] it has become a standard,” he said De Alban, who teaches political science courses in the University, said principles are the first to be stripped off in favor of a political party to secure a position in the elections. “More often than not, principles are forsaken [...] to pursue one’s goal to win a position. [...] Iyong kinalakihan mong prinsipyo na nakadikit sa’yo ang una mong tatanggalin kapag ikaw ay naupo sapagkat ikaw ay napilitang umanib sa partido para ikaw ay payagang tumakbo,” he explained. He claimed that politicians often rely on vague promises, citing former President Benigno Aquino III’s “Daang
Matuwid” slogan and President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Change is Coming.” “What do they mean by ‘change’? You know very well that change could be for better or for worse. I’m running now, so definitely the change is not for the better. “Daang Matuwid.” Saan? “Liberate [the] Economy.” From what?,” De Alban said. The lawyer-educator stressed the importance of inventing a new term that suits the country’s political environment, criticizing the parties who offered him a place in their ranks. “A regional party [is] endorsing 14 national candidates to fill up 12 spots. Don’t you think that is the height of insincerity? And you want me to belong to them. 12 [positions] lang pupuntahan mo. Tell me, what ideology do these people have that we can coin for the future to hold?” he said. In October, the Commission on Elections moved to declare De Alban a nuisance candidate, alleging that he lacked the financial capacity to run a nationwide campaign. He has filed his official answer to contest the petition. The forum titled Clash of Colors: The Dynamics of Political Ideology and Branding was hosted by The Political Science Forum and held at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex on Nov. 8. F ANGEL B. DUKHA III and CRIS EUGENE T. GIANAN
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