A vote for TEAM Unity is a vote for anti-people acts
- Youth -
THEY say the youth (ages 13 to 35 years) is the hope of our nation, and it is believed that we comprise 40 percent of the population. Hence, it is imperative that we should take a stand on matters that concern our society.
Let me share my opinions, and maybe also share the sentiments of my fellow youths. Let me point out to both the administration and opposition, and even to the Filipino people at large, that the youth is not ignorant and passive about the issues confronting us every day (i.e., Charter change, political repression, even specific issues of the broad masses, such as genuine land reform and an increase in daily wages, etc.)
However, the administration and the opposition fail to see us and hear from us. Most of their platforms and agenda are outdated and very archaic to the ears of the electoral body.
They keep on promising a lot, but what do we get once they are in position? President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo failed to fulfill her responsibility after she was put in position by EDSA People Power II. Where is her promise to give priority to education and lift its quality now that the premier state university is facing a 300-percent tuition rate increase?
Shame on Arroyo for protecting the asses of Raul Gonzalez et al. after they pose terrorist threats inside campuses!
Let us also not forget the deaths of three student leaders from a progressive youth organization, the League of Filipino Students, in just one year.
The Arroyo administration continues to promote globalization and liberalization of our economy, while scheming to change the Constitution in a way that will risk all Philippine natural resources to foreign exploitation and ownership.
Hence, let it be known to the Filipino people that a vote for the TEAM Unity ticket of the administration is also a vote promoting all these anti-people acts of the government.
A word of warning to the opposition: Traditional politics is causing you to lose the people’s primarily trust.
If the oppositionists’ reason for running for election is their gripes against the present administration, then they are abusing democracy and destroying its sanctity.
Maybe that is why I always believe in the reforms of the genuine political and economic agenda of the progressive party-list groups (i.e., Kabataan party, Suara Bangsamoro, and others).
I believe that the Philippines will progress amidst all these political crises only if the tyrannical Arroyo government will be overtaken by the toiling masses and the Filipino people. Long live the people’s democratic mass movement!
– LEAN PORQUIA, University of the Philippines in the Visayas (via e-mail)
