Bantay Kurapsyon: YOUTH VOTE

During elections, a quote on Rizal’s words about the “youth being the hope of the motherland” would become the most abused, and widely translated message ad populum.

The quote was more than abused; it must had have been harassed or raped to the extent that its true meaning and intent had been terribly distorted by politicians in order to create a fancy appeal of belongingness with and concern towards the youth sector. Many would start their appeal for youth vote by starting their speeches with the quote, then slowly, concluding themselves as being part of the youth , or that the candidate’s programs were meant for the welfare of the youth, or simply that the youth ‘s vote for him would translate into better social services to the youth sector.

Bantay Kurapsyon: An award-winning anti-corruption campaign

And such century-old gimmick have had effectively worked for politicians in gaining a youth vote for as long as the history of Philippine politics is concerned. For a long time, the youth’s participation in mainstream politics is being  limited to casting of votes. Although the Sangguniang Kabataan has been created for the youth, it has nonetheless  failed to empower the sector into becoming a formidable force in the bureaucracy. Instead, it paves the way for the creation of a reserved army of future trapos, trained in ways and means of corruption without getting caught, etc.  But on 2004, a strong gush of change has swept across the nation as the youth struggled to attain direct participation in the House of Representatives  through the partylist system. By then, the Anak ng Bayan Party has been formed and has taken high ratings in pre-election surveys. Since then, no politician can simply use the old adage to appeal for youth vote plainly because the youth now have their own party, their own voice ,their genuine representative. Massive cheating and electoral fraud has denied the Anak ng Bayan of victory on 2004; nevertheless it has been able to rally the entire Filipino youth for its cause. Then  a year later, the party changes its name into Kabataan Party and has been able to finally shove a representative- Mr Mong Palatino- in Congress early this year.  The victory of the Kabataan party in the electoral process manifests a more mature bloc youth vote at present compared a decade ago. I surely say the Kabataan will be the only true voice and party of the youth.

So for those politicians who are planning to appeal to the youth for a bloc vote come 2010 elections, let me say to you ”get over it”. And better start finding a good PR expert because Rizal’s quote have already been given a good, true meaning by the Kabataan Party itself.

Popularity: 2%