Kabataan eyes support House presence, says ‘there is still more to gain’

Renee Co, Kabataan’s first nominee, says the party-list group will ‘endorse’ an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – The national democratic Kabataan Partylist is seeking another term in the House of Representatives as it filed its Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday, October 5.

After just one term, Kabataan representative Raoul Manuel passes the baton to Renee Co, a lawyer and the party-list group’s first candidate for the 2025 elections. He accompanied the first three nominees while Co said Kabataan would return to continue working on more legislative victories.

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“Our generation has experienced the worst. Dumaan tayo sa pambihirang krisis sa ng pandemya, sakuna, (at) patayan dahil sa bulok na politika ng iilan. Walang ibang nakakaunawa on walang ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ on kailangan ng alternative kung hindi tayong kabataan“, said Co.

“Parang ang hirap nito kamtin dahil parating mga puwersa ng kadiliman, kasamaan, ‘yun na lang’ yung choices natin kada halalan. Would it be possible to do this?she added.

(We have gone through an extraordinary crisis amid the pandemic, disasters and killings because of the rotten politics of some. No one understands better that there are no ‘New Philippines’ who need another alternative than us young people. This is difficult to achieve because of the forces of darkness and evil, which seem to be our only choice in every election. But why don’t we trust ourselves?)

Kabataan has had a seat in the House of Representatives since the 14th Congress. Co listed some of the causes Kabataan has been pushing for, such as free tertiary education, safe opening of classes after the pandemic, free public Wi-Fi and salary increases for workers who outsource business processes, among others.

“Could you make $40 million to raise your money? Tiyak na mas marami pa tayong ipapanalo“, said Co.

(What if the 40 million youth voters come together for one dream for the country? There is certainly more to be gained.)

The party-list group said its first priority next year would be to push for a student rights law, which aims to further protect students from “repression.”

Kabataan also wants to submit measures to investigate the “mental health crisis” among young people and the online sexual exploitation of children.

Support for impeachment versus Duterte

Co said Kabataan would approve an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte following her refusal to answer questions from lawmakers scrutinizing her budget and use of confidential and intelligence funds.

“This is a continued evasion of responsibility (and) betrayal of public trust. It is clear that Kabataan wants to dismiss her from this position,” Co said.

Kabataan is the second of the three Makabayan party-list groups that currently hold a seat in Congress and are seeking another term. Gabriela, represented by first nominee and former Kabataan representative Sarah Elago, filed their CONA on Friday, October 4. ACT Teachers has yet to file as the incumbent representative, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, has filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator. on Friday.

Like other progressive groups, Kabataan and its members have often been victims of red flags and intimidation. Yet they, along with the rest of the Makabayan bloc, remained steadfast as a critical voice in the House of Representatives, most recently in scrutinizing the 2025 budget of virtually every government agency.

Kabataan joins the growing list of opposition figures presenting “new politics” and challenging the Philippine public to stop bringing political dynasties to power. – Rappler.com