Students of the De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), together with representatives from 1Sambayan have joined forces in an effort to mobilize the youth sector in the upcoming 2022 national elections.
The group is set to hold a debut event on Aug. 25 with the aim of having a public conversation on creating a collaborative space that will help jumpstart democratic initiatives and programs for the youth sector with some of the opposition's key figures.
In support of the initiative, 1Sambayan Chair and Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio recounted the country's plight under the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, expressing how the youth can determine the election results.
"This is a very important election. We have this pandemic, the West Philippine Sea issue, and the worst economic performance since World War II. All of this will be decided on May 9," Carpio said.
"We, the old folks will be leaving soon, all we want is to pass to the youth the best way we can," he added.
1Sambayan Youth Convenor Raeyan Reposar reiterated the urgency of the national polls by encouraging you Filipinos to register, vote, and participate actively in the elections.
"This is the first of many mobilizations from the youth sector. The alliance we’ve forged today between the green and blue is committed to expanding to other schools all over the country," Reposar said.
Ateneans for 1Sambayan Spokesperson Alexis Ando said the initiative will serve as an avenue to raise pertinent issues of governance, acknowledging the privileged status of their schools and the need to use these privileges for the benefit of society.
"We are just getting started. What we aspire is unity in which we all act without others being left behind," Ando said in Filipino.
"To be clear, this is for and by the students. This was not initiated by our school administrators, but rather by Lasallians doing their part in nation-building, empowering the marginalized, and defending democracy," 1Sambayan Lasalyano spokesperson Angelo Lescano added.
With an election described as consequential due to the current COVID-19 global crisis, the group urges their fellow students to join their collective effort to unite the country and vote for the sake of the Philippine democracy.