One of the convenors of opposition coalition 1Sambayan believes that the May 2022 polls is a “make or break” for the country’s youth as they will build on the victories and challenges that the current crop of politicians faces.
Lawyer Howard Calleja noted that the youth comprises almost 40 percent of the voting population and as such, their collective voice will be “a big determining factor” in 2022.
“At sinasabi na rin itong ating (And we are also saying that our) May 2022 is a turning point, it is a fight for survival, not only survival for everybody, but most especially sa ating (for our) youth because it is survival of your future,” he said.
“Kayo po ang magmamana ng mga susunod na dekada, na itong ating eleksyon itong (You are going to inherit the next decades, so this election in) 2022 is a very big determining factor. It is a make or break, as I’ve said for the country, especially for the youth of the nation,” Calleja added.
The lawyer delivered this message during the recent launch of 1Sambayan Youth, which at the same time came out with its 11-point agenda for next year’s elections.
READ: Comelec urged to extend voter registration deadline by 1Sambayan Youth coalition
He congratulated the coalition of a dozen youth groups who decided to join 1Sambayan in calling out the current administration and urging people to vote for candidates who will push for, among many others, human rights, equality, territorial sovereignty, press freedom, livable wages, economic recovery, environmental protection, and basic social services.
“So, tuloy-tuloy lang po tayo. Bigyan po natin ng sigla, bigyan po natin ng idealismo ang mga kabataan para tuloy-tuloy po tayo sa (let’s continue. Let us give enthusiasm to the idealism of our youth so we can continue with) good governance at tapat na pamumuno (and honest leadership),” Calleja told 1Sambayan Youth.
He said that the leadership of 1Sambayan, which was formed by retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio, retired Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, are glad to see the youth taking part in the election process.
“Congratulations sa pagbuo ng (in forming the) youth agenda, sa pagbuo ng inyong mga (in building your) chapters,” he added.
READ: Youth agenda in choosing next PH leaders bared
1Sambayan Youth is comprised of Rise for Education, Millennials PH, Innovative Youth Movement, KATRIBU National, Youth Strike 4 Climate, We The Future PH, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, PANTAY, and the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines.