Kabataan Party-list has one important piece of advice for young politicians this coming elections: Don't let yourself get eaten by the system.

The party-list's first nominee, Renee Louise Co, called on her fellow citizens to strive to be independent, firm and self-critical as it is "about time for youngsters to school seniors on the need for genuine social change".

"We call on young candidates to dedicate their campaign to exposing the evils of our system, instead of pleading to be accommodated by it," she said.

The aspiring congresswoman claimed that the problem of patron-client relations and corruption traces its roots all the way to Malacañang and the national oligarchs beyond the power of any local candidate.

"One more youth leader who rejects the system is one step toward building a new one," she said.

She made the call as the ballot list for local elections are often dominated by older incumbents and equally old rivals, who often represent dynasties and national patrons, without room for newer faces.

"Breaking the cycle requires new leaders and a new generation hopeful to make change from the margins outside government, while maximizing any gains possible from within," she added.