Rep. Sarah Elago and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Partylist. Photo courtesy of Raoul Manuel’s Twitter page.
MANILA, Philippines — Kabataan party list on Thursday filed their certificate of nomination of acceptance (CONA) for a seat in the House of Representatives.
The party list’s first Representative Raoul Manuel, accompanied by Rep. Sarah Elago, filed their CONA at Harbor Garden Tent at Sofitel in Pasay City.
“Tangan ng kabataan ang responsibilidad na isulong ang pulitika ng pagbabago at pag-asa,” Manuel said in a speech delivered after the filing of CONA.
(The youth bear a responsibility to advance the politics of change and hope.)
Manuel also pointed out that the party-list has prevailed despite the move to disqualify them to Congress and the “fabricated” charges against the group. He also denounced certain groups who “pretend” to be the voice of the youth.
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“Habang nagsusumikap tayo na ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka ng mga nauna sa atin, at maghangad ng isang lipunang malaya at makatarungan, merong mga pwersa na nagmamaliit sa lakas at kakayahan ng kabataan,” Manuel added.
(While we strive to continue the fight of those before us, who sought a free and just society, there are forces who underestimate the power of youth.)
“Mayroon pa na nagpapanggap na mga kabataan para manlinlang, at palabasing sunud-sunuran lang ang mga kabataan sa dikta ng makapangyarihan.”
(There are also groups who pretend to be the representation of youth to deceive and make it appear that the youth are mindless followers of powerful people.)
But despite the challenges, Manuel said their group will still continue.
“Magpapatuloy tayo, dahil ang bawat isisusulong natin ay ang daing ng bawat kabataan,” he said.
(We will carry on, because every grievance that we are raising is the grievances of every youth.)