Santiago urges youth: take shame drive vs corrupt politicians to social media

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiiago INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has urged the youth to take their “shame campaign” against corrupt politicians to social media.

Santiago enjoined Saturday morning the graduating high school students of Rogationist College in Silang, Cavite to let out their rage against politicians, particularly those involved in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“Be angry at these politicians who stole the taxes you and your parents pay. When you reach the voting age, which is 18, do not vote for them. Instead, shame them now,” she said.

Among the senators linked to the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam were Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Jinggoy Estrada, who allegedly coursed public money to bogus non-government organizations owned by “pork barrel scam queen” Janet Lim-Napoles.

“Take your campaign to Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. Post your grievances on these politicians’ walls. Tweet them your disappointments,”

The feisty senator declared herself as the senator who has the most number of Facebook fans and Twitter followers among her colleagues in the Senate based on an online social media poll.

“Eventually, these politicians will shed their thick hides because of the shame, and reveal themselves to be spineless pathetic creatures,” she added.

At a tender age, Santiago said students should bind together their fellow youths and plan out policies that they want their local community, or even their city, to adopt.

“You can also call radio stations or the local TV channel to air your grievances. You can also start letter writing campaigns and distributing information packages to officials and the media,” she said.

Santiago also enjoined the parents and teachers of the graduating high school students to encourage the younger generation to involve themselves in politics.

“It is by questioning, expressing their views, and having their opinions taken seriously that they are able to develop analytical skills, acquire confidence, and form aspirations,” she added.