Kabataan party-list submits intention to run again in the House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net / John Eric Mendoza
MANILA, Philippines — Kabataan party-list lawmakers on Saturday said they will endorse and push for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the party-list seeks to once again secure a seat in the lower chamber.
Kabataan’s first nominee, Atty. Renee Co, made the pronouncement after filing their certificate of nomination and acceptance at the Manila Hotel.
“Categorically, yes. Kabataan party-list will be doing that. Endorsing and also, furthering this impeachment complaint,” Co said in an interview with reporters when asked if the party-list will endorse or file the complaint themselves should they win a Congressional seat in the 2025 polls.
According to Co, the youth’s sentiment on Duterte remains “clear” that they want accountability amid her alleged misuse of government funds and evasion of the public’s (through lawmakers’) queries in the deliberations of her office’s proposed budget for 2025.
“Gusto nila (youth) ng accountability, in the midst of patuloy na paggasta at pagevade ng paganswer doon sa mga questions ng public…sa budget hearings para lang magka-chance magbigay ng explanation ang VP na hinalal ‘no, na ano na ang reason kung bakit over P100 million funds ang ginamit in just 11 days,” she said.
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(The youth wants accountability, in the midst of continuous spending and evasion of the public’s questions…in the budget hearings where she had the chance to give an explanation such as why over P100 million funds were used in just 11 days.)
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“Thus, patuloy na evasion of accountability this betrayal of public trust, clear ‘yung gusto ng kabataan gusto siyang matanggal sa kaniyang posisyon,” she added.
(Thus with the continued evasion of accountability and this betrayal of public trust, it is clear that what the youth wants is to remove her from her position.)
Duterte has been under heavy scrutiny for refusing to attend House deliberations on her office’s proposed budget.
She last attended on August 27, where she refused to directly answer lawmakers’ queries and mostly said that the OVP forgoes the opportunity to defend its budget as it leaves the decision to the House.
READ: Sara skips truth-telling oath, cries House ‘attack’
Kabataan to continue improving education sector, protecting youth
Meanwhile, in terms of legislation, Co vowed to advance several bills that seek to address the country’s education crisis and further safeguards students’ rights—namely, the Students’ Rights Bill and the Accessible Quality Education bill.
Co also said Kabataan intends to push bills and resolutions seeking to investigate and resolve the mental health crisis currently being experienced by the youth.
“And of course, other than that ay patuloy ‘yung ating protections [for the youth]. In the past and up until now, ginagamit ang avenue ang Philippines for exploitation of children, sexually, etc.,” she said.
(And of course, other than that is the continued protection of the youth. In the past and up until now the Philippines is being used as an avenue for the exploitation of children, sexually, etc.)
Among the key laws co-authored by Kabataan include the Free Public Wi-Fi Law and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Law.
Co, who will be succeeding incumbent Rep. Raoul Manuel, is a former student regent of the University of the Philippines.
Its second nominee, Jose Paolo Echavez, who currently serves as the vice president of Kabataan Visayas, was a summa cum laude of Siliman University, and the second highest scorer of the Agricultural Licensure Examinations.
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The third nominee is Peter Angelo Garcia, a human rights defender who chairs the Kabataan Southern Tagalog.
