✍︎ Glezel Jane F. Ababa
The most fragile thing a government holds is not its budget, its military force, nor its majority in Congress—it is the trust of its young. And right now, that trust is fraying.
For the youth, government is not just a definition in a textbook, but a lived experience. We are the youth. We see everything. We see how the prices of rice, gas, and transportation rise while wages remain the same. We see how streets flood every year, yet there is still no effective drainage plan. We scroll through past news of corruption cases that end without consequences. The pledges made during campaigns evaporate just as quickly. Accountability is demanded from students who are late to class, yet it is excused for leaders who are late on their promises.
Is this the future we want?
We are losing trust, and it is not just about one administration or one policy. It is about the consistent failure to deliver on promises, to listen to our concerns, and to prioritize our welfare. We are being left with a legacy of debt, corruption, and inequality.
The signs are clear—the apathy toward the voices of the youth and the neglect of basic needs. We are at a crossroads, and the direction we take will define the country we will become. Will we continue down the path of disappointment, or will we forge a new path of hope and progress? The choice is ours, but it starts with acknowledging the problem and taking concrete steps toward change.
Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the stakeholders of today. We are the ones who will bear the brunt of decisions made now, and we demand a seat at the table. We want to be part of the solution, not just the beneficiaries of empty promises.
Illustration: Chara Maine Cejudo
