Youth of the land, come forward, please!

Dr. Jose Rizal callEd them the hope of the Fatherland. He was referring to the youth. Ordinarily, youth is understood as referring to chronological age, perhaps 21 years old and below, or 35 and below or 45 and below. Paano naman kaming mga 46 and above?

Ah, we find solace in the more philosophical definition of youth. Youth is a quality of the heart and the mind. Youth, my philosophy professor says, is synonymous with idealism, commitment, reaching for lofty dreams at all cost, and harboring great love for the country and its people.

Many years ago, I did an interview, for a church newspaper, of an obviously aging man. His vision for the country was clear and resolute, his love for the poor oozed in his teary eyes and quivering lips, his determination to go on with his struggle to liberate his beloved country from oppression as firm as his grip of his fully loaded Carbine. I never knew how his life concluded, but never had I seen such pristine youthfulness in a 68-year old balding man.

I also know of very young politicians in South Cotabato who ascended the ladder of politics through the Sangguniang Kabataan. Early in their careers, they became experts in making money out of youth congresses, seminars and lakbay-arals. At a very early age, they were trained - and in no time became experts - in the great art of making money through graft and corruption, no thanks to some unscrupulous MLGOOs and older politicians.

At an age just past adolescence, these young leaders were robbed of their conscience and idealism, and instantly metamorphosed into nauseating, detestable thieves of public money. “So young, yet so corrupt” is a benign description for these people who, while young in age, are actually already rotting as hell and smelling like carcasses, very much like older politicians.

We need new leaders with youthful hearts. We need youthful leaders who will lead by example. We need leaders with the heart of the young, who are true to their words, who will not dare steal a single centavo from the public coffer, who will not falsify their gasoline receipts, who will not use their vehicles for any personal purpose, who will not allow or participate in any ghost purchase, vehicle repair, travel or training.

We need leaders who will be scandalized by any thought of being offered an SOP or a commission or any gift from a contractor or supplier. We need leaders who are true to their families, and who are not in the payroll of drug lords, gambling syndicates and illegal loggers.

We want leaders who will speak out against abuse and ignominy in government, promote transparency in government transactions, and practice all these – not only speak about it - in all his daily affairs.

Youth of the land, please come forward, and give life to a decaying politics. Burn your candles and give life to a dying country. Inspire and lead us into a better tomorrow.