The sham that is the 6th NYP
(this is one of the thing that i'm really curious about the last 6th NYP)
At the National youth Parliament (NYP), youth leaders are to deliberate on youth policy issues that would strengthen their role in nation-building. Its beauty rests on the fact that the youth themselves are involved in crafting high-impact policy recommendations.
So much for such beauty…
The 6th NYP convened at a time when the Filipino youth are called once again to make history by standing against the tide of political un certainties – has shown itself unworthy of the splendor of the youth participation in policy-making. The hovering issue of constitutional reform, now being at the fore of the country’s political and social life, is no doubt the primary policy agenda that the Youth Parliamentarians are to deliberate and decide on. The output of the 6th NYP with regard to constitutional reform is most crucial in charting our future or subtly, the future of our political leaders- the reason being that NYC’S NYP is the legitimate voice of the youth in government. Most importantly, the resolution on constitutional reform to be passed by this NYP shall stir the country into thinking that the Filipino youth has finally made a stand, which is good, given that they (the youth) have been silent about the issue and have not signified willingness to even engage in it.
Through NYP, the National Youth Commission under the Office of the President has found the best venue to come up with the official stand of the youth on cha-cha. As such, they have grabbed every opportunity to blatantly manipulate the processes leading to the outcome they so desire – which is to give a nod to the changing of the 1987 constitution. This has become increasingly apparent.
The members of the6th NYP are put in a situation where their functions as parliamentarians are bypassed to the effect that the parliamentary exercise is made futile because the environment of debate is mired with railroading. Gone is the very reason of NYP to be convened for deliberation and resolution of issues when a stand on cha-cha is already in place.
A thorough check on the process of cha-cha issue resolution as of today reveals that there were and will be deliberate attempts on the part of NYC to block or limit attempts of questioning. It is understood that the issue on cha-cha demands for a thorough presentation of ideas from the youth from both sides. But it must also be respected by all WHEN, AND ONLY WHEN THIS STAND WAS CREATED THROUGH TRANSPARENT AND DUE PROCESS without the muzzling of any voice.
