Human Rights Online Philippines

Stop the electioneering and use of political propaganda in the 12th National Youth Parliament

The Youth for Human Rights and Democracy seeks accountability from the National Youth Commission (NYC) and its organizing committees for allowing electioneering and use of political propaganda in the 12th National Youth Parliament (NYP).

According to reports from delegates, certain politicians were invited by the NYC to host some sessions in the program. On October 22, 2018, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, who is running for Senator, was introduced in the event. Go also used the event to discuss his plans for the country should he win a Senate seat, including access to health services and the fight against illegal drugs, obviously campaigning for himself. Delegates complained about the campaign jingles and the freebies that were distributed during the event.

Photos of delegates being asked to pose with the Duterte Youth Party-list banner also circulated online. The elected officials of the NYP12 also posed for a picture while doing the Duterte sign of a closed fist. On October 23, 2018, Senator JV Ejercito, who is a reelectionist, discussed his transport agenda. A talk that was described by some delegates as too ‘out of place’. Valuable time could have been used for more productive purposes were wasted because of the sudden inclusion of guests in the program.

The NYP is a biennial congress of youth leaders representing a cross section of the Filipino youth population. There is no denying that the NYP12 was used to advance a political agenda.

We remind the NYC that the funds used for the NYP is from taxpayers’ money. We want the NYC to explain why it allowed political personalities, who are vying for positions of power in the national government, to appear in the said event.

Uphold the NYP tradition. Respect and protect the integrity of the Parliament.

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