Aguhon 4, organized by the Mayors for Good Governance, commenced its first conference series titled “National Perspective: Beyond 2025 Midterm Elections” on January 14, at the NOVADECI Convention Center, Quezon City.
Attended by youth voters and student leaders across sectors, the conference focused on critical discussions ahead of the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, sharing perspectives on the country's political landscape and the struggles it faces.
Party-list candidates Atty. Kristina Conti, 5th nominee of Bayan Muna, and Sarah Elago, 1st nominee of Gabriela, and senatorial candidates Atty. Luke Espiritu, Teddy Casiño, and Heidi Mendoza shared their insights, visions, and advocacies in the panel discussions.
On challenges and collective struggles
On the development hindrance to progress affecting different sectors, Atty. Espiritu and Casiño shared that political dynasties hinder the country’s development, becoming the root cause of the many issues the country is experiencing.
“Ang biggest hindrance sa national development ay ang gobyerno mismo… unless mabago natin ang composition ng political leadership natin, hindi uunlad ang ating bansa,” said Casiño.
Casiño emphasized that the country will not improve as long as the existing political leadership and government persists.
“Kapag ganyan ang klase ng political leadership natin, talagang there will always be underdevelopment, poverty, hunger, and corruption,” he added.
Meanwhile, Atty. Espiritu believes that the elite and dynasties are responsible for the economic underdevelopment of the country as it oppresses the workers and farmers.
Mendoza highlighted the effects of corruption on key sectors, particularly healthcare and education and how it affects the investors, leading to the lack of job opportunities.
On the fight for visions and advocacies
Running for positions in the Senate and Congress, the aspirants shared their agendas, priorities, and the importance of these principles to the sectors they advocate for.
They also shared how important representation is, focusing not only on the position and titles, but on the interests of the people, especially the marginalized.
Party-list representatives Elago and Atty. Conti both shared their advocacies for workers’ living wage.
“Women’s issues are not separate from national issues… hindi ‘yan hiwalay.” Elago said.
Now under Gabriela party-list, she wants to advocate for both women’s and people’s agenda and bring to the fore longstanding issues such as poverty, hunger, and lack of decent jobs.
Bayan Muna representative Atty. Conti also advocated for the drivers affected by the PUV Modernization Program and the families of the drug war victims.
Meanwhile, senatorial candidates stressed the urgency of political reforms to eradicate dynasties, as the country experiences its recurring effect on the economy and hampered development.
“Political reform and social justice agenda, kapag pinagsama mo ‘yan, diyan mo babasagin ang parasitic, ang dynastic, abusive, corrupt elite na siyang responsable sa ating kahirapan,” Atty. Espiritu on prioritizing political reforms and social justice.
To empower youth voters in the upcoming midterm elections, candidates shared the vital role of youth in using their capabilities and platforms to advocate for change and good governance.
“Isa sa nagwork sa case ko is for you to walk the talk, make them see, show them that these beliefs, standing up for transparency, for accountability, for human rights… All these are making you a better person… Don’t get discouraged, don’t lose hope,” said Elago about the youth utilizing social media as a platform.
Atty. Conti highlighted that it is important to not only focus on social media in raising their voices, but also connect to their families and loved ones in choosing who to vote for.
Senatorial candidates positively believe that the youth’s campaign for better leadership and governance could lead to good, and believe that there is hope for change.
“Be our tarpaulin, be our billboards, be our walking advertisements, in other words, be the cause while we are fighting for vote in the midst of [hopelessness],” Mendoza added.
The Aguhon 4’s series of events are ongoing, as the conference series was followed by “Pathways of Integrity: Raising the Bar of Governance” held on January 22.
Article: Ara Palisoc
Graphics: Brenan Jake Saylanon
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