SHS students on 2022 polls: ‘Fix pandemic, corruption, poverty first’

JIBRIL ALLEEN LORENTE AND FRANCINE IVANNA GABAY

IN THE RECENT online survey conducted by The PANTOGRAPH regarding the several national issues to be prioritized by any potential candidates in the upcoming 2022 Philippine elections, the majority of the University of Nueva Caceres Senior High School students picked the COVID-19 response, corruption, and poverty.

Among the 101 respondents, a majority of 74.3% or approximately 75 learners emphasized the pandemic response, 11.9% or 12 learners said it is corruption, and 5% or five learners highlighted the need to address poverty.

‘Tartaglia’ (not their real name), GAS 12 learner, criticized traditional politicians or ‘trapo’ for exploiting the current state of the pandemic to their advantage and is hoping that the next administration will prioritize the pandemic response to eliminate any future politicians who will take advantage of the health crisis.

“The current administration has been milking every situation of this pandemic, their incompetent decisions stir the people and keep them from other issues. They are also weaponizing the circumstances against those who have ugly views of the press, activists, and civilians. Now that the election is coming up every trapo politicians [have] been doing campaigns giving out medicines and vaccine in order to pose as that ‘savior’ in times of difficulties for the poor people. If we resolve this pandemic, the admin and trapo politicians will have no excuse in taking advantage of these situations. No excuse to ignore the WPS issue,” ‘Tartaglia’ explained.

On the other hand, ‘Col’ (not their real name), STEM 11 learner, emphasized the urgency of addressing the pandemic as it is threatening the welfare and well-being of Filipinos.

“I think they should deal with COVID-19 pandemic first because it’s the one that causes our number of poverty [to] increase and unemployment also increases due to businesses that are closing. Many people lost their loved ones because of this virus. Many students are struggling in their academics because they don’t have enough money, gadgets, and the internet. Many people took their lives because they cannot handle life anymore,” Col discussed.

Sunshine Ledesma, GAS 12 learner, also agreed with ‘Col’ saying that the government must address the pandemic first since the education system is also affected by it.

“We want face-to-face classes but we can no longer do that because of what’s happening in our country, many people are affected... We should be the focus on this issue so that we can already recover from this,” she continued.

Moreover, ’Qwerty’ and ‘Andeng’ (not their real names), both GAS 12 learners, also addressed the necessity of removing corruption in the country, citing that with competent leaders, the issues hounding the country can be eliminated or at least lessened.

“All of the stated items are the issues that are needed to be addressed, but the MAIN problem here is the administration itself. If only we have the right leaders, every single issue that this country has would be eradicated or at least, lessened,” Qwerty stressed.

Andeng also said that corruption worsens not just the pandemic but any other issues of the government that’s why if we will have a total elimination of this, everything will be set.

In the same survey, the learners were also asked about their preferences in terms of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ characteristics wherein competence, loyalty, transparency, and leadership abilities were highlighted.

“We need a president that would fight for our land and not give it up for some other country that doesn’t know what boundary is. We need a leader that would raise our economy. We need a leader that is open and transparent to its people and would stick to their words, and we need a leader that acts with greatness and quality,” ‘Seresa’ (not their real name), ABM 12 learner, explained.

Genesis Diaz, GAS 11 learner, also said that the running candidates must have a strong vision for the country’s future, the ability to communicate formally with the public especially in delivering speeches, and can work hand-in-hand with the other government officials.

On the other hand, ‘Kkkkkk’ (not their real name), GAS 12 learner, emphasized the quality of consistency, “[A candidate should] not just [be good with] words but [also with] have actions, [they must] care for his nation and people, not just her/himself.”

Meanwhile, 3% or three learners responded with the human rights violations in the country, 2% or two voted for addressing unemployment, 2% chose all issues that must be addressed, 1% or one learner chose the West Philippine Sea dispute, and the remaining 1% was undecided.

As of July 2021, only Senators Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto confirmed their intent to run for the presidency and vice-presidency, respectively, in the upcoming elections.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Corruption

Poverty Human Rights Others