Youth’s Eyes on as on New Leadership

There is a lot of excitement as the country gets ready for the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), not just from lawmakers and political experts but also from the youth, a group that is frequently viewed as the future but is rarely heard in the present. Young Filipinos are keeping a careful eye on the new faces in religious and political leadership and are calling for competence, accountability, and integrity in addition to change.

There have been major changes in leadership the past months. Both local and national politicians have changed leadership, some in the midst of contentious issues and others under the auspices of reform. “We want to see new values, but we’re seeing new names,” says Amer Lubugin, a 21-year-old Davao City Communication undergraduate. “Leadership should be more than just political power; it should be moral courage.”

According to recent surveys, the two main issues that Filipino millennials have with the government are corruption and incompetence. Even while social media platforms are frequently written off as echo chambers, young people are already using them to engage meaningful political conversations. “We grew up in an era of political noise and fake news, says 19-year-old senior high school student Aljon Reyes. “That’s why we want our leaders to be honest with us—to have clear plans, be honest in their governance, and have the guts to admit when they’re wrong.” He is not by himself.

Not only during election season but all year long, a growing movement among youth-led civic groups has campaigned for accountability, inclusive policymaking, and transparency. Student organizations are hosting pre-SONA town halls, discussions, and fact-checking campaigns as President Marcos gets ready to deliver the SONA. Many claim they are prepared to listen, but they will speak up without hesitation. “We’re working for change instead of waiting for it,” Bustamante says. “But instead of just talking to us, we need leaders who work with us.”

Their message is clear: new leadership must mean more than just a new name, even though the youth do not yet possess the reins of power. It must signify a new approach to leadership—one that is sincere, modest, and heartfelt. (Isaiah Noel Arcenas)