EDITORIAL
Finally, hope for the youth
SUDDENLY, and hopefully, Dr. Jose Rizal’s trite statement and idiom that spoke of his faith in the youth — “The youth is the hope of the motherland.” — will finally find true meaning in the next SK elections.
For decades, the country took to the SK as the school for corruption and traditional and inept politics for the privileged members of political dynasties. Only the sons and daughters of mayors, governors, congressmen were privileged to be elected to decide what community projects can be adopted that would allow for kickbacks without fear of being made to account for their illegal activities.
Overpriced basketballs. Absenteeism. Meaningless advocacies. Name it, the past SK officials came to learn all these from their elders.
Finally, all that is beginning to change. Finally, there are minimum requirements besides age and a basis for disqualification. Foremost is the rule that has given meaning to the spirit of the constitution that bans political dynasties. Relatives of incumbent politicians can no longer be made by their elders to run and rule.
May this development spark positive activism among our youth today, the kind that Dr. Rizal envisioned for our nation.
‘Vigorous momentum’
PRESIDENT Duterte cemented his vaunted friendship with China when he bagged investment pledges worth $9.5 billion (roughly P500 billion) from Chinese businessmen in a visit this week to Hainan.
Mr. Duterte witnessed the signing of the letters of intent at the sidelines of the Boao Forum, a gathering of world leaders, business bigwigs and educators. Always in praise of Chinese President Xi Jinpeng, whom he calls “my closest ally ever,” Mr. Duterte described the record Chinese investment to the country as a sign of the “vigorous momentum” of Philippine-China ties.
The trade thrusts are in agriculture, tourism, real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy. Easily, the investment bonanza could generate some 10,800 jobs for Filipinos—or even more as the cash inflows appear long drawn based on the Philippines’ sustained 6.7-percent economic growth for the next five years.
Again, well done, Mr. President!
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