It’s time for the next generation

In a conversation I had with PDI chairman Marixi Prieto, she was complaining to me about some of the names coming out as potential senatorial candidates for the upcoming May elections, which she finds disappointing. Perhaps it’s time for the young ones to take the lead in running this country. Granted that a number of them are scions of political families and that the issue of political dynasties might be a concern – if they are qualified, are well educated and have a good head on their shoulders, there is no reason why they should not be given the responsibility of shaping a better future for this country. The decision of Joseph Estrada to withdraw the senatorial bid of his son JV Ejercito in favor of Raul Roco’s widow Sonia is a good start in showing that political revenge is not the main motivation of the opposition in the coming elections. Whether Sonia Roco will win or not is not really an issue. Rather, Erap’s decision to sacrifice his son – and even his wife Loi who is qualified to seek reelection – will give the opposition a broader and more credible slate, which is exactly what people want to see. We need legislators who will focus on solving the problems that have plagued the country for so long, and the politics of revenge must take a backseat.

Bar topnotcher Koko Pimentel is one of those emerging politicians who believe it’s time we focused on the improvement of science education among schoolchildren if we are to be competitive in a global world. Loren Legarda, who has consistently topped the surveys for senatorial candidates, has made a mark as a staunch advocate of women and children’s rights, coupled with a genuine concern for the environment – a critical issue that many older politicians seem to conveniently overlook. In the same conversation with Marixi Prieto, my cousin Martin Romualdez was also mentioned. Martin, who is running for Congressman of the First District of Leyte, is the brother of Marixi’s son-in-law Philip. A lawyer, Martin is well educated and has a good head on his shoulders. He is one of those who has absolutely no hang ups about the past. His brother Philip, on the other hand, wants to stay out of politics and wants to do his part by focusing on the mining industry where he is actively involved in.

I had lunch with Mar Roxas and discussed the future and the kind of politics we have today. I told him that many young people today no longer look at senators and congressmen as "honorable." It’s time people like Mar showed that being a public servant is still an honorable thing to do. Mar – who is about 10 years younger than I am – comes from a prominent family, and he can probably lead the country’s next generation of politicians. I reminded him that there will be a hundred million Filipinos in the future, with 40 percent coming from the poorest sector. The challenges by the year 2010 will even be bigger. It will not be an easy job for the next president to solve the complex problems of this country, inherent with the large population and very many poor people. Mar, who comes from a wealthy and well-respected political clan that produced a president and a senator, says his main objective is to give something back to the country for all the blessings that have been given him. It was a good lunch – except that Mar made me pay for it – telling me that he was a mere public servant with a small salary. I almost believed him.

These young politicians, however, like Alan Peter Cayetano with his high profile allegations against First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, have to be careful not to alienate young, thinking voters. I was surprised that many people who didn’t like GMA and were anti-Mike didn’t like the way the young Congressman behaved during a couple of ethics committee hearings. Cayetano displayed the kind of grandstanding that turned off many people, including the youth who just don’t take hook, line and sinker any accusation leveled against an individual. Alan Peter should take care not to develop the image of a grandstanding young "trapo" — otherwise, if he continues along that path, he may not be lucky enough to be included in the "Magic 12."

Be that as it may, the hope is in the next generation of Filipinos seriously taking the responsibility of leading the country. Whether they are politicians, businessmen, civic leaders, military officials, NGO workers — these people coming from the next generation can give this country hope for a more dynamic and progressive outlook, because they are not shackled by the animosity and divisiveness brought about by EDSA 1 and 2. These people do not have hang ups, and do not carry the baggage of the past with them, focused as they are on the task of moving the Philippines forward. Take for instance young tycoons like Joey Concepcion and Federico "Piki" Lopez. Despite their inherited wealth, these young Turks of business are doing their share, helping fellow Filipinos and doing what they can to keep this country up on its feet. Joey, who is chairman and CEO of RFM Corporation, is inspiring Filipinos to become entrepreneurs through his GoNegosyo business summits and symposiums. His optimism is catching on, and many are starting to believe that Joey’s vision of turning ordinary folks into millionaires is not just a pipe dream. Piki Lopez, a smart young executive who heads First Gen Holdings Corp. (the power generation subsidiary of the Lopez family’s First Philippine Holdings Corp.), is an outspoken man who tirelessly airs the need to build new power generation plants if we want to attract investments and ensure additional power supply. Piki very well knows that another power crisis like what we experienced in the past can wreak havoc on the economy, especially now that things are starting to look up. There is a need, he said, to turn the power industry into a workable model that would show future investors the potential return on their investments.

In the Philippines, the youth form a large part of the population, and hopefully, they will be able to unite the country and steer it to better heights. There are a lot of young Filipinos working abroad who are just raring to come back when they see the right time has come, and do their share in rebuilding this nation. As the economic foundations are being laid out, there is hope that the political foundations will also be set into place in the very near future. I remember how our teachers used to say, "It’s time to pass your paper, pencils up" – and that’s fast coming for most of us who belong to the generation of baby boomers ‑ born shortly after World War II. Like GMA who belongs to that generation – we must admit it’s hard to believe we are now approaching our senior citizen years. As they say, it’s time you started packing your bags and getting ready to go to the departure lounge before flying off into the sunset – because the next generation of Filipinos will soon take over as leaders of this nation.

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