Student leaders pledge to block re-election of anti-RH lawmakers in 2013

MANILA, Philippines (March 22, 2012) – Insisitng on their right as stakeholders in the ongoing debates on population management policies, youth leaders comprising of newly elected student council presidents of top colleges and universities in the whole country warned they would unleash the full power of the youth vote in the coming 2013 elections against legislators who are against the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill.

"We will make sure they will lose come 2013. We are ready to launch the full force of the youth against anti-RH legislators," said JC Tejano, national spokesperson of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP).

During a press conference in Quezon City, student leaders from the different universities called on legislators to pass the RH bill.

“For us, the RH Bill is pro-youth and to be anti-RH is to be anti-youth.” This is the strong statement of Gibby Gorres, National Secretary General of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP). SCAP has 150 member universities, colleges and student political parties all over the country. Gorres says that they will start campaigning in member schools to call for a vote on the RH Bill and to support Pro-RH candidates in the 2013 national elections.

“We believe that more than 10 years of debate is enough time for our leaders in the House and in the Senate to make a decision.” Benjamin de Leon, President of the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum) said. The Forum is an NGO pushing for the passage of the RH Bill and a partner of SCAP.

According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), college enrolment continues to rise yearly. In SY 2010-2011 there were 2.63 million enrolees and 2.66 million enrolees for SY 2011-2012 in 1,793 higher education institutions nationwide.

AR Angcos, president-elect of the Philippine Normal University student government, said the youth have the right decide what is good for them.

Hanz Ocampo, chairperson-elect of the University of the East student council, said the youth sector is one of the biggest sector affected by the passage of the RH bill.

He also cited that in the 2010 elections, 80 percent of the 2.6 million who voted came from the youth sector.

Heart Dino, chairperson-elect of the UP Diliman student council, said the RH bill is a priority agenda for the youth come 2013.

"They (legislators) shouldn't belittle the youth vote," Dino said.

“We were elected in our respective schools because we would like to believe that our fellow students trust that we will speak out for their rights. I support the passage of the RH Bill because millions of young people suffer from RH related issues such as HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy and even maternal deaths.” Said Roby Camagong, a student leader from the De La Salle University and officer of SCAP.

“The voice of the youth should not be ignored in the debate on the RH Bill. In 2010, there are 28.2 million Filipino youth or 30% of the population.” Gorres said. “From this number, according to the NDHS (National Demographic and Health Survey), 10% of all 15-19 year old girls are already mothers.” Gorres added. Gorres is also confident that the student councils can exert influence among students in their schools even in their support for pro-RH candidates in the next national elections.

According to Gibby Gorres, national secretary general of the SCAP, said majority of the youth have expressed support for the bill as shown in numerous surveys.

"Statistics of rising incidence of early unintended pregnancy, lack of information on HIV/AIDS and safe sex underscore the need for comprehensive sexuality education and access to reproductive health services," he said.

The student council members who made a united stand in support of the RH Bill come from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Manila and Los Banos; De La Salle University; University of the East; Polytechnic University of the Philippines; San Sebastian College de Recoletos de Cavite; Philippine Normal University. (From Philstar.com)