Protest rallies organised by oligarchs and politicians routinely exploit youthful idealism

When I and other UP students took part in the rally that removed President Estrada in 2001, I felt proud for what I thought then was standing up for what was right, which was to remove an errant and corrupt leader. Idealism was at an all time high back then. Add the UP pride too.

Years later, I realized that joining that rally was a mistake. Our idealism as youths was taken advantage of by the politicians and the oligarchs. Our gullibility and idealism as youths, especially by us from UP, were used to violate the rule of law and satisfy the caprices of a few.

Almost 16 years since that happened, I can’t help but feel sorry and enraged on how the youths are being used again by the opportunists.

(Credit goes to the owner of this photograph)

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Benedict Exconde as posted on Facebook.