News Release
29 October 2012
‘Don’t be like the President’
Casiño calls on future political leaders not to belittle candidates with low survey ratings
BORACAY ISLAND — Lone Makabayan Coalition senate bet Teddy Casiño today called on the future political leaders of the land “to be magnanimous when you are in power and not belittle those who may not be as powerful and popular as you but who also want to be elected to public office.”
Casiño, a former student leader and President of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), was in the island for the 2012 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Regional Congress on Livelihood, Alternative Learning System and the Environment.
Speaking before some 500 officials and members of the SK in the Western Visayas region, Casiño recounted his recent exchange with Pres. Aquino and presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on his low survey ratings and the country’s human rights situation.
“If you become the president someday, don’t be like the President. Always remember where you came from. Don’t belittle others for having low survey ratings because ordinary folk really start from the bottom and have to work their way up to the top. Unlike some lucky people we know, most of us don’t inherit fame and popularity. That’s what the campaign period is for,” he said.
“Also, don’t think just because a person or an issue is not popular then it can be dismissed or ridiculed. Human rights violations might not be a popular issue and may actually turn people off, but we should not dismiss it as propaganda when victims and their supporters cry for help and work for justice,” he added.
The SK is the traditional breeding ground of many elected officials.
“Tungkulin po natin na tumindig at ipaglaban ang katotohanan di lamang sa usapin ng kabuhayan, pag-aaral, kalikasan kundi lalo pa sa karapatang pantao. Kahit po ang makatapat natin ay mga sikat, mayaman at makapangyarihan pero mali naman at nang-aalipusta pa ng kapwa ay dapat po tayong tumayo at manindigan para sa katotohanan. Ito naman po ang itinuro na sa atin ng mga magulang hindi ba? Ang maging tapat at huwag mang-api ng ating kapwa kahit ano mang posisyon ang ating marating,” Casiño said.
“No one is born a leader. Leadership is acquired and we all should act and learn well from our constituents. It would not do if we discriminate and judge others, because that would be our downfall. It is heartening to note that the youth of Western Visayas is increasingly active via the SK Federation and hopefully down to the municipalities and barangays. As the only elected youth organization in government, the SK is a good training ground for young leaders who shall be harnessed in nation building now and in the near future,” Casiño said.
Casiño supports House Bill 1963 — the proposed Act to Strengthen and Reform the Sangguniang Kabataan – that is authored by Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino.
“Contrary to some quarters that want the SK to be abolished, I share Kabataan Party-list Rep. Palatino’s view that the institution can and should be continually reformed and strengthened. This is the best path to take for the SK. Our country is for you to build, improve and take to greater heights economically, culturally and politically,” he said.
The third-term congressman also expressed his thanks to Rep. Teoderico Haresco, an Aklanon legislator he has worked with in Congress “for the very useful engagements in the legislature for our province and for the country as a whole.”
“I myself am an Aklanon, since my mother Lizabelle Icamina Acevedo is of Kalibo, Aklan. That is why I am always very honored to be in Aklan. Let us continue to work for a better province, government and society,” Casiño concluded.
Reference:
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
0920-9035683
