Corruption is Systemic

The blow-up of the flood control issue made me think about the thesis we did back in college. We assessed the mobilizational effectiveness of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

The first batch of officers of the Sangguniang Kabataan were elected in 1992. That was the first time I voted and I was actually invited to run in my barangay. My Dad said yes, my Mom said no. Of course, we followed my Mom since she never allowed my Dad to run either. Anyway, I eventually ended up do a thesis about the SK with Jingo and Alan.

We toiled for many months and scoured all the barangays across Paranaque to determine whether the SK is able to effectively mobilize the youth. With only 66% of the registered youth who voted, getting them to participate in activities was much lower. It's essentially not that effective. 

All our interviews were taped and transcribed. The officers though shared off the record instances when they were being roped in to participate in corruption. They were asked to approve expenditures with jacked up prices. At a young age they were already being groomed to be corrupt. (The SK is allotted 10% of the barangay budget.)

The first batch of SK officers were all very hopeful and optimistic for a brighter future. I had hoped one day one of them would eventually become mayor of our city. I honestly have not encountered any of them (chairs and councilors) in any of the elections. I remember one of the SK chairs of the city was elected as the national head. I was hopeful he'd eventually go up the ranks.*

Anyway, the flood control issue is just the tip of the iceberg. I am so envious of Pasig City since Mayor Vico Sotto has been working hard to make his city clean. Corruption is systemic and it needs all of us to work together to get rid of it.

*I'll try to look up the names of the SK officers from my city and see if any of the 1992 batch are still in government.

**My parents did save me from a lot of heartache. I did dream of becoming mayor by age 30, but it wasn't the path I was meant to follow. 

***Oh, just to flex (minsan lang naman), our thesis earned a gold medal for best thesis. A copy is available at the DLSU library. Of course, I still have a digital and print out of it (survived Ondoy!). After, re-reading the conclusion I'm asking myself where did my academic voice go? 😅

Update: you may read the conclusion of our thesis on the SK here.

(Please remember, we wrote this 30+ years ago. I haven't opened it until this week.)

#BeKind #StaySafe

How My Future was Shaped at 17

When I was 17 I was working on my thesis for my political science degree. Together with my groupmates we did a study on the mobilizational capabilities of the sangguniang kabataan. The study allowed me to get to know my home city better. For many months we hopped from one barangay to another to interview SK officials. 

With my thesismates, Alan and Jingo.

With Jingo at our uni.

I was fascinated with how things worked. After interviewing many SK chairs and councilors I was inspired and wanted to contribute back to my community. I told myself I'd like to become mayor of my city by the age of 30. 

Elections were coming up at that time and I was invited to run for SK chair of our barangay. My Dad was excited and supportive, but my Mom said no. It was the same no she told my Dad when he was invited to run for congress. Mom didn't want us to get involved in politics for many reasons. 

Looking back it was a good decision to follow my Mom's wishes. I wouldn't have survived or as my Mom says I'd probably get killed sooner or later. We can contribute anyway through other means. For now I've revived our Paranaque Life blog to help our neighbors find information about living in our city. 

CB///Yr2/5  #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/32 #StayHome #BeKind