After Mrs. Arroyo's admission, the youth will not simply forgive
and forget.
A day after Arroyo's "I'm Sorry" statement on June 27,
youth leaders launched the Youth Demanding Arroyo’s Removal (YOUTH
DARE). a broad alliance of youths and students from different schools,
communities and universities.
Its main convenors are Eleanor de Guzman of ANAKBAYAN, Vencer Crisostomo
of League of Filipino Students, Atom Araullo of Student Initiative
for Gloria’s Ouster (SIGAO), PUP Student Regent Dianamond Directo
of PUP Youth Alliance for the Immediate Ouster of Gloria (YANIG) and
UP Student Regent Ken Ramos of UP Alliance for Arroyo’s Removal
(AWARE).
Other member student councils, publications and youth organizations
include the National Union of Students of the Philippines, College
Editors Guild of the Philippines, Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay
na Kalayaan, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, Anak ng
Bayan Youth Party, Youth for Patriotic Leadership, Youth for Gloria’s
Ouster, Arroyo Resign Movement of the Youth, Sampaloc Laban kay Gloria,
and other Sangguniang Kabataan and youth groups nationwide.
“If Mrs. Arroyo thinks she can get off the hook that easily
then she is gravely mistaken. The youth will not simply forgive and
forget. As in the past Edsas, we will once again dare to be at the
forefront of the fight against fraud and corruption,” said Eleanor
de Guzman, Anakbayan secretary-general and YOUTH DARE spokesperson.
She said cannot prevent a huge uprising of the youth to immediately
unseat her. "Now that the truth is out, our fight for transparency
has become our fight to safeguard the future of the youth and the
nation. ” said de Guzman.
YOUTH DARE also supports the establishment of a people’s council
in which the youth and other sectors of society truly committed to
public service will be properly represented.
