Kabataan party-list files intent to join 2022 polls amid threats

A progressive youth group from the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives has submitted an intent to join in the 2022 party-list polls, slamming threats of the military to disqualify them from the elections.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago took to social media to announce that they have filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) their manifestation of intent both electronically and via courier on March 26.

“Despite threats of disqualification and attacks against [us], we won’t stop participating in the elections and taking a stand,” Elago said. “To fight for health, aid, education, jobs, and justice now is a matter of survival amid the pandemic and the climate, and human rights emergencies.”

She also called on those who are turning 18 years old — and those who have yet to register at Comelec — to “get organized and actively participate in the campaign for registration and education for voter’s empowerment.”

“Follow health protocols and don’t wait until the September 30 deadline this year.” the lawmaker said. “Don’t hold back. Speak truth to power.”

In March, Gabriela Women’s Party, who is also part of the Makabayan bloc, filed its own manifestation of intent “as an act of defiance” to the disqualification case filed by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) against it.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., who is also the vice chairperson of the NTF-ELCAC, had said the left-leaning lawmakers should be barred from joining future elections, as they did not condemn the violent attacks of the rebel group, New People’s Army (NPA).