Hon. Diokno Encourages Youth to Speak up Against Injustice in Youth-led Seminar at AUEEC

"‘KABATAAN SA KONGRESO: From Youth Concerns to Public Policies’ seminar at Arellano University Elisa Esguerra Campus last October 28, 2026"

With the theme “Kabataan sa Kongreso,” the event highlighted significant roles of the youth in shaping the future and changing the world for the better discussed by Cong. Chel Diokno and Akbayan SJDM Representative, Jaypee B. Cordova. The seminar was organized by Cheldren in Action-Malabon in collaboration with República Humanista through the support of the President-Emeritus, Francesca Venice C. Santos. The symposium aimed to educate students about the importance of using the youth’s echo whenever justice is being delayed and denied, surrounding the issues that the youth are experiencing in their daily lives as Filipino citizens.

To kickstart the seminar, the República Humanista commenced with an introduction to the speakers and a warm welcome to the youth volunteers of CHELdren In Action-Malabon. It was then followed by the icebreaker portion that was led by República Humanista President Richnelle Joy Cruz and Vice President Schinina Rae Barnachea, they tackled varieties of fun facts relating to Philippine politics and also gave away prizes with inspiring messages.

Following the short activity, Hon. Diokno was welcomed by the Arellano University Dean, Mr. Sherwin Punla, AUEEC Principal, Mr. Mark C. Malonzo, AUEEC Assistant Principal, Mr. Dhavid Paul L.Tapang, and República Humanista Adviser, Mr. John Dem V. Santos who gave a corsage along with the officers, who offered teal-colored flowers to the congressman symbolizing his political color. With over 300 students as attendees, Hon. Diokno entered the venue with cheers and applause from the students. The seminar was formally started with the opening remarks of the Principal. During his opening remarks, Arellano University-Elisa Esguerra Principal, Mark C. Malonzo acknowledged and thanked the administrators, including the CHELdren in Action-Malabon youth volunteers, the República Humanista, and the students who attended the seminar. Moving forward, Diokno was formally introduced by the youth volunteers prior to his discussion that got another round of applause from everyone

During his dialogue, Hon. Diokno interviewed some of the Grade 12 student participants. One of them was Janna Alexa, a Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) student, who was asked, “Ano 'yung una niyong naiisip 'pag naririnig niyo 'yung salitang 'Kongreso'?”

“Corrupt,” Alexa said.

“Yun! 'Yan ang gusto kong marinig. Dahil talaga naman eh, 'pag naisip natin ang Congress, baka kung hindi corrupt, baka buwaya ang naiisip niyong salita, 'di ba?” Diokno expressed.

Afterwards, a few more students were also called and answered the question around ‘dapat justice, bakaw, and buwaya.’

During his discussion, Hon Diokno shared, “Ang Kabataan ay Hindi Lamang Pag-asa ng Pilipinas, Sapagkat ang Kabataan ay ang Pilipinas,” This striking statement remarkably stood out, affirming that the Philippines have a strong youth presence mostly proved in social media. In line with this, Diokno emphasized the vital role of Generation Z in decision making, public polls, and democratic processes, where their voice and action carries far greater weight than is often acknowledged. It's the mere fact that the majority of the decisions being made affects them profoundly.

But what are those decisions? What are voices if individuals in power are not allowing them to have a platform in the first place amidst the obvious injustices we face?

With those questions being brought up, the second speaker, Akbayan Partylist San Jose Del Monte Representative, Mx. Jaypee B. Cordova, discussed the actual point of the program, how to raise concerns as a youth for a chance that it will be brought up to the congress and inspire government action through it? Cordova discussed a very engaging seminar in which all of the students were actively asking questions and participating during his talk. He delved deeper into the topic that our new generation must not be left out in deciding the future of ourselves.

After the event, Cong. Chel Diokno’s staff shared to CHELdren In Action (CIA) Malabon that it is evident that Diokno enjoyed his time with the students of Arellano University-Elisa Esguerra Campus, stating that they are very active and aware of the social issues surrounding them. Recalling his teaching journey, they expressed that Diokno felt nostalgic because the venue was set in a classroom and it made him feel like he is teaching all over again.

‘Eh talaga nga namang gusto kong tumalon sa tuwa noong tawagan ako no'ng kaibigan ko at President Emeritus ng República na si Francesca Santos na ano raw ba ang kailangan para makapag-conduct ng seminar ang CHELdren in Action, at lalo akong nagulantang no'ng malaman kong isa sa magsasalita doon, eh, si Chel Diokno! Kaya ante mano, pumunta kami sa OSA para malaman po namin kung anu-ano 'yong mga requirements para maisagawa po itong seminar. Kaya ako, lubos-lubos po ang pasasalamat ko sa pamunuan ng Arellano University dahil naisagawa po itong aktibidad na ito. Eh nakatutuwa po dahil doon po sa naganap na seminar eh naging aktibo ang partisipasyon ng mga Arellanites, at kitang-kita na mulat na mulat sila. Alam talaga nila kung ano ang nangyayari sa ating lipunan. Sa pamamagitan ng mga salitang sinabi ni Chel Diokno eh na-inspire ang mga Chiefs na tumindig para sa tama. Kaya nakakatuwa po na nabigyan po tayo ng ganitong pagkakataon. Lubos-lubos po ang pasasalamat ko sa tanggapan ni Cong. Chel Diokno, kasama na ang CHELdren in Action-Malabon na pinamumunuan ni Mr. Justin Pagibigan’ John Dem Santos.

‘Unang una sa lahat sobrang saya and sobrang nagpapasalamat ako dahil pinagkatiwalaan kami at binigyan kami ng opportunity na tumulong sa seminar.

Isa rin sa mga talagang nagpasaya sa akin ay ang makita at mapakinggan ang mga estudyante/kabataan tungkol sa mga isyung panlipunan. Nakakatuwang makita na karamihan sa kanila ay may alam, may iba't ibang pananaw, nakikinig at willing pa silang matuto.

Lastly, masasabi kong na-achieve namin ang goal ng seminar. Ang mapakinggan ang kabataan. Nabigyan sila ng pagkakataong mapakinggan at makibahagi sa mga ganitong usapan’ Schinina Rae Barnachea.

To conclude, it was a very successful event that gathered nearly 300 participants. Students shared that they were very happy and stated that they had been informed well by the seminar conducted. The CHELDren in Action-Malabon also shared that they were very happy with the coordination of República Humanista.

Children in Action–Malabon is having their campus caravan, where they visit schools and different areas around Malabon to conduct seminars. This led them to Arellano University – Elisa Esguerra Campus, where they chose República Humanista to collaborate with. They also stated that they will be visiting many schools in Malabon in the very near future.

- Richnelle Joy M. Cruz