Cuenco: Let youth watch how governance is done

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council will be inviting students from different colleges and universities to observe its regular session.

In his privilege speech, Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, struck by a nephew’s view on politics, said there is a need to have the students, the future generation, learn how the government works.

Cuenco said he started wondering what the youth think about the government and public officials after a conversation with his 19-year-old nephew, who wants a part-time job at Cebu City Hall.

“We talked about politics. My nephew was listening when I said to my family that I’m having second thoughts of running in 2016. I encouraged the cousin of mine to take my place, this cousin of mine declined. This nephew, the son of my cousin, stuck in my mind,” Cuenco narrates.

He said he was shocked when his nephew said he would volunteer instead to run for councilor. Cuenco answered by reminding him that he has not yet graduated and asking what his qualifications are.

“I told him that it’s a vocation. It’s something that you need to love. It is public service. You know, I’m spending more than what I’m earning,” he said, to which his nephew replied, “I thought all councilors are corrupt. I thought in City Hall, when you become an official, you would make so much money. So I will not study anymore. I just have to run for public office.”

This conversation with his nephew bothered Ceunco in the following days, he said.

“What do young people think about public officials nowadays?” he asked, adding that the young people may think all public officials are corrupt.

“I suggest in a form of motion that we institutionalize, we invite students from other universities so that they will know the goings on in City Hall. I think it is better that we have the youth who will be obser-ving on a daily basis,” he said. He said students should at least know how ordinances and resolutions are passed in the council.

The invitation goes to political science students and those with subjects on sociology, liberal arts, and humanities.

“Let them observe on how governance is done. Let us be transparent in that way,” the councilor added. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/NSA (FREEMAN)