By Lance Mejico
With the primary aim of empowering youth in engaging in moral and social discussions, Former Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno shared an exclusive conversation with students in the recently concluded Transparency, Morals, and Accountability: Conversations with the Chief Justice on February 28 at The Luis Aguado Viewing Room.
Sereno stressed the significant role of youth in helping end various ways of oppression and in educating others about highly relevant social issues. “I am so excited about young Filipinos, ayaw nila ng peke, ayaw nila ng inauthentic leader,” she stated.
Bawat Isa Mahalaga Movement
Meanwhile, she also shared a glimpse of her advocacy entitled as the “Bawat Isa Mahalaga Movement,” which aims to empower unheard voices of the youth and those who come from the marginalized sectors.
Launched in October 2018, the said movement intends to encourage people to speak up against oppressive and repressive views, for the sake of the ordinary and powerless Filipinos. “We’re going all over the country to tell people that there is hope. We don’t have to give in into cynicism,” Sereno said.
The former Chief Justice also expressed her opposition against some issues that concern the youth and students, including the potential implementation of mandatory ROTC in universities and the ongoing talks on Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) by Commission on Higher Education.
Sereno questioned the real intention of the mandatory ROTC, stating that the implementation imparts the concept of obeying the government regardless of them being right or wrong. “What does it mean to be a real nationalist? It’s not by undergoing military drills, it’s a matter of the heart,” she stated.
At the end of the talk, Sereno reminded the Lasallians to never give up on fighting for truth and justice. “Your identity is much deeper than you think. In fact, there is a bright future and a bright hope awaiting all of you,” she said.
Moreover, Sereno also paid a visit to DLSU-D President Br. Augustine Boquer and University Vice Chancellors at the Bahay Pag-Asa Transformation Center, after the 45-minute conversation with the students.
