End despair over politics by voting right -- Angara

Sen. Edgardo J. Angara said yesterday that the best and the brightest of todays youth rarely go into politics because it is no longer an inspiring field.

He noted that the very bright graduates of 1986, inspired by the EDSA 1 Revolution, turned to public service and politics.

He said he does not blame the youth as many of those in politics today have no preparation at all and have no basic grasp of governance and public policy.

I despair over this, we despair over this, and voting for the right people on May 14 is the only solution to our general sense of desperation, added Angara, who is seeking his fourth term in the Senate. Angara has authored a political party reform bill that could strengthen political parties and increase the chances of highly qualified but lesser-known candidates in winning in the election. The measure also sanctions turncoatism. The Senate is set to approve it when Congress resumes its regular session after the election. Angara is hopeful that it would become a law before the 13th Congress adjourns sine die.

Angara suggested that youths who no longer find politics inspiring should pursue a career in science and technology where they could be of better service to the country and the economy.

Knowledge-based courses like political science and philosophy are not meeting the needs of the economy. The job market calls for those with technical skills. The innovative technical men, not the meek, will inherit the earth, he said.

He noted that on any given Sunday, the job section of major newspapers normally allot two-thirds of their total ad space for business process outsourcing and information technology workers.

Adequate skills can take young men and women anywhere: good jobs, good pay, mobility in the social ladder enough chances to be a main force in the innovation process, Angara said.