Año says NYC chairman does not have to step down from post

February 22, 2019

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año believes  the chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC) does not have to step down from his post.

  “I don’t see enough reason for NYC chairman Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema to resign. In his sincere intention to rally the youth towards more relevant undertakings, his statements may have been misinterpreted,” said Año.

The NYC was recently placed under the supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government. 

  Año said  Cardema’s statement may have been misinterpreted when he suggested to remove the government scholarships of “rebellious student rallyists” only because of his frustration over reports that university and college students are being recruited by communist terrorist groups.

  “I think that as NYC chair, he just got frustrated that some of our young people, who are supposed to be part of nation-building and support of government undertakings, are being brainwashed into joining anti-government forces,” he said.

  Cardema on Wednesday proposed to Malacañang to issue an executive order that would revoke government scholarships of all anti-government youth leaders who are allied with the left. But he explained that his suggestion only covered those rallyists who have joined the CPP-NPA ( Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army). 

  “Cardema has been doing good things in the NYC which we fully support. He has good intentions. There’s no need for him to resign at this time,” Año said. 

  Duterte said it is a constitutional right of Filipinos to be free to express and assemble themselves and that membership in state university organizations tied to Left is not enough ground to revoke government financial subsidy to government scholars.

  “The President qualified that a student directly helping CPP/NPA/NDF operations will have their scholarships revoked and may also be charged with rebellion under existing laws,” Año said.

  Año calls on the public, most especially the youth, to be more discerning in joining student organizations in order not to be brainwashed on the communist ideology.

  “We must remember that the Reds have an underground organization that spreads deceitful and anti-government propaganda among our citizens. So let us all be vigilant against such forms of brainwashing,” he said.  DMS