For all the excitement, commotion, and violence it causes, the Arroyo administration is one that is barren; void of any political, social, and economic progress. Since assuming her position in 2001, a seat she gained by conveniently waiting for the right moment, Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has led the Philippines to steady decay. The country has since been on a downhill roll with no end in sight.

Tainted with less-than amusing controversies and deceptive governance, the Arroyo regime puts the nation in disgrace as she seeks to sate her voracious appetite for wealth and influence. She and her allies manage to accomplish heinous crimes and avoid punishment by implementing fail-safe regulations and downright questionable policies. Ms. Arroyo commits all these acts for the benefit of her foreign masters, who have her on a leash, in return for favors granted to her and her cronies.

Ms. Arroyo’s dictate puts the Filipino people in a worsening predicament, especially the labor, transport, agriculture, and youth sectors. Prices are skyrocketing with no sign of letting up as families bordering on or below the poverty line struggle to cope with the consequently greater cost of living. The cause is traced directly back to the uncontrollable rise in the price of crude oil in the global market. Over the years of Ms. Arroyo’s tenure, the price of oil has drastically increased due to the monopoly of the oil industry by cartels intent on gaining more profit. Recent figures put Chevron’s (Caltex Philippines) gains at US$18.7 billion in 2007, Saudi Aramco’s (Petron) at US$15 billion, and Royal Dutch Shell’s (Pilipinas Shell) at US$27.6 billion (IBON News, 9 July 2008).

The administration provides protection for these entities from the probing eyes of the media in order to preserve their investments in such dealings. Those daring to fight against such self-indulgence at the expense of the masses are put out of the picture. As such, the administration is assured that there is no real threat to their interests.

Meanwhile, the full effects of this oil crisis are felt not only by the transport sector but also all sectors, as all are dependent on any form of transportation. The oil price hike pushes transport groups to call for a Php125 across-the-board, across-the-nation wage hike. This in turn puts other sectors in a tight fix worrying how to make room for the increase in fares. The youth sector is no different, as both students and non-students are constantly reliant on transportation.

To make matters worse, the rise in oil prices affects the prices of other goods. Ironically, basic commodities are not spared the increase in costs. This predicament, coupled with the ever-present burden of Value Added Tax (VAT) and its other components, is too much for the average Filipino family to deal with. If the people cannot even afford necessities such as food at reasonable prices, there is a serious situation regarding economy in the country.

But the administration absolutely refuses to see things this way. The President is convinced that the way she runs this republic is sufficient to be able to justify her ridiculous statements at the State of the Nation Address.

In the process, she also refuses to acknowledge her abuse of authority to further political and social gains at the expense of allowing the Filipino people to suffer. The youth are not excluded from this plight, as whatever the masses endure, the youth as part of these masses also endure. The youth is troubled how to make room for extra fare expenses in their allowance. The youth is held by the throat by the higher cost of goods. The youth already has to deal with colonial, repressive, privatized, and elitist education, without other crises adding more problems to the list.

The administration’s ignorance of these realities must be put to a stop. Ms. Arroyo may have the guts to say words perfumed with deception at her SONA, but she undoubtedly does not have the results to back her words. She may put on a show of confidence and resilience, yet in contrast, she is living in constant fear of the people’s might and of the day she will be overthrown.

The youth have spoken and decided, and know by heart where to stand in this fight that will result in victory for the Filipino people in the coming years. This fight is for the masses, and as part of those who will prosper in its triumph, the youth stands for truth and justice, in the face of persecution if need be.