MANILA — Sen. Robin Padilla stood by his controversial remark describing today’s youth as “weak,” insisting it was backed by alarming suicide statistics, including data showing that nearly one in five Filipinos aged 15 to 24 had contemplated taking their own lives.
Padilla issued the clarification on Facebook after drawing criticism for his statement during a Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media hearing on proposals seeking to protect children on social media platforms.
“Ako ang chairman ng Public information at mass media, mandato ko ang maging totoo sa taongbayan at wag maging plastic o mapagkunwari sa mga sinasabi ko dahil yun ang katotohanan,” Padilla said.
He stressed that his remarks were based on research reviewed by his office and findings from international institutions.
“Ang nagsasabing mahina o weak ang kabataan ngayon ay ang mga datos ng suicide o pagpapatiwakal na aming pinag-aralan sa aming opisina, hindi bunga lang ng aming mungkahi o opinyon,” Padilla said.
“Katunayan ay sa buong pag-aaral din ng ibang mga progresibong bansa pati na ang World Health Organization ay nagpapatunay sa mga datos,” the senator added.
Padilla cited a 2021 survey showing that almost 20 percent of Filipinos aged 15 to 24 had experienced thoughts of ending their lives. He also pointed out that suicide attempts among young people increased to 7.5 percent in 2021, up from 3 percent in 2013.
He further noted that nearly half of recorded suicide cases since 2010 involved individuals aged 10 to 35.
The senator urged critics to focus on addressing the mental health crisis rather than targeting him over his wording.
“Kaya kung nais niyo makatulong sa isyu na ito ng mga kabataan. Do something about it and stop talking about me. Act on the data not act on my statement. Harapın niyo ang nangyayari sa ating kabataan hindi ako,” he said./PN
