00:00 Viewed then as lacking in appeal and sense of purpose by generations of youth who either
00:04 went through it or hope to never see it in back in the curriculum, the Reserved Officers
00:09 Training Corps for some lawmakers should never be optional.
00:13 Still up for debate at the upper chamber, the measure seeking to mandate the program
00:17 is seemingly gaining more support from senators.
00:19 Daniel Manalastas has the details.
00:24 This National Heroes Day, Senator Francis Tolentino reminded everyone that love of countries
00:29 is never optional, either you do or you don't.
00:32 So he posed the question, why make the Reserved Officer Training Corps or ROTC that espouses
00:39 love of country optional?
00:41 He added that one can never tell what would happen in the coming days.
00:46 That's why we have to be prepared.
00:48 As of now, the proposed revival of the mandatory ROTC is still pending in the Senate, which
00:53 they hope to pass before the end of the year.
00:57 Senator Christopher Bongo, meanwhile, believes the ROTC games is an effective way of keeping
01:02 the youth away from the clutches of the illegal drugs menace.
01:06 And for those who do not like the ROTC,
01:08 We hope to give them an alternative.
01:13 They can have a game program in lieu of ROTC.
01:19 We can study it well.
01:22 For those who do not like it, let's not give them.
01:27 And I'm sure many of our countrymen would like to get a subject, I mean, to finish ROTC.
01:42 This weekend, Vice President Sara Duterte, together with Senator Tolentino, led the opening
01:47 of the Philippine ROTC games in Zamboanga City.
01:50 VP Sara is known for staunchly pushing for the revival of the mandatory ROTC.
01:56 Duterte thanked the group behind the Philippine ROTC games 2023, as this is a statement of
02:02 commitment to join in nation-building.
02:05 She is also thankful for the hope that shines and shows in the Filipino youth.
02:10 Daniel Manalastas for The Nation.
