Senator Robin Padilla has made a controversial statement about depression and the youth today, and the Palace has a response to it.
“Kids nowadays, sadly, please don’t get mad at me — oh, I’m sure many of you will get upset — but forgive me… you are weak,”
Senator Robin Padila said during a discussion on various measures regarding children’s safety on social media
. Padilla made the statement during Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media on the Children’s Safety in Social Media Act.
This remark has created a loud buzz online after he expressed this at a hearing of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, which he heads. He added, as well, that during his time, depression was not common.
Padilla said,
“In our time, the word ‘depression’ wasn’t commonly used. I didn’t even know what it was. Nowadays, even small kids say, ‘I’m depressed.”
“Alam po ninyo, ang opinyon po ay hindi naman po natin dapat pang bigyan ng anumang tugon. Malamang-lamang po ay mayroon lang gustong iresolba ang senador sa mga issues ngayon. Pero in general, hindi po naman dapat nating sabihin na ang ating mga kabataan ay mahina dahil ang kabataan ay siyang pag-asa ng bayan,”
Castro said in a press briefing on Friday.
With this hope, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues the efforts of the administration to improve programs for youth education and health. Asked about the potential implications of the lawmaker’s remarks on those dealing with depression, the Palace official said it was hard to determine.