Young leaders in the community and the academe signed on Wednesday a manifesto formalizing their crusade against corruption and endorsement of the candidacy of Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who they believe is the only presidential aspirant who can be trusted to take the helm of Malacañang after the May 10 elections.

At least 200 representatives of Sangguniang Kabataan councils of Manila, Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, and Quezon City, together with students from the University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University-Manila, College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa, Sienna College-Bulacan, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and the city-run universities of Manila and Muntinlupa, have inked their names in union with the manifesto of Kabataan Kontra Kurapsyon (KKK).

According to the KKK manifesto, the youth sees Aquino as their only hope for a corrupt-free government that can usher in a better future for their generation.

“Sapagkat kurapsyon at katiwalian ang tunay at pangunahing isyung kailangang tugunan, nararapat lamang na ang lider na ating iluluklok sa Panguluhan ay yaong may kakayahan, pagkatao at integridad na pangunahan, labanan at pagwagihan ang laban na ito. Nakikita natin ang mga katangiang ito sa katauhan ni Senador Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino,” the manifesto reads.

According to KKK spokesperson Dave Reyes Chua of De La Salle University, the KKK manifesto brings together young people from different areas and institutions to make a united stand against corruption and the ills it brings to society. He said the young people who signed the manifesto are fed up with how the culture of corruption relates to the perennial problem of poverty.

Chua said they believe that corruption and poverty are tightly related because systemic corruption in public office is considered as the foremost reason for the persistent poverty in the country. Through this manifesto, he said, their generation recognizes their role as heirs of this problem and that only Aquino is the presidential candidate to help them.

Since Aquino was in Pangasinan for a sortie at the time the manifesto was signed in Manila, it was his nephew Kiko Dee who represented him. Kiko is the son of Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee.

KKK endorsement of Aquino’s candidacy makes it similar with the Advocates of Youth and Students for Noynoy Aquino, whose lead convenor is matinee idol Dingdong Dantes.