FEBRUARY 12, 2026 — When Senator Robin Padilla dismissed today’s youth as “weak” because of depression and mental health struggles, he probably thought he was making a tough-love statement. Instead, he lit a firestorm. Gabriela Party-list and Kabataan Party-list lawmakers wasted no time in calling him out, and their words cut deep.

“Mapanganib ang ganitong pananaw,” Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago warned. 

(This view is dangerous.)

She reminded everyone that depression isn’t some Gen Z invention — it has always existed, only hidden before by stigma and silence. 

“Hindi kahinaan ang pag-amin sa mental health problems. Sa katunayan, tanda ito ng tapang — ang tapang na kilalanin, unawain, at harapin ang sariling pinagdaraanan,” she insisted. 

(Admitting to mental health problems is not weakness. In fact, it is a mark of courage — the courage to recognize, understand, and confront one’s struggles.)

Kabataan Rep. Renee Co went straight for the jugular, saying, “Hindi surprising na nade-depress ang kabataan, kung araw-araw ang krisis na danas nila mula sa edukasyon hanggang sa korapsyon. Bakit niya sisisihin ang kabataan sa problema na kagagawan ng gobyerno na di rin nila masolusyonan? At least lumalaban ang kabataan.” 

(It’s no surprise that the youth feel depressed when every day they face crises, from education to corruption. Why blame the youth for problems created by the government, problems the government itself cannot solve? At the very least, the youth are fighting back.)

That’s the point, isn’t it? The youth aren’t weak — they’re carrying the weight of systemic failures while still pushing for change. They’re vocal, they’re restless, and yes, they’re vulnerable. But vulnerability doesn’t mean fragility. It means honesty. And honesty, in a society that often prefers silence, is strength.

So why are some of us so quick to dismiss the struggles of the young instead of asking how we can actually support them? If lawmakers themselves admit that mental health is real, then shouldn’t the government stop shrugging it off and start acting on it? 

Depression is a reality. And Gen Z, far from being “weak,” is strong enough to call it out. Because the youth are not the problem. They are the mirror reflecting the cracks in our system. The real weakness lies in refusing to see that.

Maybe it’s time we stop pointing fingers at the youth and start fixing the cracks in the society that keeps weighing them down — don’t you think?

(Image: Senate of the Philippines | Facebook)