ZTE star witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada yesterday expressed concern that corruption not only steals money but also the hopes of the Filipino youth for a bright future.

In a "Mass for Truth" at De La Salle University in Manila, Lozada said in his previous campus tours, he learned that students have no more hope in the country because of the "corrupt" ideals of politicians.

"It really struck me to know that the youth brought out the idea of lack of hope for our country. They said nothing will happen even if we change (our leaders). Pare-parehas lang daw na mga magnanakaw kahit na sino ilagay natin. We’ve given them a very wrong model," Lozada said.

Lozada said students are being discouraged by the fact their parents do not seem to mind the problems in the country.

"I was told by one of them: ‘Why should I care if my parents do not care?’ They are just adopting the mind set of minding their own businesses," Lozada said. As a result, he said, "these young people think that the right thing to do is to not care".

"I appeal to the country’s adults: Just for once, ipakita niyo na may pakialam kayo. Give the youth a very good model by making them possess the habit of an active citizenry needed in a democracy," he said.

La Salle Bro. Mike Valenzuela, in a homily, assailed the administration for placing the country in a deep crisis.

"The nation is currently in the worst crisis since the Marcos dictatorship as corruption and greed are on an unimaginable scale," Valenzuela said.