BY: ADRIAN BRIX LAZARO AND RUTH ANGELI NONATO (UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO INTERNS)
With the upcoming 2025 national and local midterm elections, young voters are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the results.
First-time voter Emil Peterson already knows who he will vote for, emphasizing the importance of integrity, honesty, and competence in candidates.
“They should have integrity, be honest, transparent, and work for the people, not for personal gain,” he said.
Similarly, young voters Katrina Nuqui, Xianne Gaudia, and Dexter Bacud have also decided on their candidates based on transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Data from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) show that millennials and Generation Z make up 63% of the over 75 million registered voters in the 2025 elections.
Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, account for 29.94 million voters, while Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2007, make up 21.97 million.
In Baguio City alone, there are around 44,000 young voters, representing 30-40% of the electorate.
University of the Philippines Baguio assistant professor and political analyst Karin Bangsoy noted that younger generations tend to have a different approach to choosing leaders compared to older voters.
“They provide fresh perspectives and insights on issues. For the longest time, our elected officials have come from older generations, yet the context keeps changing. Some issues may not be fully understood by older politicians, so young people need to participate in the political process,” she explained.
She also urged young voters to critically assess candidates based on policies rather than popularity.
“Engaging in politics goes beyond voting. Staying informed and ensuring that the information we believe in is factual, not just rumors or fake news, is crucial,” Bangsoy added.
Young voters also expressed concerns about rising costs of basic goods, press freedom, and the state of the education system.
“The price of goods is increasing. Eggs used to be 6 pesos each, now they’re 10 pesos. This is alarming because many Filipinos are still below the poverty line,” Peterson said.
Bacud, meanwhile, stressed the importance of press freedom, while Almond Gregory Sison pointed out the need for increased funding for education to address the shortage of classrooms and learning materials.
As election day draws closer, experts and youth advocates encourage voters to carefully evaluate candidates and vote for those who genuinely address the country’s pressing concerns.
