The Communiqué September 5, 2023
Publication material by Cyriel Valeroso/The Communiqué On Friday, a new survey analysis of the present political climate showed that issues resonating among the youth remained unheard.
Oculum Research and Analytics bared September 1, the survey frontrunners of the 2025 senatorial elections.
Among them were former senate president Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (2nd; 48%),former president Rodrigo Duterte (3rd; 39%), and incumbent senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa (5th; 32%) who were known supporters and proponents of the mandatory ROTC.
The Oculum study also named several candidates who were known for their lackluster stance on youth-centric issues such as the advancement of gay rights in the country, social welfare, education, militarization, freedom of information, transparency and good governance.
Pasig City Mayor, Vico Sotto, the only candidate that has a huge appeal among the youth has entered the so-called 'Magic 12'.
Other candidates popular among young voters such as former vice president Leni Robredo, Chel Diokno, and Kiko Pangilinan were in distant spots.
Oculum's Chief Political Analyst, Dr. Dennis Coronacion and columnist Manny Mogato, attributed the results on the power of their media presence, especially on social media.
"Candidates like Tulfo, Duterte, and Sotto all enjoyed the strong media coverage they had due to the events that took place alongside the conduct of this survey," Mogato said in Oculum's press conference in Makati.
Moreover, the absence of opposition bets in the 'Magic 12' was glaring; many of them were championed by young voters in the last 2022 Presidential elections.
Coronacion explained that the public, on the conduct of the survey, still views them as elitist and ineffective in bringing about changes in the government.
"What happened last election, especially how the opposition was branded as "enemies of the government" by their detractors was still very much fresh in the consciousness of the public," Mogato added.
Related Story: 2025 Senate Race: Erwin Tulfo leads senatorial survey, opposition bets absent in 'Magic 12'
Filipinos yet to embrace progressive reforms
In the same survey, Oculum Research and Analytics also examined pressing contemporary social issues.
Results showed that 91% of Filipinos were very much supportive of the continuation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P's), which was put under scrutiny recently.
On the other hand, the public was divided on issues like climate action, K to 12, mandatory ROTC, and rice importation with results on the 50% threshold.
Meanwhile, Filipinos remained unsupportive of issues such as divorce, same-sex marriage, and SOGIE, only achieving sub-25% level of support.
Controversial issues like Anti-Communism, Maharlika Investment Fund garnered some support at 23% and 34% but many Filipinos strongly opposed partnership with China, E-Sabong, and POGO.
These results revealed that the nation is yet to embrace contentious topics and yet to reform itself on contemporary and global ideals but remain firm on preserving its long-standing values.
The youth amidst the turbulent political and social climate
Whatever these results may mean the present, will guide us who do we really want to guide us come 2025.
It's still too early to say that the Oculum's survey result will translate into winning votes for the twelve candidates named.
One thing is for sure, that the youngbloods of this generation will never bet their future to the circus we have now.
As wishful thinking this may sound, there is still plenty of time for people to be swayed by what they may see in the days before the 2025 elections.
It seems that the cracks were already forming and it was only a matter of time before the people would revolt against the rotten ways of the current administration.
In tune with this, we encourage everyone to exercise their voting rights and line up to register. The change we really want to see is up to us–our votes.
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