On May 12, make your voice and vote heard for a better future and a better Philippines.
Related: Vote Wisely: 5 Tips For First-Time Voters For The 2025 Elections
Unless you’ve truly been living an off-grid life, you probably know that the 2025 midterm elections are upon us. After months of campaigning, it all comes down to election day on May 12. And now that it’s a non-working holiday, you have even more reasons to cast your ballot.
Listen, we get it, with the way the Philippines is, it feels almost hopeless to imagine a better country. Many of us are understandably angry and tired of how the present doesn’t look too promising and how a better future is getting further out of reach. But that kind of apathy and disillusionment makes the bad guys win. Elections are for your vote to reflect your stand. Not only do you vote for yourself, but you also vote for the people around you, the marginalized, the underrepresented, and many more.
We all want a better country and a government that cares for us, and the 2025 national elections are an avenue to do just that by electing deserving leaders and holding the government accountable. You only have one ballot, so practice your right to vote and make it count, because your vote can actually make a difference. As we get closer to election day, here are a few reminders on what you can do until then.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
The commercials have aired and the campaign speeches have been made. So, now’s the time to lock in and really see what the candidates are all about when it comes to their policies, platforms, and plans. If you’re still unsure who to vote for, Google is your friend, so use your resources to see the candidates who align with your values and stand up for advocacies, stances, and causes you want to see in government. Whether it be having a well-paying job, wanting affordable rent, or the like, your priorities should guide you on who to vote for, not what the people around you say. Once you’ve done that, finalize your list ahead of election day. Speaking of…
MAKE AN ELECTION DAY PLAN
Election day can be hectic, so it pays to be prepared. For starters, you can and are encouraged to make and bring a kodigo so that you have a list of who you’re voting for. Next, find your precinct, which you can do here. Plan also how you’re getting to your voting location. If you’re a first-time voter, do not heavily shade the circles to not spoil your ballot. You can check out a sample ballot from COMELEC based on where you’re voting here. Finally, know when you’re voting as the polls are only open from 7 AM – 7 PM on May 12. We suggest you vote as early as possible to avoid long lines or in case something might happen.
VOTE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE POSITIONS ON YOUR BALLOT
Top to bottom, front to back, your ballot will ask you to vote for multiple positions both national and local. The main draw is the senators, where you can vote as many as twelve senators. Below that are other positions up and down the government that depend on where you’re voting, from governor, congressman, mayor, councilor, and more.
Also, don’t forget to vote for partylist at the back of the ballot. There are 156 options, with each partylist ideally representing a certain sector (though let’s be real, that isn’t always the case). While you’re not required to vote in all the positions on your ballot, we highly recommend you do so and not leave it blank.
DO YOUR FINAL CAMPAIGNING
The candidates are down to their last days of campaigning, so if you want to help out and support your candidates, now’s the time to do so. You also don’t have to do house-to-house activities or attend campaign events. Talking to your family, friends, and the people around you about the candidates you support is already enough. It’s just one weekend left (and the campaign season technically ends on May 10), so make that final push of support count.
FIND TIME TO REST
Election anxiety is real. We all get anxious waiting for election results, which is why it’s important to also focus on yourself and your mental health. There’s no need to be constantly looped in on election news, so instead of doomscrolling for hours, log off and limit your screen time. Find time this long weekend to do other activities outside elections and shift your focus and attention to something more holistic, calm, and relaxing. Panicking about things you can’t control is not the vibe, so put those worst-case scenarios out of your mind.
Continue Reading: Laying Down Some Facts You Should Know About The Upcoming 2025 Elections
