Election season is upon us again, which means going above viral dance clips to help you decide who to vote for.
Related: Laying Down Some Facts You Should Know About The Upcoming 2025 Elections
Unless you’ve been on a social media cleanse this past couple of weeks, then you probably know that election season is here again in the Philippines. While campaigning for the 2025 midterm elections doesn’t officially begin until the start of next year, we did get a sneak peek of our options during the certificate of candidacy (COC) fillings last October 1-8. And based on who filled, let’s just say our choices as voters will be… interesting.
dadamay niyo pa kami eh 😭 pic.twitter.com/obntF13OYi
— FTTM (@FTTM_PH) October 2, 2024
The 2025 elections, which are slated for May 2025, will see more than 18,000 positions across the national and local levels be voted on by Filipinos, and that includes millions of Filipinos who will be voting for the first time. So, if 2025 will be the first time you’ll be casting your ballot, here are a few tips to make your voice heard with an informed decision (because your vote still matters).
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
With so many options on the ballot and people giving all kinds of reasons why you should vote for them, it can feel overwhelming the first time. This is why if you want to start somewhere, the best place is to know what you want. As a Filipino citizen and voter, look inward and reflect on what you want to see in your elected officials or policies advocated for.
This is the first and most important question you need to ask yourself before even sitting down to vote. What do you believe in and what do you stand for? What are the values that you hold dear and the issues you advocate for? Making fully informed decisions starts with voting for what matters to you.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
As simple as this sounds, a trap some voters fall into is just voting for people they see on TV or social media without taking into consideration if their policies or beliefs align with what they want. In a time when politicians try to sway voters through last names, star power, or memes, doing research is a great way to go above the noise.
Look at their qualifications and use credible sources to research the policies and bills they’ll push for if elected. See where the politicians and would-be politicians stand on the issues. Do they agree with the same issues as you? Do they advocate for policies that you agree or disagree with? If you can’t find any or they can’t give concrete answers, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. You only get to vote once this election, after all, so make it count with politicians you feel you can trust and are qualified for the job.
SUPPORT, BUT DON’T IDOLIZE POLITICIANS
More and more are we seeing the line between celebrity and fan culture and Philippine politics blur. It’s not hard to find people who venerate politicians like their favorite actor or musician. But these are government officials, not your bias in an idol group. Stanning politicians should come with a clear reminder that these people have serious jobs, and should be treated as such. Avoid reducing public servants to a fancam or fan edit because looks don’t always translate to a track record (IYKYK). It’s ok to support and even volunteer for candidates in this upcoming election, but remember that they are all open to public criticism and discourse.
VOTE FOR ALL POSITIONS
When you head to your voting precinct in May, your ballot will have quite a few positions on it, and it’s important you vote, or at least know them. The 2025 elections will see Filipinos elect 12 senators (though you can vote for less than that), their local congressperson, mayor, governor, city council, partylist, and more. The elections are more than just voting for a new slate of senators, it will also be your opportunity to have a say on who runs your local government.
Your participation in the elections will be of consequence because you get to help determine who is elected to all levels of government. The most immediate change you can see is in your community, barangay, and city, after all. Those changes will be determined by the councilors and the mayor. So try to avoid just voting for the first person you see on the list because you have a say in your future.
IT’S OK TO TAKE A STEP BACK
Election season can sometimes make for a really nasty time, both online and off. Candidates are doing everything they can to get your vote, political ads flood your social media feeds, emotions are high and heated among family and friends who disagree with your political views, and let’s not forget the trolls in the comments section. All this noise can be a lot to take in, especially if this will be the first time you’re voting.
So, don’t be afraid to log out when things feel too overbearing. It needs to be said that election-related mental health stress is real, and it’s ok to take a conscious break from this. And when you’ve recharged and recovered, get back on the trail of what and who you believe in. At the end of the day, what’s important is that your heart and voting intentions are in the right place and that you exercise your right to vote for the best candidates to lead us into a better future.
Continue Reading: Exercising My Right To Vote: Gen Z Voters On What It Was Like To Vote For The First Time
