By Paul Anthony Eso(Vol. XXVII No. 10, Editorial Cartoon)
In our hands
Many times, the youth has been tagged as the hope of the fatherland. With a total population of more or less 24 million as projected by the National Statistics Office, this is not so hard to imagine. The youth, age 15-30 years old as defined by Republic Act 8044, plays a major role in the making or breaking of the country’s future. At least one third of the country’s population is composed of young people who, if will move as one, can change the course of the country’s history.
And if there is one moment in the history of this country where the voice of the youth is greatly needed, it would be in the upcoming elections. The youth population alone could ensure the victory of the candidate who embodies the ideals of the young generation.
In an article published in abscbn.com, entitled “Imperatives of the Youth” by Maxine Tanya Hamada, it was noted that in the 2004 elections, almost 13 million of the total number of voters were 18-24 years old, five million of which are first time voters. However, it was also noted that roughly two million supposed new voters failed to register for that election. In that same year, the president won by more than a million votes than her opponents’ and as what Hamada said, “Had the two million youth voters registered and voted, it could have tipped the scale.”
For so many years now, the vote of the youth has been considered negligible because a huge number of young people are not registered voters. A lot of them are either unaware that they need to register to vote or they prefer not to vote at all. The latter is perhaps the more damaging since the decision to not participate in the polls is a blatant act of apathy to the fate of the country.
But of course, registering for the elections is only the first part in taking the steps to attain the changes that we aim. It is not enough to just have yourself registered for the elections; you have to take part in the actual voting. According to Youth Vote, an organization that encourages the youth to vote in the election, 54 percent or 34 million voters for the 2010 election fall on the age ranging from 15 to 24 years old. Comprising more than half of the total number of voters, the youth therefore should exercise the right to suffrage.
The 2010 election is fast approaching but out of the 6.4 million potential voters, only 2.6 million are registered as of August 2009. Though the 4.2 million unregistered voters are given until October 31 to register, it is still expected that only a fraction of it will be able to register.
The youth is more than the hope of the fatherland; we are agents of change. If we are not satisfied with what is happening in our country today then it is high time to do something about it, and the best way to show our discontent is to choose for new leaders to lead our country.
With the threats of Cha-Cha and extended terms for politicians, the upcoming election is a crucial moment in the lives of every Filipino. This is not only the time to choose a new leader but also the time to express our dissatisfaction to the government. Our collective votes could change not only a new leader but also the course of our history.
The change that we have been looking for could not be found elsewhere. The power to change the country for the better is in the hands of every Filipino—it is in the hands of the youth. It is up to us to do something to ensure a better future not only for us but to the future generation. By taking part in the elections, we are chartering the future of our country. Through our votes, we are expressing to the world our choice—the choice of change.
Every single vote counts. Every single drop of the indelible ink makes a difference. Every stroke of the pen charts the destiny of our country. And the youth plays a crucial role in attaining this change.
The youth must vote. The youth must take part. The future is in our hands.
And if there is one moment in the history of this country where the voice of the youth is greatly needed, it would be in the upcoming elections. The youth population alone could ensure the victory of the candidate who embodies the ideals of the young generation.
In an article published in abscbn.com, entitled “Imperatives of the Youth” by Maxine Tanya Hamada, it was noted that in the 2004 elections, almost 13 million of the total number of voters were 18-24 years old, five million of which are first time voters. However, it was also noted that roughly two million supposed new voters failed to register for that election. In that same year, the president won by more than a million votes than her opponents’ and as what Hamada said, “Had the two million youth voters registered and voted, it could have tipped the scale.”
For so many years now, the vote of the youth has been considered negligible because a huge number of young people are not registered voters. A lot of them are either unaware that they need to register to vote or they prefer not to vote at all. The latter is perhaps the more damaging since the decision to not participate in the polls is a blatant act of apathy to the fate of the country.
But of course, registering for the elections is only the first part in taking the steps to attain the changes that we aim. It is not enough to just have yourself registered for the elections; you have to take part in the actual voting. According to Youth Vote, an organization that encourages the youth to vote in the election, 54 percent or 34 million voters for the 2010 election fall on the age ranging from 15 to 24 years old. Comprising more than half of the total number of voters, the youth therefore should exercise the right to suffrage.
The 2010 election is fast approaching but out of the 6.4 million potential voters, only 2.6 million are registered as of August 2009. Though the 4.2 million unregistered voters are given until October 31 to register, it is still expected that only a fraction of it will be able to register.
The youth is more than the hope of the fatherland; we are agents of change. If we are not satisfied with what is happening in our country today then it is high time to do something about it, and the best way to show our discontent is to choose for new leaders to lead our country.
With the threats of Cha-Cha and extended terms for politicians, the upcoming election is a crucial moment in the lives of every Filipino. This is not only the time to choose a new leader but also the time to express our dissatisfaction to the government. Our collective votes could change not only a new leader but also the course of our history.
The change that we have been looking for could not be found elsewhere. The power to change the country for the better is in the hands of every Filipino—it is in the hands of the youth. It is up to us to do something to ensure a better future not only for us but to the future generation. By taking part in the elections, we are chartering the future of our country. Through our votes, we are expressing to the world our choice—the choice of change.
Every single vote counts. Every single drop of the indelible ink makes a difference. Every stroke of the pen charts the destiny of our country. And the youth plays a crucial role in attaining this change.
The youth must vote. The youth must take part. The future is in our hands.
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