concept-group3 by Zeus Martinez

IChoose YOUth!

The Effect of Youth Participation in Local and National Elections to Urge Social Awareness Among Non-Voters

Aconceptpaper

IChoose YOUth!

The Effect of Youth Participation in Local and National Elections to Urge Social Awareness

Aconceptpaper

Among Non-Voters

PREPARED BY:

Zeus Martinez

Hannah

Shane Bosi

Leanne Dimaalihan

Christine Agoncillo

Ma. Alexis Lim

Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

YOUth!

Introduction I.

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

INTRODUCTION

Following the ousting of the previous President Ferdinand Marcos, through the People’s Power Revolution in 1986 The reign of Corazon C Aquino commenced She nullified the constitution of 1973 and drafted a new constitution which was ratified in 1987, giving Filipino citizens the chance to rise from the damage of martial law Furthermore, she played a vital role in restoring the democratic rule of the country (Cullinane & Borlaza 2024: Britannica 2024) Eventually, this would later on pave the way for the involvement of the younger generation in civic engagements.

Today's youth has become more advanced and progressive if compared to previous youngsters While young individuals in the past are less involved in global issues, primarily focusing on local and community issues. Today's youth are far more engaged with the challenges facing the country. Youth activism has been around for years, and this movement has been a factor in resolving countless issues facing the world, In recent years youth activism has significantly evolved to what we have now Now, the youth are well informed about the issues facing the world. From addressing problems to advocating what's right, Today's youth are not just passive observers, the youth have become well-engaged to issues circulating the world.

Not long after the devastation of Typhoon Kristine in the Philippines, The youth sprang into action demonstrating remarkable resilience and solidarity, also with Typhoon Leon Recognizing the needs of affected communities. At this very moment, the Philippines still faces countless of challenges, from poverty to climate change However, with the approaching election insight, how can these young voices advocate for the future?

According in the document, Review of the World Programme of Action for Youth Implementation in the Philippines, the youth, ages ranging from 15-24, makes up <40% of the population of the Philippines Children starts to be enganged in social and political issues as they grow up Tuft's Circle (2019) states that, it is important for the youth to be

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

involved in governance and political decision-making before they reach the age of voting. Tech and Civil Life (2021) also sates that, early engagement of the youth in governance and political decision-making helps them develop to be civilized engaged citizen. However, many youngsters are still uneducated when it comes to this social and political issues therefore hindering their participation in this kind of activities. Considering there are several factors that affect their participation such as, lack of awareness, lack of interest, etc.

Currently, one of the biggest problem of the Philippines is corruption. The voice of our youth cannot be underestimated With their unique perspectives, innovative ideas, and tireless energy for social and political issues. In addition to this, youth activism and engagement in social ang political issues can significantly address the corruption of the country.

Just recently during the 2022 national elections, we’ve seen the utmost participation of local youth engagement in campaigning for their candidates. In the 2022 presidential elections, social media interactions was one of the key platforms used for campaigning, where even non-voters took their time to speak on their on views and opinions regarding that year’s elections. This was most evident to the supporters of former Vice-President Leni Robredo with support from non-voters exceeded expectations.

In fact, in Tuguegarao City alone, during the Leni Robredo rally held at the St Peter Metropolitan Cathedral Grounds where most attendees were minors. With the city being a part of the alleged "Solid North" Movement from rival Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr , these youth challenged the status quo of citizens being avid Marcos supporters

Now, with the upcoming midterm elections in 2025, the youth vote has spoken louder than ever Social media platforms like Tiktok, and X (formerly Twitter) has been the laying ground for exposing the political dynasties, and injustices made by politicians who

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

are trying to vie for a seat in the government Also, aside from past actions made, the qualifications of those who are running have not been exempted from the criticisms made by non-voters

With this, the youth is not afraid to question the ability and demand accountability from leaders. In participating in elections, the youth can shape the future of the Philippines and ensure that their voices are heard by the leaders. This advocacy, "I Choose YOUth!: The Effect of Youth Participation in Local and National Elections to Urge Social Awareness Among Non-Voters," aims to find the relevance of young Filipinos in local and national elections, making sure that their concerns are heard and elevating a high standard in the government

With this advocacy, we pursue inspiring the generation of proactive youths that can help to build a more progressive and accountable nation. That has the bigger opportunity to improve the Filipino standard in selecting a leader

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

Purpose

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

PURPOSE

The Philippines faces challenges including corruption, poverty, and even climate change, which affects the younger generations. At the present time, a lot of youths are well informed, more prepared, and more ready. They are intrigued by discussing policies and engaging government to not just hear their opinions and ideas but to work with them actively to turn those ideas into action.

The purpose of engaging young individuals in the general or local election process is to empower youth to voice their opinions and decisions; they make differences in policies that affect their lives. By urging youth involvement in elections, "I Choose YOUth" seeks to bridge the gap between policymakers and the younger generation They can influence decisions, perspectives, and opinions that will shape their future due to the fact that they bring a progressive change on issues along the lines of social justice, technology, and environmental sustainability.

This advocacy influences youth people to take on governance or leadership roles in their communities to prepare the next generation of politicians. The youth's unique perspectives and beliefs can challenge the status of a certain community and inspire new approaches to local or national issues. This advocacy wants a healthy and sustained youth interest in policy-making.

The researchers saw the benefits of youth being involved in both local and national elections The result of this advocacy is highly beneficial to the following sectors:

Education sector Students can benefit from being involved in political discussions because it can enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. The knowledge they'll gain is essential for their academics and future professions.

Government Sector Government benefits with the help of the unique perspective of these young Filipinos that can revolutionise the political landscape Having a more

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

dynamic and democratic society can emerge as the nation's politics become more effective with the younger generation shaping policy decisions. An increasing number of participations of youth can also hold the leaders accountable and ensure transparency in the governance.

Community Sector. Communities benefit from young people that bring innovative solutions to community problems, including poverty, inequality, and ecological issues. And by empowering young Filipinos to become active citizens, "We Chose YOUth" can foster stronger and more resilient communities.

Future Researchers. This study is significant to future researchers as it may motivate and may can impact to them especially if they wish to venture parallel research like this considering other variables. Researchers can observe trends, shifts, and generational changes in civic attitudes and behaviors, providing insights that could help shape future electoral and civic education initiatives.

PREPARED BY Zeus

Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

III. Description

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

METHODOLOGY

This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, to understand youth perceptions and motivations around voting. A diverse sample of youth aged 13-17 from various demographics, including urban and rural backgrounds, will be surveyed online and in paper format to assess electoral awareness, participation barriers, and voting motivations. To enhance community engagement, workshops, and focus groups will discuss findings and strategize on boosting youth electoral involvement, offering a platform for youth to voice political views Collaborations with local organizations, schools, and universities will help disseminate information and encourage active participation. Quantitative data will be statistically analyzed to identify trends, while thematic analysis of qualitative data will uncover key insights and narratives.

DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS

This section presents the data gathered, the results of the statistical analysis done, and the interpretation of findings. These are presented in tables and graphs following the discussions and analyses of the results.

Graph 1 shows the total tally of the ages of the respondents during May of 2022, when the 2022 presidential elections where held. The graph shows that the peak age taken from the total samples where 14 years old, followed by the ages of 15 and 13

Furthermore, the ages of 17 and 16 appeared the least with zero respondents aged 16 in May 2022, and only 1 aged 17

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

Graph 1 Tally on the Ages of the Respondents

IChoose YOUth!

Graph 2 The Percentage of the Sample Being Aware About the 2022 Presidential Elections

Graph 2 shows the total percentage of the test sample and their awareness about the 2022 presidential elections, with 96% of them not having awareness about it

Approximately only 1 person out of 25 was not aware of it

Graph 3 & 4. The Percentage of the Sample Having Presidential Candidates and Who they are

In graphs 3 and 4, it shows that 72% of the population chose a presidential candidate while about 7 out of the 25 voters chose not to have a presidential candidate

Further, among the sample, the pair Robredo-Pangilinan emerged as the highest garnering votes among the youth with more than half the sample choosing them Coming in second was Marcos-Duterte with 20 percent

Graph 5. Percentage of Those Who Campaigned for their Presidential Candidate

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

Graph 5 shows that the majority of those who had presidential candidates did not campaign for their candidates Only 36% of the sample did campaign for their presidential candidate, most of whom eyed Robredo-Pangilinan.

Graph 6. Type of Campaigning Sample Population Took Part in

Among those who chose to campaign for their bets, majority opted to campaign through social media platforms According to Graph 6, only one (1) among those who campaigned, chose to campaign by attending rallies.

Graph 7 & 8 Percentage of Samples who have Registered Voters in their Household who Disagrees with their Presidential Bet and Whether they tried to Convince to Vote Otherwise

PREPARED

BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

In Graphs 7 & 8, most of the sample had registered voters in their households who disagreed with their presidential bet. Among those who had disagreements, most of the sample tried to convince them to vote otherwise

Graph 9. Percentage of Success Among Samples Who Tried Convincing

Those who Disagreed with Their Bet

According to Graph 9, the majority of those who did try to convince did not succeed in changing the vote. However, half of them did manage to somehow convince a part of their household

Further, according to one of the respondents who managed to change their mind, a reason why they were able to convince them was because of them laying the groundwork of their presidential bets. They were able to cite their best’s notable achievements in leadership Another quoted, “They changed their mind on the election day itself They said they realized that they were voting for my future, which is why they kept in mind my lashings and the many times I tried to convince them to vote for my presidential bet ”

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

FINDINGS AND APPLICATION

Upon reaching all those findings, it is safe to conclude that the main reason why non-voters, or minors, are constantly being put aside during elections like these is because they aren’t most educated in the importance of their participation. In the survey, it is noted that most minors do have presidential bets. However, they lack the drive and perseverance to campaign their bets.

Additionally, the power of social media truly shines after knowing that those who campaign for their favorites utilize social media platforms like Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).

It is visible in the surveys that although there is a very small chance of success among those minors who try to convince voters to believe in their personal favorites, the amount of those who even attempt to change other people’s minds is too small. Even with the slimmest chance of succeeding, the urge to try must be instilled in the minds of these minors, as their voice matters as well.

This now leads us to the implementation of “I Choose YOUth.” Knowing all this knowledge, we now know the perfect angles to take to ensure effectiveness. The advocacy will use Social Media most of the time since it has the widest reach among the target audience -- minors -- and the advocacy would focus on pushing these people to amplify their voices

This advocacy would ensure that even those non-voters would still have a part in local and national elections The results suggest that with an increase in youth campaigning in politics, there would be a positive change

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

Support IV.

PREPARED BY Zeus Martinez, Hannah Shane Bosi, Leanne Dimaalihan, Christine Agoncillo, Ma Alexis Lim

IChoose YOUth!

Table 1 Predicted Costs for the Face-to-Face Portion of the Advocacy 3,000 1,000 6,000

The "I Choose YOUth" advocacy campaign aims to encourage local youth participation in elections Expenses include PHP3,000 for posters and flyers for creating promotional materials to raise awareness about the campaign. PHP1,000 for travel to engage with youth this covers expenses for the team to travel to various locations to engage with youth and promote the campaign. Lastly, PHP2,000 for unplanned costs or any unexpected costs that may arise during the campaign, ensuring that the team can respond flexibly, totaling PHP6,000.

The money that will be used to fund this advocacy campaign will only be coming from the pockets of the proponents of this campaign, and from any citizen who has the goodwill to support and donate to this cause