In a bid to empower young voters ahead of the 2025 National and Local Elections, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional office in Central Luzon, in partnership with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the National Youth Commission (NYC), conducted the Kilos Kabataan: Makibahagi sa Halalan 2025 virtual forum.
The initiative aims to educate young people on electoral processes, responsible voting, and their significant role in shaping the nation’s future through the ballot. Students from the National University Clark (NU Clark) and the University of the Assumption participated in the first leg of the forum.
The Filipino youth in numbers
During the discussion, NYC Pampanga Area Office Head Rose Chell Anne Austria presented the results of the National Youth Assessment Study, conducted in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority and various government agencies. The study found that there are 31.77 million Filipino youth aged 15 to 30 years old.
She explained that this age group is categorized into three segments: child youth, referring to those aged 15 to 17 years old; core youth, which includes individuals aged 18 to 24 years old; and young adults, covering those aged 25 to 30 years old.
Among these, the core youth make up the largest portion, accounting for 44.5 percent of the total youth population. Meanwhile, child youth comprise 19.5 percent, while young adults represent 35.9 percent. The majority of the youth population comes from CALABARZON, National Capital Region, and Central Luzon.
The power of the youth vote
“Mahalagang-mahalaga [Very important].” This was how Comelec Pampanga Provincial Election Supervisor Lydia Florentino-Pangilinan described the significance of the youth vote in the upcoming elections.
According to statistics for the 2025 National and Local Elections, there are 68,697,596 registered voters. Pangilinan noted that young voters make up approximately 50 to 60 percent of the total electorate.
Given their numbers, she emphasized that the nation’s future rests in their hands, urging them to use their voice and remain united while embracing differences in opinion, preferences, and standards. “Hopefully, as we said before, be critical in your voting decisions. Your vote is very important. That’s why your vote can make a difference,” she stressed.
Pangilinan also encouraged young people to take an active role in leadership, reminding them that they will eventually become the country’s future leaders. “It would be good if, at your level, you already have representatives whom you can place in political or government positions,” she said.
Pangilinan then addressed the issue of traditional politicians, or “trapos,” who maintain their power by moving from one elected position to another or passing government roles within their families. She challenged voters to reflect on whether they should continue supporting these figures or seek new leaders who can drive genuine change.
However, Pangilinan acknowledged that some long-time politicians continue to be elected because they are well-loved by the people and recognized for their strong performance and the positive contributions they bring to the public.
For this reason, young voters are encouraged to evaluate candidates based on their track record and genuine service rather than simply voting for familiar names. “We need to balance things out. Who among these traditional politicians have not contributed anything good or given back to the nation? From there, you should already be discerning. That single vote you hold is important. And if you all come together and dedicate it, your voice will be strong. It will not just be a whisper—it will be a shout,” Pangilinan emphasized.
For the 2025 elections, Comelec will implement a new Automated Election System featuring the Automated Counting Machine (ACM), designed to make the voting process more efficient, secure, inclusive, and transparent.
During the forum, Pangilinan highlighted the key features of the ACM, including a 14-inch adjustable touchscreen with a privacy screen, a 14-hour battery life to ensure uninterrupted operation during power outages, and auto-alignment technology to prevent ballot jams and damage. The machine also offers a faster scanning speed, an automatic receipt-cutting function, and a built-in receipt compartment for secure storage.
Additionally, it is equipped with accessibility features such as an audio guide through earphones and other tools to assist voters who may have difficulty reading or require additional support during the voting process.
While the shift to automated elections eliminates manual vote manipulation, vote-buying remains a pressing issue.
Pangilinan warned that some candidates still offer money or incentives to secure votes. She reminded voters that government assistance—whether in cash, goods, or services—is funded by taxpayers and should never be mistaken as a personal favor from politicians.
She also pointed out the long-term consequences of vote-buying. While the money received may provide short-term relief, the real concern is how these candidates will recover their campaign expenses once elected. More often than not, this leads to corruption and the misuse of public funds.
“So, you must vote with your conscience. Young people, it’s up to you, which is why you are called the hope of the nation,” Pangilinan emphasized.
Beyond voting: A call to action
In his message, PIA Assistant Regional Head Carlo Lorenzo Datu underscored the historical significance of voting, reminding the youth of its deep roots in the country’s fight for democracy. “In the Philippines, we have long-cherished our democratic principles, and one of the most powerful expressions of our democratic voice is the act of casting our vote. Our heroes fought for this. Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of it,” he stated.
Datu also stressed that the choices made on election day will have lasting effects on communities and everyday life. “The decisions we make on election day, May 12, ripple through our communities, affecting daily life in profound ways. It is not just a right, but a duty—a duty to ourselves, to our fellow youth, and to the generations to come,” he said.
NU Clark second-year Communication student Raily Jezer Lee Macaspac echoed this sentiment, urging his fellow youth to take action beyond just voting. “We can volunteer for campaigns, spread truthful information through social media, and most importantly–communication. Let’s have conversations about the issues that matter to us and let’s encourage each and every one or each other to get involved. Let’s make sure that everyone in this forum registers to vote and exercises the right to shape the future,” he stated.
As the 2025 elections approach, Kapampangan youth are urged to take an active role—not just as voters, but as engaged participants in democracy. Their votes can drive meaningful change, and their involvement is essential in building a better nation. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)