Whether the results turned out as hoped or not, the real work of citizenship begins after the elections.
This is the message of Rohj Olivo, a 19-year-old university student, Save the Children campaigner, and first-time voter, who reflected on what it means to stay involved beyond casting a ballot in the 2025 midterm elections. He is one of the over 5.8 million young Filipinos who voted for the first time this year.
“Maaaring hindi lahat ng mga ibinoto ko ay manalo, pero hindi roon nagtatapos ang kwento ng aking pagiging mamamayan. Sa totoo lang, doon pa lang nagsisimula ang mas mahaba na laban para sa tunay na pagbabago,” Olivo said.
(“Not all the candidates I voted for may win, but that’s not where my story as a citizen ends. In truth, that’s only where the longer struggle for real change begins.”)
While youth voter turnout has improved in recent elections, consistent participation in local governance and civic life remains limited. A 2024 study titled “The Digital Dynamics of Political Engagement Among Filipino Youth” by Dr. Joseph Velasco, an associate professor at De La Salle University, found while Gen Z is active in political discourse on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, this rarely translates into offline civic actions such as community organizing or policy advocacy.
Olivo said while voting is a crucial step, civic participation must not stop at filling out the ballot. He called on fellow youth to continue staying informed, speaking out, and holding elected leaders accountable.
“Ang misyon pagkatapos ng halalan, maganda man ang resulta o hindi, ay patuloy na magmulat sa kung ano ang tunay na sitwasyon ng lipunan at patuloy na kalampagin ang mga pulitikong hindi nakikinig sa boses ng kabataan at ng mga mamamayan,” he said.
(“The mission after elections, regardless of whether the results are good or not, is to keep raising awareness about the real conditions in society and continue calling out politicians who refuse to listen to the youth and the people.”)
Olivo’s message aligns with “Bata Muna” (Children First), a child-led movement supported by Save the Children Philippines, Child Rights Network, and other civil society organizations that provides children with space to raise their concerns, promote their rights, and engage with the government.
Through this initiative, children will regularly engage with newly elected leaders at both the local and national levels, including the members of the upcoming 20th Congress. With support through training, collective advocacy planning, and guidance, they will present their advocacy agenda and actively monitor how leaders follow through on their commitments.
The movement began in 2013 as an electoral campaign to raise public awareness on issues affecting children, including education, health and nutrition, protection, and participation. Since then, the children’s agenda has contributed to the passage of key laws such as Republic Act 11148 or the First 1,000 Days Law, Republic Act 10821 or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act, and Republic Act 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Law.
To learn more about how Save the Children Philippines supports children and young people in shaping a better future through participation, visit www.savethechildren.org.ph.
