As data from the Commission on Elections revealed that the youth vote could dictate the outcome of the May 9 elections, senatorial candidate Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar urged young Filipino voters to go out and turn the national and local elections as their own revolution day.
Based on the data, Generation Z, or the 18-25 age bracket, compose more than 13 million of the almost 66 million registered voters for the May 9 elections.
On the other hand, the Millenials, with 26 to 41 age bracket, has a voting strength of almost 24 million.
Eleazar said the history of the Philippines is full of stories of sacrifices and contributions of young Filipinos—from fighting abuses to good governance and independence.
"A lot of young Filipinos boldly stood up and even sacrificed their lives for the independence of our country. Some of our heroes, inluding Dr. Jose Rizal and Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, have been fighting for the country at a young age," said Eleazar.
Eleazar is a product of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), its camp in Baguio City was named after General Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest military general who died at the Battle of Tirad Pass at the age of 24.
"Sa Lunes, nananawagan ulit ang ating bayan sa mga kabataan na pag-asa ng ating bayan para sa tunay na pagbabago (On Monday, our country is again calling the youth, the hope of our country, for genuine change). Go out and make your vote count,” said Eleazar.
He said the voting population of the Generation Z and the Millenials is enough to dictate the outcome of the election.
“Sabay-sabay nating patunayan kung nakanino ang tunay na kapangyarihan ng pamahalaan. Walang mayaman at mahirap dito, bawat Isa sa atin ay may tig-iisang boto na babago at magdidikta sa direksyon na tatahakin ng ating bansa (Let us all show where the power of the government really comes from. There is no rich or poor on election day, each of us has one vote that will dictate the direction of the country,”said Eleazar.
"Nasa kabataan ang kapangyarihan ngayong eleksyon, huwag nating sayangin ito. (On election day, the power is on the hands of the youth) Make May 9 as your own peaceful revolution for genuine change," he stressed.