As the 2025 mid-term elections draw closer, political campaigns are now in full swing for candidates running for national positions, and by March 28, the campaign period will officially open for candidates running for local positions. As in past elections, the same issues are presented to the voters, especially to the youth who make up 31.64 percent (ages 18 to 30) of the registered voters as of the voters registration period held February to September 2024.
It is important for the youth to vote wisely. If young people turn out in large numbers, they can elect leaders who genuinely represent their interests — leaders who advocate for education, employment, digital transformation, and climate action. Most of them get their news from social media, fed to them by algorithm that is guided by past preference on topics that may not include political discourse.
Making wise decisions will be quite difficult for new voters who source information only from social media where a diverse landscape of information, disinformation and fake news needs a critical mind to recognize real information. Mudslinging is drowning platform-based campaigns to entertain not inform a voter seeking to make a wise vote. This toxic political culture distracts voters from the real issues at stake and ultimately harms the democratic process.
The mudslinging strategy is effective in grabbing attention, as controversy spreads quickly, especially on social media. However, it does a great disservice to voters. When elections are reduced to a battle of insults, the electorate is deprived of the chance to assess candidates based on their capabilities, experience, and vision for the country.
Instead of debating policies, elections become popularity contests where personal grudges, viral memes, and dramatic soundbites dominate the conversation. This results in leaders who may not be truly qualified to govern effectively but win because of their ability to manipulate public perception.
As a start, voters should take time to research on the backgrounds of candidates, to go beyond social media trends and look into their track records, and concrete plans. The young voters can break the culture of personality-based politics, where candidates are often chosen based on charisma, popularity, or family background rather than on their leadership skills and policy plans.
Here are some key issues that should be in the platforms of candidates: economic recovery and job creation (plans to address inflation, unemployment, and income inequality); healthcare and social services (improve public healthcare, access to affordable medicine, and support for marginalized sectors); education and youth empowerment (reforms to enhance the quality of education and prepare the young for the workforce); good governance and anti-corruption (measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and the eradication of corruption); climate change and disaster preparedness (policies on environmental protection and disaster resilience).
Voters must take a stand and demand substance over spectacle. By prioritizing policies over personalities and platforms over propaganda, Filipinos can elect leaders who truly deserve to lead.
To fight disinformation and fake news, voters should verify information before sharing; question posts that use emotional appeal without presenting evidence; and report fake news. The truth is the foundation of a just and accountable government.
As Manila Bulletin’s Matalinong Boto advocates: Respectful discourse (not mudslinging); Facts (not fake news); and Peace (not violence).
As Filipinos head to the polls this May, they must remember that an informed vote is the most powerful tool against deceit.