The triumph of newly-elected Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, both of whom I endorsed in this column just before the recent election, is largely attributed to the youth vote.

Of course, the enlightened older generations have also voted for the two. But it’s the millennials (born in the years 1981 to 1996) and Gen Z (1997 to 2007) voters who both comprise more than 60 percent of the voting population that are widely believed to be behind their amazing victory.

While no scientific studies have yet pinpointed them as having singlehandedly propelled Bam and Kiko to victory, defying expectations and casting doubts on the credibility of pre-election surveys, both the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) believe the youth votes to be the game-changer.

And Bam himself credits his overwhelming victory to young people, the tremendous efforts of young volunteers in his campaign who made it possible to achieve what had seemed to be an impossible dream—catapulting him to No. 2 in the winning circle from a distant ranking outside the supposed Top 20.

In his speech at The Manila Hotel where he was proclaimed senator-elect last Saturday, he said: “Dahil po sa sipag at tiyaga, hindi po ng inyong lingkod kundi ng napakaraming volunteers — napakaraming kabataan nagsuporta, lumabas, nagsalita, nagpost, nag house to house, kaya po tayo umabot po dito. At sa kabataang Pilipino lubos lubos ang pasasalamat natin (Because of hard work and perseverance not of yours truly but of the many volunteers — the many young people who supported us, came out, spoke out, posted, went house to house, that’s why we’re here. To the Filipino youth, thank you so much).”

In August last year, I featured Bam in this column when he guested at the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel which I host with former Press Secretary Sonny Coloma. Bam had spoken highly of the youth and how he intended to work for their interests in his role as chairman of the newly-formed political party Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP).

It was less than two months then before the filing of candidacy and Bam had said that he will adhere to the call of various youth groups comprising the KNP for him to run as senator, and that he will be an independent candidate.

Here’s what I wrote about Bam then: “He views the youth sector as the real game-changer in politics due to demographics. He said that he foresees the youth to be deeply involved in midterm elections, with the KNP members exhibiting the same electrifying energy shown in the campaign of then Vice President Leni Robredo a few months before the 2022 elections.”

Fast forward to election night last week, and Bam was proven right in his assessment of the power of the Filipino youth. From being so far behind in all major surveys to suddenly emerging No. 2 in the list of senatorial winners is certainly no mean feat.

The youth played a big role in the huge voter turnout, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said. “Based on our initial observation, the youth really came out to vote this past 2025 election. They want their voices to be heard,” he said in a media interview, noting that the 82.6 percent voter turnout in the recent election is the highest turnout for a midterm when, unlike in a presidential election, the number of people who actually vote are usually less, such as 75.9 percent turnout in 2019 and 77.31 percent in 2013.

While some millennials in their early 40s are no longer part of the youth sector, strictly speaking, they are still considered quite young, especially if one takes note of what famed author Victor Hugo once said: “40 is the old age of youth, 50 is the youth of old age.”

The triumph of Bam and Kiko shows the power of the youth vote. It’s the same kind of youth vote that helped me win in 1987 when I first ran for the Senate and emerged victorious as the nation’s youngest senator until now under the 1987 constitution.

With Bam and Kiko defying the odds, there now seems to be a glimmer of hope for our political landscape long plagued by the evils brought about by dynasts and dysfunction. It now seems the situation is changing, with so many celebrities losing recently.

I’ve often said that an empowered youth can shape a better future and positively transform our country. The youth is the largest sector of our society, with hardly any vested interests to protect, with time on their side, and with talent to develop and grow. When fully enlightened, mobilized, motivated, and inspired, the youth sector is the biggest single block of citizens that can change Philippine society.

All the young Filipinos now actively involved in nation-building and on a mission to transform our country certainly deserve a salute. ([email protected])