Real Talk

Youth Power: What The 2025 Midterm Elections Showed The Country

by Alexa Villano
May 14, 2025

The power of the youth has spoken, and the 2025 elections showed it

On May 12, millions of Filipinos trooped to precincts to cast their ballots for the 2025 Midterm elections. Twelve senators will join their colleagues at the Senate of the Philippines in June with a term of 6 years.

More than the leaders elected, this election sets the tone for the 2028 polls — a conversation many families may soon find themselves having around the dinner table.

The 2025 elections were still marred by violence, faulty machines, and long lines. But despite these issues, one thing emerges when you fight for good governance: the youth vote matters.

The Power of the Millennial and Gen-Z

Based on the data released, the biggest turnout of voters came from the Millennials and Gen Z, with the Millennials having 23.5 million registered voters and Gen Z having 16.7 million. This is a total of 40.2 million voters, or 60% of voters, a big group that many aspiring politicians courted during the 2025 campaign.

Politicians have long focused on the youth vote, but this time, the youth made it count. This election proves that when Millennials and Gen Z unite, they can help elect leaders who reflect their hopes for the future.

The results also show there’s a long way to go in educating voters. More than the youth sector saying “We want to be counted,” a deeper look suggests that there’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be done, explaining why these aspiring politicians should be in the position to serve the people. It’s important to point out that anything can happen in three years, whether it be good or bad, and these may affect families, especially parents, because of the income they get from their jobs and providing for their children.

Women made up a large portion of this year’s voters — 34.9 million, up by 1 million since 2022. Whether single or mothers, women made their voices heard.

Some of the Kiko-Bam volunteers during the campaign.

Photo from Kiko-Bam Volunteers 2025

The Power of Social Media

Like the last elections, social media has also played a factor in reaching out to voters around the country. From Facebook, TikTok, X, Instagram, and chat services, volunteers and candidates made use of every tool available to explain platforms and why they should be serving the people.

Social media has become the go-to of today’s youth. While many still read and watch, it is through social media that they get the information they need. The challenge is discerning what is true and what is fake. Parents should consistently educate themselves on this. After all, there is so much disinformation already online. It’s through parents that kids learn what’s happening around them, and that understanding will shape how they navigate the world.

Parents need to continue guiding their kids on how to use social media responsibly. It’s been said and shared many times by experts that kids get their actions and words from what they see or hear.

More so, social media has taught kids about democracy. There is freedom of speech and expression, but how they use it should be monitored. As the famous quote by Uncle Ben from the movie Spider-Man goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Lawyer Chel Diokno with some of the youth during his campaign as Partylist representative

Photo from Chel Diokno Facebook

What Parents Can Learn from The Elections

The 2025 elections may have mixed reactions based on the incoming results, but this shows that word of mouth from the youth can ripple and affect voters. Bam Aquino, who ranked second in the senatorial race, recalled the conversations with people who approached him during the campaign, especially with parents.

“Sinasabi nila, ‘Sen, yung anak ko, talagang ikaw yung pinu-push, ikaw talaga yung gustong manalo.’ So hanggang dulo, yung mga kabataan kinampanya po talaga tayo sa mga magulang nila,” Aquino explained during an ABS-CBN interview.

“And I guess, pinapakita talaga ng kampanyang ito na kung gagalaw yung taong-bayan, kung talagang magsisikap yung taong-bayan, kahit anong porma ng pulitika sa Pilipinas, kayang baguhin.”

As we look ahead to 2028, parents, guardians, and youth have the power — and responsibility — to shape our country’s future. This election may be over, but the work, the conversations, and the hope must continue.