By Marittes A. Padilla, Teacher III, Peñaranda NHS

 

The present situation in the country, specifically the coverage of national
and local elections on May 9 indicates that it is the leading concern of the
Filipinos and even non-Filipinos. Voting and non-voting public make their own
choices and included in their decisions are the reasons why they stand for a
certain party or a candidate. It extends to the history connecting a candidate or
the other and this make students aware how politicians are judged by the voting
public.
Even if students are not yet in the voting age, they already show interest in
the issues and trends in national and local election. They are eager to know who
will win, who will rule in the next years and by that time they are already voters
too. National elections issues addressed to presidential and senatorial
candidates automatically hint a youth what personal and political backgrounds
are identified to them, hence thrown as basis whether they are worth or unworthy
to be elected. This awareness develops the youth’s capabilities to be a growing
voter, mindful of his future and engagement to democracy.
Backgrounds of candidates revealed, cited by supporters or barked by
oppositions give the students an opportunity to find for himself how true are the
information disseminated in public to convince them to vote for a certain
candidate. Factors such as school, community and family also affect the
development of the youth as a voter. A student nearing a voting age for instance,

may inculcate in his mind the history linking the family of a presidentiable
candidate and he makes his own judgement or he may think the way his family
does. A student whose family votes for candidates based on qualities and
performance may likely do so when his turn to vote comes.
In connection to this awareness too, students get refreshed on the political
events he read only in books and newspaper. The social media platforms like
You tube, Instagram, Facebook, Google news are flooding with history and
information relative to a current event like election. This again challenge the
distinct ability of a student to judge which of the facts he viewed are true or
merely propaganda. Developing sense of fair judgement and considering social
relevance are among the traits enhanced when students view current issues and
history.
On the negative side, students who experienced and had seen family
members practicing vote-buying or bribing may develop poor practice of
democracy in times of election. This will also be barrier to a growing voter in
deciding for a qualified leader and worse, it may serve as an “incubator” of a civic
behavior that he may bring in school, during student organization elections. He
may ignite a vicious attitude during times of exercising the right to vote.
History repeats itself, the saying goes. Political history since the colonial
period, to self-rule of Filipinos from 1946 to present under the administration of
different presidents of the country marked unforgettable events that boast
Filipino courage, love for freedom and patriotism. Thus, knowing the history
encourages our young citizenry-the students mostly, to learn from the past. They
must be aware of the leaders’ contributions to Philippines’ success, to failures
and to all that matter in history. After all, the youth is the hope of the nation, and
from their breed will emerge the future leaders who will shape new history.