There is hope

I admit that I did not have high hopes that the voting results of Monday's elections would differ much from the survey results that showed a number of candidates from the entertainment industry and sports field likely to be elected to the top 12 spots in the senatorial slate.

- MARIANNE GO

In fact, I was just determined to vote for candidates that I felt would really bring some substance to the chamber even though I was not confident that my vote would matter.

But, lo and behold, there is hope, with Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan posting impressive numbers that, as I write this column, place them at second and fifth in the continuing count.

Analysts from the various media election count news programs, attribute the strong numbers of Aquino and Pangilinan to the Gen X (ages between 45 and 60) and Gen Z (ages between 13 and 28).

The rest of the candidates leading in the magic 12 are pretty much those projected in the early surveys. The unexpected high votes for Aquino and Pangilinan and their pending entry to the Senate are a mere dent in the partisan fight between the Marcos administration and the camp of former president Duterte.

The surprising support for a voice of the opposition in the Senate gives hope that moving forward, the younger generations will make sure that more qualified people are voted as legislators who know what they are doing and are not merely running to enjoy a pork barrel.

However, it is quite clear that opposition or independent candidates should work early to let the new generation know who they are and what they stand for to have a chance at beating the usual "suspects."

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