PPCRV, Namfrel: Youth votes propelled Bam, Kiko to victory

The youth delivered the votes for returning senators Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, whose election victory defied expectations and cast doubts on the credibility of surveys.

- By EVELYN MACAIRAN and DAPHNE GALVEZ

This was according to the Roman Catholic Church-affiliated election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which said that youth votes have turned out to be the game changer in the elections.

Ana de Villa-Singson, PPCRV national communications director, said she was not surprised when Aquino and Pangilinan appeared in the so-called Magic 12 of winning senatorial candidates during the initial counting.

For National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) secretary general Eric Alvia, it was specifically the votes of Gen Z and millennials, among other factors, that propelled Aquino and Pangilinan to top spots in the Senate race.

"It's a result of a combination of factors - from voices of the Gen Z/millennials being heard, to effective ground campaigning, to a tactical alliance and support from voters of other candidates previously not aligned with like (Manny) Pacquiao, (Benhur) Abalos and (Rodante) Marcoleta endorsed by (Leni) Robredo," Alvia told The STAR.

In pre-election surveys, Aquino had consistently stayed at the bottom of or outside the Magic 12, while Pangilinan never made it at all in the winning circle.

Aquino would eventually end up second place and Pangilinan, fifth.

The youth aged between 18 and 30-represented 35 percent of registered voters who cast their votes last May 12.

"The youth are very, very different because they show us their votes. You should see the votes in the schools, they are very different from the ones you see in the surveys.