WITH the 2025 midterm elections drawing near, Speaker Martin Romualdez rallied the Filipino youth on Wednesday to actively participate in the democratic process by registering as voters and casting their votes in the coming electoral exercise.
Last February 12, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) opened the period of registration for the 2025 mid-term elections. The registration period ends on September 30 this year.
Under the Comelec’s Register Anywhere Program, applicants may register in any of the poll body’s designated registration sites which include Comelec offices and satellite, malls, and special registration areas such as certain churches and plazas.
Recognizing the pivotal role that young voters play in shaping the future of the nation, Speaker Romualdez underscored the importance of their engagement in the electoral process.
He emphasized that registering as a voter is not merely a preparation to perform a civic duty but more importantly, an act that empowers the youth to make their voices heard to effect change.
“The youth are the backbone of our nation’s future. Their active participation in the upcoming elections is crucial in ensuring that their concerns, aspirations, and vision for the country are represented and addressed by our leaders,” said Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
According to recent data from the Comelec, there has been a significant surge in voter registration among the youth demographic. However, the poll body sees a sizable portion of eligible young voters who have yet to register.
Emphasizing that registering to vote is about exercising one’s right and taking responsibility for the country’s future, Speaker Romualdez urges young Filipinos to seize the opportunity to make a difference and help shape the direction of the nation.
As part of his advocacy, Romualdez plans to launch a series of voter registration drives and awareness campaigns targeting educational institutions, youth organizations, and communities nationwide.
He said these initiatives will provide resources, information, and assistance to facilitate the registration process for young voters, noting that involvement in the electoral process is instrumental in building a stronger, more inclusive democracy and ensuring a brighter future for future generations.
The poll body expects some three million Filipinos to register as new voters ahead of the 2025 elections.
For the recent 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the Commission on Comelec has tallied almost 92 million registered voters. The exact figure is 91,912,429 registered voters recorded in 201,799 clustered precincts and 37,524 voting centers.
