The midterm elections are less than three months away, and the need to have factual information about the candidates—like their leadership background, their achievements, and their platforms for Filipinos—is taking center stage.
For some college students, the internet and social media are convenient sources of information, but they also come with risks, especially with the rise of disinformation and misinformation.
Social media and internet can help, but still exercise caution
In separate interviews with Inquirer Volunteers, several college students said that they searched for candidates online using social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. But they admitted that not everything they found was factual and came from credible sources.
They answered that a candidate’s background, platforms, and credentials were key characteristics that they searched for online.
“Pati ‘yung credentials, since paano ka magluluklok ng isang tao sa gobyerno na walang background pagdating doon sa trabaho na ina-applyan nila [I should also look at their credentials. How can you elect someone to government who has no background in the job they’re applying for?],” said Jenny Pante, a junior psychology student from National University-Dasmarinas.
She added that doing background checks on a candidate should be implemented similar to that done for those applying for jobs.
Research, research, and more research
For Andrea Caballa, another junior taking up marketing management at the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite, fellow students should research their candidates to determine whether they’re choosing the right people to vote.
“Kasi yung voting is yung right natin as an individual to choose sino yung mamamahala sa atin. So mahalaga na maging prepared tayo and maging knowledgeable tayo on who to vote and kung sino talaga yung makakatulong sa atin [Because voting is our right as individuals to choose who will lead us. That’s why it’s important to be prepared and knowledgeable about who to vote for and who can truly help us,]” Caballa added.
Other students, like computer science student Myrine Angela Agustin from NU-Dasmarinas, also recognize the need to study those who are capable of serving the country.
“Para po mas maging matalino tayo sa pagboto [So we can be wiser in voting.],” she noted.
Inquirer Volunteers is still welcoming volunteers to cover the midterm elections. Kindly sign up and submit a copy of your résumé and portfolio here.
READ: INQUIRER.net volunteers all set for 2025 elections coverage
