Minors are actively spreading awareness on political matters—especially now with the upcoming 2022 elections. We can see them express their political views and opinions by using social media, joining political organizations, and attending political rallies. They are motivated to fight for what they believe, aided by compassion, courage, and determination. They are ready to fight for a future that won’t only serve their generation, but also for the generation of the years to come. However, the older generation then continues to question the atypical concern and drive that minors have towards the political matters of today.
“How do you know so much when you don’t even have to vote yet?”
“Your opinion is useless because you aren’t going to vote anyway.”
“What’s the use of fighting for your candidate when you can’t help them win the election because you can’t vote?”
These are some remarks thrown at minors who are highly active in this subject. They are just kids to these people, unable to cast their votes and considered simple-minded by their elders. Parents often believe opinions varying from their own are invalid because they abruptly judge minors as inexperienced. Clashing political views are now a subject of debate inside households that can sometimes lead to longer conflicts or worse—cutting off family ties.
Even after several bullets are thrown at them, they continue to fight. For what reason, you may ask? The future of many lives is in the hands of whoever wins. Numerous lives will be exploited. Poverty will translate to destitution. Of course, this statement is then contradicted by some in the older generation. Their parents will tell them to shove it off because it won’t affect them anyway. This phrase is ridiculously insensitive, anti-poor, and reeks of high privilege. The mere fact that lives will still be at stake is alarming enough for one to take action. The following is how the election of officials, with the heavy responsibility to enact laws and file bills, competent or incompetent they may be, can affect non-voters:
The president has the power of nominating cabinet members under 22 executive departments. They are appointed and then receive the title Secretary. The Department of Education is the department that heavily impacts minors. In 2018, a study done by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) found that Filipino students—at age 15 and studying in public schools—ranked last in reading comprehension among 79 countries. They were ranked 78th place for Science and Mathematics. From this information, it’s possible to claim that our education system is succumbing. If the future president elects an incompetent secretary, the younger generation will not have proper education. It is apparent that this issue already exists in this day and age.
House representatives have the power to propose and push bills that directly involve minors. In 2019, the Philippine Congress made efforts to push through a proposal to lower the age of criminal liability. Though many support this decision, it bloodies more than it cuts. Most people argue that lowering the age of criminal liability will impede syndicates from manipulating children into doing crimes for them. However, this will not stop syndicates from using children; rather, it will encourage them even more. If bills like these are pushed and signed, children will be held accountable for crimes that they unconsciously or forcibly do. There is only one person at fault for a child’s misdoings: their guardians or the adults enabling them to do so.
The free tuition bill was signed in 2017. Per the law, state colleges are now free and accessible. The main target of this bill is for the underprivileged, who at first could not attain tertiary education. Congress has the power to enact laws; this also includes the power to repel, amend or alter. A member of congress can amend or repeal the law if they find said law unnecessary. For example, if they believe there are already decent-paying jobs like call center agents for those who did not undergo tertiary education. Also, if the funds used for free tuition are much needed for another matter. The target audience of the law will then be affected again. Underprivileged minors who are yet to go to college cannot be given the benefit of free tertiary education. Education will then be a commodity all over again, not a right.
These three are only a spoonful of the effects elections cause on minors. Elected officials can take away one’s rights in a snap. Saying “it will affect one’s life” doesn’t necessarily translate to placing the country under totalitarian rule. It implies the fact that the right to be safe and to learn can all be taken away by proposals and papers getting signed. What’s worse is that the Supreme Court might withstand the law, taking into consideration how the Chief Justice will be appointed by the President. Although this claim can be disputed as nigh impossible, if the chances aren’t zero, anything can still be possible.
This is the reason why minors are fighting for justice. This is why they form conflicts with other individuals who have contradicting opinions of theirs. Though it is fair to respect one’s opinion, how can you expect someone to respect another’s opinion of a thief and a liar over someone who has done actual good to this country—especially when this preference is backed up with misogyny. These individuals want a better place for themselves and their people. Even if they cannot vote, they clamor for it to reach those who are old enough to do so. Everyone has their own story as to why they step into the battlefield—this is theirs.
No one has a brief prediction on how each aspirant can rule a country. No one can truly predict the future. Yet, one can assume who is most competent based on reading each presidential aspirant’s credentials—both during their respective political regime and taking their life before politics into consideration. To those who are terrified to stand up for their own political view—don’t be. Several will doubt, question, and oppose your choice along the way. They’ll say that your president isn’t capable of leading a country. Tears will be shed, arguments will be formed, and sacrifices will be made. However, at least you fought for justice when it was being disregarded by others. No one is too old or too young to fight for good. So while there’s still time before the election, fight for your country.
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