Comelec, NYC remind youth on importance of their votes

CEBU, Philippines - With around 40 percent of the total registered voters in the country coming from the youth sector, the chairman of the Commission on Election emphasized yesterday to the youth in Cebu the importance of participating in the upcoming election.

During the Youth on the Move forum held at the University of San Jose Recoletos main campus, Comelec chairman Andres Bautista urged the youth to vote intelligently, and look at the candidates’ track records and platform of government. 

Bautista said that there are around 20 million youth voters out of the 52 million registered voters in the country.

"Kahit 75 percent of our youth will vote for a presidential candidate for example, then that candidate will become the president," Bautista said.

Further, Bautista emphasized the need for voters to register and urged those who are already on the voters list to have their registration validated through the biometrics process.

"Under the law, you will be deactivated in the voters list and you will not be able to vote in the 2016 elections," said Bautista. 

Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Jose Sixto "Dingdong" Dantes, also urged the youth to exercise their right to suffrage. He said that the youth can really help the country by choosing the right leaders. Dantes also reminded the youth to register before the deadline on October 31, 2015.

Cebu Sixth District Representative Luigi Quisumbing, who was also a speaker during the event, said he hopes the youth will choose their candidates seriously.  

"We hope you take that responsibility seriously by selecting a leader that will shape your generation. We hope, absolutely, that you make the right choices," said Quisumbing.

The forum was participated by various colleges and university students in Cebu. (FREEMAN)