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

MANILA, Philippines — 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.

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. So, I’m not surprised with some of those that you seem to be surprised with. Why? Because I saw them when I was in the schools. They (Aquino and Pangilinan) were coming up in the school surveys,” Singson said.

She said results of nationwide surveys were different from those done at schools and universities.

During her visits to schools for PPCRV’s Tibok-Pinoy, Values Development Program, Singson said she would feel irritated whenever anyone would blurt out the mantra the “youth are the gift of the future.”

“Because another word for ‘gift’ is ‘present.’ You don’t have to wait to be a gift in the future when you are a gift for the present,” she said.

“And I think there might probably have been a youth vote involved already… If there is, they’re a very potent force and a major force to look out for,” she added.

Namfrel’s Alvia said the lackluster showing of the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas could be a reflection of the voters’ assessment of the administration’s performance.

“Partly the weak results from their candidates may be a referendum on the administration’s performance and satisfaction. Another factor is that it is a clear message of a strong support especially in the D/E class and Mindanao vote from Duterte et al supporters,” he said.

One of the administration candidates in the winning circle, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, had a belated endorsement from Vice President Sara Duterte, now President Marcos’ arch political foe.

Jubiliation

Jubilant volunteers of Aquino and Pangilinan welcomed the upset victory of the two returning senators.

Volunteers chanted Kiko-Bam and sang their jingles as they gathered in their separate Quezon city headquarters Monday night, watching in disbelief as millions of electronically transmitted votes went to Aquino and Pangilinan.

Aquino dropped by their Libis headquarters that night, clapping the hands and hugging campaign volunteers, telling them: “We’ve done it!”

“Just 40 minutes ago, I was in bed, my phone flipped backward, while they were all watching ‘My Little Pony,’” Aquino told his volunteers, referring to the toy franchise animated show he was watching as a distraction. “But I couldn’t help it anymore, so I checked my phone – 250 messages of congratulations! I thought, maybe I won!”

Aquino went on a video call with his number one supporter, former vice president Leni Robredo, who was then on the verge of being elected first female mayor of Naga City.

She was seen on the screen waving and thumping her hands. Aquino served as Robredo’s campaign manager.

“This is really an unprecedented result. We couldn’t have done it without you,” Aquino told the volunteers.

At their Project 4 headquarters, Pangilinan looked dazed as he went on Zoom call with his volunteers to thank them for helping him mount a national campaign despite a lack of machinery and resources.

“You are the heart and soul of this campaign,” an emotional Pangilinan told the volunteers.

Pangilinan was just in their house resting with wife, “Megastar” Sharon Cuneta, when he saw a social media card sent on their Telegram group showing him in fifth place. At first, Pangilinan thought it was fake news.

Pangilinan also attributed his and Aquino’s victory to endorsements from local leaders and religious groups. “I had said that we needed a miracle to win,” Pangilinan said. “It looks like a miracle did happen.”

Pangilinan got the endorsement of the Remullas in Cavite, Gwen Garcia in Cebu, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. Aquino was endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo. Both of them were endorsed in Bangsamoro by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s political party, and by the Jesus Is Lord Church. Pangilinan also thanked Robredo for her endorsement and the “Kakampinks” for remaining solidly behind them.

“Welcome back my friends, Senator Kiko and Bam! The real opposition is firming up in the next Congress!” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement yesterday. “This is not just a comeback. This is proof that the Filipino people want a principled, compassionate government,” she said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Delon Porcalla, Mayen Jaymalin