“What are your thoughts on the upcoming 2022 elections and the potential candidates who have shown interest in running?”

“[I’m] honestly really looking forward to the 2022 elections! Though I’m not that happy with the potential candidates, especially knowing that Sara [Duterte] might run for President [is] something I’m not really comfortable with. As someone whose family voted for [Rodrigo] Duterte, I came to understand how this was a horrible choice and I’m not keen on repeating this.”

*KL

1 AB POS

“The upcoming candidates for the 2022 elections terrify me. I know it is my duty as a citizen to vote but seeing the options that we have right now make me want to decide against voting. Though I obviously will vote, I hope that there will be candidates who show promise and have a cleaner record compared to all the other candidates.”

*Cam

3 AB COM

“The upcoming 2022 elections supposedly demonstrate that, despite our current political instability, democracy [persists]. The Filipino people may continue to exercise their responsibility of voting for the right leaders that uphold and protect the state. However, most potential candidates for the 2022 elections have consciously made decisions that contradict the very essence of our Filipino democracy.”

Cecilia Cancio

Interim John Gokongwei School of Management Representative

“While I feel empowered by how the young adults in other countries are exercising their rights to vote, I am skeptical on how the upcoming 2022 elections would play out. Here in the Philippines, I think that any presidential candidate may appeal to gain support through disinformation campaigns and appeals to the military and police. Their focus is to have great political power, rather than serving the greater good. […] I am troubled in believing [if] there is someone who can rightfully represent my beliefs and my rights in the current political landscape.”

JD Navarro

2 AB MEC

“From what I know, we all have one goal to fulfill this upcoming election: To not repeat the mistakes of our recent past. As such, from the potential candidates running, we must consider their character, from the actions that they took to the policies that they passed—or lack thereof. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown various politicians’ true colors. The only question that remains is whether people will still vote for them, and what we can do to ensure we choose someone who does serve our best interest.”

Gwyneth Royce Camelon

The Ateneo Assembly President

“Well, it’s trapo season. Manny Pacquiao is already doing photo ops and ‘charity’ work, and Sara Duterte is already printing out tarpaulins, albeit with considerable backlash. It’s disappointing, but not surprising. […] We know that none of these early contenders truly have the welfare of the country in mind. Is change really going to be brought about by our broken democracy, or will we have to do something else to finally secure a better future for ourselves?”

Georgie*

2 BFA ID

“The previous year witnessed all kinds of attacks on democracy: Cases of human rights abuse, attacks on the media, and charges on academic freedom. […] With the 2022 elections coming up, I only hope that the country elects more competent and selfless leaders. A number of politicians with dubious track records, however, seem to have expressed interest in running and have started campaigning for the upcoming elections. This is, for me, a downright terrifying sight.”

Rina*

2 AB DipIR

“Considering the way vote buying is completely normalized in this country and how corruption is still apparent in every candidate, I’m not exactly optimistic. Whoever wins may very well just be winning through backhanded means. For voters, choosing which candidate they want to vote for is just a matter of choosing the lesser evil. Despite this, I am still optimistic for change in the future of the country’s politics.”

Adelle*

3 AB POS

“It’s no secret that to some extent, elections are just popularity contests. It does not matter if the reason for one’s fame is controversial, people can still use that to their advantage. Over the next few months, we will see candidates waving from our TV screens or touring the country like some celebrity in an effort to increase their popularity with the masses. Those who have shown interest in running as presidential candidates and the recent poll results incite fear that perhaps 2022 is not the year for the Philippines.” (528)

Frances*

1 BS BIO

“I personally think that more people will be mindful in choosing who to vote for this upcoming election. Especially now that we are experiencing the wraths of an incompetent government in the midst of a global health crisis, this serves as an epitome of how the government’s decision-making greatly affects everyone. But for now, I still don’t have a person in mind just seeing the potential candidates. It will be my first time voting, [and] that is why I’m becoming cautious about it.”

Samantha Escobar

1 BS LM

Editor’s note: Some interviewee names have been changed upon their request to protect their identities.