Commission on Elections chairman George Erwin Garcia said the recently concluded polls were “historic” – with the youth driving the voter outcome, which was the highest the highest for a midterm election, and the fastest canvassing time and the earliest proclamation of winning senators.
“This is a testament that more Filipinos continue to recognize the power of their vote brought by the ballot. The millennials and Gen Z, once ignored so often in this exercise, took a stand with their might in shaping our future,” Garcia said in his address during the proclamation of the 12 newly-elected senators yesterday at the Manila Hotel Tent City.
“Many assumed these generations were disengaged or disinterested, but they showed up and made their voices count,” he added.
Data from the Comelec showed that 63 percent of the voting population and 68 percent of registered voters in the midterm polls were millennials and Gen Zs.
He challenged the senators-elect to do their part in supporting electoral reform, including passing legislation against vote buying and early campaigning.
“Elections are not just a phase of democracy—they are essential to its function. And we must continue to improve how we conduct them,” Garcia said.
Re-electionist Senator Christopher Go, who received the highest number of votes at 27,121,073, reaffirmed his strong commitment to enhancing the country’s education system, noting that investing in education is essential for securing a better future for every Filipino.
Bam Aquino, who acknowledged that his strong showing surprised even himself, said: “When we started, we were so far from the winning circle. We were not in the Top 12. In fact, we were now even in the Top 20.”
“To the Filipino youth who voted for us, I am truly grateful,” Aquino added.
Lito Lapid, now in his fourth term as senator, vowed to introduce additional bills aimed at helping the poor.
Camille Villar, the youngest elected senator this year, said: “I stand here incredibly honored and humbled by this opportunity. I’m grateful to God that we had peaceful elections with very good results.”
Vicente Sotto III, said he will ensure that the government’s budget would be utilized appropriately.
Francis Pangilinan was unable to attend the proclamation as he and his family were in the United States for his daughter’s college graduation.