Every election is controversial, and the youth voicing out their say on politics is a common notion. However, this season’s tea brews stronger as the country divides itself into distinct portions, and somewhere in those groups lies the minors, the citizens who are not yet eligible to cast their votes, but are the most vocal in expressing it.

 

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From online campaigns, sharing posts, and retweeting tweets, to attending and volunteering in rallies, the juvenile has been very active in supporting their chosen candidates. And you can’t blame them for doing so, for every shaded circle is a step closer to a brighter or a gloomier future. But unfortunately, every story has an antagonist. While the young ones try to preach, the ‘up-in-years’ impeach.

 

It is stated in Article II, Section 13 of  The 1987 Constitution of the Republic Act of the Philippines that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in political and civic affairs. But this does not apply to the majority, as they view minors as ones with raw minds and rash mouths with words unworthy of being heard - “It does not matter, you’re not a registered voter.”

 

Indeed, when you are young they assume you know nothing. But when you try to amplify what you have in mind, they still find your phrases empty. Pray tell, does our determination intimidate you? Does it break the fragile walls you built to guard your ideology? But we’re not here to revolt against the experienced, we aim to help the nation choose because it so happens that the vote you will cast 3 days from now determines the prospects of the Philippines, the country in which we minors are a part of.

 

It’s just disheartening to know that the people who try to invalidate the minor's say on politics are the very individuals who want the youth to do something beneficial in their lives. It’s like ordering us to keep our opinions to ourselves, as if it would not affect our present and our future, depriving us of the very right of every human being: the freedom of expression.

 

To make it fair, minors also have lapses in expressing their opinions. Some say too much, some don’t choose their words wisely. But instead of focusing on those mistakes, why don’t we work together? The young ones are free in spirit and have radical ideas, the experienced adults can point out mistakes and correct them, and allow themselves to adapt to the new, empowering everyone to learn from each other. After all, the betterment of the country is a collective effort of the citizens and the government.

 

The young ones may be the stewards of the future but they are also very much the passengers of the present. Being politically aware is a strong tool minors can use to help carve out a brighter path for the nation. The election’s outcome will last six years, and we will all be in this together, as Filipinos. We may not yet be eligible to ink our thumbnails, but you can. And YOUR VOTE gravely affects OUR FUTURE.