25 Senate bets join UP Youth Forum, tackle key election issues
Metro Manila, Philippines - Twenty-five senatorial candidates took the stage at The Rundown 2025: A Youth-Oriented Senate Elections Forum held at the University of the Philippines -Diliman, Saturday, March 15.
The event, organized by students, aimed to provide a platform for young voters to hear directly from candidates on pressing national issues.
The forum featured independents and those from smaller political parties, including labor leaders, environmentalists, and human rights advocates.
Student organizers extended invitations to all 65 Senate hopefuls, but more than half declined or did not respond. Notably absent were administration candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, with only one candidate from Rodrigo Duterte-led PDP Laban, lawyer Jayvee Hinlo, in attendance.
Throughout the event, candidates shared their positions on critical topics, including abortion, the SOGIE bill, political dynasties, Vice President Sara Duterte’s potential impeachment, same-sex unions, confidential funds, and charter change.
When asked about their top priorities if elected, responses varied. Jerome Adonis (Makabayan) pushed for a P1,200 daily minimum wage and an end to contractualization. Other candidates emphasized tackling corruption and governance issues. Teddy Casiño and Luke Espiritu (Partido Lakas ng Masa) vowed to eliminate political dynasties, while ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro (Makabayan) advocated for the abolition of confidential funds and the mandatory public disclosure of government officials' Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
Meanwhile Roy Cabonegro (Democratic Party of the Philippines) proposed stronger climate change action policies, while David D’Angelo (Bunyog Pagkakaisa) committed to transparency by voluntarily disclosing his SALN and waiving bank secrecy.
Candidates also addressed economic and labor concerns. Ka Leody De Guzman pushed for an enabling law against political dynasties and stronger labor protections. Sonny Matula (Workers and Peasants' Party) pushed for a livable wage law and an end to contractualization, while Danilo Ramos (Makabayan) called for land reform and national industrialization.
Lito Averia Jr., national chairperson of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), urged young voters to be more engaged in the political process.
“"They are able to identify problems dahil nung kami nag-ikot sa Bangsamoro halimbawa, 'yung mga kabataan were very articulate in asking questions about what is happening in government lalo na 'yung delivery ng services, and the youth would like to be able to solve and be part of the solution to those problems that they see," he said.
[TRANSLATION: They can identify problems because, for example, when we went around Bangsamoro, the youth were very articulate in asking questions about what’s happening in the government, especially in the delivery of services. They want to be part of the solution to the problems they see.]
Forum organizers stressed the youth’s vital role in shaping the 2025 elections. With an estimated 20 million young voters from Gen Z expected to cast their ballots, they emphasized the need for accessible and fact-based election information.
"One thing that's unique about our generation is that we really have a lot of access to information with social media right now. So we wanted to actually use that advantage for us. So that's why we've organized a hybrid forum," co-convener of the forum Karlena Saturnino said.
