INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Saturday called on the youth to register as new voters for the coming 2022 national elections.
In a statement commemorating Dr. Jose Rizal’s 160th birthday, Pangilinan said young people have been vital in the country’s growth and resilience especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and that their voices should be heard when choosing the next leaders in the government.
“Sa ating kasaysayan, hindi pa tayo binigo ng kabataan. Noon at ngayon, ang kabataan ang mitsa ng pagbabago. Sa darating na taon, magpapasya tayong lahat sa takbo ng bansa habang hinaharap ang epekto ng pandemya. Ito ang magpapasya sa ating mga kinabukasan,” said Pangilinan.
“Kaya hinihimok natin ang ating mga kabataan na dalhin ang kanilang sigla sa pagsisigurong lahat ay rehistrado at lahat boboto.”
(Throughout our history, the youth have never let us down. Then and now, the youth are the spark for change. In the coming year, we will all be part of the country’s trajectory while in the middle of the pandemic. This will decide our fate. That’s why I’m calling on all of our young people to bring their vigor to make sure that we are all registered and that we will all vote.)
The Commission on Elections said 4.8 million new voters have registered. The poll body said the figure topped its target for the coming 2022 national elections. Pangilinan said that this welcome development is just the start of more things to come.
Pangilinan stressed that those who have yet to register should still file their documents until the registration period closes in September.
“Ngayong ika-160 na birthday ni Gat Jose Rizal, isang pagkilala at pagpugay sa kabataang tinawag niyang ‘pag-asa ng bayan.’ Taas-noo dahil may halaga ang ambag mo. Sama-samang magparehistro at bumoto,” said Pangilinan.
(Today is Gat Jose Rizal’s 160th birthday, the right time to recognize and celebrate the youth whom he called the “hope of the nation.” Be proud of your contributions. Go out, register, and vote.)