The first polls of the Social Weather Stations for party-list showed Kabataan (Youth) Party-List with only 1.2 percent. At that time, victory for the youth seemed far at hand.
BY ZOFIA LEAL
Bulatlat
ELECTION WATCH
Vol. VII, No. 14 May 13-19, 2007
The first polls of the Social Weather Stations for party-list showed Kabataan (Youth) Partylist with only 1.2 percent. At that time, victory for the youth seemed far at hand.
However, with only days before the elections, Kabataan Partylist made it to the SWS so-called winning circle. Under the 2-percent rule, a group that gets 2 percent of the votes cast for the party-list system is entitled to one seat in the House. In the latest election polls for party-list conducted by SWS last May 2-4, Kabataan Partylist got 2.1 percent.
According to Raymond Palatino, president and first nominee of Kabataan Partylist, this may be due to the strong cyber campaign, propaganda activities and campaign materials in the last leg of the electoral campaign.
Among the activities that Kabataan Partylist launched were the Fashion Show last April 27 and the Eleksyon de Mayo last May 11. Both activities showed the party-lists stand against urban militarization and for clean and honest elections.
The television advertisements of Kabataan Partylist also helped in their rating boost. The first advertisement was that of Angel Locsins endorsement of Koko Pimentel wearing a Kabataan Partylist shirt.
The following advertisement showed the stand of the party-list regarding youth issues such as education and labor with Atom Araullo as the endorser. The advertisement was shown on Channel 2 last May 2-6 during primetime.
Palatino adds that the cyber campaign cannot be belittled because the members are active in texting, Friendster and e-mailing for Kabataan Partylist. Palatino also explained that the cyber campaign has a multiplier effect and it is an effective way of getting the sweep votes considering that many young Filipinos maximize the internet and the use of the cell phone.
Last May 10, Kabataan Cyber-Fever was launched by Kabataan Partylist and local bloggers with hopes of encouraging more educated voters to vote for Kabataan Partylist.
Among the local bloggers are Shari Cruz (misteryosa.com), who bagged the Best Personal Blog Award in this years Philippine Blog Awards; Victor Villanueva (bikoy.net), who is also a finalist in the same category; Jay Rocas from the De La Salle University in Dasmarinas (Four-eyed Journal), and; Vencer Crisostomo (Student Strike) and Sarah Katrina Maramag (Adarnas Attic) of the Young Radicals blog. Prominent blogger and analyst Manuel L. Quezon III (MLQ3) earlier endorsed Kabataan Partylist in his blog (www.quezon.ph).
Palatino also maintains his own blog (mongsters nest) and is Global Voices Onlines Filipino correspondent.
TXTPower, which has been a staunch fighter for consumer and political rights since 2001 also joined the increasing supporters and endorsers of Kabataan Partylist. According to TXTPower, they are endorsing Kabataan Partylist because it is the genuine youth party-list formed by real student and youth groups, and led by authentic young Pinoy leaders. Its platform is pro-youth and pro-people. Its advocacies include Education, Employment, Good Governance, Human Rights, Culture, Patriotism and Consumer Welfare.
Filipino-American youth organizations and cause-oriented groups have also expressed their support for Kabataan Partylist through TEXT B.A.C.K (TEXT Brigade Against Cheating and Killings) Internet Blast. The campaign involved supporters sending a blast of text messages to friends and relatives to encourage them to vote for Kabataan Partylist.
Palatino stressed that Kabataan Partylist would not rest after the casting of votes but would ensure that the votes would be counted.
According to Palatino, it is very important that the votes are safeguarded because Kabataan Partylist was a victim of electoral fraud last 2004 election which also made them question the legitimacy of the current regime.
With all the members and supporters that are actively campaigning for Kabataan Partylist and the guarding of its votes, a true youth representation in Congress might not be that impossible. Bulatlat
2007 Elections
