Are younger Filipinos seeing a Philippines greater than its greedy dynasties and empty populists?
Analysis and Opinion
By Joe America
Legislature election victories by principled liberals, notably Aquino, Pangilinan, De Lima, and Diokno, tell us three things.
- Younger adults recognize principled leadership, and want it.
- Dynasties have a lot of clout, but none today runs the Philippines.
- If there were more principled liberals striving for recognition, more would get elected and more would win.
And the nation would be much better off.
Evidently, when LP collapsed in 2016, it was but a blow, a pause, not a death knell. The VALUES persisted. Patriotism, compassion, productivity, and sense. But they were layin’ low. They had no outlet, no vehicle, no catalyst capable of energizing a nation. The Pink blossom was a hint.
For sure the Duterte and Marcos dynasties are painting each other, and by extension all dynasties, as tawdry, greedy, and self-dealing. And populists are proving themselves to be all hat, no cowboy. Empty suits, airheads in disguise.
The big question is, can the liberal set of values rise naturally, inspiring a new set of leaders for a young, ambitious democracy? Is the pool of new leaders big enough? Loud enough?
Or does it require more calculation, and more structure, as I’ve been promoting here at the blog for several months?
I honestly don’t know.
But something happened. And it is good.
_________________________
Cover photograph from msn article “Sen. Risa Hontiveros celebrates opposition gains: ‘The real opposition is getting stronger!’”.
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
Pardon me for dominating the comment threads.
I was waiting for the whole day for the gang to comment here.
But the least number of showbiz people elected is almost unprecedented. I hope dynasties are next to go. Even if that is hoping against hope.
Put this guy ^ under moderation, Joe!!!
but seriously, I’m reading D5 will go after VP Sara now. She should pump the brakes, and consider that if Filipinos see her with PBBM then that’ll diminish the Pinks/Yellows stance in 2028.
Be Switzerland from here on til 2027-2028.
Cuz i do agree with you Joe, the fact that the Pinks/Yellows won is good. but don’t misconstrue the votes as a green light to attack VP Sara, its just to balance out PBBM administration.
Follow VP Leni’s lead. and assume there’ll be a call for another Martial Law. and just focus. like focus all efforts of the Pinks/Yellows. focus on being pro-USA. this way when PBBM says we need Martial Law because of China.
then the Pinks/Yellows will be there as back stop. preventing that, cuz no Martial Law will happen w/out USA acquiesceance.
ps.—- I’m giving you the keys to the kingdom here, becuz I know they will in fact (not listen, and instead…) go after VP Sara and not listen to VP Leni. but i urge you that although vengeance is best served cold, its even better frozen. so just listen to VP Leni. she knows best. the grand strategist as Joey dubbed her.
Don’t turn on the neon light, Joe.
If I typed and sent my initial reaction to your comment then I would be banned.
I would not be worried if Delima proceeds being a prosecutor especially if it leads to enlightening the people of any slum dunk evidence, trolls included.
Good thing you are not an MD, or even a quack doctor with a precription pad. Your prognosis, diagnosis and prescription will make symptoms persist and people to insult a doctor and consult chatgpt.
Clarification. That was for dominating the comment threads, karl. thus a joke only. (maybe Joe or Joey, even Ireneo, got the joke, so they can atest to its jokeness).
As for quack doctor, I prefer prophet-like. But the VP Sara and VP Leni team-up all depends on how PBBM will go forward post-election. if he wants to keep going with attacking Inday Sara, then he’ll take everyone going along with him down, down, that includes D5 (if she pursues the matter further).
cuz,
per isk, “the nation will be able to distinguish the difference between political persecution vs. mismanagement ( if one thinks it is not corruption) of the peoples monies.”
I think most Filipinos at least the ones who matter DE and some C will see only political persecution. So D5 has to separate herself from PBBM’s witch hunt,
and go all in with VP Leni, her grand strategy, and just leave VP Sara alone. otherwise her popularity will just keep rising. but there’s 3 vying groups now. which Joe predicted. i didn’t think there’d be a 3rd opposition tbh.
so how the Pinks/Yellows can ride this momentum is key. and its not by teaming up with PBBM, karl.
Claification. Aware of joke.
Keep the fire burning Tokayo!
You bet Jose. Good to see you poking about.
Greetings, JCC!
I used to have great arguments with Jose. He’s conservative.
Nice to know, Joe.
with 81% younger filipinos voting last polling day, there has been some welcomed changes, very promising indeed that the playing field is finally being made even.
and while winning candidates are celebrating, losing candidates recalibrating, there is a sudden move to make delima a lame duck! right after the day delima and chel diokna were asked to join, and accepted, to be in the prosecution team vs sara duterte’s impeachment, there is a sudden move by court of appeals upon mayhap the instigation of an interested party to nullify and made void delima’s drug charges acquital. she is being called back to court, in a manner reminiscent of trillanes’ amnesty being revoked by digong.
more for younger voters to chew on. one down many to go.
The teleserye has a younger audience, chuckle snort. De Lima can use the forum to attack the scoundrels who framed her.
delima is going to be bogged down with much work, aside from being congresswoman representing her district, and then prosecutor in sara’s impeachment trial, she also has to fend off court of appeals.
sometimes, I wonder if delima is being punished for accepting to be prosecutor in sara’s impeachment trial!
I rather look at her as durable, so won’t fret about it. These legal shenigans usually fail in competent courts.
Legal shennanigans of Duterte appointees in CA, even if I am shooting from the hip, it is a basketball and if I miss someone can dunk it.
this is going to be exciting: 86% of those that signed sara’s impeachment were reelected, and some of them are from mindanao. even though president marcos is against the impeachment, his son, sandro marcos who was also reelected, was also signatory.
https://politiko.com.ph/2025/05/16/36-of-44-impeachment-backers-from-mindanao-win-in-midterm-polls-jude-acidre/headlines/
The senator judges biggest in aid of reelection act is to make their decision evidence based.
Delima’s warning of the repercussions from the court of the public opinion if they screw this up might make them watch their steps.
She does have the clout of an honorable person unduly, and cruelly, persecuted. The C/D class can relate.
Yes, she does.
who dies? I hope it is sara, she is already expecting a bloodbath come impeachment trial. sabi, her legal team is doing all it can to prevent the trial, but if the trial goes ahead, I am presuming her lawyers will employ lots of dirty tactics.
I hope no one dies, kb. but better yet I hope wiser cooler heads will prevail and just let by gones be by gones. as for „bloodbath“ i think she means to air other folks dirty laundry. „bloodbath“ as metaphor only. thus nullifying the whole proceedings, like see everyone does it. everyone’s dirrrty. won’t look good for anyone involved. it’ll be Napoles all over again. cuz no one ever dug deeper on that case. similar to this situation. people have finances and real estate abroad esp. in the USA. with Trump as president, he might just take all their money. thus a „bloodbath“. dude has no shame. at all.
OMG!
Sorry bad typo. Nobody dies. I was supposed to type does. I corrected it. Sorry Senator.
thanks, for clarifying. nobody dies then, but maybe sara’s 2028 ambition will die, given a death blow and she will be impeached.
Before this people were lamenting uselessly that majority of the voters are either uneducated, refused to see right from wrong, easily bought, if they can buy they can also sell votes.
Time immemorial perennial observations usually get tweaked to acceptance one way or the other throughout history.
People get stoned for adultery before, now not because of lower standards and less morality it has moved to a live and let live offense.
In governance, turning a blind eye happens a lot but it gets tiresome that is why “enough is enough” became a song.
enough is enough, and gwen garcia of cebu lost her reelection bid to pam baricuatro. while cynthia villar lost to mark anthony santos.
Oh yes in Pque we also have a promising newbie Congressman
He was a party list rep in Bicol before
enough is enough, the dutertes hold seem to be limited now only to davao city, in the provinces and outside davao city, their grip is loosening.
https://www.inquirer.net/443775/duterte-hold-on-davao-provinces-weakens/
Hope springs eternal.
Bato said his votes were a result of protest votes.
Some say Marcoleta’s win was more on Sara’s endoresement than being an INC because they only number 2.8 million. That makes me wonder, are the INC only 2.8 M?
I was told inc voters is 2+millions, if you are estimating 2.8, you are probly correct.
I am not fan of marcoleta.
Marcoleta is worse than Bato and Bong Go. If he got the youth vote, something is wrong with the Youth. He is already messing up asking for a debate with the prosecutors.
not all youth is duterte youth, others have more sense. and rodent marcoleta may have to shape up fast. there is talk of ousting senate president escudero and if that come to pass, the impeachment date may be brought forward from 30 july.
ahem, I am starting to think that maybe a rodent has harbored a piattos and maybe related to kokoy villamin of the anomalous confidential fund. kaya nagaalburuto, insinuating himself into the trial and try to misdirect the prosecutors.
Not sure what to make of Pam Baricuatro yet. Gwen Garcia is well-known, while Pam Baricuatro seemed quite shifty and evasive during the campaign. As much as I intensely dislike Queen Gwen, I always need to admit that aside from her family’s corruption, she is still “Cebu First.” Or should I say “Gwen First, Cebu Second.” Gwen Garcia is a political chameleon, and never fully supported PNoy, nor fully supported Digong, so it is the same with Marcos Jr. Perhaps that political chameleonism trait of hers is what provided her ultimate downfall after 5 terms. No matter…
Baricuatro got an endorsement from Digong during the campaign and seems to be looking to Davao for leadership. This seems like a weak position to me as Cebu is the preeminent Cebuano cultural and economic center, and Baricuatro appears to be looking to the hinterlands for support.
A lot of the youth (GenZ) in Cebu are still DDS. A decade now of DDS propaganda memes on socmed has deep roots.
god works in mysterious ways!
cebu changed a leaf and gwen garcia’s fall is long on the making, she has defied ombudsman’s order, and have been known to uberly antagonize constituents. now, constituents returned the favor and antagonized her. and deny her what she most coveted.
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/cebu-versus-gwen-garcia-alyansa-2025/
I’m not so sure that Cebu changed leaf. Since the beginning of the DDS movement a decade ago, Gwen Garcia has been trying to tightrope walk between her family’s own interests and fealty to the Dutertes. Yes, Gwen Garcia is supremely corrupt and her maldita attitude has earned her the moniker “witch” by some. I think it might be a mistake to not recognize that Cebu is still a Duterte stronghold, though slightly weakened, simply because Cebuanons and Oponganons identify with their “kinsman.” I actually consider this result worse than letting Gwen Garcia continue to bumble along for 3 more years and coming up with a better candidate in 2028. I wonder if the now governor-elect Pam Baricuatro is a DDS true believer or simply making a Faustian bargain to gains foothold. Well, we know what happened to Faust after his deal with the Devil.
Dolomite Beach is one big red flag for Gwen Pendragon I mean Garcia.
I nearly forgot about this one, haha.
” I think it might be a mistake to not recognize that Cebu is still a Duterte stronghold, though slightly weakened, “
Totally agree here. Gwen thought PBBM was ascendant and threw in with PBBM. well Duterte is still ascendant. that’s my point about Pinks/Yellows going the Swiss route. just be staunchly USA to counter PBBM’s pro USA thus making it easy for USA to back Pinks/Yellows if ever Martial Law is mentioned.
But again I stress just leave VP Sara alone. let PBBM attack Inday Sara.
How would Marcos Jr. declaring martial law help in his project of rehabilitating his family name from the mistakes of his father and mother?
The only two Fifth Republic presidents to have declared martial law are GMA and Duterte himself. Both times the rationale given was unlawful, with martial law being a pretext for performative strength.
Seeing that his attacks on VP Sara and DU30 (ICC) back fired big time, i am assuming they’ll be scrambling now, and Martial Law will be back on the table.
I’m talking about Marcos (the father) type Martial Law, not no short time declarations.
Assume PBBM and company will wanna hold on to power. given VP Sara’s rise. China will be the perfect justification.
And let’s say PBBM is actually wise beyond his years, and decides to just go away come 2028. No Martial Law. Then Pinks/Yellows would have made their case as pro-USA, without having spent any capital attacking VP Sara. PBBM goes down. VP Sara will be about neutral. both PBBM/VP Sara locked horns. VP Leni’s Pinks/Yellows will enjoy ascendancy due to its Swiss policy. its a win-win-win.
Hmm, look at where Bam Aquino won..
There seems to be a resurgence of the Aquino “brand name,” just like the Marcos “brand name” returned 3 years ago. People there seem to tire of a brand name for a while, notice that taking another soap isn’t better, and then develop nostalgia for their uncle’s soap. Duterte brand name is pretty damaged now, I agree they shouldn’t give them too much of a victim role, but that balance is theirs to find. I am watching more from a distance now anyhow.
After PBBM and VP Sara won, and I saw her bowing and saluting PBBM, i lost all hope and stopped following news of her, Ireneo.
During Joe’s sabbatical, around the time it was just us here pretty much, didn’t really posted on VP Sara, until Joe’s return said she is really unpopular now and I was all like can’t be that bad its only been a year or so.
And it was, all that bowing and saluting to PBBM didn’t do her brand justice.
But then they started attacking her in full force, which led to the 4committees then eventually to the ICC extradition. and you saw her brand rise, per my pronouncements in my VP Sara series via common sense.
They inadvertently gave VP Sara too much spot light. and she shines in a fight. So that’s what happened. her stock went up.
Her stock going up is all dependent on what the Pinks/Yellows do, we already know if PBBM ’s stock goes down, VP Sara’s stock goes up.
So it’s a 3 Body Problem at this point.
We know D5 ’s brother reads here, and I would argue although Joe (and Ireneo too) complain about not getting readership anymore. I would argue Joe’s series on the Pinks/Yellows opposition a how-to win basically was read by the right folks and thus spread. thus the outcome we see now.
And why we have a third Body now.
Now what to do as a 3rd Body in a 3 Body Problem scenario is important. difficult to ascertain how things will swing.
D5 is key. because she’ll want to pounce. and I’m saying ensure VP Sara doesn’t win 2028 first. that should be priority. pounce later. stay cool. bide for time.
Cuz once they start donning red robes, you can guarantee VP Sara’s presidency in 2028. it’ll look too much like Eyes Wide Shut i dunno if that was a popular movie with Filipinos but you get the imagery, it will not be seen as the dispensation of justice as is widely touted. more like Joan of Arc at the stake. VP Sara as Joan of Arc.
So to D5’s brother reading here, tell your sister, to just wait it out. She can go after the Dutertes, when
they are fully neutralized, neutered, eg. not in Malacanyang palace again. go after them then, but in the lead up to 2028, just follow VP Leni’s lead. back off. bide your time some more, just let those two families go at it, thus weakening themselves and guaranteeing Pinks/Yellows place in 2028. its that simple. just back off.
I get it, but I don’t know if Pinks and Yellows do.
Now I am on record, just like Joe, as having favored a strategic alliance between Pinks and Marcos against Dutertes. That was heavily misunderstood by many.
Well, now that Marcos Jr. is offering Pinks someone’s head on a platter but making them do the deed, it seems they have taken the bait. That could mean Marcos Jr. is able to use them. But I am increasingly tiring of explaining stuff, so let’s just see what happens next.
Quite a few Duterte supporters don’t actually know much about the Dutertes, and project their own disparate resentments onto a chaos agent to destroy the status quo. Of course just like MAGA converts, Duterte supporters who had family members get tokhang’d quickly realized that when they wanted “other people” to get punished and benefits to flow to “them,” that THEY are the OTHER. Like in any cult-like group, those who come to their senses get ostracized and attacked by true believers. Well I’ve been to Davao quite a few times before Digong rose to national prominence and I recognized his cruelty long before 2016.
That being said, it seems there is a strong mood in the Philippines for upsetting the status quo of dynastic coalition rule, though the Dutertes are not the savior. I’d prefer to keep the status quo as it is until an opposition can grow in strength and structure. There are benefits in strategic alliances with Marcos Jr. until such time. Sadly all too often Philippines politics runs on emotional feelings, shooting from the hip, and winging it. If that ad hoc disorganization worked (barely) until now, imagine how much strong a *slightly* better organized opposition would accomplish.
„but making them do the deed, it seems they have taken the bait.“
Exactly, Ireneo! and everyones looking to D5 cuz she was the one most done wrong by DU30. so if she drops it and just focuses on pro-USA and anti-China rhetoric and policies. it’ll elevate Pinks/Yellows on a totally different level. cuz it’ll take a biggger person to not partake in PBBM’s witch hunt against VP Sara. let him pursue prosecute his own witch hunt. thus further neutering himself. Pinks/Yellows need to look beyond all that triflin‘ hot mess, and to 2028.
„There are benefits in strategic alliances with Marcos Jr. until such time. „
Or why not just pull out now (espcially D5), while PBBM is spiralling down. Pinks/Yellows don’t need PBBM, Joey. Never have , never will.
I find the worship of the personal power of singular individuals to not only be highly morally corrosive, but more damningly lacking in moral grounding. There is no unifying ideology personal power, much less an ideology that starts to bend the moral curve towards making the society better.
Marcos Jr. has been on record numerous times stating he would not interfere in the impeachment process, and in fact had publicly disavowed impeachment. But when one worships personal power, any other nexus of power seems like a threat to project onto; such as the Duterte clan is prone to do. Impeachment and removal is a political process, enumerated in the Constitution, being the sole prerogative of Congress. The Executive has no legal and constitutional role to play in such process, and Marcos Jr. acknowledging that is a positive sign that he respects the Constitution. We can oppose when a leader does something wrong, but also be politically mature enough to acknowledge when the same leader does right.
Besides, as the cliche goes in the Philippines, if Sara and Digong have done nothing wrong, what do they need to be afraid of? It seems ironically amusing that the “alpha” Sara, so-described by her father, immediately screams victimhood when in fact she is being afforded her constitutional rights to due process by the very process of impeachment and trial, something her father and their followers callously did not afford to summarily executed tokhang victims and falsely imprisoned political prisoners. It often occurs that the smallest dog barks the loudest.
I just hope not only that Atty De Lima does her job during the impeachment trial very calmly, like the ICC deals with Duterte. I also hope that the liberal side counters any victim narrative from Inday Sara.
They are at the forefront of the battle now and should be fully aware of the risks they are taking now that they chose this.
Here we go..
https://x.com/manayleila/status/1923991586578497633
“Dyan naman sila magaling eh: braggadocio, mindless arrogance, toxic rhetoric, violence.
In an impeachment trial, the only one who is on trial is the person impeached. So there can be no bloodbath. If any blood is spilled, it can only be that of the person impeached, not the prosecutors’, not the senators-judges’, not the administration’s, not the people’s. We will make sure of that. And VP Sara is always welcome to witness how her trial will be a serious affair where her rights are respected and the proceedings fair, devoid of the drama and chaos that she is asking her defense team to orchestrate.
To stress, an impeachment trial is not a show of brute force but a sacrosanct constitutional process of accountability. No room for chaos, drama, and theatrics that Sara asked her defense team to orchestrate. Contempt ang naghihintay sa kanila if they even dare to.”
The following also highlights the stark differences in mindset.
Even as many in the land of low reading comprehension might see Sen Bam Aquino’s statement as “pang-Miss Universe,” meaning merely ceremonial.
Those who worship cults of personality will always end up being disappointed, even if they do not think deeply enough to realize that. I’m not a betting man, but I’d never bet against one truth that never loses — actuarial tables.
My worry is that the rule of law in the Philippines has never been that strong. A definition of lawlessness is the uneven application of the law. Well the rule of law is something that needs to be built and nurtured. The lawless Dutertes and their allies need to be held accountable.
The Pinks/Yellow also do not need Sara
“Impeachment and removal is a political process, enumerated in the Constitution, being the sole prerogative of Congress. “
Correct, Joey. I would stress the political process which means PBBM isn’t just sitting back. he’s nudging here and there, as is everyone involved. that’s why the 2025 election is a great guide was to where Filipinos are leaning towards. its obvious that they don’t like the direction PBBM is going, eg. impeachment and extradition to ICC. he as president can read the tea leaves of said election results and adjust accordingly. but PBBM i think will proceed, being tone deaf. he can pull the reins, of course, for a full stop or go to the left or right change course. but that won’t happen. which is good cuz that’ll mean his camp will be diminished come 2028 (giving credence to my theory of Martial Law if said camp will wanna stay in power).
My point here, is Pinks/Yellows don’t need PBBM. he’s obviously going down (unless he changes course or stops with the witch hunt). as to what karl says, I agree. Pinks/Yellows don’t need VP Sara. not right now. but if ever Martial Law happens they’ll need each other. if it doesn’t happen then VP Sara will still need PBBM to continue with his witch hunt cuz that is where her source of popularity emanates from– the witch hunt. Pinks/Yellows can draw their power from being more pro-USA, thus nullifying any possibility of Martial Law, but more importantly once PBBM goes down the drain is out of the picture completely, and VP Sara moves more towards China. then Pinks/Yellows can be the perfect counter to that by being pro-USA, and they never would need to collude with PBBM and his witch hunt in order to do so (which Filipinos will respect). they’ll just counter VP Sara fully by being pro-USA. simple.
Does it ever get tiring to twist yourself into a pretzel to make disjointed and preformed bias make sense?
Joey, LCX had been on record that he is pro EJK many times he got an FU from me and one other.
He was also pro Covid, how cold can you get?
karl, I would just elaborate that my stance on EJKs and Covid is more akin to Thanos. just trying to balance the universe is all. now will i participate personally myself, probably not. but if you step back and pan out, hey we’re eating chickens grown in factory setting same with cows, really bad conditions who’s to say ones better than the other? that’s been my point all along. amorality.
“Sub specie aeternitatis” is a Latin phrase that translates to “from the standpoint of eternity” or “from a universal perspective”. just my attempts to understand the mind of God, karl. but all that has nothing to do with this 3 Body Problem, regarding VP Leni and VP Sara and PBBM, i’m more talking about best strategies. nothing to do with morality, immorality and amorality. pure strategy.
This is a screwed up position to take, and quite telling too.
I’m a fan of the Old Testament, Joey.
But that’s besides the point.
You think Pinks/Yellows should work with PBBM.
I think they shouldn’t. We can have that difference. only time will tell.
But I do think , Martial Law is a very obvious possibility. How do you propose averting that?
I’ve outlined how above, what’s yours? no ad hominems needed just debate.
How can he propose averting a fiction of your mind? You should lay a reasonable and factual basis for projecting imposition of Martial Law. There is no evidence to support such an irresponsible position that puts the President of the Philippines in a conspiracy theory box that frames him badly no matter how good his intentions. You are the absolute worst of modern social media debate.
My patience is worn thin. You’ve made many excellent contributions to the blog, as did Chempo, but there comes a point at which the ever-flowing rivers of nonsense and teen-age testosterone flexing must stop.
Joe, theres a precedence. PBBM’s Dad was in power for a decade plus. so its reasonable again now with China looming that PBBM et al can use China as justification for another one. especially with his presidency diminished. and VP Sara ascendant.
All nonsense projections. Facts would be statements, acts and policies that point that direction. Today. His every act aligns with respect for Philippine democracy. Your speculations are damaging. Stop them.
“Even as many in the land of low reading comprehension might see Sen Bam Aquino’s statement as “pang-Miss Universe,” meaning merely ceremonial.”
totally agree, Ireneo.
totally agree!
a total misreading of the mandate. the mandate was to balance out PBBM! but i’ll stop there per Joe’s orders. but that was a perfect encapsulation of the problem. misreading of mandate. don’t squander it. know that its a political process. don’t mask it as anything more. its still Philippine politics. an extension of the Napoles case, only involving everyone now, VP Sara’s “bloodbath” is the corruption. like that movie Carrie.
It must be exhausting to construe the plain meaning of words into preformed bias. Let’s use a little critical thinking here. Read the relevant blurbs from The Inquirer again, and compare it with the known history of both senators. Unless you’re prepared to admit that you’re going to defend the Dutertes no matter what. Even with politicians I don’t align with, usually I can find at least a few examples of agreement. Trump and Duterte are the only two leaders of Western/Western-aligned countries where I cannot find even a thimble of agreement with. The reason is simple — Trump and Duterte align with illiberalism, authoritarianism, and when given great power to show love to their country they chose instead to love their own reflections.
I tend to think that modern thinking is the exercise of self-justification for most people. Social media have tied emotional balance, not to facts, but to beliefs. LCX and the primary suspect in the bombing of the Palm Springs IVF clinic follow similar logic paths, as do Trump and Duterte backers, where even murder can be sanitized and put into an acceptable path of logic. It is incredible and it is scary. Thank goodness there is Bruce Springsteen, and most contributors here. Compassion is important, an intellectual capacity of higher animals.
Actually the human brain is remarkable in its ability to take in a few pieces of information then to “fill in” the rest — pattern recognition — usually with a high degree of accuracy. This cognitive ability is one of the factors that sets human intelligence apart from lower sentience. The trouble is when people are bombarded with too many information sources that have varying degrees of truth, leading to wires crossing that sets the conditions for brain hacking.
Just like in our human past, ancient peoples decided that by specializing into farmers, potters, builders, leaders and so on, we can efficiently accomplish more than let’s say, our hunter gatherer brethren, so too do specialists who focus on areas of their strengths are helpful to a functioning society. Teachers, newsmen, pastors, engineers, tradesmen, and yes, politicians.
The illogical conclusion that many who have been brain hacked come up with is to do everything themselves again as they have come to mistrust experts. The “do your own research” phenomenon is one of those illogic expressions. When everyone is an “expert” in everything, we have just become opiners and no one is an expert anymore. The irony in it all, is that the brain hacked often become parrots repeating what they had heard from new, so-called “experts.” It seems more useful to stick with actual data and actual experts.
That is an optimistic way to express our human inability to sift through noise effectively. Rather like observing that the parachute is still in the plane after we jumped. lol
Joey,
I actually agree with you there. DU30 = Trump.
But I’m just talking about the “legal” process re impeachment. D5 and her team will prosecute, senators will be jury, judge will judge. they need 2/3’s (correct me if wrong here am assuming copypasted from USA proceedings). to really find VP Sara “guilty”, D5 will have to find those names which are hidden under confidential laws. If you can tell me that D5 et al will be able to produce and call forth those names as recipients of said moneys (tall order) then its just a show, Joey. read above, cuz gian’s correct.
That’s how it shoulda been handled.
My point here, is that D5 can still pull out of all this. if she already knows she can’t produce said names, then don’t be PBBM’s circus act, make it clear to Filipinos. that’s what Ireneo’s hinting above. Pinks/Yellows have to know they are being used. I think they can still pull out, Ireneo’s saying just be professional about it, you and Joe are saying do PBBM’s bidding to the tee. I say make it obvious what the parameters is, so they are not over promising . cuz 2/3’s is alot, Joey. and we know D5 will not produce those names, cuz it will be like that Trillanes vs Paolo encounter,
show me your tattoos!!!
no.
end of story. that’ll be the impeachment in a nutshell, Joey. only with red robes.
Pinks/Yellows have to be wary of this. that theres likely no happy ending here. don’t squander current public support.
No, I’m not ever said libs should do Marcos’ bidding to the t. This is typically how you misrepresent things to fit facts to your arguments. What I’ve said repeatedly is that President Marcos can advance resurrection of his family name by choosing a good governance successor, and that libs (Yellows, Pinks, and Left) should build a coalition, getting past their inherent tribalism or hubris as k calls it. You are the guy mucking up the debate with nonsense and even lies.
“LCX and the primary suspect in the bombing of the Palm Springs IVF clinic follow similar logic paths,”
I resent this, Joe. If anything between me and Joey– Joey’s the only one hinting about violence as pattern. why I described him as passive-aggressive.
You have no compassionate moral foundation that I can discern, and obsessively rework data to justify your passions. Same as many these days.
“It seems more useful to stick with actual data and actual experts.”
Joey, in the case of the VP Sara impeachment which experts do you recommend?
As for actual data, do you have a list of the 24 senators and their leanings, then match that with each of their threshholds necessary for each senator to “convict”,
for example of those likely to acquit, would the names of each recipients and their testimonies be enough to change their votes? evidenciarywise.
Splain to me how you’d go about addressing all those variables. cuz the Pinks/Yellows would be better served if we can do that for them here.
Game it thru. cuz from my readings 2/3’s is not happening , Joey. next to impossible. unless those names are found and presented.
“No, I’m not ever said libs should do Marcos’ bidding to the t. “
Okay. that’s fair. let me rephrase then , Joe. You and Joey based on comments both think that Pinks and Yellows should work hand in hand with PBBM re VP Sara impeachment.
Not espousing the Swiss path, which I am espousing is my point, Joe. if the phrase “to the tee” was too much, then how ‘s that rephrasement? accurate?
No, I’ve not advocated for or against impeachment that I can recall. I for sure think Sara Duterte is corrupt and would be a horrid president. President Marcos does not want impeachment. He may have done the calculation you request and has concluded that he gains nothing from it, but can potentially lose a lot. The election of five pro-Duterte senators along with a core of about 12 gamers and populists of no particular principle makes conviction unlikely. That may be bad for Marcos. It does not mean Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan should toss aside their principles and become gamers, too, because Sara might have a step up on 2028.
“You have no compassionate moral foundation that I can discern,”
And that’s fair. we’ve gone round and round about amorality here for years. but don’t compare me to some crazed bomber forchrissakes.
I’d suggest you consider a change in character so I can tell the difference.
“President Marcos does not want impeachment”
This is the wrong reading of PBBM. and i’ll have to compile a list of you essentially in agreement with Joey re PBBM and Pinks/Yellows. but i’ll probably not bother and just say, noted. the impeachment could not have snow balled without PBBM’s blessing , Joe. sure he may be in regret of it now, but we are where we are cuz of him (or Liz). and now he’s pawning his dirty work to the Pinks and Yellows. but I rest my case. i gotta run now.
Given a set of facts, we can go with what we see or what we believe. You are inclined to think the President of the Philippines is a stone-cold calculator planning for martial law and I am inclined to think he is a needful soul who listens to adults like Exec Sec Bersamin and his wife, but not his loopy mother or sister, and he’s just doing his best. You are making stuff up. I am trying to identify the facts.
As I reread this, it amuses me that you overlay your amoral character onto President Marcos and I overlay my compassionate character on him. lol
LOL! that I can agree with , Joe!!! hahahahaha…
Hum a few bars.
Moral erosion is worse than climate change.
I try not to get too carried away. while bam and kiko’s win were positive signs, dynasties still reign supreme, for now.
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/15/bam-kiko-wins-positive-but-dynasties-dominated-halalan-2025-makabayan-1554
Dynasties are restrained by geography so have to link up to have national reach, and that’s like putting greedy ball hogs on the same team. A true national opposition should be able to defeat them. If they are not ball hogs themselves.
there is a god in heaven and dynasties fall. the higher they are the lower they fall. even their conglomerates and their shared power did not work and duly fell. too much greed and unchecked ego is not good, and the nonchalance of the other caused dissatisfaction.
if the opposition can rid itself of its own hubris, there maybe a chance. and with the support of the people behind them who can clearly see that the opposition is working for the good of all and not just for the advancement of one man one dynasty, there might indeed by a chance.
Well put. Hubris is one of those conditions that you don’t know you have until someone points it out. So we should keep pointing it out because that’s what makes coalition-building hard, and it is a condition that C/D voters can see.
The lack of durable coalitions during the Fifth Republic is a detriment to maintaining power long enough to bring about progress. Things were easier when NP ruled for 19 years out of the 27 years between the Commonwealth to late Third Republic, though NP squandered their chance to create a more cohesive Philippines.
With the resurgence of old dynasties and the birth of new dynasties during the Fifth Republic, there seems to have been further fracturing of power. I think AB Filipinos who have experience seeing what democracies of other countries are like often make a mistake of believing LP is a Western-style political party. LP exists more like a coalition to begin with, with all the headaches that being a big tent brings along with it.
Personally I don’t think it’s useful to throw away existing structures like LP, or newer structures like Akbayan. Rather, those structures should be built upon and made more sound. A hybrid system of political cultivation and advancement should be introduced, with merit having more weight than seniority or name recognition. Merit allows those who have a burning passion to have some confidence that their efforts will be recognized by the overall organization.
This thread is an analysis of the pathology of the voting process for or against issues & candidates. I have mainly a STEM educational backgrnd. Thus I can see the similarities between technology & the voting process & in this case how a LASER works:
Copilot Answer
A laser works by amplifying light through stimulated emission. Here’s how it happens:
Wikipedia
I have laser. the chinese use them to harass and intimidate our uniformed personnel, shining laser beam at our aircraft and coastguard vessels on patrol.
the chinese should instead show more concern on their own people, their older generation suffer dementia and alzheimer related diseases more than any other older citizens in the world. must be too stressful to live in china these days with people constantly being monitored and looking over their shoulders, careful who they talk with. fight or flight, allegedly no longer their option, kaya they implode apparently. and become oblivious to their surroundings.
KB this use of technology (lasers) to do harm demonstrates again the inherent duality of applied technology – one good, the other bad. When Alfred Nobel invented dynamite it was used blowing up obstacles so that mining could be done more easily; the other use weaponized dynamite to blast military objectives resulting in loss of materiel & life for the furtherance of ideology or power. Lasers do good in the medical field.
The Youth Vote in the Philippine 2025 Elections and its Potential Impact on the 2028 Presidential Race (created by Google Deep Research – Beta)
The Philippine midterm elections held in 2025 presented a complex political landscape marked by significant shifts in voter sentiment. Contrary to pre-election polling, key allies of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte and candidates from the liberal opposition garnered unexpectedly strong support in the Senate race, posing a notable challenge to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amidst a growing political rift with Vice President Sara Duterte. This election cycle was further distinguished by a record-breaking voter turnout for a midterm election, with preliminary assessments indicating that the youth demographic played a pivotal role in this surge of participation. Initial analyses of the results suggest that young voters exhibited a discernible preference for candidates representing alternatives to traditional political figures and those aligned with the opposition, hinting at a potential realignment of political forces within the Philippines. Consequently, the engagement and voting patterns of the youth in the 2025 elections offer crucial insights into the potential dynamics and outcomes of the upcoming 2028 presidential elections, particularly when considering the ongoing and increasingly public rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte factions and the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte.
2. The Youth Electorate in the 2025 Philippine Elections: A Demographic Overview:
The youth demographic constitutes a substantial and increasingly influential segment of the Philippine electorate. Data released by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for the 2025 polls revealed that Millennials, generally defined as those born between 1981 and 1996, and Generation Z, typically born between 1997 and 2007, collectively comprised 63% of the registered voters, totaling approximately 47.81 million individuals out of nearly 70 million. Another estimate placed the number of voters aged between 18 and 41 at 56% of the total voting population. More specifically, Generation Z voters, encompassing individuals aged 18 to 30 in 2025, alone accounted for nearly 20 million registered voters. This significant numerical representation underscores the considerable power wielded by young Filipinos in shaping the outcomes of elections across all levels of governance. Their sheer numbers make their collective choices a critical determinant in deciding which candidates and political parties ultimately succeed at the polls.
The 2025 midterm elections were marked by an unprecedented level of voter participation, achieving the highest turnout rate in the history of Philippine midterm elections at 81.65%. This translated to a remarkable 55.87 million voters casting their ballots from a total of 68.43 million registered voters. Notably, this high turnout rate approached the record set in the 2022 presidential elections, which stood at 82.5%. COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, based on the commission’s initial assessment, specifically credited this significant surge in participation to the youth, stating that they “really turned out in droves” and that they were highly motivated by a desire to have their voices heard within the broader society. This exceptional level of engagement among young voters signifies a growing political awareness and a strong inclination to actively participate in the democratic processes of the nation, surpassing the levels of engagement seen in previous midterm elections.
Several factors likely contributed to this heightened political participation among the youth. The intense political polarization and the visible rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte factions may have served as a mobilizing force, encouraging more young people to actively engage in the electoral process. Paradoxically, the reported prevalence of vote-buying, as highlighted by a professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, might have also acted as an incentive for voting across various demographic groups, including the youth. Furthermore, the increased prevalence and intensity of political discussions on social media platforms, where Millennials and Gen Z constituted a significant 71% of online political discourse during the 2025 midterms, likely played a crucial role in raising awareness and mobilizing young voters to head to the polls.
Analysis of the geographic distribution of the youth population reveals that the majority of Filipino youth aged 15 to 30 reside in the regions of CALABARZON, the National Capital Region (NCR), and Central Luzon. Specifically, the core youth demographic, those aged 18 to 24, form the largest segment within this population group, accounting for 44.5%. This concentration of young voters in these key regions suggests that political campaigns that strategically target these areas with messaging tailored to the specific concerns and interests of the youth could potentially yield significant electoral gains. While the provided research material offers insights into the age distribution and geographic concentration of young voters, it does not provide detailed information regarding their specific socio-economic characteristics in the context of the 2025 elections. Understanding these characteristics would further enable more nuanced and effective campaign strategies.
3. Analysis of Youth Voting Patterns and Candidate Preferences in 2025:
The 2025 Philippine midterm elections revealed intriguing patterns in how young voters exercised their franchise. Political analysts observed a significant trend among the youth, defined as those aged 44 and below and constituting over 60% of the electorate, to favor “alternative candidates” who were perceived as possessing higher standards of competence and qualifications, signaling a potential departure from traditional political allegiances and figures. This sentiment appeared to contribute to the surprising success of former senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino and Francis Pangilinan. Both figures, representing the liberal wing of the political spectrum under the KiBam alliance, made a notable return to the Senate, exceeding expectations set by pre-election polls. Analysts specifically attributed their unexpected victories, in part, to the strong support they received from young voters. Bam Aquino, in particular, was identified by one analyst as having garnered significant votes from both Millennial and Generation Z voters.
Further evidence of this preference for non-traditional options among the youth can be seen in the performance of party-list groups. Akbayan, a party-list aligned with the liberal KiBam alliance and known for its progressive stance on various issues, emerged as the top vote-getter in the party-list race, securing 2,779,621 votes. This strong showing suggests considerable support for Akbayan’s platform among young Filipinos. However, the youth vote was not uniformly distributed. Duterte Youth, a party-list group openly aligned with the Duterte political faction, also achieved a significant electoral outcome, ranking second with 2,338,564 votes. This indicates that a substantial segment of the youth electorate continues to identify with and support the political ideologies associated with the former president and his allies.
The success of opposition candidates in the 2025 elections was directly linked to the engagement of young voters. Opposition forces themselves acknowledged that the “surprise victory” of the two independent senators, Aquino and Pangilinan, alongside the expansion of the progressive party-list bloc in the House of Representatives, was largely attributable to the support they received from the youth. This demonstrates the tangible impact of youth participation on the electoral outcomes, highlighting their capacity to influence the political landscape and contribute to the resurgence of alternative voices within the government.
The strong performance of both Akbayan and Duterte Youth in the party-list elections provides further insight into the diverse political leanings within the youth population. Akbayan’s progressive platform clearly resonated with a significant portion of young voters, while the substantial support for Duterte Youth underscores the continued influence of the Duterte brand among another segment of this demographic. This division within the youth vote suggests that political messaging and platforms need to be nuanced and targeted to effectively appeal to different segments of this large and diverse electorate.
Several motivations appear to have underpinned the voting choices of young Filipinos in 2025. The preference for “alternative candidates” suggests a potential underlying dissatisfaction with the established political order and the dominance of traditional political families and personalities. Furthermore, the emphasis on “competence and qualifications” as key criteria for candidate selection indicates a desire among young voters to move beyond mere name recognition or political affiliations and to support individuals they believe possess the necessary skills and expertise to govern effectively. Research focusing specifically on Gen Z voters revealed a notable preference for candidates who not only possess substantial political experience and advanced educational backgrounds but also advocate for progressive stances on critical social and environmental issues. This preference for candidates who align with their values and who utilize modern, digital campaign strategies further illuminates the motivations driving the youth vote. Additionally, Gen Z voters have expressed a preference for candidates perceived as incorruptible, wise, and possessing strong moral character.
4. The Influence of Social Media and Digital Engagement on Youth Voters:
Social media platforms have become indispensable tools in the modern political landscape, and this is particularly true for engaging young voters in the Philippines. These platforms serve as primary sources of political information for the youth demographic. During the 2025 midterm elections, Millennials and Gen Z, who together constituted over 60% of the registered voters, accounted for a significant 71% of all online political discussions. This high level of online engagement underscores the importance of digital spaces in shaping the political discourse among young Filipinos. Key platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have emerged as central hubs for political conversations in the country, with Facebook registering the highest volume of election-related discussions. Social media offers young voters direct and unfiltered access to political content, providing a space for activism, community building, and the exchange of ideas, thereby significantly influencing their behavior and participation in political discussions.
The digital environment surrounding the 2025 elections was also characterized by intense online activity and the proliferation of various narratives. Disinformation campaigns played a notable role in shaping public opinion in the lead-up to the polls. Following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the disinformation machinery associated with his camp reportedly became active once again, with the aim of bolstering support for their senatorial candidates. Simultaneously, the Marcos administration also reportedly engaged in efforts to investigate and potentially leverage disinformation tactics for their own political advantage. Recognizing the potential impact of online manipulation, COMELEC proactively issued guidelines designed to regulate digital election campaigns, with a specific focus on addressing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in campaign materials and combating the spread of disinformation across social media platforms. These regulations included mandates for transparency in the use of AI and prohibitions against the use of inauthentic accounts and coordinated inauthentic behavior to manipulate online narratives.
Despite the pervasive presence of disinformation, young voters, particularly those belonging to Generation Z, are also considered to be among the most digitally literate and adept at navigating the complexities of online information. While heavily influenced by social media, they are also believed to possess a greater capacity to critically evaluate online content and potentially be less susceptible to misinformation compared to older generations who may have less experience with digital platforms. Nevertheless, experts consistently urged young voters to exercise vigilance and critical thinking when encountering political information online, emphasizing the potential for misinformation and fake news to significantly impact their perceptions and ultimately their voting decisions. The dual nature of social media, as both an empowering tool for political engagement and a potential vector for manipulation, necessitates that young voters develop strong media literacy skills to make informed and discerning choices in the electoral process.
5. Key Issues and Concerns Driving the Youth Vote in 2025:
The voting patterns of young Filipinos in the 2025 elections were likely influenced by a range of pressing issues and concerns that resonate deeply with their generation. The DAKILA campaign, a significant youth mobilization effort, focused on critical areas such as the escalating cost of living, the need for accessible continuing education, and the pervasive issue of discrimination in the workplace. Their comprehensive “Youth Agenda” further articulated popular demands for transformative change, including the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill, robust measures to curb corruption, and concrete actions to address human rights violations within the country. These issues reflect a broader desire among the youth for a more just and equitable society.
While the specific focus of youth-led movements provides valuable insights, general surveys also indicated broader concerns among the Filipino electorate that likely resonated with young voters. A nationwide survey highlighted that voters, in general, prioritized candidates who demonstrated a commitment to increasing job opportunities, ensuring food security for all citizens, and strengthening the national healthcare system. These fundamental socio-economic concerns are likely to be particularly salient for young people as they enter the workforce and navigate the challenges of economic stability.
Research specifically examining the preferences of Generation Z voters revealed a strong inclination towards candidates who advocate for progressive stances on social and environmental issues. This suggests that issues such as climate change, environmental protection, and social justice are key motivators for this segment of the youth electorate. Their preference for candidates who align with these values underscores the importance of these issues in shaping their political choices.
Youth-led movements and advocacy groups, such as DAKILA, played a crucial role in shaping the political consciousness and potentially influencing the voting behavior of young Filipinos. DAKILA, as an artist-activist collective, actively engaged in organizing young people to advocate for their political agenda, with the overarching goal of disrupting what they perceived as anti-democracy narratives and empowering the youth to become a significant political force in the nation. Their “Youth Agenda” served as a clear articulation of the policy demands and aspirations of many young Filipinos, providing a framework for political engagement and a set of criteria for evaluating candidates.
While the provided research does not offer a direct, comparative analysis of the key issues for youth versus other age demographics in the 2025 elections, it is reasonable to infer some distinctions. Fundamental concerns such as economic stability and access to healthcare are likely to be important across all age groups. However, the stronger emphasis on social justice issues like SOGIE equality and human rights, along with the pronounced focus on environmental sustainability, appears to be more characteristic of the youth electorate, particularly Generation Z, as compared to older generations. This suggests that while some core concerns are shared, the youth may prioritize issues that reflect their values, their future prospects, and their vision for a more progressive society.
6. Implications of the 2025 Youth Vote for the 2028 Presidential Elections:
The voting trends observed among the youth in the 2025 elections carry significant implications for the upcoming 2028 presidential elections, suggesting a potential reshaping of the Philippine political landscape. The notably high voter turnout among young Filipinos, coupled with their demonstrated preference for candidates representing alternatives to traditional political figures and those aligned with the opposition, indicates a growing political consciousness and a desire for change that could exert considerable influence on the 2028 outcome. The emergence of an apparent alternative to the long-standing rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte clans, a development attributed to young voters actively seeking change, further points towards a potential realignment of political forces in the lead-up to the presidential race.
Given these trends, potential presidential candidates in 2028 will likely need to prioritize addressing the key issues that resonated with young voters in the 2025 cycle. These include a focus on creating meaningful economic opportunities, advancing social justice and human rights, and implementing sustainable environmental policies. Furthermore, developing and executing effective digital engagement and communication strategies will be absolutely crucial for candidates aiming to connect with the youth electorate, who are highly active and engaged on various social media platforms. To gain the trust and ultimately the support of young voters, candidates will need to demonstrate authenticity, a clear understanding of youth concerns, and a genuine commitment to addressing these issues with concrete and well-articulated plans. The success of opposition-leaning candidates who garnered significant youth support in 2025 suggests that platforms emphasizing good governance, social progress, and specifically addressing the concerns of young Filipinos will be vital for any presidential hopeful in 2028.
The youth vote in 2028 is also poised to play a potentially decisive role in the context of the existing political dynamics, particularly the ongoing and increasingly public rivalry between President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, as well as the potential impeachment proceedings against the latter. Given their demonstrated preference for alternatives to traditional politics and established political families, young voters may be less inclined to automatically align with candidates solely based on their affiliation with either the Marcos or Duterte factions. This could position the youth electorate as a significant swing vote in the 2028 elections, potentially acting as kingmakers by either throwing their support behind one of the existing power blocs or, perhaps more significantly, by coalescing around a completely different candidate or political movement that offers a fresh perspective and a clear departure from the current political landscape.
Looking beyond the immediate implications for the 2028 presidential race, the high voter turnout and active participation of the youth in the 2025 elections could signal a sustained and positive trend of increased political engagement among young Filipinos. This development has the potential to contribute to a more representative and dynamic democracy in the long term. Furthermore, the evident focus on issues such as good governance, social justice, and environmental protection among young voters could gradually lead to a political landscape that increasingly prioritizes these critical concerns in the years to come. The demonstrated political engagement of the youth in 2025, therefore, holds the potential to foster a more vibrant and issue-driven political culture within the Philippines, with significant and long-lasting implications for the health and responsiveness of its democratic institutions.
7. Conclusion and Forward-Looking Analysis:
The Philippine 2025 midterm elections revealed a significant surge in youth participation, with young voters demonstrating a notable preference for alternative and opposition candidates. This heightened engagement, fueled by social media and driven by key issues such as economic concerns, social justice, and good governance, carries substantial weight for the upcoming 2028 presidential elections. The youth vote has the potential to be a decisive factor, potentially reshaping the political landscape and influencing the strategies of likely presidential contenders.
Looking ahead, it is probable that the trend of high youth voter turnout will continue, and their preferences will likely evolve further as the political dynamics surrounding the 2028 elections take shape. The issues that resonated in 2025, particularly those concerning social progress and environmental sustainability, are likely to remain salient. The emergence of new youth leaders and political movements could also play a significant role in mobilizing this demographic.
For stakeholders seeking to understand and engage with the youth electorate in the lead-up to 2028, several insights emerge. Political parties and candidates must prioritize developing robust digital engagement strategies, directly address the key issues identified by young voters with concrete and well-defined plans, and demonstrate genuine authenticity and integrity to earn their trust and support. Civil society organizations can further promote youth political engagement by focusing on media literacy initiatives and fostering informed voting practices. Policymakers should pay close attention to the concerns and priorities articulated by the youth, as their engagement signals a growing demand for a more responsive and progressive political system. The 2028 presidential elections present a crucial opportunity for the youth to further solidify their role as a powerful and transformative force in Philippine politics.
I also asked an AI tool called Fluig to mindmap this blog article and the discussion so far:
Plus I asked it to make a fishbone diagram of the differences between generations.
I have seen in my lifetime how IT tools led to less assistants and even less accountants, now it is research and analysis staff that will be reduced by AI.
Those are impressive as well, and more impactful for the brevity. I wonder if we can force the data into hard decisions. For instance, “Given the Philippine political landscape, if we wanted a good governance president to be elected in 2028 and had 10 million pesos to invest, where would it be most effectively spent?”
I asked Google Deep Research exactly that, and I guess the suggested budgeting is interesting. The rest is indeed much we already know.
It mentioned Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, and Isko Moreno (?!) as well as good governance candidates. It overlooked Kiko Pangilinan. The advantage AI has it that it can read fast (300+ websites in this case) and summarize fast, but its weakness is lack of context.
The allocation makes good sense. I was expecting it to reject the task as outside its scope. I’m glad I’m retired. I’d fear for my job. The fine-tunings can inject context.
My reaction is that the analysis is impressive and it is overwhelming for its length. The conclusions are generalized and not much more striking than what we’d get if you or I spent a minute or two reflecting on matters. Humans will be required to read the outputs, and humans will have to take the risks of deploying the content. AI is useful if it can go places we cannot, for its orderliness, and for raising an insight or two. I confess I only quick-scanned the information as my lazy mind calculated there was a time/usefulness disconnect.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/16/2443474/carpio-sees-dissonance-survey-results
In a recent interview on The STAR’s “Truth on the Line,” Carpio issued the remark as he noted that senatorial candidates endorsed by the former president, such as Senators Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa, still ranked high in election surveys despite controversies such as the charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte before the International Criminal Court over extrajudicial killings in his drug war.
“There is a dissonance. It’s very surprising that Duterte has a high rating, but the people also don’t want a government that is accommodating of China,” Carpio said.
Head scratchings galore.
carpio is a bit inconsiderate, methink. he should be happy and thankful bam aquino coming from nowhere was able to beat bato, dislodging bato from from the 2nd spot. same with kiko, both he and bam entered the top five and that is indeed feat acompli: a miracle. carpio should not be too greedy nor too vain wanting for more miracles happening on his say so. still, carpio has to be careful what he says these days, else his pension will be downgraded. look at delima, her acquittal is also being downgraded, questioned.
so what if duterte has high rating, the higher they are, the lower they fall.
Like Bam said, I will take it.
humarurot si bam and overtake bato.