Has the Filipino youth finally had enough?
A study conducted by the Yusof Ishak Institute, a Singapore-based think-tank on Southeast Asian studies, revealed that from August to October 2024, 25.3% of surveyed Filipino undergraduate students agreed that “under certain circumstances, a non-democratic government is acceptable.”
This ranks Filipino youth just behind Singapore (27.6%) and ahead of Thailand (24.1%), Indonesia (24.6%), Malaysia (19.4%), and Vietnam (18.9%) in a slant to consider political systems other than a democracy.
The study also shows that 61.4% of Filipino youth have expressed discontent, perceived to be dissatisfaction, with the country’s current political system. The Philippines ranks second, only to Indonesia’s 71.5%. This contrasts with other ASEAN states like Singapore and Vietnam, where over 90% of surveyed youth reported satisfaction.
But in an interesting turn, the same survey also showed that 72.9% are interested in joining organizations that work on socio-political issues, second only to Vietnam’s 70.4%. In addition, Filipinos rank second in the ASEAN region in actively searching for information online about social and political issues.
So, what does this mean? Do these numbers reflect apathy toward our political system? In a country with a strong tradition of student activism—the Propagandists of the 1880s, student members of the La Liga Filipina in 1892, anti-colonial movements during the American period, the historic First Quarter Storm, the Diliman Commune, and the bloodless revolutions of both EDSA People Power—what does this shift in sentiment among the youth truly reflect?
Some would argue this isn’t apathy we’re seeing, but disillusionment. Renee Co, a lawyer and the Kabataan party-list spokesperson, said there is no truth to claims that Filipino youth do not care about politics.
“Hindi totoo na apolitical ang youth of today. The youth of today are just incredibly disillusioned with the system that has failed us at every turn,” Co said, pointing to inadequacies in education, intimidation from the state, and the desire for genuine and systemic change.
It seems that despite being weary and disillusioned, the Filipino youth remain ready to stand at the frontlines of the fight for a better country.
