THE 2025 midterm elections marked a powerful thrust toward change, as the young voter vote was the deciding factor in changing the nation's political landscape. With 35 percent of the over 68 million registered voters nationwide belonging to the youth sector or those aged 18 to 35, their combined efforts sent reform-minded candidates to positions of authority. This has represented a giant leap toward an engaged, vote-literate society.

     Based on the latest official canvass released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last May 17, political stalwarts remained the masters of the Senate race, with Senator Bong Go and former Senator Bam Aquino leading the pack. 

     The winners also highlighted changing political dynamics: top allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte and two opposition bets were among the top winners.

     Pre-election polls had pushed candidates like Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan to the sidelines, expecting them to be left out of the Senate's Magic 12. Aquino emerged as a surprise frontrunner, finishing second, while Pangilinan secured the fifth spot. Their performance was primarily attributed to the overwhelming support of the youth sector—Aquino even gave a shoutout to the kabataan for their crucial role in his victory.

     Mock polls conducted at the university level have long evidenced strong youth backing for personalities such as Aquino, Pangilinan, Heidi Mendoza, and Luke Espiritu. Such surveys tended to differ sharply with national surveys, indicating a distinct political preference divide between more educated and reform-oriented segments and established vote blocs. 

     Although neither Mendoza nor Espiritu entered the Magic 12, both performed better than expected—Mendoza climbed to the 21st spot, ahead of several survey leaders, while Espiritu ranked 29th. Notably, Espiritu more than doubled his previous total votes, rising from over 3 million in 2022 to more than 6 million in the 2025 elections.

     Aside from the Senate, other important victories indicated a deeper tide of change. The long-time political turf holder, Cynthia Villar, lost her congressional seat in Las Piñas to Councilor Mark Anthony Santos, breaking the Villar family's grip since 1992. 

     In other local governments, former Vice President Leni Robredo and Vico Sotto won their mayoral races respectively. At the same time, Akbayan Partylist steadily climbed in the party-list race—gaining three seats in the House of Representatives, a notable gain for progressive groups.

     While these results do not represent a total overhaul of the political establishment, they point to a clear shift in voter consciousness, especially among the youth. The rise of previously underestimated candidates, the defeat of longstanding political names, and the gains of progressive voices show that small, consistent efforts toward change are beginning to take root.

     Analysts noted that the youth are not just becoming leaders of tomorrow but are already assuming active roles in determining political results. Their ongoing engagement via advocacy, civic education, and grassroots activism is adding to a more educated and engaged democratic process.

     If maintained, this momentum could lead to a more accountable, democratic, and voting-literate country in the future.