Juan sa Halalan: Empowering the Youth for a Transparent and Participatory Democracy

The importance of a clean, transparent, and participatory electoral system took center stage during the Juan sa Halalan event, held on April 25, 2025, at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium in San Beda University. Organized by JCI Manila and the Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC), the event brought together young Filipinos, youth leaders, and advocates for democratic governance to engage in discussions and activities promoting voter education and civic responsibility.

The day began with a mock senatorial and party list elections at the Lydia Tan Hall. This hands-on activity provided participants with a unique opportunity to simulate the electoral process, helping them understand how voting works and the importance of each vote. It was a powerful way to engage the youth in the electoral system and emphasize their role as active, informed citizens.

Throughout the event, the pledge wall set up by JCI Manila and JBLC served as a symbol of the commitment to being an informed and responsible voter. Attendees were encouraged to pledge their commitment to vote responsibly and encourage others to do the same.

A particularly proud moment came when Comm. Dan Michael Gallego, Chairman of the Organizing Committee from JCI Manila, took the stage to deliver the JCI Manila Creed, Mission, Vision, and Prayer. Comm. Dan, a San Beda University alumnus, was not only an active member of JCI Manila but also served as the 2013–2014 Vice President of External Affairs of the Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC).

Following this, Atty. Michael C. Daguinod, Chair of the Legal Management Department, delivered the opening remarks. Atty. Daguinod emphasized that there is “no waste” (“walang sayang”) in participating in elections, even if change isn’t immediately visible. He noted that activities like voter education are vital, stating, “Eyes once opened are open forever.” He also addressed a common sentiment about electoral participation: even if the candidate you support doesn’t win, “you’re not doing it for one person — you’re doing it for the country.”

Following Atty. Daguinod, Atty. Carlo Africa, the founder and leader of Hiraya, took the stage. He energized the students by urging them to believe in their power to change the world. To drive home his message, he had the students raise their voices and shout “Change the world!” With a passionate tone, he acknowledged that while change takes time, it is achievable through active participation and civic engagement.

Atty. Africa also highlighted the political inequalities brought by dynasties that continue to dominate the Philippines’ electoral landscape. He explained how Hiraya steps in to help candidates without political machinery or resources run for office, ensuring that they are equipped with the right tools and heart for servant-leadership. Despite the challenges, he stressed that the youth vote will not come until 2030, citing the ongoing issues of disinformation and social gaps that prevent young people from fully engaging in the electoral process.

After Atty. Africa’s talk, JCI Manila President Jan Adrian Padiernos took the stage, echoing Atty. Africa’s message about the youth vote. He said, “There’s no youth vote yet, but I challenge you to change that. You really can make a change.” With a tone of optimism, he called on the young people in the audience to take charge and be part of the solution in empowering the youth to be more active and engaged in the electoral process.

President Padiernos continued by sharing his personal experience, saying, “I’ve spent 10 years in JCI Manila. We’ve barely made a dent in society, but it’s okay. The small things add up.” His words served as a reminder to the audience that even small efforts can create a ripple effect in shaping a better future for the country.

Following President Padiernos, representatives from JCI Manila, Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC), NAMFREL, and the National Printing Office (NPO) came together for a symbolic signing of a Memorandum of Commitment. This formal agreement marks the shared vision of advancing youth empowerment, voter education, and ethical leadership in the Philippines.

The signing ceremony reaffirmed the collective responsibility of these organizations in the following key areas: Promote informed, proactive civic engagement; Uphold democratic values and responsible suffrage; Empower the youth to disrupt cycles of political inequality; Ensure inclusive, transparent, and participatory electoral processes

This momentous collaboration signifies the beginning of a united effort to create a well-informed electorate, particularly among the youth, and to foster an ethical and transparent electoral system in the country.

The second keynote speaker, Eric Jude Alvia, the Secretary-General of NAMFREL, took the stage next. Alvia highlighted that NAMFREL, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, is a pioneer in election monitoring, having been established with the creation of the Operations Registration Committee in 1957. Over the years, the organization’s commitment to ensuring clean elections has been a cornerstone of its operations. He emphasized that NAMFREL’s dedication was most evident during the 1986 snap presidential elections, where over 500,000 volunteers stepped up to preserve the sanctity of the ballot. These volunteers—who offered their time, energy, and sometimes even their lives—were instrumental in protecting the integrity of the election process at a crucial time in the nation’s history.

Alvia encouraged the youth, saying, “But the fight for free and fair elections doesn’t end with us.” He urged the younger generation to take on the mantle of election watchfulness, emphasizing that it is the youth, the next generation of leaders, who will continue this legacy. “You are the future of this movement, and your voices are critical in safeguarding the integrity of our elections,” he added. He concluded his message by calling on the youth to actively participate in NAMFREL’s efforts and to become champions of free, fair, and clean elections. “We need your passion, your energy, and your determination to ensure that our democracy remains strong, vibrant, and truly representative of the people,” Alvia said.

Following Alvia’s speech, Mr. Leo L. Lim, the INFO Division Chief from the COMELEC Education and Information Department, took the stage. Mr. Lim spoke about the various innovations currently being undertaken by COMELEC to fulfill its mandate, particularly in areas like efficient automation and ensuring security of votes. He stressed that even minor changes in the election codes could have significant impacts on the results, and that is why COMELEC works tirelessly to ensure such issues don’t arise. He emphasized the crucial role of automation in securing the accuracy and fairness of the election process.

To demonstrate the automated voting system, Mr. Lim led a public demonstration of the Automated Counting Machine (ACM). The students were excited to participate, each one grabbing a ballot and eagerly shading using a COMELEC-provided pen. They then queued up to feed their ballots into the machine, eagerly awaiting their slip, which showed the accurate results of their shaded ballots. The demonstration gave the students a firsthand look at how technology is improving the electoral process, allowing for faster, more accurate results.

While students were still lined up to experience the ACM firsthand, the organizers proceeded with a panel discussion. All keynote speakers were invited back to the stage, joined by two additional panelists: Atty. Arjay Lim, Director III of the National Printing Office, and Atty. Jasper Jovellanos. The panel was moderated by Iane Tabor, the fourth-year batch representative of the College of Arts and Sciences and a new member of JCI Quezon City Capitol.

Iane posed a variety of thoughtful questions to the panel, ranging from updates about the upcoming elections and what positive changes could be expected, to the persistent problem of vote buying and its impact on election results.

In response, the panelists explained that vote buying remains effective largely because it is based on patronage. Studies reveal that even when voters accept money, they often still vote for their original preferred candidate — highlighting the deep-rooted relationships between candidates and their constituents. However, they stressed that the real challenge lies in addressing systemic issues like poverty to eliminate the need for vote buying altogether. Improving the quality of life for citizens would diminish their vulnerability to such practices.

The panel also reminded everyone that both vote buying and vote selling are crimes. If someone suspects vote buying, it is advised to document evidence carefully — such as sealing any received money in an envelope — to assist in possible legal proceedings where the witness testimony could be critical. Most importantly, they reminded everyone: “The moment you sell your vote, you lose your right to seek accountability.”

Another engaging part of the program was the “Juan Way Survey,” an interactive live survey where students could participate through their phones. Emcee Iane Tabor facilitated the sharing session, inviting students to explain the reasons behind their choices and encouraging an open and thoughtful exchange of perspectives among their peers.

Before the program officially ended, Atty. Luis Voltaire Formilleza, moderator of the Junior Bedan Law Circle, delivered his closing remarks, thanking the participants and organizers for a meaningful exchange of ideas. His message served as a fitting conclusion to the event, right before everyone gathered on stage for a closing photo op to commemorate the successful collaboration.

The event concluded with a Bedan Hymn, which served as a moment of reflection on the values of service, leadership, and democracy. As participants sang the hymn, there was a palpable sense of unity and purpose, with everyone leaving the venue motivated to take action and continue the work of ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

“Juan sa Halalan” was part of JCI Manila’s continuing advocacy project, “Atin Ang Kinabukasan.” Nearly 300 students participated in the voter education forum and the COMELEC’s Automated Counting Machine demonstration, while the mock elections were joined by more than 1,000 enthusiastic participants, highlighting the youth’s deep interest and engagement.

The Atin Ang Kinabukasan project was originally launched in 2022 under then Special Projects Director and now JCI Manila 2024 Vice President, Andre Bernardo. Despite pandemic restrictions, the program was successfully conducted entirely online, attended by youth leaders from almost 200 organizations, and viewed by over 10,000 individuals during its live stream.

Now in 2025, the project is being continued and expanded under the leadership of Special Projects Director Joshua Rueben Aragon. It aims to go even further by launching additional initiatives such as poll watching partnerships with NAMFREL and a televised interview featuring the candidates of Manila, ensuring the program’s reach is deeper and its impact even more substantial in empowering the youth and fortifying Philippine democracy.

Behind the success of “JUAN SA HALALAN: Atin Ang Kinabukasan” was a dedicated committee composed of members from both JCI Manila and the Junior Bedan Law Circle. From the JCI Manila side, the committee was led by Chairman Comm. Dan Michael Gallego, with Atty. Arjay Lim as Commissioner and Atty. Karlo Magracia as Vice Chairman. They were supported by committee members PD Jerold Santos, PD Joe Louise Garcia, Ch. Julius Charles Torres, and Ch. Clyde Sagun. From the JBLC side, the team was spearheaded by Hans Kimberly Manaloto, JBLC President, along with Roel Laurence Edradan as Vice President for Internal Affairs, Rheanna Yazmin Melanis as Vice President for External Affairs, and Denise Jewel Diaz as Secretary General. Supporting them were Nathan Panis as Treasurer, Jayna Xzyha Tayag as Auditor, Fernando Jose De Castro as Public Liaisons Officer, and the Batch Representatives: Adriel Thomas Zialcita (4th Year), Nico Delfin (3rd Year), Nicko Gabriel Dela Vega (2nd Year), and Grace Camille Alcabaza (1st Year).