A recent incident involving a television beauty pageant contestant has raised concerns about public awareness of civic duties and the priorities of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The contestant, Heart Aquino, 20 years old, admitted on national television that she is not knowledgeable about COMELEC’s role and is not a registered voter. Despite this, she was given attention by the COMELEC, which expressed openness to making Ms. Aquino an ambassador to reach youth voters and use her influence to educate young people, according to the agency.

While it is not entirely the contestants fault, this situation reflects a broader societal issue. It underscores a growing trend where some young people are more focused on beauty contests, social media popularity, and self-centered pursuits, often showing little to no awareness of their civic responsibilities and their role in the community. However, the trend in pre-election surveys in universities fortunately suggests that this incident is isolated. Many young people demonstrate a preference for candidates who possess clear platforms, uphold a high level of integrity, and advocate for genuine social justice.

What makes this scenario even more troubling is the apparent irony. COMELEC is eager to engage with a TV show contestant who openly admitted her lack of knowledge about the agency, yet it remains unresponsive to organizations like the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC). The TDC, as early as January 6, 2025, formally requested a dialogue with the Commission to discuss the crucial roles of teachers and other election-related concerns. Unfortunately, despite the importance of these matters, COMELEC has not yet provided any response.

Teachers play an essential role in ensuring fair and efficient elections, often serving as members of the Electoral Board. They deserve to be heard, especially when their concerns directly affect the integrity of the electoral process. The seeming prioritization of a beauty pageant contestant over legitimate concerns of teachers sends a problematic message. COMELEC’s platform and influence should be used to promote civic engagement and address the genuine issues faced by those who contribute to the nation’s democratic processes.

It is high time for COMELEC to focus its attention on substantial matters, such as the proliferation of pre-election surveys that seemingly set trends and condition the minds of voters, the blatant disregard for the integrity of the party-list system, the rampant vote-buying in various forms using government funds, and the serious state of political dynasties that dominate our political and electoral system. Furthermore, COMELEC must engage in meaningful dialogues with organizations that seek to uphold and strengthen our democracy. #

Reference:
Benjo Basas, National Chairperson
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