Candidates for senator participate in “The Rundown 2025: A Youth-Oriented Senate Elections Forum” at UP Diliman on March 15, 2025. In this segment, candidates raise placards to indicate their position on bannig political dynasties. Harlene Delgado, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Dozens of candidates for senator took on the challenge on Saturday to answer issues raised by the youth at a student-organized forum.

Twenty-five senatorial bets participated in “The Rundown 2025: A Youth-Oriented Senate Elections Forum” organized by students from the University of the Philippines - Diliman School of Economics on Saturday, March 15.

Student-organizers said they invited all 65 senatorial candidates but more than half declined or did not respond to the invitation.

Notably, only one candidate from Rodrigo Duterte-led PDP Laban — lawyer Jayvee Hinlo — and none from the administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas showed up.

The following candidates, running as independents or fielded by smaller parties, attended:

• Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis (Makabayan)
• Broadcaster and catechist Wilson Amad (IND)
• Nars Alyn Andamo of Filipino Nurses United (Makabayan), 
• Pamalakaya Vice Chair Ronnel Arambulo (Makabayan)
• Lawyer Ernesto Arellano (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi)
• Ramon Magsaysay awardee and fisherman Roberto Ballon (IND)
• Environmental advocate Roy Cabonegro (Democratic Party of the Philippines)
• Former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño (Makabayan)
• ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro (Makabayan)
• Environmentalist David D'Angelo (Bunyog Pagkakaisa)
• Lawyer Angelo De Alban (IND)
• Ka Leody De Guzman (Partido Lakas ng Masa)
• Nanay Mimi Doringo of urban poor group Kadamay (Makabayan)
• Lawyer Arnel Escobal (Partido Maharlika)
• Labor lawyer Luke Espiritu (Partido Lakas ng Masa)
• Sandugo Co-Chair Amirah Ali Lidasan (Makabayan)
• Labor lawyer Sonny Matula (Workers and Peasants' Party)
• Former Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza (Makabayan)
• Former Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza (IND)
• Lawyer and doctor Jose Montemayor Jr. (Partido Federal ng Maharlika)
• Sultan Subair Mustapha, a lawyer and Muslim leader (Workers and Peasants' Party)
• Transport union leader Jose Olivar (IND)
• Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos (Makabayan)
• Businessman Michael Tapado (Partido Maharlika)

They laid out their platforms and voiced out their stance on various key issues, including corruption, political dynasty, access to healthcare, and education, among others.

STEPS FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE

When asked what their first and most important step to bring meaningful change should be should they win a seat in the Senate, Adonis said he wants to legislate a P1,200 daily minimum wage and end contractualization, while Amad said he wants to 'destroy political dynasty.'

Andamo said she will push for health reforms and break the cycle of poverty. Arambulo said he wants to empower the fishing industry and environmental protection, while Arellano said he hopes to push for social equality.

Ballon said he wants to focus on uplifting the lives of fisherfolk and indigenous people through environmental protection, while Cabonegro would bat for climate change mitigation.

Casiño vowed to eradicate political dynasties, while Castro said she wants to abolish confidential funds and push for the public disclosure of the Statements of Assets Liablities and Net Worth of government officials and employees.

D'Angelo vowed to lead by example by disclosing his own SALN and waiving bank secrecy. 

De Alban said he will focus on helping children with special needs and persons with disabilities and fighting corruption, while De Guzman said he wants to push for an enabling law prohibiting political dynasties.

Doringo advocated for job generation and sustainable livelihood, the same as Escobal, who also wants free education.

Espiritu vowed to push for land reform and abolish political dynasties, while Hinlo said he wants to fight corruption and introduce a 'Philippine Patriotism and Ethics Studies' subject in schools.

Lidasan said she will work to remove 'fascist policies,' giving the Anti-Terrorism Act as an example. 

Matula said he wants to legislate a liveable wage and to end labor contractualization.

Maza, for her part, said she will push for an independent foreign policy.

Mendoza vowed to safeguard the public coffers and ensure proper budgets for PhilHealth, education, and AFP modernization, while Montemayor batted for anti-corruption and anti-political dynasty.

Mustapha said he wants quality education and protection of natural resources, while Olivar promised to push for regularization and standardized wages across the country.

Ramos vowed to push for land reform and national industrialization and boost local food production, while Tapado batted for free Wi-Fi access for impoverished communities.

The candidates also weighed in on controversial matters such as the arrest and turnover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court, the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, divorce, abortion, and artificial intelligence.

'MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER'

Student-organizers said the goal of the forum was to empower young voters in the upcoming elections by making informed decisions through accessible information.

"The youth is more powerful than ever this election season, and it's up to us to own the future," said Samantha Sacluti, co-convener of The Rundown 2025 organizing body.

They also underscored the crucial role of the youth in fighting disinformation this election season.

"One thing that's unique about our generation is that we really have a lot of access to information with social media right now. So we wanted to actually use that advantage for us. So that's why we've organized a hybrid forum," Karlena Saturnino, co-convener of the forum's organizing body, said.

Around 20 million young voters belonging to the 'Gen Z' are expected to cast their votes in the 2025 midterm elections, according to the Commission on Elections.

APPEAL TO YOUTH

Lito Averia Jr., national chairperson of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), also highlighted the importance of focusing on the youth to fortify their role in communities.

"They are able to identify problems dahil nung kami nag-ikot sa Bangsamoro halimbawa, 'yung mga kabataan were very articulate in asking questions about what is happening in government lalo na 'yung delivery ng services, and the youth would like to be able to solve and be part of the solution to those problems that they see," he explained.

Averia added that social civic participation means "getting involved and developing a sense of purpose" for the youth.

He said doing that also has benefts for the youth, including "personal development, [gaining] a deeper understanding of oneself and the community."

He said youth involvement in social issues will also give them a voice in the community and "opens up opportunities for developing valuable skills in problem-solving, leadership, and communication."

Averia encouraged young voters to study the track records of candidates as well as the functions of elective posts.

"Ang panawagan namin, mag-volunteer kayo sa NAMFREL. Bantayan ang ating halalan, bantayan ang ating pamahalaan," he also said.