‘I’m enlightened’: Viral TV show contestant urges Gen Z to vote wisely

MANILA, Philippines — Days after receiving backlash for admitting little knowledge on the functions of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the viral ‘It’s Showtime’ candidate called on the “Gen Z” voters to “vote wisely” in the upcoming elections. 

Heart Aquino made this statement after being invited by the Comelec to a tour of its main office in Intramuros and a meeting with its officials.

“Mensahe sa mga kabataan lalo na rin sa mga kagaya ko na hindi masyadong knowledgeable sa Comelec is alamin po natin and mag vote tayo nang wisely para din sa atin yun eh. Yun din po yung narealize ko, wag baliwalain yung nangyayari sa paligid natin and mas bigyan natin ng focus,” Aquino said when asked for her message for the “Gen Z” voters.

(My message to the youth, especially those who are not that knowledgeable of Comelec, is to be informed and vote wisely because it is for our welfare. That’s what I realized: don’t neglect what is happening around us, and let us focus more on it.)

Data from the Comelec showed that over 31 percent of the over 68 million registered voters are the “youth” aged 18 to 30.

Aquino added that she would use the attention she is getting to enlighten the youth on the importance of voting in the elections and the roles and duties of Comelec.

After the tour and meeting with Comelec officials, Aquino also said she was enlightened.

“Mas naunawaan ko rin po talaga yung meaning ng Comelec and kung ano pa po yung ginagawa nila. And ine-encourage ko po na mas alamin po talaga natin yung trabaho ng Comelec,” she said.

(I have understood the meaning of Comelec and its functions better. I encourage them to understand the Comelec’s functions more.)

“Sa kabataan po, may kanya-kanyang reason din naman po sila kung bakit di nila nabibigyan ng pansin po. Pero sa comelec, nakikita ko naman po na hindi sila nagkulang. Willing din po silang paalalahanan kami, gaya ko po, ineenlighten po nila ako ngayon,” she noted.

(For the youth, we have our own reasons on why we don’t give much attention to it. But for the Comelec, I can see that they are not lacking. They are willing to educate us, like me, they are enlightening me.)

She also addressed the backlash she received, saying that the “bashers” should be careful with their words.

She also mentioned that she had prior knowledge of the Comelec and only had a “mental block” when she was asked by TV personality Vice Ganda on her message for the poll body.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Monday said that it’s the commission’s “failure” that they “immediately need to rectify.”

Garcia added that “it is our solemn duty to explain who we are and what we are doing.”