Written By: Rhygm Kian Naz
SOCIAL MEDIA. An illustration of social media usage in connection to political campaigns. Photo from Rappler.
Less than two weeks before the May 9 presidential elections in the Philippines, who will be the country’s leader for the next six years is still a puzzle for everyone. Citizens raising their voices and sharing their feelings on the platform they have, social media, give us a clue about the missing puzzle pieces to form an image. Though social media is not enough to know who will win, its power and weight are heavy enough to sway the voters. With 73.15 million active Facebook users as of 2022 tallied by Statista, The Philippines has now surpassed all other countries as the world's most "social nation." Netizens might very well influence the election in this country’s another "social media election", as many are calling it. Due to the pandemic’s face-to-face restrictions and Filipinos' rising reliance on social media, social media will play a significant part in candidates' campaign strategies in the upcoming 2022 elections. Candidates use social media to share with people their platforms, advocacies, or even propaganda. They can use this as a tool to persuade the people through posts, interviews, and online debates. A little hint about who the Filipinos will vote for is found through online surveys, polls, and interviews as well. But take note that surveys and polls might not be accurate and not a very reliable source to draw early conclusions. It is very evident that people are now more engaged in Politics as the Facebook timelines, Twitter trends, Articles, and Videos all over the web are filled with topics related to politics. The contents published on social media are heavy. As wide as it reaches, as huge as it affects.
Given that information is readily accessible on social media, voters' perception of the front runners widens. Trolls and fake news are rampant. Netizens are more vocal about their bets and dislikes; undecided people were having an idea to make a better decision. People who support the current Vice President of the country Leni Robredo want to take her to another level of position because of her clean track record and credentials available online. On the other side, Ferdinand “Bong Bong'' Marcos Jr.’s supporters believe that He will continue the projects of his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. On top of that, Controversy and issues of the candidates are one of the talks of the netizens that affect the candidates’ image and numbers of supporters. Even before the campaign season began, social media helped to highlight the issues that candidates needed to address. For instance, Some Filipinos filed a petition against the Presidential aspirant Bong Bong Marcos to be disqualified due to his failure to file income tax returns and pay income taxes from 1982 to 1985. Some Filipinos don’t want another Marcos in the position because of what had happened during Martial law years ago. People and families who experienced Oppression during the era of his father share their experiences online to make people aware of their kind and to avoid history from being repeated. Others share that they will not vote for Another dilawan also. Although an independent candidate, Vice President Leni Robredo is being tagged as “Dilawan '' which hides in the color pink. Because of being the chairperson of the Liberal party, she is mocked as a “Puppet”. Another presidential aspirant Manny Pacquiao experienced bashing from the netizens due to his homophobic remarks on the LGBTQI because he stated that “gay people are worse than animals' ' . Recently, the mayor of Manila Isko Moreno, drop-in the rating after his press conference calling VP Robredo to withdraw.
Another impact of social media on the 2022 elections is the division of people. Supporters of different candidates classify themselves by colors such as kakampink, red and green for BBM SARA, and so on. The rivalry between Robredo and Marcos’ supporters brings chaos on and offline. Unfriending, arguing, and even cutting ties with family members is the result of political views and indifferences. On Thursday, April 28, 2022, tension formed between the supporters of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. And Vice President Leni Robredo in a Mall at Makati. Supporters of Leni are wearing pink while BBM’s supporters are in red. As the two groups walked past each other, they were shouting in chorus “Leni” and “BBM” as loud as they could. To avoid some trouble, the guards of the mall monitored both parties.
Front runners are getting bashed and made fun of as users online create memes related to the candidates with a context of “BBM Magnanakaw” “Leni Lugaw” “Isko trapo” “#LetMannyLeadThePrayer”.
Social media can build one’s perception. It plays a big role as a medium of Information circulating online. Through the exchange of opinions and arguments on social media, voters are either convinced or discouraged about who they will vote for.
As the election is fast approaching, Filipinos should use their right to suffrage for the common good of all. Let’s altogether unload the heavyweights in us for the better Philippines. Vote wisely.
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