In the last 2016 Philippines elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) estimated that 20 million out of 54 million voters — or about 37% — fell between the ages of 18 to 35. This makes the youth sector a very formidable and potent force in determining the fate of candidates and consequentially, the fate of the Philippines.
Realizing this potent force, the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCI Philippines) embarked on an election registration and voting campaign to encourage more of our youth to not just register for the 2022 elections, but to actually exercise their right to suffrage on election day.
#AmbagKo. Rehistro. Boto.
Launched officially via virtual platform on June 11, 2021, JCI Philippines also launched an official campaign website, a jingle, and interactive activities that altogether are hoped will remind and push Filipino millenials and Gen Z to make good the power inherent in their right to vote.
The campaign is entitled “#AmbagKo. Rehistro. Boto.” In English, the Filipino phrase “Ambag Ko” translates to “My Contribution”. Clearly it underscores the role Filipino youth may exercise: register to vote, and vote on election day. Doing so would be a valuable “ambag” or contribution to nation building and securing a better future for our beloved Philippines.
“We believe in the strong potential of the Filipino youth in charting a new path for the country by choosing our next set of leaders. As an organization with young members ourselves, we at JCI want to use our platforms to encourage fellow Filipinos to register and vote. We hope that through this campaign, we can raise awareness and fuel the nationalistic spirit of the Filipinos as the elections draw nearer.”
Jude Acidre, JCI Philippines 2021 National President
Even though registered voters are now hitting 4.3 million ahead of the September 30, 2021 deadline set by COMELEC, the challenge of realizing these numbers into votes come election day is still at hand. More so that we still find ourselves with reduced mobility due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Timeline
The campaign will run in two (2) phases:
- Rehistro, from June 2021 to October 2021
- Boto, from November 2021 to April 2022
It will combine influencer engagement and digital and social media to reach more Filipinos. Munimuni, a local indie band known for their makata pop, is JCI Philippines’ partner in writing and performing the campaign’s theme song Ambag Ko. The song communicates the campaign’s key objective of encouraging everyone to vote for change.
Give it a listen below 🙂
Composed, arranged and performed by Munimuni, an Indie band known for their Makata pop.
This song is a collaboration with JCI Philippines, JCI Iloilo Senate, JCI Iloilo and Ardent Communication. Munimuni band members are Adj Jiao (guitar, vocals), John Owen Castro (flute, vocals), Jolo Ferrer (bass), and Josh Tumaliuan (drums).
Video production by Anthony Po of Mindworkxx Studio.
Copyrights by JCI Philippines
About JCI Philippines
JCI Philippines is an affiliate of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs. It is the first national organization of JCI in the Asia Pacific and is composed of over 200 local chapters nationwide.
JCI Philippines is motivated by a strong desire to transform the community and the world. Its aim is to empower young people to become active citizens – for them to take responsibility for global challenges in their community and identify targeted yet sustainable solutions.
JCI Philippines operates on the premise that the development of individual character and personality will result in better communities and a more peaceful world. The organization may be described as a university of leaders; its students are the members, its campus is the world, and its curriculum is leadership development. What sets JCI Philippines apart is that its members are courageous enough to address the most critical challenges of our time.
Register now as a voter, and commit to voting on election day!
Join the movement for youth vote empowerment! Magparehistro. Bumoto. Ito ang #AmbagKo.
New Voter: How to Submit Application for Voter Registration?
First off, if you’ve voted already during the last elections you don’t need to register again. Voter registration is done only once. But if you have transferred residence and you are unable to go back to where you are registered, you will need to apply for transfer of your registration. There is also a chance your registration has been deactivated if you’ve registered before but haven’t been actively participating in elections. So it is best you check with your nearest COMELEC office.
Now if you are a first-time registrant, the COMELEC says there are four different ways to accomplish and submit your application form. You should only choose one.
1. Accomplish and submit application form provided in the Office of the Election Officer (OEO);
Step 1. Go to the OEO where you are registered or intending to register.
Step 2. Get a CEF-1 form from the OEO. Blank forms are provided in all OEOs.
Step 3. Fill out all required fields for your application form using pen (Please write legibly). Ask assistance from the OEO if necessary.
Step 4. Submit your application to the OEO after writing all necessary information to the form. Further instructions shall be discussed to you by the OEO.
2. Download and print blank form (CEF-1), then accomplish using pen before going to the OEO;
Step 1. Download CEF-1 (and other forms if necessary) from the Application Forms page.
Step 2. Print the downloaded CEF-1 to an 8″ x 13″ (Folio) paper. The form must be printed back to back.
Step 3. Fill out all required fields for your application form using pen (Please write legibly).
NOTE: Do not sign or affix your thumbmark on the application form yet. You must do this in the presence of the Election Officer or an Authorized COMELEC Representative.
Step 4. Go to the OEO where you are registered or intending to register to personally submit your application form. Further instructions shall be discussed to you by the OEO.
3. Download form (CEF-1) then accomplish using your computer (thru a PDF reader) before printing, then go to the OEO; or
Step 1. Download CEF-1 (and other forms if necessary) from the Application Forms page.
Step 2. Open the downloaded CEF-1 file (PDF format) using a PDF reader (Adobe Acrobat Reader DC)
Step 3. Check all appropriate choices in the ovals.
Step 4. Fill out all other required fields for your application form (Required fields are highlighted once an option is selected).
Step 5. Print your filled out CEF-1 file to an 8″ x 13″ (Folio) paper. The form must be printed back to back.
NOTE: Do not sign or affix your thumbmark on the application form yet. You must do this in the presence of the Election Officer or an Authorized COMELEC Representative.
Step 6. Go to the OEO where you are registered or intending to register to personally submit your application form. Further instructions shall be discussed to you by the OEO.
4. Use the iRehistro web app.
Step 1. Open the iRehistro web app.
Step 2. Select suitable options for your application and fill out all required fields.
Step 3. Follow all instructions provided by the iRehistro.
Step 4. After completing iRehistro, go to the OEO (depending on your set appointment) where you are registered or intending to register to personally submit your application form. Further instructions shall be discussed to you by the OEO.
All the forms that the above steps refer to may be accessed here.
Old Voter: Verify My Registration
It would have been easier to verify your voter’s registration online via COMELEC’s online tools — Precinct Finder or Post Finder. But as of June 25, 2021 these online tools are still unavailable. We hope the COMELEC will improve these systems especially that these have been known to crash many times over in the past elections.
Nonetheless, Filipino citizens are advised to contact the Election Officer (for Local Voters) from their City/Municipality or the Office for Overseas Voting (for Overseas Voters) to verify their registration in order to verify their registration records.
Remember that the upcoming elections is on May 2022. Voter registration already started and ends on September 30, 2021. Get in touch with your nearest COMELEC office and read detailed instructions on their official website, especially for special cases.
Magparehistro. Bumoto. Ito ang #AmbagKo.
Visit the AmbagKo website today and signify your commitment.
www.ambagko.ph