Youth Participation in Elections and Governance

Youth Participation in Elections

• Youth participation in the election process is important
• Young populations, like the Philippines, have the potential to elect better leaders through informed choices and active involvement.

Responsible Youth Toward National Development

• At the end of the lesson, students should be able to identify issues related to political engagement and youth empowerment.
• Programs to address issues related to political engagement and youth empowerment should be determined.
• An existing program addressing these issues should be assessed.
• A research proposal for a project on political engagement and youth empowerment should be created.
• Youth involvement in governance is key, improving participation through information sharing, consultation, decision-making, and action on social issues.
• Obstacles to youth participation include poor education, lack of support groups, social inequality, poverty, and cultural factors.
• The Philippine Youth Development Plan (2017-2022) aims to increase youth involvement and patriotism.
• Republic Act No. 9163 (NSTP) aims to instill nationalism, service ethics, and values for social welfare in the youth, through three components (ROTC, LTS, and CWTS).

Bill of Rights Clauses

• Due process clause: Guarantees every citizen the right to be notified and heard in court before their rights are affected by state actions.
• Equal protection clause: Ensures similar treatment to individuals facing similar legal cases.

Citizenship

• Aliens: People within the Philippines' territory who are citizens of other countries, holding limited rights and privileges.
• Citizen: A person affiliated with a country, endowed with rights and privileges, while concurrently responsible to obey and respect its laws.
• Natural-born citizens: Citizens of the Philippines from birth, or those acquiring citizenship according to specified laws.
• Naturalized citizens: Aliens who become citizens by formal procedures.
• Dual citizens: Individuals who retain their Filipino citizenship after acquiring citizenship of another country.

Social Movements

• Social movements are distinct processes of those engaged in collective action for social change, to oppose or promote conflict with another group.
• These involve informal networks without standardized rules, and members share a common purpose and identity.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are voluntary and non-profit groups advocating for causes/issues of human development, often at local, national, or international levels.
• People's organizations (POs) are formal groups of citizens promoting the public good, especially the needs of marginalized sectors.

Civil Society Organizations

• Civil society organizations are non-governmental groups advocating public interests, which champion human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation.

Political Parties

• A political party is a group of formally organized people whose goal is winning political office, either through elections or other means.
• Political parties are important in linking the state, institutions of government, and civil society interests.
• Types of political party systems: one party, two party, and multiparty systems.

Suffrage/Right to Vote

• Right to vote is a privilege and not an inherent right.
• It is important in reflecting the will of the people.
• The process of choosing government officials/policies is encompassed in this right to vote.

Courts

• Municipal/Metropolitan Trial Courts: Handle cases not under higher courts' jurisdiction, within a specific city/municipality.
• Regional Trial Courts: Handle more significant cases than municipal courts, such as property disputes and cases with larger financial values, and vary across regions of the country.
• Shari'a Courts: Dedicated to implementing Muslim personal laws, including district and circuit courts, equivalent to the regional and municipal trial courts.

Philippine Judiciary- Introduction

• The judiciary is the government's branch responsible for interpreting laws.
• It settles legal disputes in the land. (Government and private parties)
• The Philippine Judiciary ensures justice is served.
• The highest court is the Supreme Court, composed of the Chief Justice and Associate Justices appointed by the President.

Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Court of Tax Appeals, and Sandiganbayan

• Supreme Court: Highest court, with jurisdiction over ambassadors, ministers, and consuls, and other specific functions.
• Court of Appeals: Second highest, reviews decisions from lower courts, including some cases from the Office of the Ombudsman.
• Court of Tax Appeals: Reviews cases pertaining to tax, tariffs, and other monetary obligations to the government.
• Sandiganbayan: Deals with graft, corruption, and other offenses committed by government officers and employees.

Other organizations

• Think tanks and policy research institutes conduct research to inform policymakers.
• Cooperatives are joint businesses that provide profit or services to members.
• Non-profit organizations are humanitarian groups supported by media or corporations.

Explore the significance of youth participation in the electoral process and their role in national development. This quiz covers issues related to political engagement, empowerment, and obstacles faced by the youth in the Philippines. Delve into programs aimed at improving involvement and learn how to create impactful research proposals.