Organizer: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Type/Location: Hybrid / Singapore
Description:
The youth (aged from 18 to 35) comprise roughly 67 percent of the Philippine electorate—more than 45 million voters—yet their demographic size remains unevenly translated into political power. This seminar asks how a digitally native generation is reshaping participation, accountability, and sovereignty in a fragile democracy. It examines the closing window of the “demographic dividend” and why an “educational dividend”—confronting youth unemployment and human-capital gaps—will decide whether the youth could have critical agency in Philippine politics. Since September 2025, Gen Z–led protests over the flood-control scandal drew massive crowds into the streets. This hybrid seminar also analyzes the youth-led anti-corruption mobilization, historical memory against Martial Law revisionism, and defending democracy through constitutional means amid rampant disinformation. Finally, it examines how the youth has mobilized in advocating for the defense of Philippine interests in the South China Sea. During the 2025 midterm elections, youth mobilization helped propel pro-democracy and progressive leaders to victory. Together, the panel probes whether this youth energy can be a potential constituency for democratic renewal and resilience in the Philippines.
About the Speakers:
Dr. Elma Laguna is Professor at the University of the Philippines Population Institute where she served as Director from 2024-2026. Her research and publications focus on adolescent and youth reproductive health, fertility and contraceptive use, youth transitions, migration and family support, and population and development She served as co-editor of The Filipino Adolescent and Youth: Change, Continuity, and Context. Prof. Laguna regularly advises policymakers, statisticians, and civil society. She holds a doctorate in Social Sciences and Economics from the University of Bremen
Francis “Kiko” Aquino Dee is Executive Director of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation and co-convenor of Tindig Pilipinas, a civil society coalition defending democratic institutions and public accountability. He has been a prominent voice in youth-led anti-corruption mobilization, including the 2025 protests against the flood-control scandal. Francis is also Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines Diliman. He completed his MSc in Political Science and Political Economy in the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research interests include elections, collective action, and quantitative research methods.
Rafaela “Paeng” David is President of the Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party, the progressive group that topped the 2025 party-list elections with a record 2.8 million votes—the most in history—and won three seats in the House of Representatives. Paeng was former Executive Director of the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking. She is also co-convenor and civilian mission commander of the Atin Ito Coalition, which has organized citizen-led resupply missions and cultural campaigns, from sea concerts to rap challenges, defending the West Philippine Sea. A longtime youth and civil society organizer, she champions a “whole-of-nation” approach to sovereignty, positioning young Filipinos as the front line against both maritime threats and disinformation while advancing democratic and progressive reform.
Registration:
To attend the event in person, please register here.
To attend the event virtually, please register here.