Understanding Filipino youth voters knowledge, attitude and perception of EDSA I and the Marcos 2022 Philippine Elections Victory

Abstract

This thesis examines the perception of Filipino youth voters regarding the significance, success, and impact of the People Power Revolution of 1986, and its influence on their voting decisions in the 2022 national elections, particularly in relation to President Bongbong Marcos. The study aims to understand the youth voters' knowledge of and attitude towards EDSA I, their sources of information, the credibility they assign to these sources, and their evaluation of the event's significance. It also investigates the extent to which their attitude towards EDSA I affected their voting decisions, considering other key factors that influenced their final vote. The research is conducted as part of the undergraduate requirement for the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program at the University of the Philippines Manila. This study will be grounded on Anthony Down’s Rational Choice model , Chongbianan and Montel’s Filipino Pyschology and Jost’s Systems Justification Theroy to explain the motives behind the youth voter’s choices. The interviews for this study were conducted via Zoom, utilizing remote communication technology to facilitate data collection from the participants. The findings highlight the limited knowledge and disassociation of the youth voters from EDSA I, their prioritization of personal preferences over historical significance, and the indifference between EDSA and their voting decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to educate and inform the youth about Philippine history and the need for further research to understand the factors shaping their electoral choices. By fostering a more informed and engaged electorate, future democratic processes in the Philippines can be strengthened.