Partylist group Akbayan emerged as the top partylist choice among the youth in an online poll held from October 17th to the 25th. The survey was conducted by the newly established Centre for Student Initiatives (CSI).
Akbayan, a pioneer since the first partylist elections in 1998, garnered three seats with 7.33% voters’ preference, followed closely by Kabataan with 6.9% and Gabriela with 5.8%.
Other partylist groups that got more than the 2% winning threshold included Mamamayang Liberal (4.5%) whose nominees included former senator Leila De Lima, ACT Teachers (4.08%), TGP (2.75%), Bayan Muna (2.58%), and newcomer Pilipinas Babangon Muli (2.08%).
Among the partylist groups that round up the Top 20 in the said survey included Kalinga (1.83%) AGRI (1.57%), Tingog Sinirangan (1.58%), Agimat (1.17%), DIWA (0.92%), Health Workers (0.92%), Asenso Pinoy (0.83%), 4Ps (0.67%), Magdalo (0.58%), Duterte Youth (0.50%), P3PWD (0.50%) and 1-Rider (0.42%).
CSI also revealed that of the 156 groups, only 36 partylists obtained votes from their respondents, underscoring the time-old problem of lack of awareness of the partylist elections.
These included NANAY, Ako Bicol, ACT-CIS, CIBAC, Buhay, FPJ Panday Bayanihan, Bicol Saro, SAGIP, Ako Bisaya, AngKasangga, Damayang Filipino, Epanaw Sambayanan, Juan Pinoy, 1MUNTI, Uswag Ilonggo, and PPP.
CSI revealed that their maiden survey randomly selected 1,200 respondents based in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Western and Central Visayas of which 64% are enrolled in state universities and colleges, 12% are enrolled in LGU-managed local universities and colleges and 24% in privately owned universities.
The newly established CSI is an independent student-directed research institution for development solutions in education and youth participation in governance.
