The Young and the Restless: Why Filipino Youth Are Abandoning Democracy

By Louis ‘Barok’ C Biraogo — February 28, 2025

The Philippines, Southeast Asia’s oldest democracy, has long been a nation of resilience, a place where the human spirit has triumphed over colonial shackles, martial law, and corrupt regimes. Yet beneath the bustle of Manila’s streets and the vibrancy of its youth lies an unsettling tremor—a fault line that could fracture the country’s democratic foundation. A new study from the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute reveals a stark truth: one in four Filipino college students is willing to embrace undemocratic rule under certain circumstances. Only Singapore’s youth, at 27.6%, outpace them in this openness to authoritarianism. This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a cry from a generation losing faith in the promise of democracy—a crisis that could redefine the nation’s future.

I’ve walked these streets before, from the barricades of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution to the protests of 2020 against the Anti-Terrorism Act. Each time, I’ve seen Filipino youth—vibrant, defiant, hopeful—carry the torch of freedom. They toppled a dictator once, ousted a president in 2001, and stood firm against threats to their rights. So why now, in 2025, are so many willing to trade that hard-won liberty for something else? The answer lies not in apathy but in a profound disillusionment—a sense that democracy, as they’ve known it, has failed to deliver.

A Nation Adrift: What This Says About Philippine Democracy

The numbers are chilling. Only 49.2% of Filipino undergraduates believe democracy is the best system—a figure dwarfed by Malaysia’s 65.4%. A staggering 61.4% are dissatisfied with the current political order, and just 25.9% view their political situation positively. Trust in law enforcement barely scrapes 30.3%, and 73.3% see corruption as a gnawing cancer. These aren’t abstract grievances; they’re the lived reality of a generation watching oligarchs thrive while jeepney drivers scrape by, where justice seems a privilege for the connected few.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a generation turn away from democracy. Think of Europe in the 1930s, when economic despair and political paralysis paved the way for strongmen. The Philippines isn’t there yet, but the parallels are haunting. Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s martial law, declared in 1972, was sold as a cure for chaos—a promise of discipline and prosperity. Today, his son, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., governs a nation where nostalgia for that era lingers, burnished by disinformation and a digital echo chamber. The Duterte years, with their brutal drug war and populist swagger, only deepened the allure of decisive rule over democratic deliberation.

What does this say about the state of Philippine democracy? It’s a system fraying at the edges—vibrant in its elections and activism, yet hollowed out by corruption, dynasties, and a failure to deliver tangible progress. The youth aren’t rejecting democracy out of ignorance; they’re questioning it because it hasn’t worked for them. And that’s a warning bell no one—least of all the Marcos administration or the Duterte faction—can afford to ignore.

The Power Brokers: Navigating Risks, Seizing Opportunities

For Marcos Jr., this is both a threat and an opportunity. His 2022 landslide victory leaned heavily on a sanitized narrative of his father’s regime—a “golden age” of stability. The survey suggests some youth are buying it: 25.3% see non-democratic rule as viable “under certain circumstances.” If Marcos can deliver jobs, infrastructure, and a semblance of clean governance, he might solidify this base, casting himself as the steady hand they crave. But if corruption festers—73.3% of youth cite it as a top concern—or if he leans too hard into authoritarian tactics, he risks alienating the 72.9% who are eager to engage civically. These are not passive onlookers; they’re online, informed, and ready to mobilize.

The Duterte faction, led by Vice President Sara Duterte, faces a tighter rope. Rodrigo Duterte’s iron-fisted legacy still resonates with those who equate democracy with weakness. Yet the youth’s skepticism cuts both ways: they’re tired of promises, even populist ones. Sara’s challenge is to distance herself from her father’s excesses—the drug war’s body count, the erosion of rights—while keeping his base. If she can pivot to a platform of pragmatic reform, she might tap into this discontent. But any whiff of dynasty politics could backfire; the youth’s 61.4% dissatisfaction rate hints at exhaustion with family rule.

Other political aspirants—outsiders like Leni Robredo’s progressive allies or fresh faces yet to emerge—have a rare opening. The survey shows Filipino youth are hungry for change: 59.6% scour the internet for political truth, and 72.9% want to join socio-political causes. A reformer who tackles corruption head-on, amplifies youth voices, and restores trust in institutions could ride this wave. But they’ll need to outmaneuver the Marcos-Duterte machine, which has mastered the art of digital distortion.

A Tipping Point for Youth: Navigating Dreams Amidst Rising Challenges

This isn’t just a political puzzle—it’s a human tragedy. Imagine a 20-year-old student in Quezon City, scrolling X late at night, weighing her future. She’s seen her parents struggle, her classmates emigrate, and her government falter. She’s marched against revisionism, yet wonders if a strongman might finally fix the roads and jails. Her 85.3% concern about free speech clashes with her 62% belief that she can speak out—a paradox that mirrors her hope and fear. She’s not alone; she’s one of millions holding the key to the Philippines’ fate.

If this disillusionment hardens, the consequences could be dire. A slide toward illiberalism might bring short-term stability but strangle the freedoms that define Filipino identity. Or it could spark a backlash—a new EDSA, led by a generation that’s had enough. The stakes are existential: a democracy that loses its youth loses its soul.

Reimagining Tomorrow: Solutions That Inspire Hope

This isn’t a time for hand-wringing—it’s a call to action. The Philippines can’t afford complacency when its future hangs in the balance. Here’s what must happen:

Tackle Corruption Head-On: Transparency isn’t optional. Strengthen the Ombudsman, empower whistleblowers, and jail the crooked, not just the critics. Youth need proof that governance can be clean.
Amplify Youth Voices: The 72.9% eager to engage aren’t a threat—they’re an asset. Revive the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth councils) with real power and budgets, not just photo ops. Create digital platforms for policy input, harnessing their 59.6% online activism.
Restore Trust in Institutions: Law enforcement’s 30.3% approval rating is a disgrace. Reform the police, root out brutality, and prioritize community safety over political loyalty. An independent judiciary must shield rights, not rulers.
Counter Disinformation: The Marcos-Duterte playbook thrives on lies. Fund fact-checking, teach media literacy in schools, and regulate platforms without stifling speech. Truth is democracy’s oxygen.
Deliver Results: Jobs, education, healthcare—these aren’t luxuries. Marcos must show progress, not just promises, or the 61.4% dissatisfied will look elsewhere.

The Philippine Political Landscape: A SWOT Perspective

A SWOT analysis—examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—offers a strategic lens to assess the Philippines’ political terrain, illuminating paths forward amid its youth’s growing disillusionment.

Strengths: A vibrant civil society, a history of people power, and a youth eager to act (72.9% civic interest).
Weaknesses: Corruption’s chokehold, dynastic dominance, and fragile trust in institutions.
Opportunities: A reformist surge could harness youth energy, while Marcos and Duterte could pivot to meet demands—if they choose.
Threats: Authoritarian nostalgia could take root, or unrest could erupt if grievances fester.

At the Breaking Point: A Nation Hanging by a Thread

The Philippines stands at a precipice. This isn’t just about Marcos or Duterte—it’s about a democracy that must prove its worth to its youngest citizens. History whispers a warning: ignore the youth, and the center won’t hold. But it also offers hope: empower them, and they’ll build a future worth believing in. The clock is ticking. Will the nation’s leaders rise to the challenge, or will they let this generation’s quiet despair become its loud undoing? For the sake of those students in Quezon City and beyond, let’s demand better—now.