Filipinos have been actively joining the conversation on Twitter soon as the Philippine Midterm Elections season kicked off. From senatorial debates to political campaigns, people have been using the platform to express their opinions on the candidates and their platforms, their insights on relevant issues, as well as to educate and learn about the electoral process. The public discourse on the 2019 National and Local Elections (#NLE2019) continues as the nation keeps an eye on the official results.
Top Tweets
The Tweet from @shernanxx was the most popular Tweet on voting day, sharing a quote from the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. It has been Retweeted more than 24,000 times up until today. Below are the top Tweets from yesterday’s voting day.
A great philosopher once said;#Eleksiyon2019 pic.twitter.com/k7SYPGe6b7
— shernan (@shernanxx) May 13, 2019
Alejano will get a seat
Aquino will get a seat
Colmenares will get a seat
De Guzman will get a seat
Diokno will get a seat
Gutoc will get a seat
Hilbay will get a seat
Macalintal will get a seat
Roxas will get a seat
Tañada will get a seat#Eleksiyon2019— k. (@tonklinton) May 13, 2019
Top Tweeted about candidates
Candidates have also been actively using the platform to connect with the general public on a more personal level, as well as to express their stand on issues and advocacies. Among the candidates, Samira Gutoc (@SamiraGutoc) emerged as the most talked about on Twitter during the election season (1 January – 13 May 2019). She used the platform to continuously show gratitude to her followers and supporters, as well as to show her grit and bravery as she shared her stance on national issues.
It would’ve been an honor working for all of you. Thank you for giving me the chance.
— Samira Gutoc (@SamiraGutoc) May 14, 2019
May tanong ako, naranasan niyo na ba na may nag joke sa inyo ng bastos, at bigla kayong hindi na naging comfortable around that person? Hindi kayo nag salita kasi sasabihin nila pikon kayo? Dahil masyado kayong sensitive? – pero alam mo sa sarili mo na mali yung ginawa nila?
— Samira Gutoc (@SamiraGutoc) May 11, 2019
Top hashtags
The political discussion varied from different stances, senatorial debates to other relevant matters around the elections such as peace and order, war on drugs and education. Here are the Top Hashtags that trended during the election season.
Celebrities have also used their influence to encourage everyone to vote for the betterment of the country. Some of them were even seen doing on-the-ground campaign such as putting up posters themselves and joining rallies to endorse and show their support towards their senatorial bets.
Gawa na tayo ng kodigo for May13!
Pag-aralan at piliin natin ng maayos kung sino sa tingin natin ang talagang gustong makatulong sa Pinas, regardless kung pro or anti admin sila.
So far nasa listahan ko si Diokno, Colmenares, Poe, Alunan, Osmeña, Gutoc, Hilbay, at si Angara.
— Alfonso Miranda Jr (@chitomirandajr) May 9, 2019
Salamat din at ikaw pa mismo ang nagdala ng poster na hinigi ko. Gustung-gusto talaga namin sa bahay na ang mga katulad ni erpats mong si @ChelDiokno ang mapasok sa Senado.
— Dingdong Dantes (@iamdongdantes) April 15, 2019
Filipinos enjoy their right to freedom of expression. This was reflected on Twitter on the day they exercised their right to suffrage.
I voted today but the election staff weren’t able to put my ballot inside the pcos machine because it’s broken, Precinct 43K at Bignay, Valenzuela. How will we be able to see our vote receipts? Didn’t line up for 5 hours for this @COMELEC #HalalanAberya2019 #UNTVPollwatch2019 pic.twitter.com/06XaRtEOzs
— ksksksksksks (@_bObaMilKtEa_) May 13, 2019
— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) May 13, 2019
Here are some popular Tweets during the whole election season:
Fellow Filipinos, if you really really believe OtsoDiretso will balance the senate & make it great again full of good and educated legislators, time is running out. We need to work triple overtime to campaign for them. As in now na? #OtsoDiretso #OtsoDiretsoSaSenado pic.twitter.com/yx1TwU4i32
— Alinsky (@Alinsky01691319) May 9, 2019
Stay tuned on Twitter to get the latest developments on the elections. You can also join the conversation by using #HalalanResults2019 and other relevant hashtags.
About Twitter
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