More than Popular
BY IVY BETALMOS
Public office is not a popularity contest. Yet, time and again, popularity is mistaken for competence. A familiar surname, a large following, an entertaining campaign, or a well-known personality can attract public attention. But winning people’s attention is not the same as earning their trust, and being widely recognized does not automatically make someone qualified to lead.
For young Filipinos, this distinction deserves serious attention. Many of us are entering an age when our votes carry greater responsibility. As young and first-time voters, we have the opportunity to influence the direction of our communities and our country. However, that opportunity comes with a challenge, learning to choose leaders based on their qualifications and capacity to serve rather than their popularity or ability to impress.
Leadership requires more than confidence in front of a crowd. It demands sound judgment, integrity, accountability, and a genuine understanding of people’s needs. Behind every government decision are families waiting for essential services, students hoping for better educational opportunities, workers seeking stable livelihoods, and communities expecting development. Public office is not a reward for being admired; it is a responsibility to serve.
Unfortunately, political popularity can sometimes overshadow these responsibilities. Some candidates become familiar through social media appearances, entertainment, public recognition, or carefully crafted campaign images. While visibility and communication can help leaders connect with people, these qualities should never replace competence and the ability to govern. A person may know how to attract an audience but still lack the judgment needed to manage public resources, understand policies, or respond to a community’s concerns.
This is where young voters must become more discerning. We should ask questions beyond a candidate’s name and campaign slogan. What has this person accomplished? Do they understand the responsibilities of the position they seek? Are their plans realistic? Do their actions reflect the values they promote? Most importantly, have they demonstrated a genuine commitment to public service even when there are no cameras, applause, or political rewards?
We must also learn to distinguish popularity from credibility. A candidate’s online following does not measure their ability to govern. A viral speech does not guarantee effective leadership, and an impressive campaign does not necessarily translate into meaningful public service. We should look beyond personalities and promises and examine a candidate’s qualifications, track record, integrity, and willingness to be held accountable.
This does not mean that public officials must be perfect or that only those with impressive credentials deserve consideration. Leadership also requires humility, willingness to learn, openness to criticism, and the ability to work with others. What matters is whether a candidate possesses the capacity and commitment to fulfill the duties of public office.
Our responsibility, however, does not end when we cast our votes. Young people must remain informed, question government decisions, participate in community discussions, and hold elected officials accountable. Supporting a candidate should never mean defending every mistake they make. Our responsibility is not to protect political personalities but to protect the public interest.
We often hear that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. But before we become tomorrow’s leaders, we are today’s voters, citizens, and voices in our communities. We cannot demand better governance while choosing leaders without examining their ability to govern. We cannot complain about poor leadership if we refuse to look beyond popularity when given the power to choose.
Power is a privilege entrusted by the people, not a substitute for qualifications. Leadership should be measured not by the number of supporters a person gathers, but by the quality of service they deliver.
Let us become a generation that chooses wisely, questions courageously, and refuses to confuse fame with competence. The future of our communities should never depend on who is most popular, but on who is truly prepared, capable, and committed to serve.