While vote counts are currently coming in minute by minute, more discussions among Pinoys are becoming rampant on social media. <\/p>\n
With the current rise of \u2018woke culture\u2019 where people participate in sociopolitical issues, more netizens are engaging in political arguments, particularly with the country\u2019s current voter behavior.<\/p>\n
These exchanges are becoming heated online with people starting to call others unintelligent votes \u2014 or what they call \u2018bobotantes\u2019.<\/p>\n
According to a study, \u2018bobotante\u2019 is a \u201cderogatory term used by the upper classes\u201d to label poor voters by combining the Filipino word \u201cbobo\u201d, which means \u2018stupid\u2019 and \u201cbotante\u201d, meaning \u2018voter\u2019.<\/p>\n
The truth is \u2014 people are more than just a \u2018botante\u2019 because people aren\u2019t simply \u2018stupid\u2019. For others, there are many factors that affect voting behavior, and that is why \u2018bobotantes\u2019 do not, in fact, exist. <\/p>\n
Academics and advocates explain why:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jared Garcia, a Political Science student from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, sees that calling people \u2018bobotantes\u2019 is rooted from an unconscious elitism among Pinoys.<\/p>\n
\u201dWe must not discount the possibility that we might be, in reality, lured by the fascinating appeal of elitism and extreme idealism that we tend to biasedly see others\u2019 beliefs and opinions as inferior to us just because we perceive ourselves as more learned. Therefore, rather than questioning their wit, I argue that it is better to ask why they vote the way they do,\u201d he states in his blog.<\/p>\n
He explains that before you call someone \u2018bobotante\u2019, you must first question, \u201cAnong pinaghuhugutan ng boto nila?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n'Bobotante' nga ba sila? <\/p>\n
By questioning someone\u2019s wit, you are immediately closing doors for compromise and debate which ideally should be the essence of elections and democracy, according to John Jared Garcia, a UPD PolSci undergrad student.<\/p>\n
Read more: https:\/\/t.co\/wIzOlr0w4l<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/5oCi3UQmpe<\/a><\/p>\n
— UP sa Halalan (@UPsaHalalan) March 1, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n