Manila, Philippines – Lawyer and activist Renee Louise Co, 28, faced serious intimidation during her nascent political career, including threats in person against his security. However, she presents herself as the first candidate for the Kabataan party list, which aims, among other things, to put an end to the political dynasties in the country.
During the May 12 elections, the Philippins will vote against a deeply divided country. Former president Rodrigo Duterte presents himself to be mayor of his hometown of the city of Davao, and should largely win. Duterte’s rule, between 2016 and 2022, was marked by generalized extrajudicial killings of alleged drug traffickers and other people who were considered criminals. He was arrested in March and is currently held in a detention cell in The Hague, where he faces accusations, before the International Criminal Court, linked to this drug repression.
Some of CO’s opponents are firm defenders of Duterte who support the return of the death penalty and other changes. CO, on the other hand, says that it aims to bring fresh – and young – faces on the national political scene.
Geela Garcia de Global Press Journal photographed the CO in the weeks preceding the elections.
Photo gallery
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
Renee Louise Co, the first candidate for the Kabataan party list, takes selfies with supporters at Liwasang Bonifacio Square in Manila on March 28, in the last weeks preceding the May 12 election in the country. She speaks to people about increasing the cost of basic goods and the importance of electing people who argue for under-represented communities. “Good morning! We are Kabataan Partylist. We have tabled the free bill on tuition fees at the congress, ”she says, distributing leaflets. The CO, a 28 -year -old lawyer and activist, has set himself the mission of putting an end to the political dynasties at the Congress – and she thinks that it begins with the commitment of the people most affected by inequality.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
Although the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, the lack of enabling legislation means that the rule is not forced. Almost 80% of Congress members and 50% of all elected officials come from dynastic families, according to a study by the School of Government in 2022 ATENEO. Co says that his fight is not only to stand in the elections – it is a question of disturbing a system where power is inherited instead of being won.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
Ci is aimed at a crowd outside the Dagonoy public market in Manila on April 1. This is one of the many basic judgments for Kabataan Partylist, a political party led by young people who, according to CO, represents the only authentic youthful voice in Congress. His campaign mixes policy reminders – such as the free law of school fees of the college they have helped to adopt – with calls for structural reform. “We have to trace our political line, build alliances and advance the real interests of the people,” she said to the crowd.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
Sellers from the dagonoy public market while receiving leaflets from young MANILE activists on April 1. The CO and its team believe that engaging with voters in informal face -to -face contexts can have an impact that speeches. She hopes that reminding people of concrete victories, like a university without school fees, will gain confidence – but that the deeper message on the dismantling of political dynasties will maintain them engaged. “The call to young people is to become leaders despite different horizons,” explains Co.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
Co Meeting young people at the University of the Philippines, Manila, April 10. Wherever I go, she is never alone. As part of her security strategy, she is always accompanied by a boyfriend. The threats to which she faces – including Deepfake videos, being labeled communist and intimidation in person – are part of what she calls the cost of truth in Philippine politics. “Balancing my security and doing political work is not heavy,” she says. “It is the reality of the world that devotes me.”
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
CO is expressed during a leadership training seminar on mass campaigns and parliamentary procedure at the University of the Philippines, Manila, April 10. For the list of Kabataan parties, the construction of the political power of young people begins with education. But even these internal spaces are not always safe. During a previous training, 15 masked men stormed the place, shouting accusations that the CO was aligned with communism and poisoned young minds. Co sees these incidents as attempts to silence the movements that expose corruption and inequalities – tactics that only strengthen its determination.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
The Pasig river is seen from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) on April 9. Pup is known for its history of student activism, and CO says that it is students like these who benefit most from the laws for which the Kabataan party list fought. Siegfred Severino says that he supports the CO and his party because they have advanced the legislation which guarantees free tuition fees, which allowed him to attend a study program for agro-industry. “I saw their tireless commitment,” he said, echoing CO conviction that real reforms require persistent pressure from young people.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
The demonstrators call during a ceremony for people killed during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, in Manila, on March 28. CO is in solidarity with people affected by the violence of the state, connecting today’s abuses to wider models of unassembled power. She attended the event alongside other candidates and activists, drawing attention to how dissent is criminalized in the Philippines. “Whoever reveals the rotten system of our society is attacked,” she says. Her political resistance of plea, she says, must include the memory. However, some young people support other political groups, including Duterte Youth’s party. Res Ezer Gaid believes that the death penalty must be reintegrated, a training program for compulsory reserve officers and a federalism. Kabataan Partylist Grooms Young Minds to Communism, says Gaid.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
A Kabataan Jingle party list is launching a megaphone in traffic in Manila on April 10. With traditional media often inaccessible or hostile, CO turns to basic tools – sound trucks and social media like Tiktok – to connect with voters. It is known to double audio clips tend with political messages to reach a younger audience. In the digital age, poor information, she considers a creative campaign not as a gadget but a form of survival.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
Renee Louise Co joins a candle lighting ceremony for the victims of the drug war by former president Rodrigo Duterte, in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on March 28. She stands next to other candidates for longtime activists and longtime activists Amirah Lidasan, Mimi During and Mcy Floranda. The gathering does not only concern mourning – this is responsibility. As a girl of a generation shaped by the violence of the state, coins that it is necessary to call impunity, even if that makes her a target. “The attacks remind us of what is at stake,” she says.
Geela Garcia, GPJ Philippines
After a long day of campaign, Renee Louise Co makes her face and hair routine before going to bed on April 10. Between rallies and workshops, she also publishes Tiktok videos, using humor and narration to highlight the concerns of young people. From tuition fees to disinformation, the CO tackles serious subjects with accessible – while being threatened. “We understand the need to persist,” she says. Even calm moments, she believes, are part of the work.