MANILA, Philippines – From Camarines Norte all the way to Pagadian City in Zamboaga del Sur, Rappler-trained civic engagement volunteers called Movers captured critical moments in their locality’s elections and trained the spotlight on their community’s top issues and concerns.

Behind some of Rappler’s blow-by-blow updates on the 2025 Philippine midterm elections were Rappler Movers who have been monitoring their local races since the start of the campaign period, and Rappler interns and volunteers.

About 30 Movers were trained on how to cover their local elections during Rappler’s #AmbagNatin roadshow in 2024 which made stops in Iloilo, Batangas, and Iligan. The roadshow drew volunteers from localities beyond these three areas.

Capturing community sentiment and issues

Movers put their skills to the test as early as March as they looked for ways to capture their communities’ sentiments on the elections, and get to know their local candidates’ platforms.

One of the ways they did this was through the #amBAGnatin Challenge, a Rappler video series featuring citizens’ candid answers to questions related to the 2025 Philippine elections. From asking people about issues they think candidates should prioritize, to qualities they look for in a leader, the video series amplified community sentiment in at least 7 locations, thanks to Movers. These cover communities in Pasig, Mandaluyong, Las Piñas, Batangas, Laguna and Los Baños, and Iloilo.

Ahead of the elections, Movers monitored their local candidates, showcasing the tensions in their local races and seeking to understand how candidates aim to address issues that hound their communities – like traffic and disaster preparedness. They also sought to hold candidates accountable as they reported on vote buying in their communities, and followed communities’ candidate preferences through their responses to surveys.

Keeping watch on election day

On election day, May 12, Movers covered from their localities and shared blow-by-blow updates on their local races. 

In Las Piñas City, former intern turned Rappler Mover Angela Ballerda followed how the voting process was handled at their local precinct, the challenges that the changing weather posed, and the results of the city’s canvassing of results.

Ballerda said the coverage helped her report issues in her community, and provide a microphone for citizens to voice out concerns that typically don’t make it on national news.

“I wanted to be a Mover because I wanted to disseminate information, raise awareness, spark discourse, and help citizens make better decisions for our country,” Ballerda said.

“It is my first time covering elections, and what made it memorable is that I am covering my city, and more importantly, someone ended the Villar dynasty’s reign on the congressional seat, which they have been holding since 1992. It was tiring as I was covering until 2 am, but it was a fulfilling experience to be able to report what is happening in our city and the latest updates on the results,” she added.

Paolo Cootauco, a Rappler Mover since 2022, shared the struggles that Mercedes, Camarines Norte faced during voting, and crowdsourced what residents think the next set of the municipality’s leaders should do about their longstanding water problem.

Movers captured the different mishaps that occurred at their local polling precincts, such as getting reports of invalid and misread ballots in Miagao, Iloilo.

Rappler volunteer and Mover Eujuan Rafael Ong lamented how priority voters like the elderly and persons with disabilities were dismayed at being barred from viewing their ballot receipts because the priority polling place dedicated to them did not have its own automated counting machine (ACM). Instead, they had to authorize election workers to carry their ballots to a room which had an ACM. The receipts could not be brought out of that room for them to view and verify.

In Pagadian City, Rappler Mover James Monteza showed waste scattered at a local polling precinct, and altercations that occurred while voters were waiting in their queue.

Despite the hectic voting day, some Movers also found stories of hope in the middle of their coverage. Rappler Mover Andrei Nathaniel Macaya followed several Badjao in Batangas who cast their ballots for the first time.

“Hearing their stories and seeing their quiet hope reminded me of the real power of journalism, giving voice to those who are often left out. Witnessing their determination to be part of something they were often excluded from, reminded me why it’s so important to center the marginalized in our narratives,” Macaya shared.

“Reporting on local issues helps make sure that stories, especially from the marginalized, aren’t ignored. It’s a way of holding space for people whose voices are often overlooked, and reminding others that their experiences matter too,” he added.

Not the end

This isn’t the end of the Movers’ election coverage. Movers have been closely following the results of their local races, noting the dynasties that continue to prevail and the different families taking top spots in the elections, among others.

Rappler Mover Felix Rey Van Olandria, for instance, has noted how women are set to take the reins of Iloilo City’s top elected positions, marking a historic moment for women in local politics.

Olandria shared how stories like this could help communities hold their leaders accountable.

“Bringing issues on a national platform opens it for scrutiny to a larger audience, thereby increasing accountability…. Our voices are capable of making change. That was made evident with this recent election. Moving forward, we should continue amplifying it for people to hear. There’s hope,” he said.

As localities prepare for their next set of leaders, Movers will continue monitoring developments in their communities.

You may find their other updates in the Front Page chat room on the Rappler Communities app, and Rappler’s developing stories page on the 2025 Philippine elections. 

If you’re interested in volunteering with Rappler, look out for opportunities at the Volunteer Opportunities chat room on the Rappler Communities app. You may also reach out to move.ph@rappler.com for any potential partnerships and collaborations. – Rappler.com

The Movers Program 2025 is supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in the Philippines.