Filipinos are turning to social media in anticipation of the upcoming midterm elections.

In a research conducted by Vero, there’s an expected uptick in searches for COMELEC (Commission on Elections), precinct finder and registration, reflecting Filipinos’ need for voter education and practical guidelines for participating in the polls.

Millennials (44 percent) and Gen Z (27 percent) are the primary drivers of political and election–related discussions, especially on Facebook, which accounts for more than 86 percent of all buzz volume. The research also found that conversations are concentrated in Metro Manila, but there were minimal differences in terms of content between Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Approximately six out of 10 social media posts bear criticisms against politicians and government officials, with 63 percent of the conversations centered on calling out perceived abuses of power, dishonesty and lack of transparency.

Data also found frequent, and often heated, exchanges about popular influencers and celebrities, including Nadine Lustre, Toni Gonzaga, Zeinab Harake and Vice Ganda. Online conversations surrounding influencers and the Philippine elections increased by 124 percent during the election period.

As online discourse among Filipinos intensifies ahead of the elections, it is important to tread social media carefully. The climate is foreseen to get even more complicated as the elections draw near.