Lawmaker insists imposing educational requirement for aspiring senators is anti-democratic, anti-poor

An opposition lawmaker slammed a proposal of Constitutional Commission members to impose educational requirements for Filipinos wanting to become senator, saying that the move is both “anti-democratic and anti-poor.”

Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao said the proposal, which has received strong backing from Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, is “politically illadvised” and will only disqualify the poor who are denied proper education due to poverty.

“It will disenfranchise the poor from even aspiring to become candidates, from having a chance to run in any election and for any government post. The proposal will ensure that the poor in this country will not have any elected representative in the government coming from their ranks,” Casilao explained.

However, as far as the Con-com is concerned the proposal to add a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent as among the qualification requirements for senators “good as passed.”

The Con-com was formed by President Rodrigo Duterte to study proposals for the revision of the 1987 Constitution, particularly the shift of government system from republican to federal.

Section II, Article VI of the Constitution on the Legislative Department requires mere ability to read and write as the literacy requirement for any Filipino seeking a senatorial seat.

Alvarez is strongly supporting the Con-com position, saying that congressional candidates should also be required to complete a college degree.

He explained that educational requirement is vital for positions in the legislative branch, unlike in the executive where good management skills can already guarantee success.

Alvarez took the opportunity to take a jab at his estrange political ally, Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo, claiming that his case is a “concrete example” of how important education is for a lawmaker.

“Kagaya halimbawa ni Congressman Floirendo, walang eligibility so hindi nagpa-participate dito sa mga committee hearing, hindi nagpa-participate sa mga debate sa plenary (Congressman Floirendo is an example of a lawmaker without eligibility that he has not been participating in committee hearings and plenary debates),” the House leader pointed out.

Casilao said a Filipino’s educational background “should not be a hindrance for people to run for government posts.”

“The poor in this country have produced able and honest leaders like Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran and Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano. These mass leaders of the people’s movement have proven beyond doubt that the main thing in elective posts is the spirit of serving the people, not college degrees”, Casilao explained.

Beltran and Mariano were his predecessors as Anakpawis representative to the Lower House.

Casilao also pointed out that lawmakers without college degrees do not necessarily mean they are “honest and morally straight public servants.”