Disqualify insane, drug-dependent poll bets — lawmaker
A party-list congressman wants more qualifications prescribed for candidates for public office.
“The Constitution must be explicit and particular about the qualities and standards we look for in terms of competence. We cannot have the mentally insane or unstable and drug addicts holding elective office,” Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. of Ang Edukasyon said yesterday.
He did not say who among those who filed their certificates of candidacy in the May 2019 elections have mental and drug problems, though the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Dangerous Drugs Board have claimed that scores of public servants are drug users, traffickers or coddlers.
The PDEA has linked at least six members of the House of Representatives to drug trafficking or coddling. It has so far failed to name them despite being repeatedly asked to do so.
“Nuisance candidates, other ill-prepared aspirants for elective public office and the pervasive menace of drug addiction are more than enough reasons for the country to upgrade its constitutional qualifications for all elective posts,” Belaro said.
He said while scores of holders of public office obtained the necessary education and experience, many others do not have the necessary preparation.
“Completion of college education, actual experience running a working business, successful practice of a chosen profession and prior government work experience must be among the minimum qualifications,” he said.
He added that the constitutions of some countries require college degrees among the qualifications for candidates for elective office.
“With narco-politics and the illegal drugs menace so rampant in our country, we must have also illegal drugs use as a disqualification,” Belaro, who is a lawyer, stressed.
Noting that executive and legislative work are complex matters, the congressman proposed that work experience in local government, business enterprise or civil society be included among the qualifications of candidates, especially at the national levels. “Age is another important factor. The minimum for the presidency should be 35 years old, to enable the older millennials, the first of the next generation, the opportunity to infuse their new blood and insights into politics, public service, and how our national affairs are run,” he said.
The Constitution prescribes minimum qualifications for elective office. Candidates for president, vice president, senator and House member must be natural-born citizens, able to read and write, registered voters and 40 years of age for those seeking the presidency, 35 for senatorial aspirants, and 25 for those aspiring for congressional seats.
Belaro also proposed that a limit be set on the number of members of a single family or clan who would be allowed to run at the national and local levels.
In many places in the country, members of political dynasties are seeking elective office at the same time.
In Davao City, where President Duterte served alternately as mayor or vice mayor for several years, his daughter Sara is seeking reelection with his son Sebastian as her vice mayoral teammate.
Another presidential son, Paolo, is a candidate for congressman in the city’s first district, which is the bailiwick of the Nograleses. Incumbent Rep. Karlo Nograles, son of former speaker Prospero Nograles, is on his third and last term.
In Makati, the Binays are seeking to control the city and its two congressional districts. Former vice president Jejomar Binay is a candidate for congressman in the first district, while Rep. Luis Campos Jr., husband of Mayor Abigail Binay, is seeking reelection in the second district. The mayor is up against her brother Junjun.