Federal charter’s college requirement for top officials ‘undemocratic’ — Davide

Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide said the proposed college degree requirement for top officials under the draft federal Charter is “anti-poor” and “undemocratic.”

“I consider it really as undemocratic and anti-poor, because the poor will never have a chance,” he said over ANC’s Headstart on Wednesday.

Davide was commenting on the required college degree for the President, Vice President, Senators, and Congressmen under the proposed new federal Constitution.

READ: Charter reviewers: Top elected officials must have college degree

For the former Chief Justice, however, a college diploma is not the only thing that qualifies someone to lead the country.

“I say that wisdom, knowledge, and virtues and values are not the monopoly of the educated or the college degree holders,” he stressed.

“The poor, even without any education or qualification, as a matter of fact, are maybe much wiser,” added Davide.

He also noted that while the proposed rule applies to some government seats, it won’t be a requirement in regional positions in the draft Constitution.

“If you are a regional assembly, assemblyman, or a regional governor, or regional deputy governor, that’s not required. Only your ability to read and write [are needed],” he said.

Instead of devising this rule, Davide suggested it should be the people who will have the choice on whom they want to elect.

“Let the people determine and decide whether they want a college degree holder or one who only reads and write,” he concluded.   /vvp