Lower minimum age requirement for top elective posts sought

MANILA, Philippines — A House resolution seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution to lower the minimum age requirement for the country’s top elective posts — from 40 to 35 years old for the president and vice president, and from 35 to 30 years old for senators — has been filed before the House of Representatives. 

Members of the lower chamber’s so-called “young guns” lodged on Wednesday the Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 calling for a constitutional convention (con-con) that would adjust the minimum age requirement for the President, Vice President, and senators. 

The lawmakers include Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V, Deputy Speaker and Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, Manila 1st District Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr, Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, and  Cebu City 2nd District Rep. Eduardo Rama Jr.

“Thirty-eight years since the ratification of the Constitution, the Philippines has undergone major demographic and social shifts, with more than 52 percent of the population under the age of 30, reflecting a vibrant, dynamic, and increasingly educated youth sector,”  the lawmakers said, based on a copy of the resolution.  

Under the current law, lawmakers said that Filipinos must wait until they reach 40 before they can run for the top and second-highest seats in the country, which they claimed “effectively sidelines younger leaders despite their readiness to serve.”

In a joint statement released Wednesday, the lawmakers pointed out that “Filipino youth have proven themselves globally competitive, socially aware, and capable of national leadership.”

If the measure gets passed, the lawmakers said that it would “strengthen youth representation and promote intergenerational leadership,” as it aligns with countries like the United States, which has an age requirement of 35.

“It is time to hear the voice of the new generation. Leadership is not about age but vision, compassion, and the desire to serve. By opening the highest offices to leaders as young as 35, we give the Filipino people a chance to be led by the energy and creativity of the youth, ready to carry the nation forward,” they stressed. / gsg