ARTICLE VI. THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Section 3. No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, and, on the day of the election, is at least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election.
Section 6. No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, and, except the party-list representatives, a registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election.
There is nothing in our constitution that bands artistas from entering the realm of politics. Nor is it stated that those of poor descent cannot dream of rubbing elbows with the already rich dynasties of political families. What is required, though, in my opinion, is that any willing candidate should have the purest intention of serving the nation and the people.
Education plays a major part in our society; because, nowadays, you can never put your hands around a decent job without it. Whenever we read about big political people like Marcos, Miriam Santiago, Flavier, Villar, Escudero etc. we think UP, Ateneo, DLSU, UST, Harvard, Yale and all the other bigatin schools and universities that automatically command respect. They study law, economics and management; stuff needed as preparatory to enter congress or to ultimately become president. But we have to admit that education is a big advantage. Our eyes would usually dilate, say “oohs” and “ahhs” and claim anyone fit to be in office whenever we find out that they come from these elite schools. Yes, education is the main BLING politicians have over the simpletons who dream big of becoming politicians themselves. But education, training and upbringing doesn’t always spell out a good leader. Neither is it genetic.
What the constitution requires for any wannabe candidate are simple and basically attainable. Anyone could run for office, but the problem is that all of us lack the resources to fuel our candidacy: MONEY. The rich have it, most of us don’t and others have it in minute amounts. In essence, the rich could run for office because they have the means, not because they’re the only ones qualified for it. And by anyone, i mean even the artistas.
Ronald Reagan was the first “action star” president of the US. And we had ERAP. Then, we almost had FPJ. Today, the stars are having a blast invading the national seats. I don’t hate them, nor do I condemn them for even attempting to. If I will stick to my assumption that servitude to the nation and to the people is the main reason to be in office, then anyone willing to do it for the sake of the country is indeed capable to be in office. But can these artistas do it? The congress is not an air-conditioned playground where you get to dress up and be seen. No. It is where you prove your worth. And their worth is measured by what exactly? Popularity. Artistas are household names and voters could easily remember them while recalling their movies, soaps or commercials on t.v. But is popularity essential in knowing whether a candidate is capable? Of course not. Popularity only assures a name recall mechanism and nothing else.
Most pinoys fall prey to popularity. We tend to have fickle imaginings that our so-called movie idols are always good and smart, that their on-screen personas are who they really are in reality. Haha. NOT.
We’ve always wanted our government to improve, to become more responsive and to be pro-people. But how can change ever reach the congress or the government in general if we keep putting the wrong people in the national seats? By “wrong people” i mean the incapable sort. They enter politics for the wrong reasons, like getting more money, bribe, pork barrel and power. If we cannot see through their facades, then the future of our country is indeed in chaos.
Capable may mean differently for you, but for me it means having the heart to serve, the will to push innovations and the smarts to implement them.
1 Comment
February 19, 2007 at 3:06 pm
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