MANILA – The House’s so-called “Young Guns” are making a bold bid to shake up Philippine politics, filing a resolution that would lower the age requirement for the country’s top elective posts and give younger Filipinos a shot at the presidency, vice presidency, and Senate.
Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V and Jay Khonghun, Deputy Majority Leaders Ernix Dionisio Jr., Zia Alonto Adiong, Rodge Gutierrez, Eduardo Rama, and Public Information Committee chair Lordan Suan spearheaded the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH), calling for a constitutional convention (Con-Con) to amend the 1987 Constitution.
The measure seeks to slash the minimum age for presidential and vice-presidential aspirants from 40 to 35, and for senators from 35 to 30. Advocates say this would align the Philippines with other democracies such as the United States, where the presidency is open to candidates as young as 35.
“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 in their resolution.
“Panahon na para marinig ang tinig ng bagong henerasyon. Leadership is not about age but about vision, malasakit at kagustuhan na magsilbi. 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 added.
The “Young Guns” argued that today’s most urgent challenges—from climate change to digital transformation—demand leaders who can fully grasp the concerns of the younger majority.
If both chambers of Congress approve the measure, a Con-Con will be convened to deliberate on the reforms, which must then be ratified in a nationwide plebiscite./PN
