House ‘Young Guns’ want lower age for prez, VP, etc.
The so-called Young Guns bloc in the House of Representatives is calling for a constitutional convention (Con-con) to lower the minimum age requirements for those seeking to run for president, vice president and senators.
On Wednesday, Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V (La Union) and Jay Khonghun (Zambales); Deputy Majority Leaders Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur) and Rodge Gutierrez (1-Rider); and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan and Cebu Rep. Eduardo Rama filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, which seeks to slash the current age thresholds from 40 to 35 for the president and vice president, and from 35 to 30 for the senators.
If adopted by both the House and Senate, the resolution would pave the way for a Con-con where elected delegates can formally propose the amendments, which will then be submitted to a plebiscite for ratification.
‘Fresh, bright minds’
In pushing for this reform, the lawmakers said it was time to allow younger Filipinos—who are more “globally competitive, socially aware, and capable of national leadership”—to take on higher national posts.
“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,” they said in their resolution.
Speaking to reporters after the filing, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said he believed it was “high time… for a more collaborative type of government to be led by fresh and bright minds.”
“Even in the local government, there are already a lot of good up-and-comers. [There] are a lot of young and bright public servants who are nontraditional,” he said.
Ortega revealed that Senate minority leader Tito Sotto has already signified support for their group’s resolution.
Inspired by Vico?
Asked whether they were inspired by the example of 36-year-old Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, whose brand of good governance has led in part to the government’s crackdown on alleged irregularities by top contractors and public officials in flood control projects, Ortega said: “We of course see the wave of popularity for Vico. But there are also a lot of young congressmen who are diligent and very idealistic.”
“There is no limit [as] to who would benefit from this resolution. At the end of the day, we’re not looking at the personalities, we’re looking at the institution to create a more vibrant atmosphere and brand of public service,” he added.
He also denied that they passed the resolution to allow more contenders to challenge Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 presidential elections.
“This has always been debated even before I became congressman,” he said, adding that “it’s too early” to talk about challengers.
Vico Sotto has already said he would not seek higher office after his mayoral term expires in 2028. He would be 39 by then, a year short of the 40-year-old requirement for the presidency and vice presidency.
