The students.

The study will inform the students

about the different constitutional qualifications to
become a legislator, educate them about the political
issues in the country, to incorporate the essence of
choosing a competent leader as stated in the
principles of Lee Kuan Yew, Plato and John Locke,
and to stimulate a sense of seeking and being a part
in improving the political setting in the country.

The public. The study can create a context of

awareness about the possible limitations of the
current constitution and how it can affect the
performance of government officials
Abellera (2011)

The legislative branch is considered the formal law-making body

of the local government unit; hence, this job requires necessary
skills for passing regulations, appropriating funds and
deliberating public policy. The quality of leaders would therefore
have a substantial effect on the degree of governance. In order to
contribute to good governance, legislators must not only have
sufficient knowledge of local conditions; they should be capable of
formulating and analyzing laws, making quality decisions that
would lead to the greater good, and dedicated to their jobs.
However, the prevailing phenomenon of Philippine politics does
not encourage the most qualified members of the society to vie for
electoral posts. In the Philippines, the qualification for running as
legislator is also of minimum standard with no minimum
educational level required.
Valdehuesa, Jr. (2005)

Politicians in the Philippines are elected not on the

basis of their professional background or intelligence, but
on certain qualifications irrelevant to the position in
which they are elected. He underscores that politicians
are elected based mainly on their family name or
dynasty, deep-pocketed or wealthy, well-known or
celebrity, influential or connectivity... but not education,
capability, record or character.
Valdehuesa, Jr. (2005)

This is one of the critical reasons why executive

intervention in legislative procedures is rampant,
constituting to rubber-stamp approvals and to the
extent of relegating legislative procedures.
 1. Must be a bonafide student of
Centro Escolar University
2. Must be taking up Bachelor of Arts
majoring in Political Science,
Social work, Education and Mass
Communications
3. Must be a first year to fourth year
student
1. Perception of the respondents on the existing
constitutional qualifications to become a senator
based on selected criteria

The data revealed that the respondents from the

students of SELAMS viewed the current
constitutional qualifications as easy to comply
with, fair, practical and relevant. The only
qualifications that showed minimal approval were
the following: candidate must be at least 35 years
old at the time of election and a resident of the
Philippines for not less than two years
immediately preceding the day of the election.
2. Perception of the respondents on the
proposed qualifications to improve the
qualifications of senatorial candidates

The data showed that the respondents

approved of the proposed qualifications based
on their academic qualification, integrity,
experience, economic status and health. The
only proposed qualifications the respondents
rejected was the qualification that a
prospective senator should be a civil service
exam passer.
3. Improvements proposed in the selection of
senators

The findings revealed that the respondents were for

the improvement of the qualifications in choosing a
senator in the country. Their answers showed that the
current qualifications were essential, but not enough to
ensure that the country would have quality legislators
in the upper chamber. The respondents answers
showed that they were for the inclusion of the
proposed qualifications in the field of academic
qualification, integrity, experience, economic status
and health qualifications with the exclusion of the
proposed qualification that a prospective senator must
be a civil service exam passer.
1) The improved additional qualifications
were the expectation of the respondents
2) The respondents have a high standard on
choosing law makers and are vastly aware
of issues regarding the legislative branch.
3) Improving the current constitutional
qualifications will act as a safety net in
improving the peoples pool of choices in
voting for candidates, instead of choosing
based on popularity, name recall, and
political dynasty.
 Academic College degree holder
Qualification
1) In case of a constitutional revision, especially on
Article VI, Section 3,Doesthe notresearchers recommend
have any criminal or civil the
inclusion
Integrity of the proposed qualifications
violation record to enhance the
current constitutional Did not commit
requisites to any political
become a crime
senator in
the Philippines. Must have attended seminars relating to public
A proposed draft ofpolicy the making
bill (appendix
and management A) for the
Experience
amended qualifications became a member/officer
of senators of an NGO to be
is recommended
at least five years experience in administrative
reviewed by the legislature.
office in LGUs
2) Political science must be re-included in general
Economic
education subjects especially
Shouldinbethe K12 Curriculum
capable of funding of
Centro Escolar University.
Capability his/her own nation-wide campaign
3) Voters education seminars must be implemented to
teach the electorate issues
Physically
regarding andpolitics
mentally andfit
Health
elections especially on politicalhave
should dynasties
passedand on how to
a psychological
choose candidates based teston merit and not on popularity.