Who can run for president? Netizens urge more qualifications

MANILA, Philippines – Just what does it take to become the Philippine president?

When offices of the Commission on Elections across the country opened their doors for the filing of certificates of candidacy on Monday, October 12, Filipinos of all types went to offer their services to the country.

By the end of the first day, there were 22 presidential aspirants, 16 senatorial hopefuls, and a only 3 vice presidential candidates. (Watch our daily livestream for the rest of the week here: LIVE: Filing of Certificate of Candidacies at Comelec.)

For most of the time, netizens were amused why a few characters seemed to have come out of nowhere, and quickly ruled out these filers as nuisance candidates. But they asked a serious question too: How were these persons able to file candidacies?

Article 7, Section 2, of the Constitution of the Philippines states that the minimum requirements for a person to be eligible to run for president and vice president are:

• at least 40 years old and above
• a registered voter, single or married
• able to read and write
• a male or female Filipino citizen by birth
• a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding election

We asked netizens if there was anything they want to add to this eligibility list. Here are some of the responses:

Although not all those who filed their certificates of candidacy will end up with their names on the ballots – the Comelec will screen them and weed out those who are making a mockery of the process – they act has already become a point of concern for Filipino netizens.

What requirement would you add to the list? Tweet us your answer using #PHVote! – Rappler.com