Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javi Benitez has expressed his support for a proposal to lower the age requirement for presidential candidates in the Philippines from 40 to 35 years old.
Citing the United States, where individuals as young as 35 can run for president, Benitez questioned why the Philippines still imposes a higher age threshold.
“Kung kaya na ng 35 sa U.S., bakit 40 pa sa Pilipinas?” he asked in a social media post, arguing that age should no longer be the sole measure of a leader’s capability.
“Noong araw, edad ang sukatan ng “hinog” na liderato.
“Pero ngayon, may mga batang lingkod-bayan na may galing, tapang, at malasakit para ipakita na hindi edad ang batayan ng tunay na pamumuno.
“Kung kaya ng ibang bansa, bakit hindi kaya ng Pilipinas? Baka lang mayroon tayong huling baraha para sa bayan,” he emphasized.
Benitez, who will be 33 by the time of the 2028 elections, clarified he has no personal intention of running, but believes others who are younger than 40 may already be ready to lead.
“33 pa lang ako sa 2028. At kahit pa eligible sa edad, hindi ko naman gusto.
“Pero baka may ibang handa na, na hindi aabot sa 40.May kilala ba kayo?” he asked in the comments section of his social media post.
The congressman’s remarks came in light of former Senate President Tito Sotto’s call to amend the age qualifications for the presidency and the Senate — proposing 35 and 30 years old, respectively.
“Ibaba natin ang edad ng presidente to 35 tapos ibaba natin ang edad ng mga senador sa 30,” he said in a recent interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “On Point.”
Sotto argued that the country’s younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, have shown they are capable of governance.
“Magagaling ang mga bata ngayon eh. Yung mga Gen Z, mga Millenial magagaling eh, ibigay na natin sa mga kabataan ang pagpapatakbo nitong bansa baka puro matino pa ang mailagay natin,” he added.
He also denied that the move was meant to benefit his nephew, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
“Sabi ko na mag-iisip sila ng ganun eh. Hindi ko naisip si Vico nun.
“Ganun sa Amerika, baka hindi alam ng mga kababayan natin. The United States Constitution, the minimum age of the President of the United States, si POTUS, is 35,” he said.
Currently, the Philippine Constitution requires presidential candidates to be at least 40 years old, a registered voter, and a resident of the country for at least 10 years prior to the election.
