A group of young House lawmakers has filed a resolution seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution to lower the minimum age qualifications for president, vice president, and senator in a bid to widen opportunities for younger Filipinos to assume the country’s highest leadership positions.

The resolution calls for a Constitutional Convention that would deliberate on the proposed changes, specifically reducing the current age requirement of 40 to 35 for president and vice president, and from 35 to 30 for senators. 

Lawmakers said this reform responds to the country’s shifting demographics, noting that more than half of the population is now under 30 years old.

The measure emphasized that the Filipino youth have become a “vibrant, dynamic, and increasingly educated” force, capable of national leadership and already playing significant roles in innovation, public service, civil society, and local governance. 

It argued that lowering the age thresholds would “strengthen youth representation, promote intergenerational leadership, and embody the spirit of inclusivity, renewal, and empowerment of the next generation of leaders.”

If adopted, the resolution would amend Article VI, Section 3 of the Constitution to set the minimum age for senators at 30, while Article VII, Section 2 would be revised to allow presidential candidates at 35 years old. Article VII, Section 3 would also be amended to apply the same qualification to the vice president.

The measure pointed out that such a reform would align the Philippines with other democratic systems, citing the United States as an example, where the president must only be at least 35 years old. 

“Thirty-eight years since the ratification of the Constitution, the Philippines has undergone major demographic and social shifts,” the resolution stated. 

“Lowering the age qualifications for national leadership posts will align the country with global practices and recognize the readiness of Filipino youth for national leadership,” it added.

Once two-thirds of Congress agrees to convene a Constitutional Convention, one delegate from each congressional district will be elected to deliberate on the proposed constitutional amendments.

The resolution was authored by Representatives Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V, Jefferson F. Khonghun, Ernesto M. Dionisio Jr., Ziaur-Rahman “Zia” Alonto Adiong, Ramon Rodrigo L. Gutierrez, Lordan G. Suan, and Eduardo R. Rama.

Follow Tan Briones & Associates on LinkedIn for more legal updates and law-related articles.