EDITORIAL - Time to improve the senatorial gene pool

Overall, the new lineup of senators doesn’t appear to be that bad.

But we nearly dodged a bullet there, because we could have had the likes of Philip Salvador, Ben Tulfo, Willy Revillame, Manny Pacquiao, Apollo Quiboloy, and Bong Revilla. This is not to disparage them as individuals; while we are sure they have other talents and abilities, legislating doesn’t seem to be in their repertoire of skills.

It’s high time we should narrow down who can run for senator in this country.

Consider the current requirements for senator: he or she only needs to be a natural-born Filipino, at least 35 years old, able to read and write, is a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines. That’s it.

Many regular jobs ask for the completion of a four-year college course, some kind of license, one if not several kinds of certification or accreditation, and several years of experience in that job. Not to mention pleasing personality.

In short, while not everyone can apply to be a security guard, IT expert, receptionist, cashier, or company driver, almost anyone can run for senator.

People who want to be senator must be required to at least have finished college. More importantly, people who want to become senators must have a lot experience with public service or working in the government.

Hear us out; it’s not that we are discriminating against those who didn’t or couldn’t finish college through no fault of their own. We also admit not all college finishers are competent. But finishing college will at least show that one has learned necessary skills in reading, comprehension, and communication.

As for required public service? It stands to reason that someone applying to be in public service should have some experience in that field. It should no longer be enough that some people just “want to serve” as a senator, they must also have the capacity to serve as one.

Lawmaking and legislation affects millions of lives. Let’s also not forget that anyone who can be senator can be Senate president, and who can become Senate president isn’t really that far removed from the presidency.

The Senate must become the higher office it’s supposed to be. Not a testing ground for first-time politicians and neophytes, or people from totally different backgrounds who may not know what they are doing.