Who are qualified to run for public office?

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Who are qualified to run for public office and file their certificate of candidacy this coming October 1 to 8, 2021? The 2022 national and local elections is fast approaching. Is your candidate qualified to run?

Know the qualifications under the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Local Government Code.

From the president down to party-list representative, they must be all naturally born citizens of the Philippines, registered voter (registered voter in the district he shall be elected for congressmen), and must be able to read and write.

Other qualifications for the two highest elective position in the country, president and vice president, are must be at least 40 years old on election day and residents of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding the election.

For senators, they must be at least 35 years old and residents of the Philippines for not less than 2 years immediately preceding the day of the election.

As to District Representatives, they must be at least 25 years old and residents thereof for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the day of the election.

For party-list representative, they must be residents of the Philippines for a period not less than 1 year immediately preceding the election, and bona fide member of the sector they seek to represent. Moreover, they must be at least 25 years old. For youth sectoral representative, they must be at least 25 to 30 years old.

For Local Officials

Local candidates must all be citizens of the Philippines, registered voter in the locality, and residents for a period of at least 1 year immediately preceding the day of the election. They must be able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect.

Candidates for governor down to members of sangguniang panlalawigan must be at least 23 years old. The same age is applied for mayor down to sangguniang panglungsod of a highly urbanized city. As to mayor or vice mayor of an independent component city, component city, or municipality, they must be at least 21 years old while city or municipal councilors must be at least 18.

For barangay captain to kagawad, they must be at least 18 and sangguniang kabataan must be at least 15 to 21 years old.

The 2022 elections is scheduled on May 9, 2022.