Don't let idiots run for president – Miriam

[Ozymandias]

By : AYEE MACARAIG 03/21/2014 11:56 AM


MANILA, Philippines – “Any idiot can run for president and possibly poll a certain number of votes among his fellow idiots.”

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said she opposes moves to change the Constitution but if lawmakers will insist on the move, she will push to amend the requirements for running for higher office to stop “idiots” from getting elected.

The chairperson of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments said candidates for president, vice president, senator and representative should be at least college graduates. Santiago wants to change the constitutional provision that only includes a citizenship, age, literacy and residency requirement.

http://youtu.be/gxFhH2PlXh8

In a speech before the International Youth Leadership Conference in SM Aura in Taguig, Santiago lamented the quality of the country’s leaders.

“’Yun ang tinatanong ng publiko: Sino ang dapat ihalalal sa 2016? No correct answer. We should have a president who can turn out to be the best president if he knows how to adjust ourselves. Nakita natin lahat ng senador at congressman puro gago tapos ‘pag sinumbong sila, galit sila. Situational leadership, dapat ang presidente puntahan sila isa-isa at hamunin ng suntukan. ‘Di makuha sa pakiusap e,” Santiago quipped on Friday, March 21.

(The question of the public is: Who should we vote for in 2016? We can see that all of the senators and congressmen are all stupid and when you tell on them, they get mad. We need situational leadership. The President should go to them and challenge them to a fistfight. You cannot negotiate with these people.)

Santiago reiterated that policemen are even required to be college graduates under statute books while public officials follow a lower standard for election.

The international law expert also talked about the Crimean crisis and touched on the history of Kosovo, which experienced ethnic cleansing in the nineties. Yet Santiago could not help but relate it to Philippine leaders.

“Ako gusto ko rin magcleansing sa Senado kung pwede lang ba dahil non-educable nga sila. Naging propesor ako sa UP but I’ve never seen such a group so resistible to education as the Philippine Senate.”

(I also want cleansing in the Senate if only it were possible because they are really non-educable. I was a professor of UP but I’ve never seen such a group so resistible to education as the Philippine Senate.)

Besides the college degree requirement, Santiago said she wanted another amendment in the Constitution.

“I’m dying to introduce an amendment so that the provision against dynasties should be self-enforcing instead of leaving it to Congress to pass a proper law. Notice they never passed a law, notwithstanding that there is a commandment in the Constitution for them to do so,” Santiago told reporters after her speech.

Santiago was referring to the constitutional provision prohibiting political dynasties, which has yet to be enforced due to the lack of an enabling law. The senator filed an anti-political dynasty bill.

Watch this report below.

http://youtu.be/rLzUm7ul_1g

‘Chacha can’t be limited to one topic’

Santiago, a constitutional law expert, also warned that Charter change cannot be limited to one topic like economic provisions, as lawmakers in the House of Representatives are pushing for. She hinted that moves to change the Constitution will open it up to other types of amendments.

“My only caveat or warning is once you decide to change the Constitution, you cannot by law limit the change or amendment of the Constitution to just one particular point. There are opinions of the Supreme Court ruling that once Congress makes the decision to open the Charter to change, it cannot limit what a constitutional convention or constituent assembly can do.”

“You cannot say just limit it to economic provisions. That will go against the ratio decidendi [rationale for the decision] of these cases decided by the SC,” she added.

Santiago also reiterated her opposition to the argument that Charter change is needed to improve economic growth, a position shared by President Benigno Aquino III. (READ: Cha-cha for economic growth? Not necessary, says Aquino)

“Other countries on the planet have achieved industrialization, the last stage of economic growth without allowing foreigners to control corporations in the country or buy land in the country. You can do this by other means. All you have to do is study the experience of successful nations. It will depend on what economic provisions are being talked about,” she said.

She said she looked at current moves to change the Charter’s economic provisions “with a very skeptical eye.”

“I am against changing economic provisions for the sake of change. We don’t need to experiment. The experiment has already been conducted. Other factors other than land ownership, corporation ownership seem to be the salient points for economic progress,” Santiago said.

‘What’s IQ of corrupt politicos?’

While her speech focused on the qualities of a world-class youth leader and the Crimea crisis, Santiago made room for her classic corruption jokes and pick-up lines.

She greeted international delegates, “Welcome to Metro Manila, the seat of government, glamor, bling and the seat of the most atrocious corruption you've ever seen.”

“Let me ask you: do you know what is the result of the IQ exams of corrupt politicians? Answer: negative.”

“One of these corrupt politicians went for a job interview and the recruitment manager said we’re looking for someone who is responsible. The applicant said, ‘I’m the man for the job. In my last job, when everything went wrong with the PDAF given to non-existent NGOs or the Department of Agriculture, they always said I was responsible.’”

She even talked about the release of the bar exam results.

“I heard one of the questions was: should Santa Claus be considered a criminal? Guess! The answer is yes. Santa Claus is liable for crime such as illegal surveillance, unfair labor practices, animal abuse,” she said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

“I have a pick-up line for aspiring leaders: Can I follow you home? Because my parents always told me to follow my dreams.” – Rappler.com

[Dimmu Borgir]

Ito ang masakit na katotohanan na napakaraming bobotante sa atin.. At kahit na harap harapan tayong ginagago ng pulitikong makakapal ang mukha, patuloy pa rin silang nananalo..

Isang magandang halimbawa nito ang mga Marcoses na imbes na i firing squad eh gusto pa ng mga Pilipino na ilibing si Apo sa Libingan ng mga Bayani sa kabila ng ginawa nito sa kaban ng Pilipinas..

Sabi nga ng Punong Ministro ng Singapore na si Lee Kuan Yew na namuno sa parehong panahon ng pamumuno ni Marcos mula 1959 hanggang 1990:

"Ang kaibahan [ng Pilipinas sa Singapore] ang kultura ng mga Pilipino. Ito ay isang malambot, mapagpatawad na kultura. Sa Pilipinas lamang na ang isang pinunong tulad ni Ferdinand Marcos na nagnakaw sa kanyang bansa sa loob ng 20 taon ay itinuturing pa rin para sa isang pambansang paglibing. Ang hindi malaking halaga ng mga ninakaw ni Macos ay nagawang nabawi ngunit ang kanyang asawa at mga anak ay pinayagang makabalik at lumahok sa politika."

At ang mas malala pa ang mga katulad ni Estrada na sa kabila na napatunayan na magnanakaw, heto at nasa pwesto pa rin..

Haggang di tayo nagbabago at laging mapagpatawad tayo sa mga gahamang pulitiko, wlang pupuntahan ang bansa natin..

[Ozymandias]

Ito ang masakit na katotohanan na napakaraming bobotante sa atin.. At kahit na harap harapan tayong ginagago ng pulitikong makakapal ang mukha, patuloy pa rin silang nananalo..

Isang magandang halimbawa nito ang mga Marcoses na imbes na i firing squad eh gusto pa ng mga Pilipino na ilibing si Apo sa Libingan ng mga Bayani sa kabila ng ginawa nito sa kaban ng Pilipinas..

Sabi nga ng Punong Ministro ng Singapore na si Lee Kuan Yew na namuno sa parehong panahon ng pamumuno ni Marcos mula 1959 hanggang 1990:

"Ang kaibahan [ng Pilipinas sa Singapore] ang kultura ng mga Pilipino. Ito ay isang malambot, mapagpatawad na kultura. Sa Pilipinas lamang na ang isang pinunong tulad ni Ferdinand Marcos na nagnakaw sa kanyang bansa sa loob ng 20 taon ay itinuturing pa rin para sa isang pambansang paglibing. Ang hindi malaking halaga ng mga ninakaw ni Macos ay nagawang nabawi ngunit ang kanyang asawa at mga anak ay pinayagang makabalik at lumahok sa politika."

At ang mas malala pa ang mga katulad ni Estrada na sa kabila na napatunayan na magnanakaw, heto at nasa pwesto pa rin..

Haggang di tayo nagbabago at laging mapagpatawad tayo sa mga gahamang pulitiko, wlang pupuntahan ang bansa natin..

Hahahaha I agree sir Dimmu, in a way massochist ang mga pinoy in regards to electing ex-convict to become a mayor. Pero Erap's trying to redeem himself naman...FOR NOW haha


Politicians should also learn from all the previous Japanese Prime Ministers. Dami na nagresign because they failed their duties, at dahil nag eexist ang Honor system sa kanila. Pero as usual dito patigasan ng mukha ang mga politiko dito at sila pa galit pag nahuli sa kapalpakan.


Gullible rin kasi ang karamihang mga botante, instead na plataporma ang pakinggan at kilatisin, e mga s e x y na dancer at endorser na actor/actress ang kinikilatis. Dito pag na endorso sya ni actress A, iisipin ng masa na may good character at leader qualities na agad si aspiring politician.

[magbubukid]

A convicted plunderer almost won the last presidential election. Ganyan ang botanteng pinoy, may FAN mentality. Kahit anong sama nung kandidato, iboboto pa din ng mga FANs nya. Kaya huwag na tayo magtaka kung naka puwesto at mananalo pa din ang mga kawatan

[Lord Nok Von Hauten]

A convicted plunderer almost won the last presidential election. Ganyan ang botanteng pinoy, may FAN mentality. Kahit anong sama nung kandidato, iboboto pa din ng mga FANs nya. Kaya huwag na tayo magtaka kung naka puwesto at mananalo pa din ang mga kawatan :-

Well done said sir. Nagtataka nga rin ako kung bakit iba ang paniniwala ng pinoy o talagang ang iba sa ating mga pinoy e kumakapit sa patalim.

Makakapal ang mukha ng mga pulitiko na nadawit na sa anomalya tapos sasabihin na mas kailangam tumakbo bilang presidente, ano ba yan!

Sent from my Lenovo A3000-H using Tapatalk

[Prime™]

I'm not too sure about the part na kailangan college graduate, you know equal opportunity for office and all. Just because you have a diploma doesn't mean you're a better human being. I also know of a lot of idiots na bar top notchers na ilang beses ng involve sa kalokohan sa gobyerno. 

I would probably aim more for a stringent psychological test, if it turns out that you may be a psychopath then that should disqualify you, not because you couldn't afford to get a degree.

I would rather trust a magsasaka that knows nothing of the loop holes in the law rather than a top notcher with an evil intent. Matalino nga pero hudas naman.

I like Mirriam, and I understand where she is coming from pero madami ding graduate na nakaupo ngayon sa gobyerno and we are still dealing with the same crap all over.

A degree doesn't make you a better human being than those who don't. Character does, and its what's lacking among our leaders.

This sounds very elitist and narrow minded to me. Education is important pero I still think character and integrity should factor more, at least it does to me.

I like Mirriam, I think she's a breath of fresh air among our TRAditional POliticians but I don't agree with this at all.

[Dimmu Borgir]

Good character doesn't mean that u will be a good leader.. It's just one of a factor..

I think, Noynoy has a good character pero di sya marunong ng management, which is very important lalo na sa panahon ng mga kalamidad..

One aspect also is economic na dapat marunong ang mga leaders natin..

College degree is very important so that our country will not be run by this incompetent politician..




 

 

[wangbuka]

At the end of the day, the Filipino people are still the ones who votes and elect these politicians, college graduate or not.

[Prime™]

Good character doesn't mean that u will be a good leader.. It's just one of a factor..

I think, Noynoy has a good character pero di sya marunong ng management, which is very important lalo na sa panahon ng mga kalamidad..

One aspect also is economic na dapat marunong ang mga leaders natin..

College degree is very important so that our country will not be run by this incompetent politician..




 

 

I'd pick good character more than erudition. Every time.

College degree could be useful, but it's no end all be all. I think this will further disqualify those people na hindi nakapag aral but their hearts are in the right place. I've seen too many college graduate asses running this country, so I really don't see the point of Mirriam's statement and actually yours for that matter.

A thief with a diploma is still a thief. Mas mahirap lang hulihin.

I still think this is very elitist and very inconsiderate to all those people who did not graduate but are morally fit to run for office. Sino ba pinapatamaan nya jan na hindi graduate? Lito Lapid? Erap? Sure get rid of them.

But what about Enrile? GMA? Even Marcos? Don't they all have these degrees? How come I hear so many complaints against them if this was really the deciding factor of good governance?

Sure a degree is great, but I've been to college too, did you ever have the impression that those who graduate knows what they are doing? I know plenty of students who has an IQ equivalent of a paper weight, led by an equally IQ deficient professor.

I also know a handful who are dropouts but are immensely successful in their chosen fields, ie Gates and Jobs. 

I still think all those who have the desire to run for office should undergo stringent psychological test to determine if they would be a good leader.  Kung pwede nga lang pati botante iqualify for soundness of mind edi mas maganda. Malaki rin ang kasalanan ng botante.

We have a shortage of honest people in our government. Ngayon palang napakahirap na sa isang average Joe ang manalo sa pwesto because of these Dynasty's and popularity contests, lalo na siguro if dadagdagan mo pa ng exclusion.

Before they have the audacity to make such a law then they have to make sure EVERYONE has free and easy access to good and international standard education from nursery to Masterals.

If I don't hear about kids walking miles and miles across rivers and valleys just to study, and class rooms not filled to the brim, shortage of books, teachers etc then perhaps she has a point. Pero hindi eh.

My point is educational attainment shouldn't be the end all be all, it's a factor pero hindi pwedeng ito lang ang factor and hindi din pwede na I require mo lahat grumaduate if ikaw mismo na gobyerno eh hindi mo ito naibibigay sa lahat.

Provide equal opportunity to everyone, that is my point.

Gusto mo lahat ng mag apply ay graduate, edi lahat ng gusto mag aral eh pag aralin mo muna at pag aralin mo ng maayos. Wag ka humingi ng hindi mo din kayang ibigay. That's my point.

I like Miriam, I really do, I admire her for her courage, intellect and conviction; But she says all these things cause she's on the other side of the fence, nakapag aral siya and even brilliantly at that, so it's easy for her to point fingers to those who weren't as lucky. This statement of hers is a bit insensitive and disappointing actually.

[Ozymandias]

Sir Prime and Sir Dimmu's point are both right.


1. We can't have a leader who only has a good character. If we only judge candidates by that, then why don't we just elect a spiritual leaders like Eddie Villanueva or Mike Velarde? We can't right, because....


2. We need a leader who knows what to do. Who knows the constitution well, and knows what's wrong with the constitution. Who doesn't just rely on advisers and has a goal in mind on how to run the country. We can't elect people who are clueless because if surrounded by idiots, then nothing's going to happen.


3. This is where Senator Miriam Santiago's statement comes in. We need to raise the bar on electing our president, congressman, senators etc to avoid incompetent politicians. We need candidates debating on National TV more often rather than relying on their silly jingle songs and advertisement.


4. Voters became suddenly afraid of Educated leaders. Thinking every smart candidates will become the next Marcos.


5. I will go for an assertive leader rather than the other politicians who publicly displays their 'Good Character' of kindness to the poor people. Remember Senator Miriam's "ANTI-EPAL" Bill?

[Dimmu Borgir]

Let's make this simple..

Even a fastfood crew nowadays must be college level or a high school graduate. Or  worse, sometimes a college graduate..

If i remember it right, Angelina Jolie is looking for a nanny who has a degree to be a nanny for her two adopted kids...

Then compared it to a President who will representing our country in various events with world leaders..

Educational attainment also will be hindrance to some politicians who used their popularity para manalo.

Provide equal opportunity to everyone, yan ngayon ang nagyayari dahil kahit di ka graduate o wala kang experience, nakakulong ka man, o nagtatago ka sa batas, ay pwedeng pwede kang tumakbong opisyal ng gobyerno..

Pero saan tayo dinadala ng panuntunang ganito?

[IORI™]

Kahit matino ang umupo sa pwesto ang nakapaligid naman eh puro tarantado magagawa ba nyang ituwid ang sistema? Buhay nya nakataya kaya go with the flow nalang yan!

Sent from my Excite 450q using Tapatalk

[Ozymandias]

Kahit matino ang umupo sa pwesto ang nakapaligid naman eh puro tarantado magagawa ba nyang ituwid ang sistema? Buhay nya nakataya kaya go with the flow nalang yan!

Sent from my Excite 450q using Tapatalk

Naku di pwede go with the flow lang sila sir Iori kasi wala mangyayari sa Pilipinas. Kaya nga gusto ni Madam Senator Miriam Santiago magkaroon ng cleansing, EUPHEMISM nya for PURGING ng mga incompetent and corrupt politicians hahahah. Kaya ang dami nyang pinu-push na bill kagaya ng 'ANTI-EPAL' Bill at 'ANTI-DYNASTY' Bill. Kaso lahat naman walang comment sa kanya, bakit? Nasasagasaan nya kasi yung mga PERSONAL INTEREST ng mga baluktot na politicians.

[IORI™]

Thats why her life is in danger right now and lahat ng mga masasagasaan nya eh gagawin ang lahat makontra lang yan .. masyado ng makakapal ang.mga masasama sa gobyerno ngayon .. unlike before sikreto ang plano .. malinis .. ngayon halata na .. nahuli na .. vip treatment pa kapag nahuli! .. wala na kasi yung honor sa kanila eh..mas lumalagap ang greedy politicians dahil sa lust of power .. pansinin natin maski pinaka maliit na posisyon may nakikipag patayan maka upo lang .. sad to say may cancer na ang gobyerno natin .. mahirap na mabago ..  imho ..

Sent from my Excite 450q using Tapatalk

[edlovemina]

Kailangan nating baguhin ang ating constitution lalo na ang mga bagay na patungkol sa qualifications ng pag kandidato ng mga pulitiko para sa isang executive position sa gobyerno, dapat ring baguhin ang mga probisyon na nagsasabi kung ano ang mga kapangyarihang dapat hawak ng mga opisyal na ito.....

Sa tingin ko ehh maling mali ang qualification na ibinigay ng ating constitution sa mga magkakandidato sapagkat kulang na kulang ang kwalipikasyon na able to read and write, natural born citizen of the Philippines, residing to a particular place for atleast 6 months or so at iba pa. Nakukulangan ako sa mga qualifications na ito at sa tingin ko ehh dapat din nating i - question sa gobyerno ang pag gawa ng 1987 constitution sapagkat dapat ay magkaroon ng constitutional convention hindi constitutional commission na ginawa sa kapanahunan ng ating late president na si Corazon Aquino. Masasabi kong mali ang ginawa niyang hakbang sa pag gawa ng ating saligang batas sapagkat ang pag gawa ng isang constitution ay dapat sa pamamaraang binuo ng constitutional convention. Ang constitutional convention ay binubuo ng mga representative o mga congressmen sa pag gawa ng constitution subalit ang ginawa ni Cory ay nag appoint sya ng limampung tao (50) at ito ay ang ang constitutional commission. Ngayon bakit ko nasabing mali? Mali ang paraan na ginamit nila sa pag gawa ng ating saligang batas sapagkat pinili ang mga miyembro ng constitutional commission na ito at dahil ang pangulo mismo ang pumili sa mga miyembro maaari niyang diktahan ang organisasyon kung ano ang mga bagay na dapat ilagay dito. Hindi tama kung ang pangulo mismo ang magdidikta kung ano man ang dapat ilagay sa ating saligang batas, tayo ang bumoto sakanila kaya tayo ang dapat magdikta kung ano ang dapat at tama para sa ating mga mamamayan.

masyadong luma na ang ating constitution para i - apply sa makabagong sitwasyon nating mga pinoy...nagiging matalino na ang mga pinoy ngayon sapagkat mulat sila sa katotohanan ngunit marami parin ang nadadala dahil sa pera...wala tayong magagawa, karamihan sa mga pinoy ay mahirap kaya madaling masilaw sa panandaliang pangtustos sa pang araw araw na pamumuhay.. ang hindi natin alam ehh sa pag upo ng mga hangal na opisyal na ito ay karugtong ang posibilidad na mas lalo tayong maghirap dahil sa pansariling interes ng mga magagaling nating kurakot na pulitiko na ang hangad ay magpayaman at nakawin ang perang pinaghirapan nating mga pinoy.