Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the basic qualifications to run for public office are largely limited to age, citizenship, literacy, and residency. While these are important, they are not enough to ensure that those who seek to lead our nation possess the competence, integrity, and ethical standards required to govern effectively.

The current criteria allow individuals to run for and assume public office without necessarily having extensive knowledge of governance, policy-making, or ethics. Public officials make decisions that impact our economy, national security, education system, healthcare, infrastructure, and the daily lives of over 100 million fellow Filipinos. It is imperative that those in leadership positions are equipped with more than just the ability to satisfy the minimum qualifications.

This petition calls for Congress to enact a law requiring all candidates for public office to pass standardized ethics and governance exams. Such exams will serve as a tool to establish a baseline of competence and integrity, ensuring that our leaders are well-prepared to tackle the multifaceted challenges of governance.

The introduction of mandatory ethics and governance exams would not only emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and informed decision-making but also deter individuals who lack these critical competencies from seeking office. In turn, this would lead to a more qualified and equipped political class, directly benefiting the public through more sound and ethical governance.

To ensure fairness and inclusivity, these exams should be designed to assess critical thinking, ethical judgments, and basic governance knowledge, and should be administered at multiple locations throughout the country. Additionally, the content of these exams must be regularly reviewed and updated by a panel of experts in public administration, law, ethics, and education to reflect the evolving challenges faced by the country.

By instituting this requirement, we will foster a political environment where electoral candidates are motivated to pursue self-improvement and ethical transparency. It will guarantee that elected officials are genuinely committed to serving the public and upholding the principles of good governance.

Let's take a crucial step towards improving the integrity and effectiveness of our political system. Please sign this petition to urge Congress to pass a law requiring ethics and governance exams for all candidates seeking public office in the Philippines. Together, we can champion a political culture that prioritizes competent and ethical leadership for the progress and prosperity of our nation.