The Key Step to Accelerate Philippine Development: Stretching and Easing an Old Shoe

You’ve probably owned an old pair of leather shoes — stiff and uncomfortable at first, but over time, they stretched, softened, and perfectly molded to your feet. Eventually, you grew fond of them because of their durability. But as years passed, they became worn out and outdated. Still, you wanted to use them again — so what did you do? You stretched and eased them once more.

Our Constitution is much like that old pair of shoes. It was once “poor-fitted,” but we’ve grown accustomed to it through the decades. It has served its purpose, yet it has not truly evolved with us — especially when it comes to helping us find and elect the best leaders for our time.

There’s one specific provision we’ve refused to “stretch and ease.” It says:

“No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.”— Section 2, Article VII, 1987 Constitution

For years, we’ve accepted these qualifications as sufficient. But as decades pass and our society evolves, it’s clear that the old “fit” no longer serves our growing needs. Just as shoes must be softened to suit the wearer, our Constitution must be refined to meet the demands of a new generation of leaders.

Stretching and Easing the Constitution

What’s the recurring call from both citizens and leaders today? Amendment.And I fully agree — especially on the rewording of Section 2, Article VII.

In one of his interviews, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, explained why constitutional flexibility is vital. He said:

“From my experience, Constitutions have to be custom-made, tailored to suit the peculiarities of the person wearing the suit. Perhaps, like shoes, the older they are, the better they fit. Stretch them, soften them, resole them, repair them. They are always better than a brand-new pair of shoes. Our people have got used to and understand the present system... But most important of all, the Constitution works.”

Lee Kuan Yew knew that laws must evolve with the times, because leadership evolves with generations. The Constitution must reflect the changing shape of a nation — especially when that nation is striving to rise from poverty to prosperity.

Singapore did not leave this to chance. They established the Presidential Elections Committee, tasked with ensuring that every presidential candidate meets the moral and administrative qualifications required under Article 19 of their Constitution. It wasn’t just about age or literacy. It was about integrity, experience, and competence — the real foundations of nation-building.

How Section 2, Article VII Could Be Reworded

If we were to “stretch and ease” our own constitutional provision, it might look like this:

“No person shall be elected President unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, at least forty-five years of age; satisfies the qualifications set forth by the Presidential Elections Committee that he is a person of integrity, good character, and reputation; and has held at least three years in any government office as Secretary, Chief Justice, Solicitor General, or any similar position of seniority and responsibility in any organization of equivalent size or complexity in the public or private sector, which in the opinion of the Presidential Elections Committee, has given him such experience and ability in administering and managing financial affairs as to enable him to carry out effectively the duties of the President.”

It may sound like the work of a veteran lawmaker — but I am simply echoing a truth proven by history: leaders shape the destiny of nations, and constitutions shape the leaders we produce.

“Stealing” the Best Ideas for the Nation

Jon Morrow, one of the most respected modern writers, once quoted his English professor who said,

“The best writers are the best thieves.”

He explained that Shakespeare stole plots from Greek and Roman plays, Thomas Jefferson borrowed ideas from John Locke, and Oscar Wilde borrowed from everyone. In Morrow’s words,

“It’s far, far better to steal — not to plagiarize, but to creatively adapt what works and make it your own.”

In governance, this principle applies perfectly. We must not hesitate to adopt what has worked for other nations — not blindly, but wisely. There’s no shame in adapting Singapore’s model if it means producing better Filipino presidents, provided we do it for the people’s good.

The only thing that should never be “stolen” is the people’s money.But the wisdom, systems, and governance models that have proven successful elsewhere — those we must boldly “borrow” and reshape for our own progress.

The Phenomena of Developed Nations

No great nation has advanced by chance. Development always follows leadership with vision and accountability.Consider these examples:

• United States: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln.

• United Kingdom: Winston Churchill, William Gladstone, William Pitt the Younger.

• Japan: Emperors Jimmu, Meiji, Taishō, Akihito.

• South Korea: Syngman Rhee, Park Chung-hee, Moon Jae-in.

• Singapore: Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong, Lee Hsien Loong.

• Canada: William Lyon Mackenzie King, John A. MacDonald, Pierre Trudeau, Wilfrid Laurier.

  
  

Their success was built upon leaders who matched their country’s evolving needs. The question is — will our next generation of Filipino leaders be brave enough to “steal” the best ideas, adapt them, and rebuild our system for the greater good?

Conclusion

We Filipinos have fought long and hard to achieve freedom and stability. We’ve revolted against tyranny, impeached presidents, and sought justice even when it cost us national peace. Our passion is unquestionable — but passion alone will not move us forward.

The next key step to accelerate our nation’s development is not rebellion, but revision — not replacement, but rewording.If we redefine what it truly means to be “qualified” to lead this nation, we might finally see a Philippines led not by popularity or inheritance, but by character, wisdom, and proven ability.

Our Constitution may be an old shoe — but if we stretch and ease it to fit a new generation’s stride, we can finally walk steadily toward the progress our nation has long deserved.