Only Taxpayers Should Be Allowed to Vote According to Sen. Miriam Santiago

In this seemingly endless battle against corruption, I’m sure we have our own ideas and ways to hopefully put an end to these politicians who use their wealth to stay in power. Like you, I also dream of witnessing a change in our political system (hopefully in this lifetime) as I believe our people have struggled far too long.

Sadly, because of massive poverty and lack of access to proper education, most of our fellow Filipinos have no choice but sell their votes to buy food for their hungry kids. We are all aware about this, yet most of us choose to be blind and indifferent.

Under Article IV, Sec 1 of the Philippine Constitution: Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.

Each Filipino at least 18yrs and above are entitled to choose their officials as their representatives, to whom they entrust the exercise of the powers of government. We have the right to decide on who will lead us, but what about the others who are apathetic and only care about earning money to feed their family?

We have done countless elections yet still, we couldn’t stop the rampant cheating and vote buying each time. I’m sure we are all frustrated about this and most of us have already lost hope.

I’m never a fan of Philippine politics, but I always find Sen. Miriam’s ideas to be worth listening to. In my opinion, she’s one of the handful of senators who makes sense! (seriously!)

In an article I read a few weeks ago, according to news, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that only the taxpayers should be allowed to vote to prevent patronage politics in the country. Since those who don’t pay taxes belong to the poorest of the poor, they are most vulnerable to receiving money from politicians. So in order to prevent politicians from buying votes, this is the solution which Sen. Miriam suggests. HHhhhhmmmmmm not a bad idea at all!

“Change the Charter so that only taxpayers will be allowed to vote. Kasi kung hindi siya nagbabayad ng tax, mahirap na mahirap siya. Maski sino na lang, basta bigyan siya ng pera, kahit bigyan mo ng konti, that is patronage politics. The taxpayers are being ruled by the choice of the nontaxpayers.” Santiago said.

I’m sure most politicians as well as the non-tax payers will be opposed to this idea, but if you were to make a stand, what do you think about Sen Miriam’s suggestion?

Do you agree that a constitutional amendment should be made?

Please feel free to comment below.

To read more about Sen. Miriam’s brilliant ideas, check out this article about her Anti-Epal Bill: https://www.wheninmanila.com/miriam-santiago-pushes-for-anti-epal-bill/