This article talks about the qualifications to run as Governor in the Philippines.
The Provincial Governor
Pursuant to Section 463 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, there shall be in each province a governor. The provincial governor, as the chief executive of the provincial government, shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions as provided by the Local Government Code and other laws (Sec. 465, Local Government Code). The province, through the governor, shall ensure that every component city and municipality within its territorial jurisdiction acts within the scope of its prescribed powers and functions. Highly urbanized cities and independent component cities shall be independent of the province (Sec. 29, Local Government Code).
Aside from being the chief executive of the provincial government, an important function of the governor is to ensure the general welfare of the province and its inhabitants. Sec. 16 of the Local Government Code, otherwise known as the general welfare clause, states:
Section 16. General Welfare. – Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, encourage and support the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment among their residents, maintain peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.
Qualifications under the Local Government Code
The Local Government Code is the bible of local government units. It also provides for the qualifications of local government elective officials such the governor as provided for in Section 39, to wit:
“SECTION 39. Qualifications. – (a) An elective local official must be a citizen of the Philippines; a registered voter in the barangay, municipality, city, or province or, in the case of a member of the sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang bayan, the district where he intends to be elected; a resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election; and able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect.
(b) Candidates for the position of governor, vice-governor, or member of the sangguniang panlalawigan, or mayor, vice-mayor or member of the sangguniang panlungsod of highly urbanized cities must be at least twenty-three (23) years of age on election day. x x x
As such, here are the basic qualifications to run as Governor in the Philippines:
- citizen of the Philippines
- registered voter in the constituency of his locality
- a resident thereof for at least 1 year immediately preceding the day of the election
- able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect
- at least 23 years of age on election day
These are the qualifications to run as Governor in the Philippines.
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