Mean

Ranges

Verbal
Interpretation

4.5 5.0

Strongly Agree

3.5 4.49

Somewhat Agree

2.5 3.49

Neutral

1.5 2.49

Disagree

1.0 1.49

Strongly Disagree

CHAPTER 4
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
This chapter is concerned with the presentation, analysis and
interpretation of data gathered from the respondents through
questionnaire.
Table 1
Perception of the respondents regarding the existing constitutional
requirements to become a legislator

Table 2 presents the assessment of the respondents to the existing

constitutional requirements to become a legislator base on the given scale.

Requirements to

ATTAINABILITY

FAIRNESS

PRACTICALI

RELEVANC

TY

become a Senator
Mean

SD

Mean

SD

Mea

SD

1. Natural-born

4.8

1.304

4.2

citizen of the
Philippines
2. Able to read and

0.76
4

old at the time of

election

SD

Mean

SD

4.3

0.84
9

4.5

1.02
5

4.7

1.20
9

4.9

1.401

1.5

4.7

1.20
9

4.8

1.30
4

4.7

1.20
9

4.8

1.304

3.2

0.02
4

3.4

0.15
6

3.3

0.08
9

3.3

0.08
9

write
3. At least 35 years

Mea

EFFICIENCY

4. A registered voter

4.1

0.681

4.1

0.68
1

4.3

0.76
4

4.7

0.84
9

3.7

0.36
9

5. A resident of

4.5

1.025

4.2

0.76
4

3.3

0.08
9

3.3

0.08
9

4.7

1.20
9

the Philippines for

not less than two
years immediately
preceding the day

of the election
The table above provides the distribution of the perception of respondents
regarding the requirements to become a senator in the Philippines base on the
standards of attainability, fairness, practicality, relevance and efficiency. The
respondents from the liberal arts program have revealed strong agreement and
indifference to the constitutional requirements to become a senator. Majority of
the respondents strongly agreed that the requirement to be a natural born
citizen of the country and able to read and write is attainable, fair, practical,
relevant and efficient as a requirement to the prospective legislators of the
country. This result might have been affected by the current events in which
politicians nationality and dual- citizenship are questioned as it might affect
their loyalty to the Philippines. Respondents strongly agree that senators
should at least know how to read and write because law making requires them
to do so. Furthermore respondents also somewhat agree on the requirement
that senators must be a registered voter and a resident of the Philippines two
years preceding the day of the election. The respondents recognize that it is the
duty of every Filipino to vote and prospective legislators must also comply with
it. Respondents also somewhat agree that prospective senators must at least be
resident of the Philippine for two years so that they are aware of the issues and
problems the country is currently facing. Lastly the respondents have revealed
indifference to the third requirement that prospective senators must at least be
35 years old at the time of the election.
Table 2
The possible additions to improve the qualifications of senators
Table 3 represents the assessment of the respondents on their possible
additions to the qualifications of senators.
I.

Academic
Qualifications

College degree holder

Civil service exam

20%

passer
Knowledgeable in

20%

20%

40%

60%

60%

20%

60%

Parliamentary
Procedures
The table above provides the distribution of the perception of respondents
regarding the proposed improved additional requirements in the Academic
qualification to become a senator. The respondents from the liberal art program
from the school of ELAMS strongly agreed that a prospective senator in the
Philippines must have a good scholastic record, he/she must have passed the
civil service exam and he/she should at least attained a Bachelors degree.

II.
Morality
Does not have any

criminal or civil

10%

40%

50%

40%

violation record
Did not commit any
political crime (e.g.
treason, rebellion or
coup d etat)
No pending case and

20%

20%

40%

10%

50%

did not commit

actions that are
harmful to the state
The table above provides the distribution of the perception of respondents
regarding the proposed improved additional requirements in the Morality
qualification to become a senator. The respondents from the liberal arts
program from the school of ELAMS strongly agreed that a prospective senator
of the Philippines should not have any criminal and civil violation record.

Furthermore, the respondents somewhat agreed that any prospective senator

in the country should have not committed any political crime (e.g treason,
rebellion or coup d etat) and is not a member of a political dynasty in the
country.
1

III. Experience
Attended seminars
relating to public

20%

20%

20%

10%

30%

40%

60%

policy making and

management
At least five years
experience in
administrative office
in LGUs
Became a

60%

40%

member/officer of an
NGO
The table above provides the distribution of the perception of respondents
regarding the proposed improved additional requirements in the experience
qualification to become a senator. The respondents from the liberal art program
from the school of ELAMS disagreed that a prospective senator should have
become member or an officer of a non-government organization. While, the
respondents agreed that a prospective senator should at least have five years
experience in administrative office in the Local Government. Lastly, the
respondents have a mix answer but majority strongly agreed that the
requirement: a prospective senator should have an excellent working
experience record.

IV.

Economic

status
A minimum annual
income of at least
P500, 000 per year
Is capable of funding

20%

30%

50%

50%

50%

his/her own nationwide election

campaign
Promises to submit
7

transparent and

70%

30%

complete honest
yearly SALN
The table above provides the distribution of the perception of respondents
regarding the proposed improved additional requirements in the experience
qualification to become a senator. The respondents from the liberal art program
from the school of ELAMS strong agrees that a prospective senator should at
least have a minimum annual income of at least P500,000 per year. While the
the respondents gave a both answers in which they both agree and strongly
agree that a prospective senator should be capable of funding his/her own
nation-wide election campaign. Lastly the respondents disagree that a
prospective senator should promise to submit a transparent and complete
honest yearly SALN.
V.
Health
Age limit of 60 years

3
2

old
Physically and

4
20%

mentally fit
Passed a
psychological test

70%

30%

30%

50%

50%

50%