Philippines' Aging Politicians: A Growing Concern in National Politics

The Philippines' national political landscape is defined by the prevalence of aging politicians. The average age of elected Philippine presidents since the 1986 People Power revolt is 59, which is far from the constitutional requirement of at least 40 years old. Rodrigo Duterte was the oldest at 71, while Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Fidel Ramos, and Joseph Estrada took office in their early 60s. Meanwhile, the average age of incumbent senators is 60, with some senators like Panfilo Lacson (78), Tito Sotto (77), and Rodante Marcoleta (72) being at the extreme end of the spectrum.

The Philippines' aging politicians have used age as a common alibi to defy accountability. When faced with charges of heinous crimes such as extrajudicial killings and plunder, they invoke age-related conditions like cognitive impairment and poor health. For instance, in 2026, 80-year-old Duterte claimed to be unfit to face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to poor cognitive condition and medical ailments. However, medical experts at the ICC concluded that Duterte possessed the necessary capacities to meaningfully exercise his procedural and fair trial rights.

Gerontocracy has also led to the widening of the gap between the vision of the old and the eclectic interests of the young. A legislature ruled by many senescent politicians may not reflect the changing preferences of the youth through impactful policymaking. According to the Senate's own record, the number of laws passed in relation to areas like sports, the environment, and socio-civic activities was dismal. The current Congress has yet to pass laws that will improve the state of these areas.

Aging politicians like Manuel Bonoan, who was 80 years old when put under hospital arrest for cases of plunder and graft, have used humanitarian grounds to secure bail. Bonoan maintained that advanced age and ill health requiring special medical attention were sufficient grounds to justify the grant of provisional liberty. His case is not an isolated one, as other aging politicians have similarly used their age to escape accountability.

The prevalence of gerontocracy in Philippine politics has led to a lack of representation of the youth's interests. According to the 2025-2028 Congress, the number of laws passed in relation to areas like sports, the environment, and socio-civic activities was dismal. The average age of incumbent senators is 60, with some senators like Panfilo Lacson (78), Tito Sotto (77), and Rodante Marcoleta (72) being at the extreme end of the spectrum.