Do you favor having candidates for national elective positions undergo psychiatric testing?

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Yes, we have the right to know if all of the candidates in our country are fit to work not only physically but also mentally.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: No, psychiatric testing isn’t provided for by law, ergo, it’s unconstitutional.  

Yes, for national and local candidates

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Yes, I do. Include those running for elective positions at the local level. I do not want to see our country being run by mentally disturbed persons who could not stand the pressures of the job such as long hours of planning and meetings, etc.  

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Not only our national candidates should undergo psychiatric testing; pati local candidates din natin sana.  

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Candidates for national elective positions down to the barangay level must undergo psychiatric testing.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Actually, dapat prerequisite yun. Look at Mayor Sanchez of Calauan, Cong. Jalosjos and Mayor Ampatuan. They are the best examples of why national elective officials should undergo psychiatric testing before they are allowed to run.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: As some of today’s’ candidates no longer speak and act like men of their status and education, yes I’m in favor.  

Jae delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: Definitely, all candidates not just for national but also local elective positions should undergo psychiatric testing.  

Felix Ramento, USA: Why not? Psychiatric testing of people aspiring for national elective positions as well as congressional seats would not only upgrade the quality of our future leaders but also bring about a better political atmosphere in our country.  

Anthony Solidum, Ibajay, Aklan: All candidates for elective positions should undergo psychiatric tests to determine their preparedness to handle the job.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Yes, that should include senators and congressmen. They should put on paper that they are really sane, sober and sensible, if they pass such a test.  

We need more stringent qualifications

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: A few months after former Pres. Cory Aquino took her oath of office in 1986, I sent her my suggestion that all candidates for national and local elective positions must be college graduates for the simple reason that if we only hire government clerks that are college graduates and civil service-eligible, how much more lawmakers? Candidates must attach to their certificate of candidacy form the following: Their college diploma, recent psychiatric test results, and their program of government.  

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: Why not? Better yet, let us amend the law to reflect more stringent qualification requirements for Filipinos wanting to become president. First, let the candidates be at least college graduates. That’s the knowledge requirement. Second, let the candidates be at least competent managers. What training in terms of formal instruction and/or informal work experience does a candidate possess? Are such skills relevant and adequate for the job? That’s the skills requirement. Third, let the candidates be moral. Wouldn’t we want the most virtuous among us to be our ruler? The virtues of such a leader would not only give us a model for all to follow. They would ensure good governance, uplifting the common good and reversing the deluding influence of self-absorption that corrupts. That’s the character requirement. Having said that, who’s afraid of psychiatric testing?  

It will help us filter the candidates

Noel Navales, Metro Manila: If the goal is to convince the politically unfit about their true state of mind hoping they’ll stand down and not influence the voting public, yes, please.  

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Yes, and it should e before the candidates file their certificate of candidacy. The Comelec should include this as one of the vital requirements before vying for an elected post.  

Herculano Babatido, Misamis Oriental: Yes, Filipinos as well as the family of nations need leaders of sound minds.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: I favor having all candidates for national and local elective positions undergo psychiatric testing. A series of tests should filter out pathological liars and thieves, and persons with megalomaniac and violent tendencies. I believe psychiatric tests could unravel charlatan public servants from the true ones.  

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Sow the wind, reap a storm. A president-elect who pulled rivals down while clawing his way to the top will get no respite from the backlash of those whose reputation he blackened.  Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, but even if all Inboxers and well-meaning citizens favor the same, it will only come to naught without any implementing law. However, if neuro-psychiatric examination will become a process in entering politics, only few will qualify if we base our observations on to their behavioral disorder like mudslinging, deception, promising everything and even killing their opponents, etc.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: I am in favor of having candidates for national elective positions undergo psychiatric testing to streamline the number of candidates. If that were in place today, many of the present candidates will not pass the test and only two will remain as candidates for President, two for VP and only about 20 for senator. That will simplify the voters’ choice.  

Elmo Cruz, Manila: Psychiatric testing, to be conducted by legitimate and qualified psychiatrists, will help limit candidates to those who are mentally, physically and emotionally healthy and in turn assure our country with prestigious, honest and effective governance.  

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Undergoing psychiatric testing should be SOP for candidates in all levels of elective position to ensure that all our elective officials are mentally, emotionally and physically healthy to render honest and effective services to the public at all times.  

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: I think all candidates vying for an elective position should undergo psychiatric testing so that the electorate would have a clear grasp of the mental state of those they want to vote for.  

Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: I agree. This will put to test the inner character of a man. His tendencies will be unraveled. This way, the voters would be enlightened enough to choose only a righteous candidate unless they really prefer the evil ones. Anyway, the future of our state depends on leadership.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: A mere cursory look at our incumbents will not only justify psychiatric tests but also prove why we are in this mess.  

Let the Comelec do the weeding out

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: That will be another “Only in the Philippines” thing. Let the Comelec do the job of weeding out the undeserving, the nincompoops and those incapable of running for public office. ‘Pag nakalusot at napasama sa mga kandidato, tayong mga tiga-halal na ang bahala sa araw ng eleksiyon. In the past, there were nuisance candidates for president and they were treated as such in the voting! I remember one perennial nuisance candidate that even promised to connect the islands via bridges made of glass. Only those in his mental level voted for him.  

Should be on a case to case basis

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: This is a good suggestion, but lacks meritorious recognition. I believe in the qualifications of all candidates as required by the Comelec. It would be a great waste of time and money if the concerned authority would approve this. The voting populace would know better when the candidates present their platform. Their campaign gimmick says it all. Psychiatric testing should be on a case-to-case basis.  

Psychiatric testing is not necessary

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: Psychiatric testing is not necessary to test the capabilities of candidates. Each candidate is equipped with his or her own unique style and intellectual, cognitive, social, analytical, perceptual and organizational capacity and awareness necessary for them to function effectively within the scope and jurisdiction of his own potential.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: You won’t compare a standard military requirement to that of a purely civilian position because it will be stupid. A civilian authority maintains an aura of respectability, ascendancy and presumed regularity whatever his mental state. Besides, who would be left to run for public office?  Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

Why do we have to stoop to complicated psychiatric testing? Candidates only need to have a good grasp of what is right and what is wrong.  

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: Psychiatric tests are not that reliable. We can just observe their daily behavior especially under stress and we can get a good idea.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: No need, for at first glance, you can already spot the nut.  

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: No need. An ordinary voter using his common sense can easily see if there’s something wrong in the personality or psyche of a candidate. Sometimes, a candidate can be as crazy as anybody else, or worse, even without hallucinations. A rotten, corrupt lifestyle, for example, could be an indication of a personality or mental disorder, too.  

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: No need for psychiatric testing as long as the candidate meets the qualifications stated in the Constitution.  

A great insult

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Asking candidates to undergo psychiatric testing is a great insult to them. It would mean giving in to the clamor of black propagandists who are out to make fun of some candidates. It is easy to observe whether a person is crazy or not, no need for testing. If there is a need for any psychiatric testing, it’s for the majority of the electorate. Only crazy persons will elect a boxing champion, movie and basketball stars to elective positions.  

Yes, to determine their mental wellness

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Yes, it’s a must to determine their mental wellness. Mentally healthy leaders make right and sound decisions for the good of their country.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Psychiatric evaluation is essential to fully ascertain one’s fitness for the job. It’s a protection from having leaders like Nero, Amin, Pol Pot, etc.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Yes, they have to undergo psychiatric testing to confirm if they can remain morally, physically and mentally stable under pressure. Baka baliw nga.  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Yes, for if they win, they’ll lead us. They must prove to the people that they’re capable of leading the nation physically, emotionally and psychologically. Candidates proposing the psychiatric test should just walk and talk and undergo psychiatric testing.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Dapat lang upang malaman ng ating mga kababayan kung sino ang mga may topak na may balak mamuno sa bayan.  

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I do favor having candidates for elective positions undergo psychiatric testing so that we can filter out the hidden personalities and true inclinations of our potential leaders, and strongly advise those candidates who failed the test not to proceed.  

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Psychiatric testing is necessary for candidates in order for them to see whether or not they have hidden dark personal histories that had never been revealed nor discovered. Mental health is as vital as a healthy heart and it is very essential in carrying out effective public administration.  

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: Yes, there’s nothing wrong with that. If even ordinary citizens are made to undergo psychiatric testing, how much more the leaders we trust to govern and run this country? This is not only for the welfare of our people, but for them to know and measure their mental capabilities.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: They should all undergo psychiatric testing to assure us that they are sane. Let Villar be the first, because it seems that he is hallucinating about his having been very poor when he actually was not. His obsession for the presidency makes him mentally sick. Then, let’s ask Manong Johnny. If not for the disappearance of his load, he wouldn’t have paid attention.  

We can’t force them to take the test

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: As much as possible, they should, but we can’t force them to undergo a psychiatric test. Then again, with gut feel, we can spot who among them are mentally unstable.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: No, it’s against human rights and an invasion of privacy. Moreover, it’s very improbable for a psychotic to run for an elective position. Very far-fetched.  

Overall physical examination is a must

J. Cruz, Isabela: Yes, apart from psychiatric testing, overall physical examination is a must. We don’t want a president with any serious ailment.  

Psychiatric tests are inconclusive

John Dimaculangan, Manila: Kung medikal po ang test, walang problema. Hindi maitatago ng doktor ang sakit, kahit bayaran mo. Kung may diabetes or heart problem, madali nating siguraduhing malalantad sa bayan. Ang psych test hindi po ganoon. Kanya-kanyang opinyon ang mangyayari, depende po sa sino ang tumingin at kanino siya panig.  

Throw in a lie detector and drug test as well

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: Yes, this is highly favorable but must cover all elective positions, from the national level down to the local officials. It would even be more advantageous to include a lie detector test and a drug test. Considering that these leaders will be governing over 90 million Filipinos, more than 80 per cent of which are impoverished due to unmitigated corruption, bad governance and the shameless lying of past and present leaders, it is for the welfare of our country and people that the following three tests be conducted: Psychiatric evaluation, lie detector test and drug test.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Not only psychiatric testing. Some bets need to be rehabilitated. It’s a shame to elect someone with mental defects.  

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Why not? Subject all of them to psychiatric testing. That way, we can put the issue on Noynoy to rest. I also favor subjecting them all to a lie detector test, because lying has become a way of life for most politicians running for office.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: I agree that politicians, especially Noynoy and Miriam, must be examined. They should also undergo lie detector machines.  

There’s no provision in our Constitution

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: There is no provision in our Constitution requiring candidates for national elective positions to undergo such psychiatric testing.Besides, those running for these positions are either well-known or have already served in other local or national positions and their previous performance should be the gauge whether they are mentally capable for the position they are aspiring for. If there is a test to ascertain their honesty and sincerity, then I might favor this suggestion.  

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: It does not guarantee good governance. And, in fact, the Constitution does not require it. The Filipino electorate is not naive to choose someone insane to run this country.  

They should first be cleared for graft

Fel Avlis, Aklan: Okay ako na mag-undergo ng psychiatric testing ang mga kandidato pero dapat ang may mga kasong pangungurakot ay may clearance sa mga kinauukulan.  

What for?

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Yes, so that we can weed out undeserving candidates, but even if we do let them undergo that exam, I just don’t know if they will give any importance to it.  

Rene Poder, Manila: What for? Some clown will likely take it with a codigo.  

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Hindi rin po effective ang psychiatric testing kasi meron na po mga nakaupo sa Kongreso natin na pumasa sa ganyan testing.  

THE WAY I SEE IT

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite City: Villar has a point when he says that Noynoy’s economic policy will just be a continuation of PGMA’s since her four economic advisers are now at the LP camp.  

Vivian Ocampo, Quezon City: If Villar wins, he’ll try to recoup money he spent. If clueless Noy, US will control us. Gibo is our hope: Matalino, humble, a clean professional.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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