Malacañang Palace as seen from across the Pasig River. Photo: Posterized image of a govph photo t this early stage, we think the Lacson-Sotto presidential ticket makes the most sense—for now. We all still need to see who else will run in 2022. As we noted in past editorials, since the 1986 People Power revolution, only one president has stood out as truly qualified to hold the office: Fidel Ramos. No one else had the leadership skills, government experience, and intelligence to be president. The late Noynoy Aquino entered the office with a deficit in leadership skills and government experience; however, he developed those while in office and managed to end his term on a positive note. All the others simply crashed and burned, often moving the country backward instead of forward. We want to see more Filipino leaders like Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto run for president. Politicians like Franklin Drillon, Richard Gordon, and Loren Legarda should consider throwing their hats in the ring at some point. Former Justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario have the requisite qualifications to become president. They should give it serious consideration. What we don't want to see is more of the same—incompetent, unqualified, and often corrupt individuals make it to Malacañang, then leave a disaster in their wake. Unfortunately, the country has had more than its share of those types since the poster child of illegitimate Philippine presidents, Ferdinand Marcos, hightailed it to Honolulu 35 years ago. Filipinos have suffered for far too long. And the country itself has slid in relevance and prestige over the decades. It is time we all put a stop to this insanity. From now on, only the most qualified should be allowed to hold the title: President of the Philippines. Published 7/26/2021