Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Sunday emphasized the importance of having educated voters, noting that they will be responsible for selecting the country’s next leaders.

In his commentary show “Counterpoint”, Panelo renewed his pitch for free education in all levels for poor and lower-middle-class Filipinos.

Panelo said free education is just as important as free healthcare.

“Pagdating sa eleksyon kailangan talaga natin ‘yung mga botante natin ay dumaan sa educational system kasi iba na ‘yung informed sila, ‘yung mayroon silang kaukulan at sapat na karunungan na nakuha nila sa eskuwela para sila’y makapili ng mga taong mamumuno sa ating bayan (When it comes to elections, we need voters who have formal education because it’s different if they’re informed, that they have enough knowledge from schools to select the next leaders),” he said.

He noted that voters who failed to receive formal education are prone to being easily bribed or fooled.

“’Pag kulang ho sila sa aral, talagang bukas po sila sa impluwensya, puwede sila bola-bolahin. Pagkatapos, bukas din sila sa takutan, puwede sila takutin, puwede din sila bilhin (If they lack formal education, they may be easily influenced, they can be tricked. They are also open to being intimidated, they can also be bought),” he added.

According to Panelo, the country’s economy also becomes more productive as educated workers increase.

“Hangga’t ang bawat Pilipino ay hindi edukado, maniwala kayo, mahihirapan ang bansang ito na umusad at maging malusog sa pangkalakalan o ekonomiya. Iba ho talaga ‘yung nag-aral ka (Until all Filipinos have received education, this country will have difficulty achieving economic progress),” he said.

Under the PHP4.5-trillion national budget for 2021, the education sector accounts for the largest bulk with PHP708 billion.

Classes in public schools started in October 2020, implementing distance learning via printed and digital modules, online classes, television, and radio.