Plato highlighted in the Republic that education, which is the foundation of one's profession, is critical in achieving the finest possible state. The future rulers of the State will be chosen based on their academic proficiency and mental capacity under Plato's educational system, ensuring that only the smartest and brightest people, called Philosopher-Kings, will administer the affairs of the State. Those who are ineligible to have a position in the State will be assigned as Guardians or Auxiliaries.

Academic excellence is not required to run for President in the Philippines, according to the Constitution, but merely the ability to read and write, among other qualifications. People vote for their leaders based on their popularity and recall of their names. As a result of this culture, bureaucratic corruption and political dynasties have grown even worse. Plato's idea of selecting the best people, while ideal, could be a good strategy to develop responsible, wise, and morally upright leaders in the country. Adopting Plato's theory in the Philippines will ensure that rulers are chosen based on talent and competence. However, because people who are not qualified are excluded from the ruling class, there may be a social and political disadvantage to this arrangement.

The State will hold an annual exam for schoolchildren, following Plato's educational system. The outcome will be used to assess their eligibility to move on to the next phase, as well as their ability to continue receiving free education. Because future leaders are carefully chosen, it is reasonable to assume that they will appreciate the true meaning of moral leadership by devoting their lives to mastering transformative politics, good governance, and dialectics until they are ready to lead. As a result, Plato's finest ruler had both the wisdom of a philosopher and the fearlessness of a king.

In Plato's State, the Philosopher-King is the law himself, whose primary goal is to ensure the happiness of his subjects. However, in the Philippines, having a Philosopher-King may not be acceptable because the people have already learned that unlimited power produces tyranny and corruption. One example is when the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos pretended to be a Philosopher-King and controlled the Philippines. Marcos had unrestricted governmental powers from 1972 to 1981, allowing him to shut down Congress and pass legislation on his own. His unrestricted power eventually generated a culture of discontent and dissatisfaction among the populace. In 1986, Marcos was ousted from his office through the People Power Revolution.

To classify Marcos as a Philosopher-King is to revise history. While Marcos was publicly known as an intelligent statesman and a brilliant leader, however, he failed to meet the qualifications of a true Philosopher-King. He cannot be considered a Philosopher-King because he raised a family, which Plato proscribed in the Republic. For Plato, a true Philosopher-King is one without a family so that he can fully devote his time to the public good and national interest.

Despite the challenges of implementing Plato's ideas in the Philippines, the country might take inspiration from his noble ideals on education. Alternatively, the Philippines' current educational system can be improved to produce knowledgeable and virtuous leaders. Schoolchildren's education during their primary years may involve activities that develop self-reliance. It will be accomplished by adding the teachings of modest chore responsibilities that may be used both at school and at home. Hence, it would instill in them a sense of accountability.

More rigid academic training can be used in secondary school, along with the incorporation of physical exercises and assessments, to help students increase their strength in doing strenuous and intensive tasks. A student must be eighteen (18) years old or older to take the yearly state exams, but not more than twenty-five (25) years old. As a result, after rigorous selection, the chosen leaders will devote their time and energy to achieving the State's goals.

Given how many times the current educational system has failed us, it would be prudent to address its deficiencies. The government must make every effort to raise intelligent citizens. Being smart entails more than being adept at solving arithmetic equations, knowing data, and speaking English fluently, among other things. Being smart entails the ability to make sound decisions, plan, and engage in more complex higher-order thinking.

People who are truly intelligent will promote genuine change and progress. Their right to vote will be exercised prudently and responsibly. They will gain more autonomy in determining their own fate, with less state intrusion, and leaders will wield their powers responsibly. The government should foster life-smart citizens rather than book-smart automatons who would become apathetic toward the helpless and oppressed.

The change must start with the educational system itself. Because if we are not guided by the best and we only select leaders through gut feelings or name recall, corruption will constantly thrive in the bureaucracy. It is best to start from the basic foundation of the existence of the state, which is the people within. Every individual has the right to an education, but the government could utilize education as a tool to improve itself. The Philippines would be able to emerge from the swamp of mediocrity and misery in this manner.