Article 5

SECTION 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at
least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place where
they propose to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or
other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage

Suffrage - It is a right and obligation to vote of qualified citizens in the election of certain national and local officers
of the government and in the decision of public questions submitted to the people.

The Right of Suffrage

1. A MERE PRIVILEGE.
Suffrage is not a natural right of the citizens by merely a privilege to be given or withheld by the lawmaking
power subject to constitutional limitations. Suffrage should be granted to individuals only upon the fulfillment
of certain minimum conditions deemed essential for the welfare of society.
2. A POLITICAL RIGHT.
In the sense of a right conferred by the Constitution, suffrage is classified as a political right, enabling
every citizen to participate in the process of government to assure that it derives the powers from the consent of the
governed.

Qualification of Voters
1. A person is qualified to vote if he is:
2. A citizen (male or female) of the Philippines
3. Not otherwise disqualified by law
4. At least 18 years of age; and
5. Have resided in the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he proposes to vote for at least
six (6) months preceding the election.

Disqualification of Voters
1. Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment for not less than one (1)
year, such disability not having removed by plenary pardon or granted amnesty. But such person shall
automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of 5 years after service of sentence.
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by competent court or tribunal of having
committed any crime involving disloyalty to duly constituted government such as rebellion,
sedition, violation of the anti-subversion and fire-arms laws or any crime against national security unless
restored to his full civil and political rights in accordance with law. Such person shall likewise automatically
regain his right to vote upon expiration of five (5) years after service of sentence
3. Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority.
Scope of Suffrage
1. Election
It is the means by which the people choose their officials for definite and fixed periods and to whom they
entrust, for the time being as their representatives, the exercise the powers of government;
2. Plebiscite
It is the name given to a vote of the people expressing their choice for or against a proposed law or enactment submitted
to them. The term also applied to an election at which any proposed amendment to, or revision of, the Constitution is
submitted to the people for their ratification. A plebiscite is also required by the Constitution to secure the approval
of the people directly affected before certain proposed changes affecting local government units may be
implemented.
3. Referendum
It is the submission of the law or part thereof passed by the national or local legislative body to the voting citizens of a
country for their ratification or rejection
4. Initiative
It is the process whereby the people directly propose and enact
laws.
5. Recall
It is a method by which a public officer may be removed from office during his tenure or before the expiration of his term
by avote of the people after registration of a petition signed by a required percentage of the qualified voters
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