ARTICLE V SUFFRAGE

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 wherein 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.

Meaning of 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.

NATURE OF 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 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.

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 change 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 a vote of the people after registration of a petition
signed by a required percentage of the qualified voters.

QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.

A person is qualified to vote if he is:

1. A citizen (male or female) of the Philippines
2. Not otherwise disqualified by law
3. At least 18 years of age; and
4. 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.

PERSONS DISQUALIFIED TO VOTE

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.
Section 2
The Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot as well as
a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad. The Congress shall also design a
procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without the assistance of other persons. Until
then, they shall be allowed to vote under existing laws and such rules as the Commission on
Elections may promulgate to protect the secrecy of the ballot.