Lesson 9: ARTICLE V: SUFFRAGE

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to be able to:
 Explain the nature and scope of suffrage
 Enumerate the qualifications of voters
 Identify the importance of participating in the electoral process.

- Suffrage is the right and obligation of citizens to vote.

- The Philippines is a democratic and republican state. This form of government derives
its powers from the people.

- The people choose who their leaders are through the electoral process. Actual
sovereignty is with them and exercised when they vote.

- The Constitution finds it important to create a specific commission, which is the

Commission on Elections, tasked solely on guaranteeing that our country’s election laws
are faithfully executed.

- Scope of suffrage:

 Election – refers to the means by which the people choose their officials for
definite periods, and to whom they entrust for the time being as their
representatives, the exercise of the power of government.

 Plebiscite – refers to the submission of constitutional amendments or important

legislative measures to the people for ratification.

 Referendum – the power of the electorate to approve or reject legislation through

an election called for the purpose.

 Initiative – the power of the people to propose amendments to the Constitution or

to propose and enact legislations through an election called for the purpose; the
process whereby the people directly propose and enact laws.

 Recall – pertains to the process of removing local government officials through

an election called for the purpose.

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.
 - Qualification of voters:

 a citizen of the Philippines (male or female);

 not otherwise disqualified by law;

 at least 18 years of age; and

 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.

- Those who cannot vote:

 Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment for
not less than one year, such disability not having been removed by plenary
pardon or granted amnesty; provided, however, that any person disqualified to
vote under this paragraph shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon
expiration of five years after service of sentence.

 Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by competent court or
tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted
government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the anti-subversion and
firearms laws, or any crime against national security, unless restored to his full
civil and political rights in accordance with law; provided, that he shall regain his
right to vote automatically upon expiration of five years after service of sentence.

 Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority.

- A Filipino does not cease to be a Filipino because he is illiterate.

- Congress cannot impose property requirement for the exercise of suffrage: property
ownership not a test of an individual’s capacity; property requirement inconsistent with
concept of republican government; property requirement inconsistent with social justice
principle.

- Other substantive requirements prohibited such as: education, sex and taxpaying ability.

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.
- It is essential to insure that the voters shall exercise their right to vote freely,
uninfluenced by threats, intimidation or corrupt motives and to secure a fair and honest
count of the ballots.

- Absentee Voting – its aim is to allow every Filipino, wherever he may be in the world, to
participate in our country’s electoral process. This affirms his political right and thus
provides an opportunity to fulfill his obligation as a citizen of the Philippines provided
they possess all the qualifications mentioned therein and none of the disqualifications
provided by law.