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.
 Suffrage
• is the 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.
• It is not all absolute needless to say that it
is an enjoyment of all other rights.
 Nature
1. Mere privilege
- suffrage is not a natural right of the
citizens but a privilege to be given or
withheld by the lawmaking power subject
to constitutional limitations.
- It is granted to individuals only upon the
fulfillment of certain minimum conditions
deemed essential for the welfare of the
country.
• Political Right
- it is classified as political right, enabling
every citizen to participate in the process
of government to assure that its powers
from the consent of the governed. The
principle is that of one man, one vote.
 Qualifications of Voters:
1. A citizen of the Philippines both male and
female
2. Not otherwise disqualified by law
3. At least 18 yrs. of age
4. Have resided in the Philippines for at
least one year (1) and in the place
wherein he proposes to vote for at least 6
months preceding the election
 Residence Qualification
1. A voter must have been a permanent
resident of the Philippines for at least
one (1 year) preceding the election.
2. 6 months residence in a province, city
or municipality is considered the
minimum length of time within which a
person can adequately familiarize himself
with the needs and conditions and the
personalities of the locality.
 Q: What is an election?

A: It is the selection of candidates to public

office by popular vote.
Q: What are the types of
Election?
1. Regular- refers to an election participated I by
those who possess the right of suffrage not
disqualified by law and who are registered voters.
2. Special- one held to fill in the vacancy in
office before the expiration of the term for
which incumbent was elected.
 Scope of Suffrage

1. Election – means by which people choose

their officials for definite and fixed periods
and to whom they entrust, for the time being
as their representatives, the exercise of
powers of government.
2. Plebiscite – the vote of the people
expressing their choice for or against a
proposed law or enactment submitted to
them.
3. Referendum – It is the submission of the
a law or part there of passed by the national
or local legislative body to the voting
citizens of a country for their ratification or
approval.
4. Initiative – the process whereby the
people directly propose and enact laws.

5. Recall – 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
voters
• 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.
 Republic Act 8189 “Voters
Registration Act of 1996”

• a citizen in order to be qualified to exercise

his right to vote, in addition to the
minimum requirements set by fundamental
charter is obliged by law to register.
 Case Analysis:
Q: A while of legal age and of sound is
illiterate. He has asked your advice on how
he can vote in the coming election for his
brother is running for mayor. This will be the
first time “A” will vote and he has never
registered as a voter before. What advice
will you give him on the procedure he needs
to follow in order to be able to vote?
• A: The Constitution provides that until
Congress shall have provided otherwise,
illiterate and disabled voters shall be allowed to
vote under existing laws and regulations Article
5 Sec. 2. It is necessary for any qualified voter to
register in order to vote. In the case of illiterate
and disabled voters, their voters affidavit may be
prepared by any relative within the 4th civil
degree of consanguinity or affinity or any
board of election inspectors who shall prepare
the affidavit in accordance with the data supplied
by the applicant.
 Q: What is absentee voting?

A: a processed by which qualified citizens of

the State of the Philippines abroad exercise
their right to vote in pursuant to the
constitutional mandate that Congress shall
provide a system for absentee voting for
qualified Filipinos abroad