CWTS 1

Module 2
SY 2021-2022
Lesson 2: History of
Election
Chapter 3: Servant
Leadership
Week no: 4
Elections in the Philippines are of several
types. The president, vice-president, and the senators
 are elected for a six-year term, while the 
members of the House of Representatives, governors,
vice-governors, members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan (provincial board members), mayors, 
vice-mayors, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod
/members of the Sangguniang Bayan (city/municipal
councilors), barangay officials, and the 
members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth
councilors) are elected to serve for a three-year term.
The Philippines has a multi-party system, with
numerous parties in which no one party normally has a
chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work
with each other to form a coalition government. The 
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is responsible
for running the elections.
Under the Constitution, elections for the members of Congress and
local positions (except barangay officials) occur every second Monday
 of every third year after May 1992, and presidential and vice
presidential elections occur every second Monday of May every sixth
year after May 1992. All elected officials, except those at the barangay
level, start (and end) their terms of office on 30 June of the election
year.
Suffrage. A political franchise, or simply franchise is the
right to vote in public, political elections. In some languages,
and occasionally in English, the right to vote is called active
suffrage, as distinct from passive suffrage, which is the right
to stand for election. 
Plebiscite. It is a direct vote of all the members of an
electorate on an important public question such as a change
in the constitution.
Elections. A formal group decision-making process by which
a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to
hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism
by which modern representative democracy has operated
since the 17th century.
Initiatives. An initiative is a means by which a petition signed
by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a
government to choose to either enact a law or hold a public
vote.
Referendum. It is a direct and universal vote in which an
entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and
can have nationwide or local forms. This may result in the
adoption of a new policy or specific law. In some countries, it
is synonymous with a plebiscite or a vote on a ballot question.
Recall.  A recall election is a procedure by which, in certain
polities, voters can remove an elected official from office
through a direct vote before that official's term has ended. 
 During the pre-colonial period, leaders were chosen based on his/
her capacity to ensure the survival of his/ her tribe and clan. Wisdom,
skills, and respect for people where the important qualities for
leadership.
A system of election was first practiced in the Philippines
during Spanish and American colonial period. But the
process was only limited to male voters and was more of a
ceremonial rather than a genuine democratic mechanism.
Sectoral struggle and political participation were only realized
in 1937, when act 4112, granting women the right of suffrage,
was implemented; and when the peasant movements gained
meaningful participation in political parties and in actual
filling of government positions.
The first democratic election after WW II was the
1946 election for the President and Vice President of
the Philippines Republic, Members of the Senate and
of the House of Representatives. From there on, the
country operated on a two-party system where two
political parties, the Nationalista Party and the
Liberal Party figure in succeeding elections. When
Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972, the 1935
constitution was scrapped, an Interim Batasang
Pambansa was created a new (1973) constitution was
adopted.
Election for the Interim Batasang Pambansa
was called in 1978. The Kilusang Bagong
Lipunan (KBL) become the administrative party.
The election was claimed to be towards restoration
of old political order but Marcos purpose was to
gain legitimacy for his unpopular administration
and to create a rubber stamp legislature. The
exercise defied democratic procedures, was
characterized by rampant electoral manipulation
done by the Marcos government to ensure victory.
 Local election in 1980 was characterized by
widespread terrorism, violence and wholesale
fraud. Intense position coming from the peasants
and the student sector in the countryside
supported peasant and labour unrest. In 1981,
Marcos submitted himself to the electoral process
to regain legitimacy. This is mandated by the
constitutional provision of the parliamentary
system.
The Aquino assassination in 1983 resulted in wave of protest
forcing the creation of wider democratic space. Batasang Pambansa
election happened in 1984.
To replace Interim Batasang Pambansa. The exercise was
intended to divert the people’s attention away from the Aquino
assassination. Still, the period was marked by weakening
popularity of Marcos and the people’s growing political will to
guarantee that their sentiments are reflected in election results.
Snap election was held in 1986. The widespread election
manipulations and irregularities and the worsening social, political
and economic order triggered the EDSA uprising in the same year.
The mass action known as the PEOPLE POWER Revolution of
1986 led to the ouster of Marcos, the collapse of KBL and
installation of Corazon C. Aquino as the president.
Corazon Aquino’s program of restoring democracy, promoting stability
and establishing political legitimacy involved three major electoral
exercises: national plebiscite for the approval of the 1986 constitution
1987; election for the members of the senate and house of representative
1987 and local elections 1988.
In 1998, the first party-list elections were held. Joseph Estrada was seated
as president of the republic with popular support. However, in January
2001, EDSA DOS, a repeat of the 1986 People Power, removed Estrada
from the power and seated Gloria Arroyo as the new president. Time and
again, the straggle for our independence and for democratic governance
resulted in a kind of political system, political leaders and electorate that
we have right now. Election has been one of the major feature and
mechanism and through a more informed electorate is hoped to continue
to serve as a vehicle towards genuine democratic governance (IPER
Citizen-Voter Education, 2003)
The different kinds of elections
1. General Election. Elections are held simultaneously on the
same day for all national and local election.
2. National Election. Elections for national officials like
president, vice president, and members of congress
3. Local Election. Elections for the offices in the provinces,
cities and municipalities
4. Special Election. Determined by the congress in the date
different from the regular election, like the barangay and SK
election.
 
Qualifications to exercise suffrage:
Every citizen 18 years old or above on Election Day who
has been a resident of the Philippines for at least a year and for
at least six months in the place where she or he is registered, and
who is not otherwise disqualified by law, may vote. To actually
vote, a citizen has to register. The COMELEC has a
registration period of several months prior to the election. Those
who are not registered do not appear on the voters' list and are
ineligible to vote despite being otherwise qualified to do so.
People aged 18 to 24 may vote in Sangguniang Kabataan
 elections. As with their adult counterparts, the COMELEC has
a registration period a few months prior to the election.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
The Commission on Elections, usually abbreviated
as COMELEC, is one of the three 
constitutional commissions of the Philippines. Its
principal role is to enforce all laws and regulations
relative to the conduct of elections in the Philippines.
According to Article IX-C, Section 2 of the 
1987 Constitution of the Philippines, the Commission
on Elections shall exercise the following powers and
functions:[3]
1. Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to
the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum,
and recall.
2. Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests
relating to the elections, returns, and qualifications of all
elective regional, provincial, and city officials, and appellate
jurisdiction over all contests involving elective municipal
officials decided by trial courts of general jurisdiction, or
involving elective barangay officials decided by trial courts of
limited jurisdiction. Decisions, final orders, or rulings of the
Commission on election contests involving elective municipal
and barangay offices shall be final, executory, and not
appealable.
3. Decide, except those involving the right to vote, all
questions affecting elections, including determination of
the number and location of polling places, appointment
of election officials and inspectors, and registration of
voters.
4. Deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law
enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the
Government, including the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free,
orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.
5. Register, after sufficient publication, political parties,
organizations, or coalitions which, in addition to other requirements,
must present their platform or program of government; and accredit
citizens’ arms of the Commission on Elections. Religious
denominations and sects shall not be registered. Those which seek
to achieve their goals through violence or unlawful means, or refuse
to uphold and adhere to this Constitution, or which are supported by
any foreign government shall likewise be refused registration.
Financial contributions from foreign governments and their agencies
to political parties, organizations, coalitions, or candidates related to
elections constitute interference in national affairs, and, when
accepted, shall be an additional ground for the cancellation of their
registration with the Commission, in addition to other penalties that
may be prescribed by law.
6. File, upon a verified complaint, or on its own initiative, petitions in
court for inclusion or exclusion of voters; investigate and, where
appropriate, prosecute cases of violations of election laws, including acts
or omissions constituting election frauds, offenses, and malpractices.
7. Recommend to the Congress effective measures to minimize election
spending, including limitation of places where propaganda materials
shall be posted, and to prevent and penalize all forms of election frauds,
offenses, malpractices, and nuisance candidacies.
8. Recommend to the President the removal of any officer or employee it
has deputized, or the imposition of any other disciplinary action, for
violation or disregard of, or disobedience to its directive, order, or
decision.
9. Submit to the President and the Congress a comprehensive report on
the conduct of each election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or recall
Terms of Office:
A term of office is the length of time a person serves in a particular
elected office. In many jurisdictions there is a defined limit on how
long terms of office may be before the officeholder must be subject to re-
election.
The president and vice president shall be elected by direct vote of the
people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day
of June next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the
same date six years thereafter. The president shall not eligible for any re-
election. No vice president shall serve for more than two successive terms.
The election for senators, members of the house of representative and
local government officials happen every three years. At the local level,
barangay elections and sanguniang kabataan elections are also held
periodically.
Qualification of the president
No person may be elected President unless he is a
natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter,
able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the
day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for
at least ten years immediately preceding such election.
 
Qualification of the vice president
To be qualified vice president he must be a registered voter;
able to read and write; at least forty years of age on the day of
election; and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years
immediately preceding such election.
Qualification of a senator
No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born
citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at
least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered
voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years
immediately preceding the day of the election
 
Qualification of a member of the house of
representative
No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he
is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is
at least twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, and, except the
party-list representatives, a registered voter in the district in which he shall
be elected
 
Qualification of a party list nominee:
No person shall be nominated as party-list representative unless he is a
natural born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, a resident of the
Philippines for a period of not less than one (1) year immediately preceding
the day of the election, able to read and write, bona fide member of the party.
 
Election process
 Registration- preliminary to the voting exercise is the registration of voters. During the
registration process, the qualified voter accomplishes and file a sworn application of
registration before the election officers of the city or municipality a person resides and
including the same in the book of registered voters upon approval by the Election
Registration Board.
Election day- after undergoing the registration process and during election day, the voter
proceeds to the casting of votes, which is conducted by the Board of Election Inspector. All
voters whose name appears in the list of voters will be allowed to vote. Official candidates
and registered political parties and party list groups are represented in the precincts by
watches.
Counting of votes- public counting of votes starts immediately after the close of
voting. Votes for candidate, simultaneously with the reading are entered in the tally board
and the election returns. Official watchers shall be permitted full access to the proceedings,
but only the member of the BEI can write or place the marks on the tally board and on the
election returns.
 Actions to be taken by
the Filipino Leaders and
Voters
Before the election
1. Register during the period allotted for voters registration;
2. Be informed of the issues and platforms of the political
candidates;
3. Set specific guidelines in choosing government/ community
leaders in terms of the candidates political and social affiliations,
interest, competence, performance/ tract records and lifestyle
4. Conduct and participate in public debates that would inform the
voters and gain the commitment of the candidates to integrate the
interest and welfare of the citizens in their respective platform/
program of the government.
 
During the election
1. Vote according to your conscience
2. Be vigilant; protect the integrity of votes by
volunteering in accredited organizations that
work for clean, honest and peaceful election.
After the election
1. Be vigilant in the counting and canvassing of votes
2. Participate in local governance through development
planning in the barangay level
3. Attend the consultation meetings concerning issues in
barangay level
4. Support inniatives of the civil society, People’s
organization and non-government organization
5. Make views known to the elected representative in the
government.
 Chapter 4- Disaster
Management
Lesson 1- Disaster
Week No: 5
Disaster
A sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage
or loss of life.
 Types of Disasters:
1.  Natural Disasters
Earthquake/ Tsunamis Typhoons
Landslides Floods
Drought Volcanic Eruptions
 2. Human-Made Disaster
Air and Water Pollution ( Red Tide) War
Industrial Accidents ( Oil Spill) Poverty
Fire Bomb Threats
Civil Disturbance Accidents like transports, nuclear or biological.
3. Categories of Severity
Accident ( individual)
Emergency ( limited)
Disaster ( widespread)
Catastrophe (collapse)
Key Concepts that can be Helpful
Risk. The probability that a disaster will occur.
Hazard. The specific nature of a threat.
Vulnerability. The inability to withstand, protect oneself or recover
rapidly from a potentially damaging event.
Prevention.Measures designed to avert a potential hazard.
Preparedness. Measures that ensure an effective disaster response.
Mitigation. Measures that reduce the harmful effects of a disaster.
Response. Actions taken in the aftermath of a disaster to assist
victims and to rehabiltate society.
 
 Chapter 4- Disaster
Management
Lesson 2- Disaster
Situation in the Philippines
and Assessment Reporting
on Preparedness
Week No: 6
 
Situations in the Philippines
There are contributing factors that make disaster happens and cause
severe damages to lives and properties. These are as follows:
 Poverty and Marginalization
Malnutrition Inadequate basic services: water, sanitation,drainage,
light and education
Poor Health Unemployment and low wages.
Resource Depletion
Forest Denudation Marine Pollution
Soil Erosion Agrochemicals
Genetic Erosion Air and Water Pollution
Due to these factors, it can lead to the following:
Human-made disaster
Flood Civil War
 Natural Forces
Typhoons ( more than 20 per year) Drought
Torrential Rain with flooding Earthquakes
Volcano terrain
Always Keep Safe
May GOD bless us
all..