THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

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.
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.

Meaning of Suffrage
Suffrage is the right and obligation to vote. It is a political right conferred by the Constitution
empowering a citizen to participate in the process of government which makes the State truly
democratic and republican (example. Philippines).
Section 1, Article V, however, provides that suffrage may be exercised making it nonmandatory. Failure to exercise such right is not punishable by law, but nonetheless makes a
citizen irresponsible. In other words, suffrage is an obligation but a non-mandatory one.

When Suffrage may be Exercised

Suffrage is exercised not only during elections, but also during initiatives, referendums,
plebiscite, and recalls.

Brief Overview
Initiatives -commonly known as People's Initiative, is defined as the power of the people to
propose amendments to the Constitution or to propose and enact legislations through an election
called for the purpose.
Basically telling the govt to do something that they did not do.
Referendums-is defined as the power of the electorate to approve or reject a legislation through
an election called for the purpose. It may be of two classes, namely: (a) Referendum on statutes
which refers to a petition to approve or reject an act or law, or part thereof, passed by Congress;
and (b) Referendum on local law which refers to a petition to approve or reject a law, resolution
or ordinance enacted by regional assemblies and local legislative bodies.
Basically telling the gov. to stop doing something.
Plebiscite is the electoral process by which an initiative on the Constitution is approved or
rejected by the people
Elected local government officials may be recalled. A recall election may be called if either a
majority of all members of a preparatory recall assembly, composed of all elected local officials
within a local government unit (LGU), endorse a recall, or if there is a petition of at least 25% of
the registered voters in that LGU. The recalled official is not allowed to resign when facing a
recall election, but may participate in it; the candidate with the highest number of votes wins the
recall election.

Who may Exercise Suffrage

*Qualified Filipino Citizens ONLY
*No Disqualification
*18 years of age ON the day of election
*Resident of PH for at least 1 year and at least 6 months where he intends to vote
*attribute of citizenship and cannot exercise by aliens

WHY 18yrs old?

*Lowered from 21 to 18 years old
*to broaden electoral base and obtain large percentage of population
*According to psychologist 18-21yrs old Filipino youth (in urban or rural) have same political
Maturity (affirmed by many provisions in PH law)
-marrying age (someone can enter a contract)
*registration can be done before 18yrs old. As long as the voter reach 18 on the day of election

Residency Requirement
*resided in Ph for at least 1 year and for at least 6 months on place where he intends to vote
*1 year residency means permanent residence
*6months means either permanent or temporary residence
* permanent residence or domicile requires bodily presence in the locality, the intention to
remain there (animus manendi), and an intention to return to it if one goes somewhere else
(animus revertendi) (ex. OFW working abroad)
* If a new residence is established, permanent residence requires an intention not to return to the
old domicile (animus non revertandi)
Ms. is domiciled in Naga City and is a registered voter therein. But he is working in Manila for
more than six months already, has established a temporary residence, and is likewise a registered
voter there. Under the law, he can vote in Naga city since he is a permanent resident of the place
or in Manila since he has a temporary residence there.

No Additional Substantive Requirement

*the constitution DOES NOT PROVIDE for literacy property or other substantive requirements
*encourages participation and equalization (not only for rich but also for the poor)
*no direct relationship between education or property (ex. Capacity of intelligent voting)

ABSENTEE VOTING
*basically because of labor explosion abroad
*mandated by the Constitution to be provided for, or legislated, by the Congress. Section 2,
Article V states, The Congress shall provide a system for absentee voting by qualified
Filipinos abroad.
* For as long as they are qualified, overseas Filipino workers can still participate in elections
despite their temporary absence in the Philippines (voting residency requirement is not a reason
to ignore thousands of Filipinos abroad whose hearts are still on PH)

Importance of Suffrage
*Bedrock of Philippine Democracy and republicanism
*constitution mandates congress for the secrecy and sanctity of ballot
(specially for illiterate and disabled)

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

ARTICLE V

SUFFRAGE

Prepared By:
Catimbang Jobeth L.
Rubi, John Oryel B.