Golden West Colleges

Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Comprehensive Government and Policies

SUFFRAGE
Suffrage is the right and obligation to vote qualifies citizens in the election of certain national
and local officers of the government and in the decision of public submitted to the people.
Nature of suffrage
a. A mere privilege
Suffrage is not given of the citizens by merely a privilege to given or withheld by
the law making power subject to constitutional limitations. Suffrage should be granted
to individuals only upon the fulfillment of certain minim conditions deemed essential
welfare of society.

b. 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 deserves its powers from the consent of the governed the principle is that
of one man, one vote. Entrust, for the time as their representatives, the exercise of
powers of government.

c. Plebiscite
It is the name given to a vote of the people expressing their choice against a
propose law or enactment submitted to them. In the Philippines, the term is applied to
an election at which any proposed amendment to, or revision of, the constitution is
submitted to the people for their ratification. Plebiscite is likewise required by the
constitution to secure approval of the people directly affected before certain propose
change affecting local government units may be implemented.

d. Referendum
If the submission of a law or part thereof pass by the nation or local legislative
body by voting citizens of a country for their ratification or rejection.

e. Initiative
It is the process whereby the people directly propose and enact the law.
Congress is mandated by the Constitution to provide as early as possible for a system of
initiative and referendum. Amendments to the constitution may likewise y directly
propose by the people through initiative.

f. Recall
 It is a tenure method by which a public offer may be removed form officer from
office during his tenure or before the expiration of his term to be vote of the people
after registration of a petition signed be required percent-age of the qualified voters.

Qualifications of voters
1. A citizen (male or female) of the Philippines.
2. Not otherwise disqualified by law
3. At least eighteen (18) years of age
4. Have resided to vote at least six (6) months preceding the election

Age Qualification
There must be some minimum age for voting. No one, no matter how ardent belief in
democracy, has ever contended that human being must be permitted to participate in the
section of public officials from the day of their birth. The suffrage qualification is based on the
assumption that under certain age, human beings do not have maturity, experience, education,
and sense of judgment that will enable them to vote with any reasonable degree of
intelligence.
No general agreement exist as to exact age which the individual supposedly attains the
maturity sufficient for political participation while their minimum voting age in every State, no
country, however, has as yet seen fit to set a minimum age limit.

Residence qualification
A voter must have been permanent resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year
preceding the election.
Six (6) months residence is 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 locality. Giving him the right to vote before period, it is
contended, will return in unpurposive and mechanical voting.
The requirement as to residence is desirable in order that registration list may be
prepared and check in ample time to prevent fraud.

Persons disqualifies to vote.

The responsibilities of determining who may be disqualified by law and therefore, may
be precluded for exercising the right of suffrage, is left by the constitution to congress. As to
who are disqualified to vote, the law enumerates them as follows:
1. Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment as to suffer imprisonment for
not less than one (1) year, such disability not having been removed by plenary
pardon or granted by amnesty. But such person shall automatically reacquire the
right to vote upon expiration of five (5) years after service sentence.
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by competent court or
tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duty 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 and political
rights in accordance with laws. Such person shall likewise automatically regain his
right to vote upon expiration of five (5) years of sentence.
3. Insane or incompetent persons as declares by competent authority. The above
persons are not qualified to vote even if they have necessary qualification.