ARTICLE 5
SUFFRAGE
Reported by:
Amana J. Macaantal
Sittie Nor-nisah A. Gubaten
Sittie Shakira A. Aminodin
Sittie Raofah A. Basher
Jhohanah C. Macatanong
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.
Meaning 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.
Nature of suffrage
A mere privilege. Suffrage is not a natural right of the citizens but merely a privilege to be given or withheld
by the law-making power subjected to constitutional limitations.
A political right. Suffrage enables every citizen to participate in the process of government to assure that it
can truly be said to assure that it can truly be said to derive its powers from the consent of the governed.
The principle is that of one man, one vote.
Scope of suffrage
1. Election- it is the means by which the 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- it is the name given to a vote of the people expressing their choice for against a
proposed law or enactment submitted to them.
3. Referendum- it is the submission of a law or part thereof passed by the national or local legislative
body to the voting citizens of a country for their ratification or rejection.
4. Initiative- it is the process whereby the people directly propose and enact laws.
5. Recall- it is a 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 the qualified voters.
Qualification of Voters
A citizen (male of female) of the Philippines.
Not otherwise disqualified by law.
At least eighteen (18) years of age; and
Have resided in the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he proposes to
vote for at least six (6) months preceding the election.
Age qualification
Minimum age
Basis
No maximum age limits
Residence qualification
Period of residence
Importance
Person to disqualified to vote
Any person who has been sentenced by final judgement to suffer imprisonment for not less than
one year, but such person shall automatically require to vote upon expiration of five years after
service of sentence.
Any person who has been adjudged by final judgement by competent court or tribunal of having
committed any crime disloyalty to the duly constituted government.
Insane or incompetent person as declared by competent authority.
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 illiterate 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.
System of securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot
1. Untrammeled exercise of the right to vote
2. Voting by the disabled and illiterates
System for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad
“the right to suffrage extends even to Filipinos abroad provided that they possess all the qualifications
mentioned therein and none of the disqualification provided by law. It is the duty of congress to provide
for a system of absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad.”
Republic Act No. 9189 or the “overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003” governs the registration of an
overseas absentee voter. It provides for the qualification of voting, requirements or registration, and
procedure for registration.
