The 1987 Philippine Constitution Article V

What is 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.
Types of Suffrage

 Universal Suffrage – where it exists, the right to vote is not
restricted by sex, race, social status, education level or wealth.

 Woman Suffrage – it is the right of women to vote on the

same terms as men.

 Equal Suffrage – it may be sometimes confused with

Universal Suffrage, although the meaning of the former is the
removal of graded votes, wherein a voter could possess a number
of votes in accordance with income, wealth of social status
 Census Suffrage– aka “censitary suffrage”, the opposite of Equal
Suffrage, meaning that the votes cast by those eligible to vote are not
equal but are weighed differently according to the person‟s rank in the
census

 Compulsory Suffrage– those who are eligible to vote are

required by law to do so

 Business Vote – in local government in England and some of its

ex-colonies, businesses formerly had, and in some places still have, a
vote in the urban area in which they paid rates. This is an extension of
the historical property-based franchise from natural persons to other
legal persons.
 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.
Nature of Suffrage

Mere Privilege – suffrage is not a natural right of the
citizens but a privilege to be given or with held by the law
making power subject to constitutional limitations

Political Right - enabling every citizen of the country

to participate in the process of government to assure that
its powers from the consent of the governed.
Scope of Suffrage

ELECTION – means by which people choose
their representatives who are entrusted the
exercise of the powers of the government
TYPES OF ELECTION
1. General Election
2. National Elections
3. Local Elections
4. Special Elections
 Scope of Suffrage
 PLEBISCITE
 – process by which the people either reject or approve an
amendment or revision of the Constitution

- a vote on a ballot question.

 INITIATIVE – process by which people directly propose and enact laws

 REFERENDUM –procedure whereby a proposed legislation is referred

to electorate for settlement of their direct votes

 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
Qualifications of Voters

A citizen of the Philippines NOT
otherwise disqualified by the law;
At least eighteen years of age; and
Have resided in the Philippines for at
least 1 year and in the place wherein he
proposes to vote for at least 6 months
preceding the elections
 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.
 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.
What is absentee voting?

Absentee Voting refers to the
process by which qualified citizens
of the Philippines abroad can
exercise their right to vote.
Two Types of Absentee Voters

1. Local absentee voters include people who are working
during Election Day like soldiers, policemen, government
employees and the like.

2. Overseas absentee voters refer to Filipinos residing

abroad. They are eligible to vote on national positions only.
Overseas absentee voters may vote in Philippine embassies and
consulates, and voting begins as early as a 4 months prior to the
election.

 The voting can be as long as 6 months in very few situations.

 Importance of Suffrage

 to provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot

 to secure the very essence of Philippine democracy and to protect the

illiterates and disabled from being disenfranchised

 It is very essential then to insure that the voters shall exercise their right
freely, „uninfluenced by threats, intimidation or corrupt motives,‟ to
secure a fair and honest count of the ballots.

 As a final note, the importance of suffrage cannot be overemphasized

as it is the bedrock of Philippine democracy and republicanism.
Removed, then the Philippines is no longer democratic and republican.