2. 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.
3. 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.
4. QUALIFICATION 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
5. SCOPE OF SUFFRAGE
ELECTION – means by
which people choose their
representatives who are
entrusted the exercise of the
powers of the government
PLEBISCITE – process by
which the people either
reject or approve an
amendment or revision of
the Constitution
INITIATIVE – process by
which people directly
propose and enact laws
REFERENDUM – process by
which people ratify or reject a
law or part thereof referred or
submitted to them by the
national or local law-making
body
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
6. 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.
7. ABSENTEE VOTING
Absentee Voting refers to the process by
which qualified citizens of the Philippines
abroad can exercise their right to vote.
8. SECTION 2
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.
9. IMPORTANCE OF
SUFFRAGE
The Constitution mandates the Congress
“to provide a system for securing the
secrecy and sanctity of the ballot.” The
mandate becomes especially important
now that the electoral base is broadened
to include the illiterates and the disabled
who are the usual prey of unscrupulous
politicians.
10. IMPORTANCE OF
SUFFRAGE
Thus, to secure the very essence of Philippine
democracy and to protect the illiterates and
disabled from being disenfranchised, the
Constitution also provides that “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.”
11. IMPORTANCE OF
SUFFRAGE
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.
12. IMPORTANCE OF
SUFFRAGE
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.
