Suffrage in the Philippines

Suffrage

• The right and obligation of qualified citizens to vote in elections for national and local government officials.
• Suffrage is not absolute and is dependent on certain requirements.
• No literacy, property, or other substantive requirements can be imposed for exercising suffrage.

Requirements for Suffrage

• Citizen of the Philippines
• At least 18 years old
• Resident of the Philippines for at least one year and of the place they propose to vote for at least six months preceding the election.

Disqualifications from Suffrage

• Sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one year
• Found guilty of rebellion, sedition, violation of anti-subversion and firearms laws, or any crime against national security or involving disloyalty to the government.
• Insane or incompetent persons.

Elections

• The process by which people choose officials for specific periods.
• Officials are entrusted with the exercise of governmental powers.

Types of Elections

• Regular Elections: National, local, barangay, ARMM, and Sangguniang Kabataan.
• Special Elections: Plebiscite, referendum, initiative, recall.

Plebiscite

• A vote by the people on a proposed law or enactment.
• Example: The 2009 plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the municipality of Dasmariňas into a component city.

Referendum

• The submission of a law or part of a law passed by the national or local legislative body to the voting citizens for ratification or approval.
• Example: The 1973 Philippine Martial Law Referendum.

Initiative

• The process where people directly propose and enact laws.

Recall

• A method to remove a public official from office during their term through a vote by the people following a petition signed by a required percentage of voters.

Election Schedule

• National and local elections: Every 2nd Monday of May.
• President and Vice-President: Every 6 years.
• Senators, Congressmen, Provincial, City, and Municipal officials: Every 3 years.
• Barangay and SK officials: Every last Monday of October, every 3 years.
• ARMM elections: Every 3 years from March 1993.

Voter Registration

• The act of accomplishing and filing a sworn application for registration by a qualified voter.
• Requirements: Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old, resident of the Philippines for one year and of the city or municipality they propose to vote in for at least six months preceding the election, not otherwise disqualified by law.
• Registration is done at the COMELEC office.
• Voters need to validate their registration at the Barangay office.
• Fingerprints are captured electronically during validation at no cost to the voter.

Transfer of Registration

• Application for transfer can be made with the Election officer of the new residence.
• Six application forms need to be completed for the transfer.

The Philippines as a Democratic Republic

• The Philippines is a democratic republic where people and authority emanate from the people.
• Elections are held directly to choose officials.
• Officials serve fixed terms and are accountable to the people.

Three Branches of Government

• Executive Branch: Action-oriented, implements programs and projects, monitors programs and projects, provides basic services, performs ceremonial functions.
• Legislative Branch: Analyst, reviews and evaluates proposals, conducts research on proposed bills, consults experts, defends and analyzes proposed bills.
• Judicial Branch: Interpreter, interprets laws, applies laws, settles disputes brought to its attention, decides constitutionality of laws or rules.

Positions in the Executive Branch

• National Positions: President, Vice President.
• Local Positions: Governor, Mayor, Barangay Captain.

Positions in the Legislative Branch

• National Positions: Senator, Congressman.
• Local Positions: Board Member, Vice Governor, Vice Mayor, City/Municipal Councilors, Barangay Councilors.

Qualities to Look for in a Candidate (R.I.G.H.T.)

• Righteous Governance: Makes decisions promoting justice, righteousness, and peace for all law-abiding Filipinos.
• Integrity: Accountable to those they lead, actions match their words, willing to take responsibility for mistakes, seeks positive solutions without promoting themselves.
• Giftedness: Possesses qualifications and abilities to carry out responsibilities in the desired office, strengths, personality traits, and innate capabilities suited to the office.
• Heart: Shows compassion for God, people, and the nation, sees themselves as answerable to God, genuine desire for change.
• Track Record: Proven themselves in previous public office or professions, exhibits patterns of righteous governance, integrity, giftedness, and heart.

Value of a Vote

• Every vote represents an equal chance, regardless of wealth or status, and guarantees an opportunity to participate.
• Your vote is priceless.

Benefits of Voting

• Better services from the executive branch.
• Better policies and laws from the legislative branch.
• A brighter future for Filipinos.

Vote for a Brighter Future

• Exercise your right to vote.