LESSON 12 The Right of Suffrage

HUMSS 2 (PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE)
READING MATERIAL
LESSON 12: The Right of Suffrage

I. Introduction
Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines, not otherwise disqualified by
law, who are at least 18 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 6 months immediately
preceding the election. No literacy, property or other substantive requirement shall be imposed
on the exercise of suffrage.
II. Objectives
After this lesson, you should be able to:
1. describe the nature of elections in the Philippines;
2. identify the types of electoral systems; and
3. discuss the implications of the electoral systems on politics.
III. Discussion / Course Content
IV. 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.
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.
The Importance of Suffrage & National Elections
In the case of the Philippines, the national election is fast coming and it will be happening on the
month of May 2016. Since it is time to invest by choosing candidates, we must first put in mind
the significance of this event. It is stated significant because of its general concern to the future
of the nation. Furthermore, we simply vote for the future and moreover for the betterment of the
country.
The Election Day isn’t a reality TV show which is covered in the scope of entertainment but
rather it is which to be considered a national issue. It might sound an entertainment thing due to
the fact to some candidates’ platforms and promises which attracts the ears and the eyes of the
Filipino people but in the ideal reality, it isn’t.
Platforms presented by a certain candidate is important but also let us always try to consider
some other aspects that may affect the general welfare of the future. It might be an ideal type,
that a leader must have a strong personality as well equipped with proper intellect in practicing
his/her executive function in the Government. Aside from personality, we must also try to
Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon, Inc.Page 1

consider his/her past contributions to the people he/she commit service. And furthermore, we
should also try to consider a candidate’s track record if it is clean, just, and morally right which
will be an abstract criterion in crowning the seat to a certain level of governance,
An ideal leader cannot always be just for the pro-poor, he/she must have the general concern
on the healthcare, education, environmental concerns, as well as economic development of the
nation. Taxes is debatable to lower or higher to a certain degree but it should have the “return of
investment” to the Filipino people in which services and goods is fairly distributed on the
concerns of equity. With the absence of corruption, integral development may take its place for
the betterment of all.
Corruption is like an epidemic disease; it somehow goes to a systemic state that every member
can really be affected on it. But it is not too late for it to spread out and grant it as normal.
Furthermore, we voters have the power to prevent this by not voting “unclean” candidates.
These “unclean” candidates might have a pending cases on political issues such as stealing the
money of the people. Furthermore, we should also vote for candidates who are able to eliminate
or somehow reduce the viral issue of corruption inside the ruling system of the nation.
To end this, we must all put in mind the importance of exercising our suffrage. It is not just an
act of selecting (vote) but somehow, again, it is an investment for the future welfare of the
nation. Investment in which aims for an ideal development and lifting of the current situation of
all to a better one. Furthermore, suffrage scopes the concern for all of the citizen pledging
allegiance and dependence to the Mother land.
For additional reading material, refer to the following links:
 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-
the-philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-article-vi/
 https://www.slideshare.net/crtnymendoza/suffrage-and-election
Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon, Inc.Page 2

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HUMSS 2 (PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE)

LESSON 12: The Right of Suffrage

Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon, Inc.Page 1

For additional reading material, refer to the following links:

Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon, Inc.Page 2

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