Topic 6

VOTER CITIZENSHIP
EDUCATION
SUFFRAGE Defined
 Election
It is the means by which people choose their officials for definite and
fixed periods and to whom they entrust, for the time as their
representatives, the exercise of powers of government.

Scope of Plebiscite
It is the name given to a vote of the people expressing their choice for
Suffrage or against a proposed law or enactment submitted to them.
Referendum
It is the submission of a law or part thereof passed by the national or
local legislative body to voting citizens of a country for their
ratification or rejection.
Initiative
It is a process whereby the people directly propose or enact laws.
Congress is mandated by the Constitution to provide as early as
possible for a system of initiative and referendum.
Recall
It is a method by which a public officer may be removed from the
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.
Suffrage as a mechanism for political
participation
Qualifications of a Voter
• Citizens of the Philippines (male or female)
• 18 years old and above on the day of elections
• A resident of the Philippines for one year and in the city or municipality where he
proposes to vote for at least six months before the election
• Those not disqualified by law (as specified in Section 11 of R.A. 8189 of 1996)
Under the Overseas Absentee Voting Law
1. Filipino citizens abroad
2. 18 years old and above on the day of elections
3. Immigrants with affidavit of intent to resume residence in the Philippines
4. Permanent residents with affidavits of intent to resume residence in the
Philippines
The matrix on the
right showed the
roadmap on
election setting in
the Philippines
Reasons of Disqualification of a Voter
The following are disqualified (P.D. 1187 or R.A. 8189 of 1996) from voting:
1. Person sentenced to be imprisoned for not less than one year
2. Person found to have committed rebellion, sedition, violation of anti-subversion
and firearms laws, or any crime against national security or involving disloyalty to
the government
3. Insane or incompetent person
Powers and Level
National Level President
Executive Legislative
12 Senators

Functions (Vice President)

1 District Representative of
1 Party List Group

of the Provincial Level

Congressman/woman
Governor Vice Governor – Sangguniang

National Barangay Level Punong Barangay

Panlalawigan Members
PB

and Local Members of the Sangguniang

Barangay (Barangay Kagawad

Officials and Sangguniang Kabataan

Chair)
Powers and Functions Control all executive Stature making, constitution
departments and all making and amending of
implementing agencies of the constitution
government
Appointment of high officials in Appropriations/financial
the government (head of functions
executive departments/cabinet Oversight functions
member, ambassadors, public
ministers, consuls, officers of
armed forces)
Seeing to the execution and Informational or the power to
implementation of laws and condemn inquiries in aid of
policies legislation
 In the legislative process, the President can either
Interaction of approve or veto a law passed by Congress. It would
Legislative and require two-thirds (2⁄3) vote by the legislative body to
finally pass the vetoed version into law.
Executive in the
At the local level, chief executives can also veto an
Law-making ordinance on the ground that is prejudicial to the
Process public. In turn, the Sanggunian or the local legislative
body can override the veto, also by two-thirds (2⁄3)
vote of the Sanggunian.
How Filipinos Voters Vote
A 2003 update study on voting behavior looks at how Filipino voters choose their
candidates;
1. Characteristics of the candidate that can be of benefit to the voter of
characteristics such as madaling lapitan, malinis na pagkatao, matulungin sa
nangangailangan, nagtataguyod ng programang pangkaunlaran
2. Political machinery which includes the political party, being in the opposition, and
good campaign strategies
3. Popularity or being a celebrity or endorsed by a celebrity
4. Endorsement of network and organizations such as the family, the church and the
group leaders.
Election Practices and Irregularities that
Citizens must Watch Out For
Bribery, intimidation, and various forms of cheating, particularly:
1. Registering in several names and/or precincts;
2. Vote-buying/vote-selling/paid not to vote;
3. Flying voters
4. Voting in the name of other persons/dead persons or relatives;
5. Threat to supporters, voters and members of election inspectors;
6. Landzaderal ballot-switching and ballot box-snatching;
7. Marking ballots and other election documents to make it invalid;
8. Dagdag-bawas during counting and canvassing
Holding of Elections
A. Every 2nd Monday of May for national and local elections
1. President and Vice-President: every six (6) years
2. Senators, Congressmen, Provincial, City and Municipal Officials: every three
(3) years
B. Every last Monday of October, every three (3) years for barangay and SK officials
C. Every three (3) years from March 1993 – ARMM Elections
Election Process
1. Registration Day
2. Revision Day
3. List of Voters
4. Casting of Votes
5. Counting of Votes
6. Preparation of Electoral Returns and Other Reports
7. Distribution of Election Returns
8. a. Board of Canvassers (for President and Vice-President)
b. Board of Canvassers (for Senators)
c. Board of Canvassers
9. proclamation of Winning Candidates
Efforts to Modernize Election Process in the
Philippines
• Republic Act of 8436 or the Election Modernization Act of 1997 calls for the use of
automated election system in the country as early as May 1998 elections. This
system will make use of appropriate technology for voting and electronic devices
to count and canvass votes.
• Automated election had its debut in the Philippines in 2010.
Implementation of RA 8436 through COMELEC
Resolution 02-0170 (Phase of Modernization)
Phase 1: Voter registration and Validation System
Phase 2: Automated Counting and Canvassing Machine
Phase 3: Electronic Transmission of Election Results
Aside from voting in elections, how can I, as a
citizen-voter, participate in political affairs?
Initiative and Referendum. Through the system of initiative and referendum, the people can
directly propose, enact, and reject laws at the local levels.
1. Also through initiative, citizens may directly propose amendments to the Constitutions
by a petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters, where 3% of
registered voters in each legislative district is represented.
2. Plebiscite. Through plebiscites, the people approve or reject the call of a constitutional
convention to propose changes in the Constitution and. At the local level, express their
will on certain local issues.
3. Sectoral Representation. The party-list system of representation givers sectors the chance
to be represented in Congress together with our Congressmen/women. Under this
system, voters support a sectoral party or organization or coalition and its issues and
programs.
Aside from voting in elections, how can I, as a
citizen-voter, participate in political affairs?
4. Local Special Bodies. Ordinary citizens are called to sit in local special bodies such as
the local health boards, school boards, peace and order councils and development
councils for consultation.
5. Barangay Assembly. A barangay assembly (assembly of all residents, 15 years old and
above, of the barangays) meets to discuss the activities and finances the Sangguniang
Barangay and matters affecting the barangay.
The assembly has the power to hear and judge the report of Sangguniang Barangays
(SB) performance. It can also recommend matters for legislation by SB and decide on
the adoption of initiative to propose, enact or reject ordinances.
6. Absentee Voting System. Republic Act 9189 or the Absentee Voting Law provides for a
system, which allows qualified Filipinos abroad to vote in national elections in the
Philippines.
Good Government, Good Leaders and Good
Citizen-voters
1. A good government is one that engages citizen participation and is responsive to
the needs of the people.
2. Good leaders are those who uphold accountability to the people and promote
transparent and people-oriented programs.
3. Good citizen-voters are those who value their right of suffrage as to keep
themselves informed, involved and vigilant.
Some Action Points for Citizen-voters in
Exercising the Right of Suffrage
Prepare to exercise the right of suffrage and the right to an informed and free choice.
1. Register during the period allotted for voter registration.
2. Be informed of the issues, platform and personalities of the political candidates.
3. Set specific guidelines in choosing government leaders in terms of the candidate’s
social affiliations and interests, competence, foremost, the interest and welfare of
the citizens in their program of government. This process can be used to remind
and hold the elected leaders accountable to the promises made during the
campaign.
During Elections
1. Vote according to your informed conscience.
2. Protect the integrity of your own vote from any undue influence.
3. Volunteer in organizations that work for clean and peaceful elections.
4. Watch out for instances of cheating in the elections and inform authorities and the
rest of the electorate of such activities.
After Elections
1. Be vigilant in counting and canvassing of votes.
2. Attend consultations and public hearings, and participate in local special bodies.
3. Legislative advocacy – a process where citizens talk with the law makers and other
implementers in the government to ensure that the concerns and welfare of the general
public are included in the discussion and making of laws.
4. The citizen voter can also engage in political and electoral process in other ways such as:
a. Making views known to the elected representatives;
b. Supporting/campaigning for a political party, candidate or party-list group;
c. Supporting initiatives of civil society organization to ensure honest and peaceful
elections; and
d. Running of office.
Thank You