A.

General Principles
Election the means by which the people choose their officials for a definite and
fixed period and to whom they entrust for the time being the exercise of the powers
of government.
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The choice or selection of candidates to public office by popular vote

through the use of the ballot, and the elected officials which are
determined through the will of the electorate.
Conduct of the polls, including the listing of votes, the holding of the
electoral campaign, and the casting and counting of votes.

Suffrage - The right to vote in the election of officers chosen by the people and in
determination of questions submitted to the people.
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A voice given not only in the choice of a man for an office or trust, but also
in deciding a controverted question

Distinction between Election and 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. Election is the means by which
the people choose their representatives who are entrusted the exercise of the
powers of the government.
Scope of Suffrage
Suffrage is exercised not only during elections, but also during initiatives,
referendums, plebiscite, and recalls. Election is the means by which the people
choose their representatives who are entrusted the exercise of the powers of the
government. Initiative is the means by which people directly propose and enact
laws, that is, they initiate the law-making process. Referendum refers to process by
which the people ratify or reject a law or part thereof referred or submitted to them
by the national or local law-making body. Plebiscite entails a process by which the
people either ratify or reject an amendment or revision to the Constitution. And
recall is a mode of removing an incumbent official from office by a vote of the
people upon proper registration of a petition signed by the required number of
qualified voters. In all these instances, a qualified citizen can rightfully exercise
suffrage.
Two kinds of Election
In a local election, we elect government officials in the different political units of the
Philippines: the provinces, cities, and municipalities. Elective positions are for 1)
Governors, 2) Vice Governors, 3) Provincial Board Members, 4) City/Municipal
Mayors, 5) City/Municipal Vice Mayors, and 6) City/Municipal Councilors. This also

includes election of officials in the House of Congress who are the called the
Senators and the Representatives. Local election is usually done every three (3)
years.
It is a national election, when we include the election of the President and the Vice
President. The election of the President and the Vice President is usually done every
six (6) years.
*alternative answer
Regular one provided by law for the election of officers either nation-wide or in
certain subdivisions thereof, after the expiration of the full term of the former
officers.
Note: The SK election is not a regular election because the latter is participated in
by youth with ages ranging from 15-21 (now 15-18 as per RA 9164), some of whom
are not qualified voters to elect local or national elective officials [Paras v. COMELEC
(1996)]
Special one held to fill a vacancy in office before the expiration of the full term for
which the incumbent was elected. Usually special elections are held to fill vacancies
created by death, resignation or removal from office.
B. System of Election Adopted in the Philippines
C. Theories on Suffrage (WJ Shepard)
Suffrage as an Attribute of Citizenship Only citizens of the city- state had the right
to exercise suffrage.
Suffrage as Vested Privilege Only the rich who owned property, especially the
landed gentry, had the vested right and privilege to vote for their public officials.
Suffrage as an Abstract or Natural Right It is an innate right that man exercises
when he becomes an adult regardless of qualifications or disqualifications.
The Ethical Theory - The exercise of suffrage under this theory makes man an asset
to his community for its main objective is to improve not only his personality, but
also mold him in the matrix of responsible citizenship.
Suffrage as a Government Function - This theory presupposes that suffrage is a
function of government. It is government that prescribe certain qualifications of an
individual qualified to vote.
D. Philippine Theory on Suffrage
The right of suffrage is predicated upon the theory that the people who bear the
burden of government should share in the privilege of choosing the officials of that

government. This is the theory of a representative form of government. (Macolor vs.

Amores, G.R. No. L-8306, Nov. 5, 1953)
C. Requisites for the Exercise of Suffrage
1. Citizenship: Filipino citizen by birth or naturalization
2. Age: at least 18 at the time of the election
3. Residency:
(a) Resident of the Philippines for at least 1 year; and
(b) Resident of the place wherein they propose to vote for at least 6 months
immediately preceding the election.
4. Not otherwise disqualified by law.

Provisions to Memorize
Art. 2 Section 1 - The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty
resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
Art. V Sec. 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.
BP 881 Section 4 Obligation to register and vote. - It shall be the obligation of every
citizen qualified to vote to register and cast his vote.
Section 118. Disqualifications. - The following shall be disqualified from voting:
(a) Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment
for not less than one year, such disability not having been removed by plenary
pardon or granted amnesty: Provided, however, That any person disqualified to vote
under this paragraph shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration
of five years after service of sentence.
(b) Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by competent court or
tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted

government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the anti-subversion and firearms

laws, or any crime against national security, unless restored to his full civil and
political rights in accordance with law: Provided, That he shall regain his right to
vote automatically upon expiration of five years after service of sentence.
(c) Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority.
RA 8189 Section 10. Registration of Voters. A qualified voter shall be registered in
the permanent list of voters in a precinct of the city or municipality wherein he
resides to be able to vote in any election. To register as a voter, he shall personally
accomplish an application form for registration as prescribed by the Commission in
three (3) copies before the Election Officer on any date during office hours after
having acquired the qualifications of a voter.
The application shall contain the following data:
a) Name, surname, middle name, and/or maternal surname;
b) Sex;
c) Date, and place of birth;
d) Citizenship;
e) Civil status, if married, name of spouse;
f) Profession, occupation or work;
g) Periods of residence in the Philippines and in the place of registration;
h) Exact address with the name of the street and house number for location in the
precinct maps maintained by the local office of the Commission, or in case there is
none, a brief description of his residence, sitio, and barangay;
i) A statement that the applicant possesses all the qualifications of a voter;
j) A statement that the applicant is not a registered voter of any precinct; and
k) Such information or data as may be required by the Commission.
The application for registration shall contain three (3) specimen signatures of the
applicant, clear and legible rolled prints of his left and right thumbprints, with four
(4) identification size copies of his latest photograph, attached thereto, to be taken
at the expense of the Commission.
Before the applicant accomplishes his application for registration, the Election
Officer shall inform him of the qualifications and disqualifications prescribed by law
for a voter, and thereafter, see to it that the accomplished application contains all

the data therein required and that the applicants specimen signatures, fingerprints,
and photographs are properly affixed in all copies of the voters application.
RA 9189. Sec. 6. Personal Overseas Absentee Registration. - Registration as an
overseas absentee voter shall be done in person.

Qualified citizens of the Philippines abroad who failed to register under Republic Act
No. 8189, otherwise known as the "The Voters Registration Act of 1996", may
personally apply for registration with the Election Registration Board of the city or
municipality where they were domiciled immediately prior to their departure from
the Philippines, or with the representative of the Commission at the Philippine
embassies, consulates and other foreign service establishments that have
jurisdiction over the locality where they temporarily reside. Subject to the specific
guidelines herein provided, the Commission is hereby authorized to prescribe
additional procedures for overseas absentee registration pursuant to the provisions
of Republic Act No. 8189, whenever applicable, taking into strict consideration the
time zones and the various periods and processes herein provided for the proper
implementation of this Act. The embassies, consulates and other foreign service
establishments shall transmit within (5) days from receipt the accomplished
registration forms to the Commission, after which the Commission shall coordinate
with the Election Officer of the city or municipality of the applicant's stated
residence for verification, hearing and annotation in the permanent list of voters.