Art.

1V CITIZENSHIP
Sec. 1 The following are citizens of the Philippines
a) Those who are citizens at the time of the adoption of the constitution
b) Those whose fathers or Mothers are citizens of the Philippines
c) Those born before January 17, 1973 of Filipino mother who elect Philippine
citizenship upon reaching the age of majority
d) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law

Sec. 2

Natural born citizen

*those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without havding to perform any
act to acquire or perfect their citizenship
*those who elect Phil. Citizenship in accordance with sec.1 (pa. 3)

Modes of acquiring citizenship

1. by blood jus sanguinis
2. by place of birth jus soli or loci
3. by naturalization process of acquiring citizenship of another country after
fulfilment of certain prescribed conditions & qualifications
4. by election sanguinity
or afinity

Sec. 3 Phil citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law
Loss of citizenship
a) voluntary by naturalization
by express renunciation of citizenship
by subscribing to an oath of allegiance to support the constitution &
laws of foreign
country
by rendering service to , or accepting commission in the AF of
foreign country
(except under certain circumstance)
b) involuntary- by cancellation of his certificate of naturalization by the court
by having been declared by competent authority, a deserter in the
PAF in time of war

*the voluntary loss or renunciation of ones nationality is called

expatriation
Sec. 4 Citizens of the Phils. who marry aliens shall retain their citizenship unless by
their own act of omission they are deemed, under the law, to have renounce it.

Sec. 5 Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be
dealt with by law

*The Constitution does not prohibit Dual Citizenship, likewise our laws
do not encourage the same.

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENS

1. To be loyal to the Republic

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

To
To
To
To
To
To
To

defend the State.

Contribute to the development and welfare of the State
uphold the Constitution and obey the laws
cooperate with duly constituted authorities
exercise rights responsibly and with due regard for the rights of others.
engage in gainful work
register and vote

Art. V

SUFFRAGE

- the right and obligation to vote in the election of all officers chosen by the people
and in the decision of public questions submitted to the people.
NATURE OF SUFFRAGE
1. A mere privilege not a natural right of the citizens but merely a privilege to be
given or withheld by the lawmaking power subject to constitutional limitations.
2. A political right a right enabling every citizen to participate in the process of
government to assure that it derives its powers from the consent of the governed.

Sec. 1
Qualifications of voters

1. A citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law.

2. At least 18 years of age
3. Have resided in the Phils. For at least one (1) year and in the place where he
proposes to vote for at least six (6) months preceding the election

Disqualified Voters

1. Insane, feeble minded or incompetent persons as declared by competent

authority
2. Imprisonment- a person sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment of
not less than 1 year
can be removed by pardon
expiration of 5yrs.
3. Violation of his oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines

NO literacy, property or substantive requirement (education,

sex, tax paying ability) shall be imposed on the exercise of
suffrage. Property requirement is inconsistent with social justice
principle (presupposes equal opportunity for all rich and poor
alike).

SCOPE of Suffrage
1. Election the means by which the people choose their officials for
definite and fixed period.
2. Plebiscite name given to a vote of the people expressing their choice for or
against a proposed law or enactment submitted to them. (to ratify or reject
constitutional amendments or proposed laws. ) (See Art. XVII,Sec.2 & Art. X Sec.
10,11,18)

3. Referendum - it is the submission of a law or part thereof passed by the

national or local legislative body to the voting Citizens for their ratification or
rejection (direct vote of the people to adopt or reject any act or measure passed by
the National or Local legislative body)

4. Initiative the process whereby the people directly propose and enact laws.
Amendments to the Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people
through INITIATIVE (Art. XVII,sec.2)
Directly
5. Recall a 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 petition signed by a required percentage of the qualified voters
(see Art. X, sec, 3)

Sec. 2 The Congress shall

Provide a system for securing the secrecy & sanctity of the ballot as
well as a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipino abroad.

Design a procedure for the disabled and the literates to vote without
the assistance of other persons that will enable them to secretly cast their
ballots.