ARTICLE IV

CITIZENSHIP
Section 1. The following are citizens of the Philippines:
Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of
the adoption of this Constitution;
Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the
Philippines;
Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers,
who elect Philippine Citizenship upon reaching the age of
majority; and
Those who are naturalized in the accordance with law.
Discussions:
CITIZENSHIP it is a status of being a citizen, is one who by
birth, naturalization or otherwise, is a member of an independent
political society, called a state, kingdom, or empire, and as such is
subject to its law and entitled to it protection in all his rights
incident to that relation.
3 KINDS OF CITIZENS
1. NATURAL BORN CITIZENS They are citizens of the
Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to
acquire or perfect their Philippine Citizenship.
2. NATURALIZED CITIZENS They are citizens who become
such through judicial proceedings.
3. CITIZENS BY ELECTION They are citizens who become such
by exercising the option to elect a particular citizenship, usually
within a reasonable time after reaching the age of majority.
NATURALIZATION
Direct Judicial or Administrative, Special Act of the Legislature,
Collective change of nationality, as a result of cession or
subjugation; in some cases adoption .
Derivative Wife of Naturalized husband, Minor children of
naturalized person, Alien woman upon marriage to a national.
Doctrine of indelible allegiance An individual may be
compelled to retain his original nationality even if he has already

renounced or forfeited it under the laws of the second State

whose nationality he has acquired.
Section 2. Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens
of the Philippines from birth without having to perform
any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship.
Those who elect Philippine citizenship in accordance with
paragraph (3), Section 1 hereof shall be deemed naturalborn citizens.
Discussions:
Citizenship by Birth
Jus Soli or loci citizenship is determined by the place of birth
Jus Sanguinis citizenship is determined by blood relations
Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired
in the manner provided by law.
Discussions:
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP
A. By naturalization in a foreign country
B. By Express renunciation of citizenship
C. By subscribing to an oath of allegiance to support the
Constitution or laws of a foreign country
D. By rendering service to or accepting commission in the armed
forces of a foreign country
E. By cancellation of the certificate of naturalization
Expatriation refers to the voluntary loss or renunciation of
citizenship.
Expatriate are those who voluntarily lost or renounced their
citizenship.
Repatriation is the reacquisition of one's nationality by taking the
necessary of oath of allegiance.
Section 4. Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens
shall retain their citizenship, unless by their act or
omission they are deemed, under the law to have
renounced it.

Section 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national

interest and shall be dealt with by law.
Dual allegiance refers the continued allegiance of naturalized
nationals to their mother country even after acquiring Filipino
citizenship.
Dual citizenship refers to the possession of two citizenships by an
individual.

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.
Discussions:
What is SUFFRAGE is the right to vote in elections, it is the
expression of the sovereign will of the people.
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.
Discussions:
The Overseas Absentee Voting Act, officially known as
Republic Act No. 9189, is a law in the Philippines passed on
February 13, 2003 which provides for a system for citizens of the
Philippines currently residing or working outside of the Philippines
to vote in an election. This act was a consolidation of Senate Bill
No. 2104 and House Bill No. 3570, the first draft was authored in
congress on July 22, 2002. The act is implemented by the

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the help of the

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Republic Act No. 10366 An Act Authorizing the Commission
on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling
Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens