Article 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states
It was merely a grant from
that
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.
Suffrage defined as the right or privilege of casting a
vote at public elections.
History
Suffrage started as a statutory right evolved
into a constitutional right. It started as a right
belonging only to male ilustrado, then it was given to
the literate women, and finally become a right even
of the unlettered 18 year old. The first general
election was held in 1907.
Legislature and thus controlled by it. In 1973, it
become Constitutional right and took the form of an
obligation. However, the obligation was removed by
1987 Constitution.
Citizenship Qualification
The Philippine constitutional provision
primarily is an exclusion of non-citizens from
suffrage. Aliens are denied participation in the
government. Citizenship is made the essential
foundation of the right to Suffrage.
 Who is Filipino Citizens?
Article 6 of 1987 of the Philippine
Constitution provides:
1. Those who are citizens of the
Philippines at the time of the
adoption of 1987 Constitution.
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are
citizens of the Philippines;
 3. Those born before January 17, 1973, Age Qualification
of Filipino mothers, who elect
The provision of the constitution provides that
Philippine Citizenship upon reaching
the citizen should be at least eighteen years old. The
the age of majority; and
right to vote begins, on a citizen’s eighteen birthday.
4. Those who are naturalized in
The right to register as a voter, however exists even
accordance with law.
before one’s eighteen birthday as long as one will be
eighteen on the day of voting.

 Modes of obtaining Citizenship

a. Jus Sanguinis, the act of
acquiring citizenship by virtue
of one’s blood relationship.
b. Jus Soli, which is the act of
acquiring citizenship on the
basis of Place of birth; and
c. Naturalization, legal procedure
of an alien applying for, and
being granted the privilege of
native-born citizen through
State’s act of grace.
l
Residence Requirements
The constitution requires residence 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.
The term residence as used in the election law
is synonymous with domicile, which imports not only
intention to reside in a fixed place but also personal
presence in that place, coupled with conduct
indicative of such intention.
In order to acquire a domicile by choice, there must
be
 1. Residence or bodily presence in the new
locality
2. Intention to remain there
3. Intention to abandon the old domicile
There must be animus non revertendi and animus
manendi
Voting by Illiterates and disabled in 1987
Constitution
Commissioner Napoleon Rama argued that for
a strong electoral system what was needed was not
numbers but the intelligence of voters. However, the
committee decided that intelligence is not measured
by the ability to read and write. The committee’s
position is that even if the citizens are illiterate they
are adequately informed about things happening in
the country and thus should be allowed to properly
choose their candidates.
Secrecy and Sanctity of Ballot
As seen on the experience under 1973
Constitution, Illiterates are seen as easy prey for
politician who would not hesitate to manipulate the
votes of the people who cannot read or write. The
manner of voting of the illiterate through assistor is
one of the main sources of cheating.
The committee proposed to prevent such
manipulation by a command to Congress to design a
procedure for the disabled and illiterates to vote
without the assistance of other persons. Since this
also violates the requirement of sanctity of ballots.
Prohibited qualifications ; Property
Act no. 1582 requires that to qualify as a voter,
one has to own a real property to the value of five
hundred pesos or annually pay thirty pesos or more
of established taxes. Philippine Property
requirement for suffrage disappeared upon the
approval of 1935 Constitution.
Property qualifications are inconsistent with the
nature and essence of the Republican System
ordained in the Constitution and contrary to principle
of Social Justice. [Maquera vs. Borra]
Prohibited Qualification; Substantive requirements
By express provision of the constitution,
Legislature is banned from imposing any substantive
qualification similar in nature to literacy or ownership
of property.
Disqualification to Vote
Suffrage may be exercise by citizens “not
otherwise disqualified by the law”. Disqualifications
must be understood as grounds for the forfeiture of
the right of Suffrage.
Omnibus Election Code provides for persons
not qualified to vote.
1. Any person who has been sentenced by Final
Judgment to suffer imprisonment of not less
than one year, such disability not having been
removed by plenary pardon; 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.
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final
judgment by competent court of 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 of service of sentence.
3. Insane or incompetent persons as declared by
competent authority.
General Registration of Voters
P.D No. 1187 states that
An accurate and complete listing of all qualified
voters in a constituency is indispensable
requirement to the holding of free, orderly and
honest elections, plebiscite and referenda.