NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

Name:______________________ Course/Year:________ Time:_________

Trainer:______________________

SUPPLEMENTAL MODULES
(lifted from Understanding the NSTP by Dr. F. Labuguen, et.al.)

Module on Participation in Election:

What is the right of suffrage?

Suffrage is the human rights to vote and for the Philippines, is
indicated in three documents : the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights ; the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights and
the Philippine Constitution. They all call for universality of the
right, equality in access to public service and secrecy of votes.

The right is exercised during elections and as a citizen voter,

you are entitled to free and informed choice on whom to vote. Every
political choice and decision you make will determine the kind of
government that will serve the country.

How is suffrage a mechanism for political participation?

The constitution guarantees that we are a sovereign people, where

all government authority comes from. Sovereignty or the power to
govern is exercised directly through public officials elected by
people. The will of the people, then is best expressed in clean,
orderly and honest elections.

Who are qualified to vote in the Philippine Elections?

1. Citizens of the Philippines

2. 18 years old and above on the day of election
3. A resident of the Phil for one year and in the city or
municipality wherein he proposes to vote for at least 6 months
before election
4. Those not disqualified by law (as specified in Sec. 11 of RA 8189
of 1996)

Under the Overseas Absentee Voting Law

1. Filipino Citizen
2. 18 years old and above on the day of election
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

Who are disqualified to vote in the Philippine elections?

 The following are disqualified (PD 1187 of 1997 or RA 8189 of 1996

1. Person sentenced to be imprisoned for not less than one year

2. Person found to have committed rebellion, sedition, violation of
the anti-subversion and firearms law, or any crime against
national security or involving disloyalty to the government
3. Insane or incompetent

What are the powers and functions of the national and local official
whom we vote for?

LEVEL EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE

National Level President 12 senators
In aid of leg Vice President
1 district Rep 1 party List
Provincial Governor Vice Governor
Sanguniang Panlalawigan
Municipal City/Municipal Mayor Vice Mayor
Members of Sanguniang
Panglungsod/councilors
Barangay Punong Barangay PB
Barangay Kagawad
Powers and Functions Control all exec. Stature making,
Dept and all constitution making and
implementing agencies amending of
of the govt constitution
Appointment of high Appropriation/financial
officials in the functions
government(head of
exec. Dept/cabinet Oversight functions
members, ambassador,
public ministers,
consuls, officers of
armed forces
Seeing to the Informational or the
execution and power to condemn
implementation of inquiries in aid of
laws and policies legislation

How do the legislative and executive interact on the law-making

process?

In the legislative process, the President can either approve or

veto a law passed by Congress. It would require 2/3 vote by the
legislative body to finally pass the vetoed version into law

At the local level, chief executives can also veto any ordinance
on the ground that is prejudicial to the public. In turn, the
Sanguniang or the local legislative body can override the veto, also
by 2/3 vote of the whole sanguniang.

How do Filipino Vote?

A 2003 updates study on voting behavior look 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 pangngailangan, 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. church and the group leaders

What election practices and irregularities should the citizens watch

out for?

Bribery, intimidation and various forms of cheating, particularly

1. Registering in several names and/or several precints
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. Marking ballots switching and ballot box snatching
6. Dagdag bawas during counting and canvassing

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 canvasser
9. Proclamation of winning candidates

What are the efforts to modernize election process in the Philippines?

Republic act of 8436 through COMELEC resolution 02-0170 (Phases

of Modernization)

Phase 1 – Voter registration and validation system

Phase 2 - automated counting and canvassing machine
Phase 3 – Electronic Transmission of Election results

What makes a 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 citizens-voters are those their right of suffrage as to keep
themselves informed, involved and vigilant

What are some ac and action points for citizen-voters in exercising

the right of suffrage?

Prepare to exercise the right of suffrage

1. Register during the period allotted for voter registration

2. Be informed of the issues, platforms and personalities of the
political candidates
3. Set specific guidelines in choosing government leaders in terms
of the candidate’s social affiliation 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 the counting and canvassing of voters

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 the political and electoral
process in other ways such as:
a. Making views known to the elected representative
b. Supporting/campaigning for a political party, candidate
or partylist group
c. Supporting initiatives of civil society organizations to
ensure honest and peaceful elections; and
d. Running for office
Supplemental Activity

I. Answer the following questions in your own words?

1. How does a person gain the right to vote?

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2. What law provide for the right to suffrage?

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3. Give your brief account of the history of the Philippine

Elections?
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4. What is the relationship of elections and democracy/

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5. What other mechanisms aside from voting for elected officials
are available for the citizens to participate in governance?

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6. What national elective positions do people vote for?

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7. What are the functions of these positions?
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8. What local elective positions do people for?

9. What the functions of these positions?
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10. Describe how you participate in the election process?

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