SUFFRAGE: the right to vote in the election of officers chosen by the people

and in the determination of questions submitted to the people. Includes within

its scope: election, plebiscite, initiative and referendum

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

a. 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

b. SPECIAL: one held to fill a vacancy in office before the expiration

of the full term for which the incumbent was elected

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.

Who may Exercise Suffrage

1. Qualified Citizens Only.

2. Suffrage can be exercised only by a citizen of the Philippines,
3. who has none of the disqualifications,
4. at least eighteen years of age on the day of the election,
5. and a resident of the Philippines for at least one year and of the place where he intends to vote
for at least six months immediately preceding the election (Section 1, Article V).
6. Suffrage is an attribute of citizenship, and therefore aliens cannot exercise the same.
B. Theories of Suffrage

1. NATURAL RIGHT THEORY: suffrage is a natural and inherent right of every person who is not qualified
by reason of his own reprehensible conduct of unfitness.

2. SOCIAL EXPEDIENCY: suffrage is public office or function conferred upon the citizen for reasons of
social expediency; conferred upon those who are fit and capable of discharging it.

3. TRIBAL THOERY: it is a necessary attribute of membership in the State.

4. FEUDAL THEORY: it is an adjunct of a particular status, generally tenurial in character, i.e. vested
privilege usually accompanying ownership of land.

5. ETHICAL THEORY: it is a necessary and essential means for the development of society.

Theory prevailing in the Philippines: SUFFRAGE is both a PRIVILEGE and an OBLIGATION.