Nature of Philippine Elections

Question 1

The right and obligation to vote of qualified citizens

Answer 1

Suffrage

Question 2

Suffrage pertains to what article in the Philippine constitution?

Answer 2

Article V

Question 3

The 2 Natures of Suffrage

Answer 3

1. Suffrage is a mere privilege
2. Suffrage is a political right

Question 4

True or False: Suffrage is a natural right.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

Suffrage is to be given withheld by the lawmaking power to subject to constitutional limitations. What nature of suffrage is this referring to?

Answer 5

Suffrage is a mere privilege.

Question 6

Suffrage should be granted to individuals only upon their fulfillment of certain minimum conditions. What nature of suffrage is this referring to?

Answer 6

Suffrage is a mere privilege.

Question 7

Suffrage enables every citizen to participate in the process of government to assure that it powers from the consent of the governed. What nature of suffrage is this referring to?

Answer 7

Suffrage is a political right.

Question 8

True or False: The principle of suffrage is one man, many votes.

Answer 8

False, one man, one vote

Question 9

The Scope of Suffrage

Answer 9

1. Election
2. Plebiscite
3. Referendum
4. Initiative
5. Recall

Question 10

It is a mechanism embodied in the Constitution for the creation of responsive and accountable local government structure.

Answer 10

Recall

Question 11

It is the process of removing any elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official by the registered voters of the local government unit concerned for loss of confidence.

Answer 11

Recall

Question 12

Recall Process

Answer 12

1. Citizens must initiate a petition drive.
2. They must collect a required number of signatures based on local laws or regulations.
3. If the petition is successful, a recall election is held.
4. Voters will decide whether the official should be removed from office.
5. If the recall is successful, the elected official is removed.
6. A replacement may be chosen through a separate election.

Question 13

The method by which a public officer may be removed from office during his tenure of before the expiration of his term by a vote of the people.

Answer 13

Recall

Question 14

Method by which votes of the people are accumulated through registration of a petition signed by a required percentage of qualified voters.

Answer 14

Recall

Question 15

Process of Initiative

Answer 15

1. Citizens draft a proposed law or constitutional amendment.
2. Citizens initiate a petition drive to gather the required number of signatures as specified by law.
3. Election authorities verify the signatures to ensure they meet the necessary criteria.
4. If the petition is successful, the proposed law or CA is either submitted to the legislative body for consideration or included in a ballot for a direct vote by the citizens.
5. Citizens vote to accept or reject the proposed law or amendment.

Question 16

Who provides for the implementation of the exercise of the right of initiative?

Answer 16

The Congress

Question 17

Criteria for Initiative on the constitution

Answer 17

• 12% of voters nationwide
• 3% of voters in every legislative district
• Can only be done five years after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, and once every 5 years thereafter

Question 18

3 Systems of Initiative

Answer 18

1. Initiative on the Constitution
2. Initiative on Statutes
3. Initiative on Local Legislation

Question 19

Initiative allowing a petition proposing amendments to the constitution

Answer 19

Initiative on the Constitution

Question 20

Initiative allowing proposals for enactment of a national legislation

Answer 20

Initiative on statutes

Question 21

Initiative covering ordinances and resolutions from the regional to barangay levels

Answer 21

Initiative on local legislation

Question 22

The process whereby the people directly propose and enact laws.

Answer 22

Initiative

Question 23

True or False: The Congress is mandated by the Constitution to provide as early as possible for a system of initiative and referendum.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

Criteria for initiative on statutes

Answer 24

• 10% of voters nationwide
• 3% of votes in every legislative district

Question 25

Criteria for initiative on local laws

Answer 25

- 10% of voters in a local government - 3% of voters in every legislative district - Shall not be exercised more than once a year If a province or city is composed of one legislative district, 3% in every municipality If in a municipality, 3% of every barangay If in a barangay, 10% of voters

Question 26

The power of the electorate to approve or reject a legislation through an election called for the purpose

Answer 26

Referendum

Question 27

The submission of a law or part thereof passed by the national or local legislative body to the voting citizens of the country for their ratification or rejection

Answer 27

Referendum

Question 28

A referendum is mandated for 2 instances, which are?

Answer 28

1. Adoption of a new country name, seal, or national anthem 2. Allowing foreign military troops in the Philippines if required by the Congress

Question 29

Process of Referendum

Answer 29

1. A CA or law is proposed by the government, congress, or citizen petition. 2. The legislation will specify details of the referendum, e.g., wording of the question and voting procedures. 3. The government or relevant authorities conduct voter education campaigns. 4. On the day of voting, voters will cast votes either accepting or rejecting the proposal.

Question 30

Criteria for referendum

Answer 30

- 10% of registered voters - 3% within every legislative district for local initiatives - If there is only one legislative district, 3% within each municipality or barangay - For barangay initatives, 10% of registered voters

Question 31

Criteria for plebiscites

Answer 31

- 12% of registered voters - 3% within every legislative district

Question 32

True or False: The Supreme Court declared the Initiative and Referendum Act procedures as fatally defective.

Answer 32

True

Question 33

The name given to a vote of the people expressing their choice for or against a proposed law or enactment submitted to them.

Answer 33

Plebiscite

Question 34

The electoral process by which an initiative on the Constitution is approved or rejected by the people

Answer 34

Plebiscite

Question 35

Plebiscite is mandated for the following cases:

Answer 35

1. Creation, division, merger, abolishment, or major boundary changes of a province, city, municipality, or barangay 2. Creation of special metropolitan political subdivisions 3. Creation of autonomous regions 4. Approval of an amendment or revision to the constitution

Question 36

The means by which people choose officials or political figures they trust can lead for definite and fixed periods of time

Answer 36

Election

Question 37

Two Kinds of Election

Answer 37

1. Regular Election 2. Special Election

Question 38

A type of election conducted nationwide or locally, normally through balloting

Answer 38

Regular Election

Question 39

A type of election wherein officials will succeed incumbents after their full terms have ended

Answer 39

Regular Election

Question 40

Conducted to select an official who will serve for the unexpired part of the term of the incumbent

Answer 40

Special Election

Question 41

Conducted when an incumbent dies, is incapacitated, or is recalled

Answer 41

Special Election

Question 42

True or False: Both regular and special elections are held through balloting.

Answer 42

True

Question 43

How do citizens exercise their right of suffrage?

Answer 43

By participating and voting in the elections

Question 44

Basic Characteristics of Elections

Answer 44

1. They are political exercises 2. They select officials who shall serve for a definite term or specific periods of time 3. They provide the means for the expression of the popular will 4. The decision of the voters in fair, free, and honest elections cannot be questioned.

Question 45

The date for regular elections of the President, VP, Senators, HOR members, and local officials

Answer 45

The second Monday of May

Question 46

True or False: Presidential elections are held every seven years.

Answer 46

False, six

Question 47

True or False: Senate elections are held every two years.

Answer 47

False, three years

Question 48

VOTERS’ QUALIFICATIONS

Answer 48

1. A male or female citizen of the Philippines 2. Not otherwise disqualified by law 3. At least 18 years of age 4. For foreigners, have resided in the Philippines for at least 1 year and in the place wherein they wish to vote for at least 6 months preceding the election

Question 49

Who are the people disqualified to vote?

Answer 49

1. Those who have been sentenced to imprisonment of not less than 1 year 2. Those found guilty of committing a crime involving disloyalty to the state 3. Those found to be in severe mental conditions

Question 50

True or False: The Congress is mandated to provide a system of absentee voting for qualified Filipinos abroad.

Answer 50

True

Question 51

This is done to provide safeguards to ensure that elections overseas are held in a free, dear, and orderly manner.

Answer 51

Absentee Voting

Question 52

The act of voting abroad

Answer 52

Absentee Voting

Question 53

True or False: Filipinos abroad are still affected by the quality of public officials and government policies.

Answer 53

True

Question 54

True or False: Filipinos abroad are still liable to pay taxes and are subject to Philippine law.

Answer 54

True

Question 55

True or False: Filipinos abroad are no longer granted the constitutional right to vote.

Answer 55

False

Question 56

Who conducts the elections?

Answer 56

Commission on Elections

Question 57

Where are the powers and functions of the COMELEC conferred upon?

Answer 57

The 1987 Constitution and the omnibus election code