POLGOV-REVIEWER * CITIZEN – is a person who owes allegiance to a
government (usually applied for members of a
ARTICLE IV – CITIZENSHIP
(Took effect – Nov. 15, 1935)
Section 1: The following are citizens of the Philippines:
1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time
of the adoption of this Constitution;
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the
Philippines;
3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino
mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
reaching the age of majority; and
4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law
Section 2: Philippine Citizenship
Section 3: Philippine citizenship may be lost or
reacquired in the manner provided by law.
Section 4: Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens
shall retain their citizenship, unless they to have
renounced it.
Section 5: Dual allegiance of citizens shall be dealt with
by law
CITIZENSHIP
 Is the status or characteristic of being a citizen.
 Membership in a political community which is
personal and more or less permanent in
character.
 Citizenship is not a matter of convenience. It is a
badge of identity that comes with attendant
civil and political rights accorded by the State to
its citizens. It likewise demands the
concomitant duty to maintain to one’s flag and
country. (Casan Macode Maquiling v.
COMELEC,G.R. 195649, April 16, 2013)
* NATIONALITY - Membership in an ethnic, social,
racial and cultural group
democratic society). A person having the title of
citizenship. He is a member of a democratic community
who enjoys full civil and political rights.
* SUBJECT - is the term applied for members of
monarchial society. A citizen of a member of a
democratic community who enjoys full civil and political
rights. In a monarchal state, he is called a “subject”.
* NATIONALS - term which can be used for members of
democratic or monarchial societies.
Alien - is a citizen of a country who is residing on or
passing through another country. He is popularly called
as a “foreigner”.
* NATURAL-BORN FILIPINO - According to Article IV,
Section 2 of the Constitution, these are citizens of the
Philippines from birth without having to perform any
act to acquire or perfect their citizenship. These include
those whose fathers or mothers are Filipinos and those
born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who
elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of
majority.
WAYS OF ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP
1.) BY BIRTH [INVOLUNTARY]
 JUS SANGUINIS - LAW OF BLOOD
 This is a rule that citizenship is
determined by blood relations.
 A person acquires the citizenship of his
or her parents, regardless of where he
is born.
 Philippines is in accordance with this
law
 Blood relationship is the basis for the
acquisition of this rule. The children
follow the citizenship of the parent. The
Philippines uses this rule,
 JUS SOLI /JUS LOCI – LAW OF PLACE
 This is a rule that the citizenship of a
child is determined by the place of
birth.
  A person acquires citizenship of the
state of his birth, regardless of the
citizenship of the parents. It is a
citizenship based on the place or soil of
one’s birth.
 Place of birth serves as the basis for
acquiring citizenship under this rule.
The U.S. uses this rule. The person
become the citizen where he is born
irrespective of the citizenship of the
parents.
2.) BY LEGISLATION/ DIRECT ACT OF CONGRESS
 If a foreigner made a significant contribution to
the public life in the Philippines, he or she may
apply to become naturalized citizen of the
Philippines through legislative naturalization.
Legislative naturalization is done through an
act of Congress which is composed of the House
of the Representatives and the Senate of the
Philippines.
 You must have provided some extraordinary
service or act to the Philippines for this to
happen.
3.) BY MARRIAGE
 Foreign husband will retain his original
citizenship after marrying a Filipino citizen while
foreign wife will automatically become a
Filipino citizen (provided she has no
disqualification) after marrying a Filipino citizen.
 Filipinos who marry aliens/foreigners will retain
their citizenship in accordance to Article IV sec.
4 of the 1987 Phil. Constitution.
4.) BY NATURALIZATION (DERIVATIVE
NATURALIZATION)
 The act of formally adopting a foreigner
into the political body of a nation by clothing
him or her with privileges of a citizen.
 The process of allowing a foreigner who lives in
one country to become a citizen of another
country. However, they must first renounce the
original citizenship before they become
naturalized Filipinos.
 Foreign nationals may naturalize as Philippine
citizens after meeting a minimum residence
requirement (usually 10 years), acquiring real
estate, demonstrating proficiency in either
English or Spanish as well as a Philippine
language, and fulfilling a good character
requirement.
3 WAYS TO BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS :
1.) DIRECT NATURALIZATION
A.) BY JUDGEMENT OF THE COURT (JUDICIAL
NATURALIZATION)
 Commonwealth Act 473 as amended by RA 532
 If a foreigner is not qualified for Administrative
Naturalization, then he will have to go through
Judicial Naturalization which follows
Commonwealth Act 473 or the Revised
Naturalization law.
 The foreigner who wants to become a Filipino
must apply for Naturalization with the proper
Regional Trial Court.
B.) BY DIRECT ACT OF CONGRESS
 Legislative Naturalization – this applies for
aliens/foreigners who have made outstanding
contributions to the country.
 Our law making body simply enacts an act
directly conferring citizenship on a foreigner.
C.) BY ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS [RA 9139]
ADMINISTRATIVE NATURALIZATION LAW OF 2000 FOR
FOREIGNERS BORN AND RESIDING IN THE PHILIPPINES
 is open to those who were born in the
Philippines and who have resided here since
birth. The governing law for Administrative
Naturalization is Republic Act No. 9139 or the
Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000.
 under R.A.No.9139 (Jan.8, 2001)known as the
“Administrative naturalization Law of 2000”,
aliens born and residing in the Philippines may
be granted citizenship by administrative
proceedings by a special committee on
Naturalization.
2.) DERIVATIVE NATURALIZATION
  Is defined as obtaining one’s citizenship from or
through another person:
1. Wife of Naturalized Husband
2. Wife of Natural Born Citizen
3. Minor Children of Naturalized Parents
NATURALIZED CITIZENS CAN’T ENJOY THE FOLLOWING:
1. Dual Citizenship
2. Run in any political position
EFFECTS OF MARRIAGE TO A FOREIGNER:
 Filipino citizens who marry aliens/foreigners
shall Retain Citizenship unless they renounce it.
WAYS OF LOSING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP
1. BY APPLYING FOR NATURALIZATION IN
ANOTHER COUNTRY
2. BY EXPRESSED RENUNCIATION
3. BY DENATURALIZATION
4. BY SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OF
ANOTHER COUNTRY
5. BY BEING DECLARED BY COMPETENT
AUTHORITY AS A DESERTER IN THE PHILIPPINE
ARMED FORCES DURING TIMES OF WAR
1.) VOLUNTARILY (EXPATRIATION)
 It is a process of living in your country and living
in a new wife. It may be through:
- Naturalization in a foreign country
- Renunciation of Citizenship
- Subscribing to an oath of allegiance or
the laws of a foreign country
 To send into exile: They were expatriated
because of their political beliefs.
 Removal or withdrawal from one's native land
 Voluntary departure from one’s native country
to another country to live there permanently or
for an extended period of time.
2.) INVOLUNTARILY (FORCED REPATRIATION)
 Is the return of refugees, prisoners of war, or
civil detainees to their country of origin under
circumstances that leave no other viable
alternatives.
 Is the act or process of restoring or returning
someone or something to the country of origin,
allegiance, or citizenship
WAYS OF REACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP
1. BY NATURALIZATION
2. BY DIRECT ACT OF CONGRESS
3. BY REPATRIATION - PROCESS OF
REACQUIRING/RECOVERY OF ONE’S ORIGINAL
CITIZENSHIP. IT IS MAKING AN ALLEGIANCE TO
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
KINDS OF FILIPINO CITIZENS
1.NATURAL BORN CITIZENS ARE THOSE CITIZENS FROM
BIRTH WITHOUT HAVING TO PERFORM ANY ACT TO
ACQUIRE OR PERFECT THEIR PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP.
2.NATURALIZED CITIZENS
3. CITIZEN BY ELECTION (NOW DEEMED AS NATURAL
BORN CITIZENS)
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CITIZENS OF THE
PHILIPPINES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE IV SEC. 1
PARAGRAPHS 1,2,3 AND 4 OF THE 1987
PHIL.CONSTITUTION
1. THOSE WHO ARE CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES
AT THE TIME OF THE ADOPTION OF THE
CONSTITUTION.
2. THOSE WHOSE FATHERS OR MOTHERS ARE
CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
3. THOSE BORN BEFORE JAN.17, 1973, OF FILIPINO
MOTHERS, WHO ELECT PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP
UPON REACHING THE AGE OF MAJORITY.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP VS. DUAL ALLEGIANCE
(THOSE WHO ARE NATURALIZED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LAW)
DUAL CITIZENSHIP
 Means being a citizen of two countries
simultaneously and sharing the rights and
responsibilities of the citizens in each country.
Not every country allows dual citizenship, and
the rules vary among those that do.
 Dual citizenship is involuntary and legal
 A citizen of two countries at the same time.
Ex: A child born in US with Filipino parents can
have a dual citizenship. Because:
 The US follows Jus Soli.
 His parents are also Filipinos where Jus
Sanguinis is following.
  The child is legally both a Filipino and American.
DUAL ALLEGIANCE
 A person simultaneously owes loyalty to two or
more states.
 Dual allegiance is the result of an individual's
volition - his active participation in the
naturalization process.
 Dual Allegiance is voluntary and illegal.
Note: DUAL ALLEGIANCE IS VOLUNTARY AND ILLEGAL
WHILE DUAL CITIZENSHIP IS INVOLUNTARY AND
LEGAL.
Section 2: Philippine citizenship
Kinds of Citizen under the Constitution
1. Natural born citizen:
 who at the moment of their birth are already
citizens of the Philippines
 do not have to perform any act to acquire his
Filipino Citizenship
2. Citizen at the time of adoption of the new
Constitution
 refer to those who are considered citizens of
the Philippines under the 1973 Constitution at
the time of the adoption of the new
constitution.
3. Citizen through election
 refers to those born on Filipino mothers before
Jan. 17, 1973, who upon reaching the age of
majority, elect Philippine citizenship after the
ratification of the 1973 Constitution.
4. Naturalized citizens
 refers to those who were originally citizens of
another country but who, by an intervening act
(naturalization), have acquired new citizenship
in a different country.
Section 3: Philippine citizenship may be lost or
reacquired in the manner provided by law.
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP
1. Voluntarily - it is called expatriation
• By naturalization in a foreign country
• By express renunciation of citizenship
• By subscribing to an oath of allegiance to a foreign
country
• By rendering service to or accepting commission in
the armed forces of a foreign country
2. Involuntarily
• By cancellation of his certificate of naturalization by
court
• Having been declared by competent authority, a
deserter of the Philippine Armed forces in the time of
war
REACQUISITION OF LOST PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP
1. By naturalization, provided the applicant possesses
none of the disqualification provided in the
naturalization law
2. By repatriation of deserters of the Philippine armed
forces and women who lost their citizenship by reason
of marriage to an alien, after termination of their
marital status
3. By direct act of the Congress of the Philippines.
Repatriation - is effected by merely taking the
necessary oath of allegiance to the Republic of the
Philippines and registering the same in the proper civil
registry.
Section 4: Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens
shall retain their citizenship, unless they to have
renounced it.
EFFECTS OF MARRIAGE OF CITIZEN TO AN ALIEN
• A Filipino citizen who marries an alien does not lose
his citizenship even if by the laws of his/her wife’s/
husband’s country, he/she acquires her/his nationality.
• The exception is if they renounce their citizenship.
Section 5: Dual allegiance of citizens shall be dealt with
by law.
Dual allegiance - refers to the continued allegiance of
naturalized nationals to their mother country even after
they have acquired Filipino Citizenship.
Dual Citizenship - refers to the possession of two
citizenships by an individual, that of his original
citizenship and that of the country where he became a
naturalized citizen.
ARTICLE V – SUFFRAGE
SUFFRAGE
 Suffrage is the right to vote which also includes
the right not to vote. it is not an inherent right
because the state is the one deciding who
should exercise the right to vote.
 It is a right and obligation to vote of qualified
citizens in the election of certain national and
local officers of the government and in the
decision of public questions submitted to the
people.
NATURE OF THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
A MERE PRIVILEGE
 is not a natural right of the citizens by merely a
privilege to be given or withheld by the
lawmaking power subject to constitutional
limitations. Suffrage should be granted to
individuals only upon the fulfillment of certain
minimum conditions deemed essential for the
welfare of society.
POLITICAL RIGHT
 In the sense of a right conferred by the
Constitution, suffrage is classified as a political
right, enabling every citizen to participate in the
process of government to assure that it derives
the powers from the consent of the governed.
QUALIFICATIONS OF A VOTER/ELECTORATE
1. CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES
2. NOT DISQUALIFIED BY LAW
3. AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD
4. RESIDENT OF THE PHIL. FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR
AND IN THE PLACE WHERE HE PROPOSES TO
VOTE FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS
 REGISTRATION IS NOT A QUALIFICATION BUT A
PRE-CONDITION FOR VOTING.
PERSONS DISQUALIFIED TO VOTE
1. Any person who has been sentenced by final
judgment to suffer imprisonment for not less
than one (1) year, such disability not having
removed by plenary pardon or granted
amnesty. But such person shall automatically
reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of 5
years after service of sentence.
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final
judgment by competent court or tribunal of
having committed any crime involving disloyalty
to duly constituted government such as
rebellion, sedition, violation of the anti-
subversion and fire-arms laws or any crime
against national security unless restored to his
full civil and political rights in accordance with
law. Such person shall likewise automatically
regain his right to vote upon expiration of five
(5) years after service of sentence.
3. Insane or incompetent persons as declared by
competent authority.
SCOPE/TYPE OF SUFFRAGE
ELECTION
 Process of choosing representatives who would act
or decide on our behalf.
 It is the means by which the people choose their
officials for definite and fixed periods and to whom
they entrust, for the time being as their
representatives, the exercise the powers of
government.
PLEBISCITE
 Process by which any proposed amendment to
or revision of the constitution is submitted to
the people for approval or rejection
[ratification].
 It is the name given to a vote of the people
expressing their choice for or against a
 proposed law or enactment submitted to them.
The term also applied to an election at which
any proposed amendment to, or revision of, the
Constitution is submitted to the people for their
ratification. A plebiscite is also required by the
Constitution to secure the approval of the
people directly affected before certain
proposed changes affecting local government
units may be implemented.
REFERENDUM
 Process by which any proposed law or
ordinance made by the national or local
legislative body is submitted to the people for
approval or disapproval.
 It is the submission of the law or part thereof
passed by the national or local legislative body
to the voting citizens of a country for their
ratification or rejection.
INITIATIVE
 Process by which the people can directly
propose and enact laws or propose
amendments to the constitution.
 It is the process whereby the people directly
propose and enact laws.
 Propose only an amendment of the
Constitution.
 Only registered voters can sign.
RECALL
 Process by which an elective official may be
removed from office before the expiration of
his term by a vote of the people (registered
petition signed by registered voters in the area
concern)
 It is a method by which a public officer may be
removed from office during his tenure or before
the expiration of his term by a vote of the
people after registration of a petition signed by
a required percentage of the qualified voters.
TASKS GIVEN TO CONGRESS UNDER ARTICLE V SEC.2
 SECURE THE SECRECY AND SANCTITY OF THE
BALLOT.
 CREATE A SYSTEM FOR ABSENTEE VOTING FOR
QUALIFIED FILIPINOS ABROAD.
 DESIGN A PROCEDURE FOR DISABLED AND
ILLITERATES SO THAT THEY CAN VOTE
WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHERS.
 NO LITERACY AND PROPERTY QUALIFICATIONS
FOR VOTING.
 ONE MAN, ONE VOTE PRINCIPLE
 HAVING THE RIGHT TO VOTE FREELY IS
MEANINGLESS IF THERE IS NO ASSURANCE
THAT THRE WILL BE A FAIR, HONEST AND JUST
COUNT OF VOTES.
4TH DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY
 means parents, grandparents, great-
grandparents, great-great-grandparents,
spouse, children, siblings, grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren,
nieces or nephews, grand-nieces or grand-
nephews, aunts or uncles, great-aunts or great-
uncles and first cousins by virtue of a blood
relationship or marriage. (only them can assist
a disabled and illiterate voters)
OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE - is the compilation of
election laws in the Philippines.
NOTE:
AMENDMENT TO
 A change of only a portion/part of the
constitution.
 a minor change or addition designed to improve
a text, piece of legislation, etc.
 means to add or remove something from the
original,
 This amendment seeks to improve or update a
law, or to offer clarification to a certain aspect
of the law.
REVISION TO
 A change to the whole constitution
 Implies making changes to the original.
 To make changes to something that already
exists.
 To re-examine the entire law and to make
changes or alterations in the law.

ORDINANCE
 Is a local law, an edict or decree. (Laws by Local
Government or by City/Provincial councils)
 Is a law passed by a municipal government. A
municipality, such as a city, town, village, or
borough, is a political subdivision of a state
within which a municipal corporation has been
established to provide local government to a
population in a defined area.
 Many ordinances deal with maintaining public
safety, health, morals, and General Welfare.
STATUTE
 Is written law, as laid down by the legislature.
 Is a formal written enactment of a legislative
authority that governs the legal entities of a
city, state, or country by way of consent.
Typically, statutes command or prohibit
something, or declare policy.
ARTICLE V: SUFFRAGE
Section 1: Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of
the Philippines at least eighteen years of age
Suffrage - Is the right and obligation to vote of qualified
citizens in the election of certain national and local
officers of the government and in the decision of public
questions submitted to the people.
 Suffrage is the right to vote which also includes
the right not to vote.
 It is not an inherent right since the state
chooses those who are qualified to vote.
 It is not a duty or an Obligation
NATURE OF SUFFRAGE:
1. A mere privilege - not a natural right of the citizen
but merely a privilege to be given or withheld by the
law-making power subject to constitutional limitations.
2. A political right - in the sense of a right conferred by
the Constitution. Suffrage is classified as a political right.
SCOPE OF SUFFRAGE:
1. Election - means by which the people chose their
officials.
2. Plebiscite - name given to vote of the people
expressing their choice for or against a proposed law
3. Referendum - submission of a law or part thereof
passed by the national or local legislative body
4. Initiative - process whereby the people directly
propose and enact law.
5. Recall - method by which a public officer may be
removed from office during his tenure or before the
expiration of his term.
QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS:
1. Must be a citizen (male or female) of the Philippines
2. Not otherwise disqualified by law
3. At least 18 years of age
4. Have resided in the Philippines for at least 1 year and
in the place wherein he proposes to vote at least six
months preceding the election.
PERSONS DISQUALIFIED TO VOTE
1. Any person who has been sentenced by final
judgment to suffer imprisonment by not less than 1 yr.
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment
by competent court of having committed any crime
involving disloyalty, rebellion, sedition, etc.
3. Insane or incompetent person declared by a
competent authority.
Section 2: The Congress secure the secrecy and
sanctity of the ballot.
Congress - designs a procedure for the disabled and the
illiterate to vote w/o assistance.
TASKS GIVEN TO CONGRESS UNDER ARTICLE 5:
SECTION 2
- Secrecy and Sanctity of the Ballot
 Absentee Voting for qualified voters abroad.
 The right of PWD or persons with disabilities
and Illiterate to vote without the need or
assistance of others.
 No literacy and property qualification for voting.
 One man, One vote Principle
  Fair and Honest voting
 If there is a tie,toss coin shall be done and It is
written in the

OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE - Compilation of all Election

laws In the Philippines.

Principle of State Consanguinity or Affinity - direct

family like partners, sibling, 1st cousin, etc.