Politics and the Filipino as a Voter
Elections in the Philippines has several types.
The President, Vice President and Senators are elected for a six-year term.
While the Members of the House of Representatives, Governors, Vice-Governors, Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board Members), Mayors, Vice-Mayors, Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod/Members of the Sangguniang Bayan (city/municipal councilors), barangay officials, and the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth councilors) are elected to serve for a three-year term.
The Congress or Kongreso has two chambers: (1) The House of Representatives or Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan have 292 seats, of which 80% are contested in single seat electoral districts and 20% are allotted to party lists. (2) The Senate or Senado has 24 members which are elected on a nationwide at-large basis; they do not represent any geographical district. Half of the senate is renewed every three years.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is responsible for running the elections.
Under the Constitution, elections for members of Congress and local positions (except barangay officials) occur every second Monday of May every third year after May 1992, and the presidential and vice presidential elections occur every second Monday of May every sixth year after May 1992. All elected officials, except those at the barangay level, start (and end) their terms of office on June 30th of the election year.
QUALIFICATION:
Every citizen above the age of 18 on Election Day may vote. In order to actually vote, a citizen has to register. The COMELEC has a registration period a few months prior to the election. Those who are not registered will not appear on the voters’ list and is ineligible to vote despite being qualified to do so.
People aged 15 to 18 may vote in Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Same with their adult counterparts, the COMELEC has a registration period a few months prior to the election.
ABSENTEE VOTERS:
Absentee
The President, Vice President and Senators are elected for a six-year term.
While the Members of the House of Representatives, Governors, Vice-Governors, Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board Members), Mayors, Vice-Mayors, Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod/Members of the Sangguniang Bayan (city/municipal councilors), barangay officials, and the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth councilors) are elected to serve for a three-year term.
The Congress or Kongreso has two chambers: (1) The House of Representatives or Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan have 292 seats, of which 80% are contested in single seat electoral districts and 20% are allotted to party lists. (2) The Senate or Senado has 24 members which are elected on a nationwide at-large basis; they do not represent any geographical district. Half of the senate is renewed every three years.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is responsible for running the elections.
Under the Constitution, elections for members of Congress and local positions (except barangay officials) occur every second Monday of May every third year after May 1992, and the presidential and vice presidential elections occur every second Monday of May every sixth year after May 1992. All elected officials, except those at the barangay level, start (and end) their terms of office on June 30th of the election year.
QUALIFICATION:
Every citizen above the age of 18 on Election Day may vote. In order to actually vote, a citizen has to register. The COMELEC has a registration period a few months prior to the election. Those who are not registered will not appear on the voters’ list and is ineligible to vote despite being qualified to do so.
People aged 15 to 18 may vote in Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Same with their adult counterparts, the COMELEC has a registration period a few months prior to the election.
ABSENTEE VOTERS:
Absentee