LESSON 12

CITIZENSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

ENGAGE
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According to Rizal, citizenship is one of the important characteristics Filipinos must have in order
to help the Philippines become a well-developed and fully civilized society. However, to become a
responsible citizen, one must be able to define what citizenship means. Citizenship in one sense is an
individual’s affiliation with a state. However, citizenship also means meeting certain civic demands for
the common good . Citizenship requires being considerate about the effects of an action or decision on
the rest of society. It also requires concern over the welfare of all of the members of the state. These
requirements of citizenship apply to everyone, rich or poor, powerful or not. Of course, an individual
might encounter challenges which might affect his or her exercise of citizenship. He or she might think of
limiting the exercise of citizenship to communities or social units within his or her reach. He or she might
also find difficulty in balancing individual rights with the rights of other citizens. Nonetheles, through
initiative and the awareness of the rights entitled to all individuals, it is possible to overcome these
challenges, and to exercise citizenship for the benefit of all citizens of the state.

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to answer the following questions:

1. How can one become a Filipino citizen in the legal sense? What requirements must be met
in order to attain Filipino citizenship?
2. How is citizenship defined in relation to society? How does this relate to concepts such as
nationalism and patriotism?
3. What challenges do Filipinos face in their exercise of citizenship? How have Filipinos
addressed these challenges?
4. How can ordinary citizens and government officials exercise citizenship in their daily lives?

DISCUSS
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Citizenship as Identity

Citizenship is defined in two ways. The first of these pertains to the constitutional or legal
identity of a person; that he or she belongs to a certain state. Citizenship enable the individual to enjoy
certain rights exclusive to the state, such as the right to vote in elections, and the right to work in the
country.
According to the 1987 Constitution, there are several ways through which Filipino citizenship
can be obtained. The first is by blood ( jus sanguinis) or when at least one of the parents is a Filipino
citizen; the second is by place of birth (jus soli) or when one is born in any part of the Philippines.
Individuals who obtain Filipino citizenship through these two ways are referred to as natural-born
Filipino citizens. Being a natural-born citizen is important for those who would like to become
government officials. The constitution mandates that only-natural born Filipinos may seek public office
in all three branches of the national government.
A foreigner may also petition for Filipino citizenship through the process of naturalization. A
foreign citizen who would like to apply for naturalization must be able to meet the following
qualifications:

1) he or she must be at least 21 years old by the time of petition;

2) he or she must have lived continuously in the country at least 10 years;
3) he or she must believe in the principles set by the Constitution, and must have exhibited
good moral character throughout his or her stay in the Philippines;
4) he or she must own real estate property which is at least worth P5,000; and
5) he or she must be able to speak and write in English, Spanish, or any principal Philippine
language.

Aside from these qualifications, there are other requirements which an applicant for
naturalization must meet. For example, he or she must not be part of a group against organized
governments; he or she must also be free from incurable contagious diseases or mental illnesses. If the
applicant meets these requirements, he or she can become a naturalized Filipino citizen.
Once an idividual acquires Filipino Citizenship, he or she does not lose it easily. According to
Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003, a person who is
Filipino by birth has become a naturalized citizen of a foreign country may reacquire his or her Filipino
citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance to the Philippine Republic. Filipinos who reacquire their
citizenship through this law are able to avail of all civil and political rights, as well as responsibilities,
provided by Philippine laws. In this sense, dual citizenship is allowed under Philippine law. What is not
allowed, however, is dual allegiance – for a Filipino citizen to swear an oath of loyalty to a foreign state
and serve in its government. Article IV of the 1987 Constitution explicitly states that dual allegiance is
dangerous to the national interest.
It is therefore important for citizens who wish to enter public service that their loyalty to the
country should be unquestioned. Thus, the law provides additional requirements for those who intend
to run for public office, should they be naturalized citizens of foreign states, to officially renounce their
foreign citizenship. Elected public officials are also required to renounce any oath of allegiance made to
foreign states and take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines prior to taking office.
Also, Filipinos who serve in foreign governments and are in active service in any foreign military are not
allowed to vote in the elections or run for public office.

Citizenship as Social Behavior

The second definition of citizenship relates to responsible citizenship. This means that a citizen
must posses attitudes and behavior that contribute positively to society. This is said to be more
important characteristic of citizenship, and must be embodied by all citizens comprising the state.
Citizenship is not just reinforcing one’s identity as a Filipino through outward forms, such as singing the
national anthem or reciting the pledge of allegiance. It entails a set of obligations that each citizen must
accomplish for the common good. These obligations include following national and local laws, as well as
rules set by institutions, such as schools, companies, and organizations. By exercising citizenship,
disorder in society is minimized. The exercise of responsible citizenship brings about order, security, and
peace in the state.
Citizenship, Nationalism, and Patriotism

Nationalism and patriotism are two concepts which are also often associated with citizenship.
Nationalism refers to a shared identity among citizens of a state, and a belief in or support of the state.
At its extreme, nationalism may refer to the belief that a certain state is superior over the others.
Nationalism may take the form of advocacies sand social movements. Patriotism, meanwhile, is a
feeling of attachment, loyalty, or pride to the state, nation, or homeland. Both nationalism and
patriotism are often interchangeably used to explain actions that help defend the state and its citizens.
Such defense exists in many instances, like in times of war or insurgencies. Nationalism and patriotism
can also be expressed by promoting or patronizing the use of locally-manufactured products, or when
one expresses support for a fellow citizen or a national sports teams during international competitions.
As its core, citizenship entails sa set of values a citizen must uphold in relation to his or her
fellow citizens and the state. Nationalism and patriotism, meanwhile, enable the exercise of citizenship
through actions that uphold the common good and promote the interests of the state. These three
concepts also contribute to positive nation-building, and promote political stability and national
progress.

Citizenship in the Current Philippine Setting

Since the Philippines is a democratic state, the needs of the people always are expected to come
first. Filipino citizens uphold the welfare of the people through the practice of nationalism and
patriotism. Nonetheless, the exercise of responsible citizenship requires an awareness of various issues
and concerns.

Loyalty and Concern for the Common Good

Citizenship entails loyalty to the state. This loyalty can be expressed in various ways, beginning
with expressing loyalty to one’s family and community. This loyalty then extends to the government and
the state. There may be instances, however, where loyalty to one’s local community can be a challenge
to responsible citizenship.
A citizen may be loyal to his or her family and local community, but may be apathetic or even
antagonistic towards the needs of those outside his or her community. A tagalog for example, may not
be necessarily sympathetic to the needs of a Cebuano or an Ilicano; or a citizen who grew up in an urban
community might not necessarily identify with citizens from the rural communities.
However, there have also been instances when Filipinos have shown concern towards the
welfare of one another, despite coming from different local communities. For example in 2013, schools
and other organizations in Metro Manila gave donations to those who were affected by super typhoon
Yolanda. These victims were mostly from Leyte and other provinces in Eastern Visayas. Then, in 2015
and 2016, the events Kampuhan sa Diliman and Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya served as avenues
for students and other citizens from Metro Manila to personally talk to indigenous peoples from all over
the country about their concerns for their ancestral lands, as well as violence and imperialism.
The expression of loyalty to the country and concern for fellow Filipinos is also a concern of
Filipinos overseas. For instance, Filipino communities in foreign countries are characterized by a strong
sense of identity and solidarity. These communities often spearhead projects that continually reinforce
Filipino identity and promote their various interests. The internet and social media sites are also useful
tools that enable citizens outside the Philippines to be informed about news and developments in the
country. Likewise, those in the Philippines also use the internet and social media to be informed of
relevant regional and global events. One instance that shows the power of communication in advocating
citizenship is the case of Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker who was involved in a case of
drug smuggling in Indonesia and was sentenced to death. Knowledge of her plight was the focus of
media and social media attention, and this mobilized Filipinos within and outside the country to call on
the government to take action and save Mary Jane. Because of the concerted efforts of citizens, the
Philippine government took action and was able to negotiate a reprieve for Mary Jane Veloso.
The expression of loyalty is based on a regard for the common good. Upholding the common
good, however, requires citizens to sacrifice certain individual and communal interests in recognition of
larger issues and concerns. Therefore, one’s loyalty to the community must not be a hindrance to
upholding national policies and programs. This is a challenge to both citizens and public officials, since
they often have to set aside certain local interests in favor of national concerns.

Balancing Individualism and Collectivism

Individualism is the belief that the rights or benefits of a single person should come first. On the
other hand, collectivism states that it is the interests of a group as a whole that must be prioritized. For
democratic states such as the Philippines, it has often been a challenge to exercise citizenship which
balances both individualism and collectivism. Individual citizens are provided the right to exercise their
freedoms in different aspects. As the same time, however, other citizens must not be harmed with an
individual’s exercise of his or her freedom.
Effective and responsible sitizenship is achieved through a balance between individualism and
collectivism. Public officials may be granted the authority to use the powers of government, but should
they step out of line and abuse their authority, citizens are empowered to asset their sovereignty and
demand that these offivials be held accountable. One significant example of individualism and
collectivism in action is in the conduct of protests and other mass actions. Citizens of a coolective
mindset believe that it is their duty to participate and protests since their actions contribute to
disseminating awareness of important issues and demand that the government tahe action. Citizens of
individualist mindset, on the other hand, would consider mass actions as a nuisance as it disrupts their
normal activities.
Citizens are encouraged to adopt a collective mindset as it courages greater political
participation. Nation building is one means by which the government encourages its citizens to look
beyond their personal interests and begin to consider the greater problems and issues affecting the
state. Responsible citizenship encourages us to go beyond our individual or personal concerns and take
on greater responsibilities and challenges as citizens of the state.

Practicing Citizenship in Everyday Life

There are various ways to practice citizenship in different in different daily activities, as well as in
the government. For instance, when taking public transportation, it is important that commuters
embarks and disembark at properly designated areas. It is also necessary that drivers of all kinds of
vehicles slow down for pedestrians crossing the streets. Through these simple measures, accidents can
be avoided and the safety of the citisenry is secured. In addition, preserving the cleanliness of public
areas also helps protect the health of the citizens.
Private individuals can also practice citizenship through participationn in activities organized by
the local government, such as clean-up drives, leadership seminars, and outreach programs. Through
such activities, a citizen is able to directly contribute to the development of his or her community.
Meanwhile, public officials are perhaps expected the most to exhibit the qualities of a
responsible citizen. This is because they are the forces and minds behind the laws that are followed by
all members of the state. In order to accomplish this duty, it is important that public officials exercise
transparency and accountability in evert action and decision they take. Furthermore, it is a must that
they perform their duties without expecting unnecessary favors, bribes or payment from others.
Through all of the acts enumerated above, one can display the essence of citizenship – one’s
concern for his or her fellow citizens and the good of all members of the state.

RECALL

 Citizenship is defined in two ways, the first of which is the legal or constitutional identity of a
person. In this sense, there are two kinds of citizens recognized by the Philippine Constitution:
the natural-born and the naturalized Filipino citizens. Naturalized Filipinos are those foreign
citizens who have applied for Filipino citizenship by meeting a set of requirements and
undergoing a legal process. Meanwhile, a Filipino who becomes a naturalized foreign citizen
may reacquire his or her Filipino citizenship, as stated by the Citizenship, as stated by the
Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003.
 The second definition of citizenship involves displaying behavior and a disposition which shall
contribute to the common good of society. It is different from nationalism and patriotism in that
it does not necessarily require the outright expression of political beliefs or social movements.
However, all three concepts are needed to be embodied by all citizens in order to contribute to
positive nation-building.
 In the Philippine setting, there have been challenges to the exercise of citizenship. There are the
localization of loyalty and the need to balance individual and collective needs. In recent years,
Filipinos have attempted to address these challenges and have shown their concern towards the
common good of their fellow citizens.
 Individuals may exercise citizenship even in simple ways and daily activities. By considering the
effects of one’s action on the lives of other people, one can exercise citizenship at its core –
contributing to the common good of the members of the Philippine state.

EXAMINE
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A. Identify the following

_____________ 1. This is both defined as the legal identity of an individual and his or her responsibility
to accomplish certain obligations as a member of the state.
_____________ 2. These are individuals who obtain Filipino citizenship by blood or by place of birth.
_____________ 3. This is the process through which foreigners may attain Filipino citizenship.
_____________ 4. This law recognizes that natural-born Filipinos still retain citizenship despite being
naturalized citizens of foreign countries.
_____________ 5. This refers to a shared identity among citizens of a state, and a belief in or support of
the state.

B. Write T if the statement is true; write F is the statement is false.

_______ 1. Legal citizenship enables an individual to access certain rights exclusive to the state, such as
the right to vote in elections, and the right to work inside the country.
_______ 2. The Constitution allows naturalized Filipinos to seek public office in the national government
_______ 3. Applicants for naturalization in the Philippines must be at least 18 years old by the time of
the petition.
_______ 4. While a person may be a Filipino by birth, he may pronounce his or her Filipino citizenship by
becoming a naturalized citizen in a foreign country.
_______ 5. The Constitution allows Filipinos to have both dual citizenship and dual allegiance.

C. Answer the following questions.

1. How is citizenship defined by Philippine law?

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2. Why is it important for the state to allow natural-born Filipinos to reacquire their Filipino citizenship?
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3. What are the ways that you can exercise responsible citizenship in your community?
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ANALYZE
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Read the selection and answer the discussion questions that follow.

Social Media and Citizenship

The advent of social media is one of the most significant technological phenomena which have
affected how we exercise our citizenship. Social media encompasses all forms of electronic
communication which enable individuals to connect and exchange ideas and information with one
another. A well-known form of social media is social networking sites,, which include Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram, among others. These websites have become a significant part of our everyday lives, and
they have also affected the way we participate in our nation’s affair. In fact, it is common to hear and
use the term “netizen” to refer to social media users. Social media has had an impact on the way we
exercise our citizenship and our right to be involved in our nation’s political concerns. For one, social
networking sites have made sharing information much faster. News about political issues, public
officials, and the government are now publicized in a matter of a “post” or “retweet.” Reacting to
political and national issues has also become easier. With the new “react” feature of Facebook, for
instance, one may choose to not only “like” a post, but also to express anger, sadness, or surprise about
it. Netizen may choose to take this further, and publish information showing their reaction towards a
certain political issue, to which others can provide comments. These comments serve as an avenue for
political discourse among social media users. Lastly, social networking sites can be a way for citizens to
lobby for political causes – this may be through netizens sharing posts or information from their fellow
users, or even through online petitions. Social media users may virtually “sign” these petitions in support
of a specific cause, and share it afterwards to the rest of the online community.
Filipinos are said to be some of the most active citizens in social media. In fact, according to the
2015 report of the global agency We Are Social, there are about 47 million active Facebook users in the
country. This extensive presence in social media can be said to mirror the increasing involvement of
Filipinos in political affairs. For instance, for the 2016 national and local elections, issues involving the
presidential candidates circulated in social media sites. Netizen used social media to either defend or
criticize the candidates involved in these issues. The vice presidential debates also became a trending
topic, and incorporated questions from social media users. In addition, Filipino have also used social
media to support the enactment of proposed law such as the Mental Health Act and the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Bill.
In spite of the usefulness of social media in exercising citizenship, there are still issues that
Filipinos and other netizens encounter in making sure that the common good is being put first. One
notable example is the prevalence of personal attacks towards certain personalities or social media
users. Aside from this, the supposed use of “disreputable” sources and proliferation of “misinformed”
posts are also seen as issues which threaten political awareness and responsible citizen participation.
Nonetheless, it is still believed that social media has helped citizens exercise democracy in
another way. Social media is also believed to help citizens become even more politically active than
ever. Citizens now have more ways through which they can assess the government and the performance
of public officials. At the same time, however, citizens have to make sure that what they do in the
internet does not threaten the common good and the rights of their fellowmen.

SOURCES: 1) “Social Media: A Game Changer in Philippine Elections http://asiafoundation.org/2016/04/27/social-

media-a-game-changer-in-the-philippine-elections/; 2)A profile of internet users in the Philippines”
http://www.rappler.com/brandrap/profile-internet-users-ph

Discussion questions

1. How does social media sites influence the way an individual exercise his or her citizenship?
2. How have Filipinos utilized social media in practicing their citizenship and participating in
national affairs?
3. What issues do Filipinos and other netizens encounter in using social media as a tool for
practicing citizenship? How can these issues be addressed?
4. Have you personally used social media to support or forward political causes? Describe how and
why you did so.
5. Is social media an effective way to exercise citizenship? Support your answer.
EMPOWER
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A. Form groups of five members and prepare a presentation which will highlight the importance
of exercising citizenship. This may be an infomercial, a short role play, or talk-show type
presentation.
B. Organize a short seminar on the importance of citizenship and how the youth can become
responsible citizens of the community. Coordinate with barangay officials and Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) officers in your community in planning and conducting the seminar,
C. Organize a tree-planting or clean-up drive activity in your community. Coordinate with your
local barangay officials in order to do this. Make a portfolio that will document your activities
throughout the conduct of the project. Write a reflection paper on how the activity helped
you exercise citizenship.