The Human Acts, Integrity, Discipline, and Hard Work
1. Ahuman act is an act which proceeds from the deliberate free will of
man sort of activity, internal or external, bodily or spiritually performed
by a human being. Human acts refer only to those acts that proceed
from useful and freely willing human being.
2. Integrity is a firm adherence to a code of morals and values; its
quality or state of being is complete or unbreakable and honest.
3. Discipline is a consistent or arranged pattern of behaviour that is
consistent with one's self. imposed rules, self-control, and
organisational rules. In order get some corrected information or talent,
it is a training or experience that corrects, moulds, improves, or perfects,
especially the moral character or mind.
4. Hard work is a need to work with utmost effort or energy. It means
being industrious or working with endurance based on the human
ability and capacity to do all sorts of activities.
Duties and Rights of the Filipino People Necessary to Properly
Control Human Acts
1. Duties of the People
The people of our Republic must understand that they have certain
duties or obligations to perform. These duties are the price of freedom
and of the rights which we enjoy.
The following are the duties of our people to the state:
a. to vote honestly and wisely
b. to obey the laws of the land
c. to respect public authority
d. to be loyal to the republic
e. to defend the Motherland
f. to pay taxes to the government
g. to take active interest in local, national, and international affairs
RIGHTS
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE VARIOUS CLASSES OF RIGHTS THAT A
CITIZEN OF A DEMOCRATIC STATE MUST ENJOY:
a. Natural rights- rights conferred upon human beings by God which
cannot be taken away.
b. Civil rights- rights granted by the state for the promotion of
common welfare of individual citizens
c. Political rights - rights conferred by the state to the people so that
they may participate in government
d. Constitutional rights- rights recognized and protected by the
constitution and part of the fundamental law of the land
e. Statutory rights - rights conferred by statutes or law promulgated by
a lawmaking body and can be abolished by the same body.
Filipino Citizen-Voter Education
The Filipino citizen-voter education covers the political and electoral
system, human rights, and governance that serve to contribute to efforts
at developing matured and informed political attitudes and decisions of
Filipino citizen-voters.
1. What is the right of suffrage?
Suffrage is the human right to vote which, in the Philippines, is embodied
in three documents:
a. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR);
b. the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and
c. the 1987 Philippine Constitution
2. Who are qualified to vote in Philippine elections?
a. Citizens of the Philippines.
b. Those who are 18 years old and above on the day of
elections.
c. A resident of the Philippines for one year and in the city
or municipality wherein he/she proposes to vote for at
least six months before the elections
3. Who are qualified to vote under the Overseas Absentee
Voting Law?
a. Filipino citizens abroad
b. Those who are 18 years old and above on the day of
elections
c. Immigrants with affidavit to resume residence in the
Philippines
d. Permanent residents with affidavit of intent to resume
residence in the Philippines
4. Who are disqualified by law to vote in Philippine elections?
a. Persons sentenced to be imprisoned for not less than one year
b. Persons who committed rebellion, sedition, violation of the anti-
subversion and firearms law, or any crime against national security
or disloyalty to the government
c. Insane or incompetent persons
5. What are the action points for citizen-voters in exercising the
right of suffrage?
Prepare to exercise the right of suffrage and the right to an informed and
free choice.
a. Before Elections
- Register during the period allowed for voter registration.
- Be informed of the issues, platforms, and personalities of the
political candidates.
- Set specific guidelines in choosing government leaders in terms
of the candidate's social affiliations and interests, competence,
lifestyle, and performance records.
- Conduct/participate in public debates that would inform citizens
and gain the commitment of the candidates to integrate, foremost,
the interests and welfare of the citizen in their program of
government.
b. During Elections
Exercise vigilance and right to vote
- Vote according to your conscience.
- Protect the integrity of your own vote from any other undue
influence.
- Volunteer in organizations that work for clean and peaceful
elections.
- Watch out for instances of cheating in the elections and inform
authorities and the rest of the electorate of such activities.
c. After Elections
Practice continued vigilance and participate in governance
- Be vigilant in the counting and canvassing of votes.
- Attend consultations and public hearings, and participate in local
special
- Legislate advocacy a process where citizens talk with the
lawmakers and other implementers in the government to ensure
that the concerns and welfare of the general public are included in
the discussion and making of laws.
- The citizen-voter can also engage in the political and electoral
process in other ways such as: making views known to the elected
representatives; supporting/campaigning for a political party:
supporting initiatives of the civil society organizations to ensure
honest and peaceful elections; and running for office.
d. the election process
These are the steps in the Election Process.
•Registration day
•Revision day
•List of votes
•Casting of votes
•Counting of votes
•Preparation of election returns and other reports
•Distribution of election returns
-Board of Canvassers (For President and Vice President)
-Board of Canvassers (For Senators)
-Board of Canvassers (Provincial/City/District/Municipal)
•Proclamation of winning candidates
e. Citizen-voter Participation in Political Affairs
Initiation and Referendum
Through the system of initiative and referendum, the people can directly
propose, exact, and reject laws at the local level. Citizens may
directly propose amendments to the Constitution by a petition of at least
12% of the total number of registered voters where 3% of registered
voters in each legislative district are presented.
Plebiscite
Through plebiscite, the people approve or reject the call for a
Constitution, approve or reject proposed changes in the Constitution
and, at the local level, express their will on certain local issues.
Sectoral Representation
The Party-list system of representation gives sectors the chance to be
represented in Congress together with our Congressmen/women. The
Constitution and the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) allow for
representation of sectors in the local legislature or Sanggunian.
Local Special Bodies
Ordinary citizens are called to sit in local special bodies such as
the local health boards, school boards, peace and order councils, and
development councils for consultation. The barangay assembly has the
power to hear and judge the report of Sangguniang Barangay's (SB)
performance.
Absentee Voting System
Republic Act 9189 or the Overseas Absentee Voting Law provides
for a system which allows qualified Filipinos abroad to vote in
national elections in the Philippines
