Constitutional Law Review National Territory What comprises the national territory under the 1987 Constitution?

The national territory under the 1987 Constitution comprises of the Philippine Archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of the territorial, fluvial and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves and other submarine areas, as stated in Article 1. How is the archipelagic doctrine expressed in the Constitution?

The archipelagic doctrine is expressed in the Constitution by providing on the second (2nd) sentence of Article 1, the waters around, between and connecting the islands of the archipelago, irrespective of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines

Citizenship Who are the citizens of the Philippines? The following are citizens of the Philippines: Those who are citizens of the Philippines on the time of the adoption of the Constitution; Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines; Those who are born January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Filipino citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and Those who are naturalized in accordance with law (Section 1, Article IV, 1987 Constitution) Who are natural-born citizens of the Philippines?

Natural-born citizens of the Philippines are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship. Those who elect Philippine citizenship in accordance with paragraph (3), Section 1, Article IV of the 1987 Constitution shall be deemed natural-born citizens. (Sec.2, Article IV, 1987 Constitution). What is the effect of marriage to an alien on Philippine citizenship?

Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens shall retain their citizenship, unless by their act or omission, they are deemed, under the law, to have renounced it. (Sec. 4, Article IV, 1987 Constitution).

Suffrage Who may exercise the right of suffrage?

Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen (18) years of age and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at least six months preceding the election. (Sec.1, Article V, 1987 Constitution). How may overseas Filipinos exercise the right of suffrage?

Filipino citizens abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the elections and are duly registered voters under the provisions of Republic Act 9189, otherwise known as The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, may vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-list Representatives. A qualified and duly-registered absentee voter, upon presentation of the absentee voter identification card issued by the Commission on Elections, shall personally accomplish his/her ballot at the embassy, consulate or other foreign service establishment that has jurisdiction over the country where he/she temporarily resides or at any polling place designated and accredited by the COMELEC. Casting of ballot can be done anytime within thirty (30) days before the day of elections. In case of seafarers, they shall cast their ballots anytime within sixty (60) days before the day of elections. The overseas absentee voter may also vote by mail under the conditions set forth in Section 17 of RA 9189.