1

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

Online Module for Blackboard Learn Ultra
 2

NSTP 1
MODULE 5: CITIZEN AND CITIZENSHIP

Objectives: Outline:

After the end of the lecture students are expected to: 1. Citizen and Citizenship
a. Definition
 Know the meaning of citizen and citizenship 2. Different Types of Citizens
 Understand and affirm their obligations as a a. Citizens by birth
Filipino citizen and become proud of being a b. Citizens at the time of the adoption
Filipino of the constitution.
c. Citizens by blood
 Participate meaningfully in nation-building
d. Citizens through election under
as a Filipino citizen
1935 Constitution
e. Citizens by naturalization
f. Different kinds of citizens under
the 1987 Constitution.
3. Loss of Citizenship
4. A Filipino Citizen’s Rights with
corresponding obligations
5. Suffrage
a. Definition
b. Nature
c. Scope
d. Qualifications of Voters
e. System for absentee voting by
qualified Filipinos.
f. System for securing the secrecy
and sanctity of the ballot.
 3

[Activate]
Let us begin our discussion with the song entitled Mabuting Pilipino by Noel
Cabangon. Then, let us have a short sharing of thoughts about the song. Guide
questions will be provided for your personal reflection.

Guide questions.
1. What are the characteristics of a good
Filipino?
2. What are the best attitudes of a good
Filipino presented in the song?
3. What challenges or hinders you to live up
those characteristics and attitude to be a
good Filipino?
4. In what way you can be a good Filipino
today?

Song analysis entitled “Mabuting Pilipino” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tg5wU1bQFI

[Acquire]Lecture: (60 minutes discussions through google meet)

We heard the beautiful song a while ago. Let us now discuss essential components or
topics pertaining to becoming a good Filipino citizen

1. Citizen and citizenship

 Definition
 Citizen
1. A person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to
the protection of a state or nation.1
2. A resident of a city or town, especially one entitled to vote and
enjoy other privileges there.2
3. A civilian
 4

4. A native, inhabitant, or denizen of a particular place: "We have

learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human
community" (Franklin D. Roosevelt).3
 Citizenship
1. the condition or status of a citizen, with its rights and duties4

2. Different types of Citizenship5

a. Citizens by birth
 There are two principles or rules that govern citizenship by birth, namely:
1. Jus Sanguinis – Blood relationship is the basis for the acquisition of
citizenship under this rule. The children follow the
citizenship of the parents or one of them
2. Jus Soli or Jus Loci – Place of birth serves as the basis for acquiring
citizenship under this rule. A person becomes a citizen of
the state where he is born irrespective of the citizenship of
the parents. This principle prevails in the United States.

b. Citizens at the time of the adoption of the constitution

 The citizens referred to are those considered Filipino citizens under the
1973 Constitution at the time of the affectivity of the new Constitution on
February 2, 1987 by virtue of Proclamation No. 58 of the President.

c. Citizens by blood relationship

 The Philippines, in accordance with Section 1, Paragraph 2, follows the
principle of Jus Sanguinis. In the determination of the citizenship of the
child, Filipino mothers are placed by the Constitution on equal footing
with their husbands. This dignifies the Filipino woman. The father or
mother may be a natural-born Filipino or a Filipino by naturalization or by
election Under the provision, a child born of the Filipino citizen is a
citizen of the Philippines although illegitimate since the Constitution does
not make any distinction.
 5

 If the child is born in a state where the rule of Jus Soli obtains, or the
child’s father or mother is an alien whose country follows also the
principle of jus sanguinis, it would be a case of dual citizenship.

d. Citizens through election under 1935 Constitution

 Under the 1935 Constitution, a child born of a Filipino mother, who was
married to a foreigner, is born an alien and remains an alien during his
minority until he elects Philippine citizenship. Prior to such election, he
has an inchoate right to Filipino citizenship. If he is born after the
ratification of the 1973 Constitution on January 17, 1973, he is a citizen.
 Under Section1. Paragraph 2 thereof, making the children of female
citizen Philippines citizens without having to make an election. In the
latter instance, he is a citizen from birth.
 The rule then, as it is now, is that a Filipina does not lose her citizenship
by her marriage to an alien. However, it was not clear whether those who
had elected citizenship under the 1935 Constitution (having been born
before the affectivity of the `1973 Constitution on January 17, 1973) are to
be considered as natural-born Filipino citizens. Under Section 1,
paragraph 3 in relation to Section 2, they are now declared as natural-born
citizens.
 An illegitimate child follows the citizenship of his legally known parent,
the mother. Hence, there is also no need to elect Philippine citizenship.
 6

e. Citizens by naturalization

 Meaning of naturalization
1. Naturalization is the act of formally adopting a foreigner into the
political body of the state and clothing him with the rights and
privileges of citizenship. It implies the renunciation of a former
nationality and the fact of entrance to a similar relation towards a
new body politic.
 Nature of naturalization
1. An alien does not have a natural inherent or vested right to be
admitted to citizenship in a state. Citizenship is a matter of grace
favor or privilege which is sovereign government may confer on,
of withhold from an alien or grant to him under such conditions as
it sees fit without the support of ant reason whatsoever. Citizenship
in our republic, be it ever so small and weak, is always a privilege;
and no alien, be he a subject of the most powerful nation of the
world, can take such citizenship for granted or assume it as a
matter of right.
2. In view of the above principles, the rule is that in case of doubt
concerning the grant of citizenship, such doubt should be resolved
in favor of the State and against the applicant for naturalization.

 Ways of acquiring citizenship by naturalization - A person may be

naturalized in three ways:
1. By judgment of the court – The foreigner who wants to become a
Filipino citizen must apply for naturalization with the proper
Regional Trial Court

2. By direct act of congress – In this case, our law-making body

simply enacts an act directly conferring citizenship on a foreigner;
or
 7

3. By administrative proceedings. 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
Philippine citizenship by administrative proceedings before a
special Committee on naturalization, subject to certain
requirements dictated by national security and interest.

f. Different kinds of citizens under the 1987 Constitution

 They are:
1. Natural-born Citizens - They are to those:
a. Who at the moment of their birth are already citizens of the
Philippines, and those
b. Do not have to perform any act to acquire his Philippine
citizenship. So, a child born of Filipino parents, or a
Filipino father, or a Filipino mother after the ratification of
the 1973 Constitution on January 17 1973 is natural-born
citizen.
2. Citizens at the time of adaption of the new Constitution.
3. Citizens through election
4. Natural citizens.

3. Loss of citizenship.
a. A Filipino citizen may lose his citizenship in any of the following ways and or
events:
 Voluntarily. – They are;
1. By naturalization in foreign country (see R.A. No. 9225, infra.)
2. By express renunciation of citizenship
 8

3. By subscribing to an allegiance to support the constitution and law

of foreign country; and
a. By rendering service to, accepting commission in the
armed forces of foreign country (except under certain
circumstances); and
 Involuntarily - They are:
1. By cancellation of his certificate of naturalization by court; and
2. By having been declared by competent authority, a deserter in the
Philippine armed forces in time of war.

Note: The voluntary loss or renunciation of one’s nationality is called

expatriation. In time of war, however, a Filipino citizen cannot
expatriate himself.

b. Re-acquisition of lost Philippine citizenship.

 Citizenship may be reacquired:
1. By naturalization, provided the applicant possesses none of the
disqualifications 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 the termination of their status; and
3. By direct act of the Congress of the Philippines.

c. Effect of marriage of citizen to an alien.

 Under section 4, a citizen of the Philippines who marries an alien does not
lose his/her Philippines citizenship even by the laws of his/her wife’s/
husband’s country, he/she acquires her/his nationality.

 The exception is where ‘by their act or omission they are deemed, under
the law, to have renounced their citizenship,” such as (under an existing
law) subscribing to an oath of allegiance to support the constitution and
the law of foreign country. A Filipino woman, who upon marriage to an
alien acquires his citizenship, will posses two citizenships Philippine
citizenship and that of her husband.

d. Dual allegiance of citizens

 Section 5 prohibits more particularly naturalized Filipinos from practicing
what is called “dual allegiance” which refers to the continued allegiance of
naturalized nationals to their mother country even after they have acquired
 9

Filipino citizenship. It is declared inimical to national interest, and

Congress is required that it be dealt with by law.

 Dual citizenship, on the other hand, refers to the possession of two

citizenship by an individual, that of his original citizenship and that of the
country where he became a naturalized citizen.

4. A Filipino Citizen’s Rights with corresponding obligations

a. Citizens should realize that for every right (see Art. III.) there must be a
corresponding duty. If the people are aware not only of their rights but also if their
obligations, there will be less misunderstanding and less conflict in society.
 Rights become fully available for enjoyment only when all the citizens,
without exception, comply loyally with all their obligations.
 The rights to life, liberty, and property, for instance, are but partially
available for enjoyment so long as there are members of the political
community who are deficient in that necessary compliance.
 Conversely, the enjoyment of rights becomes ample and real to the degree
that the citizens willingly carry out their obligations.

b. Duties and obligation of citizens

 Among others, the more important duties and obligations of every
citizen in a democratic society are enumerated and explained
below.
1. To be loyal to the Republic
2. A citizen owes, not a qualified and temporary, but an absolute
and permanent allegiance which consist in the obligation of
fidelity and obedience to his government.
3. To defend the State.
4. To contribute to the development and welfare of the state.
5. To uphold the Constitution and obey the laws.
 10

6. To cooperate with duly constituted authorities.

7. To exercise rights responsibly and with due regard for the
rights of others.
8. To engage in gainful work.
9. To register and vote.

5. Suffrage
a. Definition
 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 and submitted to the people.

b. Nature of Suffrage
1. A mere privilege - Suffrage is not natural right of the citizens but
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 welfare of society.

2. A political right. – In the sense of 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 its powers from the consent of the governed. (see
Art. II. Sec. 1.) The principle is that of man, one vote. (supra.)
 11

c. Scope of Suffrage
 Election – Strictly, 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 of powers of government;

 Plebiscite – 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. In
the Philippines, the term is applied to an election at which any proposed
amendment to, or revision of, the Constitution is submitted to the people
for their ratification.

(Example: “THE BANGSANG MORO LAW (BOL)”With the plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro
Organic Law (BOL) fast approaching, both the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and
Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) have released questions for participating voters.)
 12

 Referendum – It is the submission of a law or part thereof passed by the

national or local legislative body to the voting citizens of the country for
their ratification or rejection (see Art. VI. Sec. 32.);

 Initiative – It is the process whereby the people directly propose and enact
laws. Congress is mandated by the Constitution to provide as early as
possible for a system of initiative and referendum. (Ibid.) Amendments to
the Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through
initiative Art. XVII, Sec. 2.) and
 13

 Recall – 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 petition signed by a required percentage of
the qualified voters. (see Art. X, Sec. 3 )

d. Qualifications of voters.
 He/She must be:
1. A citizen (male or female) of the Philippines;
2. Not otherwise disqualified by law;
3. At least eighteen (18) years of age; and
4. Have resided in the Philippines for at least (1) year and in the place
wherein he proposes to vote for at least six (6) months preceding
the election.
 14

e. System for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot.

 The right to vote has reference to a constitutional guarantee of the utmost
significance. It is a right without which the principle of sovereignty
residing in the people (ART. II Sec. 1.) becomes nugatory. It is essential
then to insure that the voters shall voters exercise their right freely,
“uninfluenced by threats, intimidation or corrupt motives” and “to secure a
fair and honest count of the ballots,” To accomplish this aim, Congress is
directed by the Constitution “to provide a system for securing the secrecy
and sanctity of the ballot.”

f. System for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos.

 Section 2 existence the right of suffrage even to Filipinos abroad provided
they possess all the qualifications mentioned therein and none of the
disqualifications provided by law.
 Filipinos who by force circumstances (e.g., the need to earn a living) have
to temporarily work and reside abroad but maintain their love and loyalty
to their native land are still part of our Republic.

6. 12 Little Things Every Filipino can do to save our country6

a. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
b. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
c. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino
d. When you talk to others, especially foreigners speak positively about us and our
country
e. Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
f. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
g. Support your church.
h. During elections, do your solemn duty.
i. Pay your employees well.
j. Pay your taxes.
k. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
l. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.
 15

[Activity]

Read the articles on Grace Poe’s issue on citizenship

https://opinion.inquirer.net/85819/grace-poes-citizenship

Students’ task is to memorize the PREAMBLE

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-
philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-preamble/

[Assessment]

1. Assignment one-page reaction paper on Grace Poe’s citizenship.

2. Or recite or present the prerecorded video reciting the preamble during
synchronous.

Prepared by.
Marven Palapo
Jhaymar Magtulis

1
Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/citizen June 11, 2011
2
Ibid
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
5
1987 Philippine Constitution
6
Retrieved from http://attyatwork.com/12-little-thngs-every-filipino-can-do-to-help-our-country/ June 15, 2011