What does it mean to have a ‘right’ to vote? Does this mean anyone can vote; even those people with disabilities and those without education and have no resources? Yes, anyone who is of the legal age of 18 and above, who is registered to the COMELEC’s (Commission on Elections) system can vote.
Today, people should understand that being able to vote is NOT a privilege, it is a right; an inherent right and a basic human right, along with ‘the right to live’, ‘right to an education’, and so on. No one should and can take away these rights from you. You are born with them. You can’t just buy and sell these rights. As part of the Philippine Constitution, there is an article on Suffrage:
ARTICLE V: SUFFRAGE
Section 1: Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.
(Please see: http://www.chanrobles.com/article5suffrage.htm#.UTVfX6JTCSo).
(Please see: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/vote/index.html)
Now, should you or should you not exercise your right is up to you. However, it is of utmost importance if you do. Remember, the fate of this nation is in the hands of the voters. It is the people’s responsibility, if you love your country, to elect the right persons to lead the Philippines to progress and sustainable development.