Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Bohol

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

SECOND QUARTER: WEEK 15

Competency : Explain the importance of active citizenship. (No code indicated)

Reference : https://www.britannica.com/topic/citizenship
https://www.politicalsciencenotes.com/essay/citizenship-meaning-definition-andother-details/
270
http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/citizenship
Rex’s textbook “Philippine Politics and Governance”
Copyright For classroom use only

LESSON 1: The Importance of Active Citizenship

What is Citizen?

According to Aristotle, citizen is he “who has the power to take part in the deliberative or judicial
administration of any state is said by us to be a citizen of that state”, one is good citizen to the extent to which one
upholds and honors the constitution.
According to Vattal, citizen is “the members of a civil society bound to this society by certain duties, subject to its
authority and equal participants in its advantages’’, thus it is a participatory member of a political community.

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship is a relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn
is entitled to its protection. Citizenship implies the status of freedom with accompanying responsibilities. Citizens have
certain rights, duties, and responsibilities that are denied or only partially extended to *aliens and other non-citizens
residing in a country. In general, full political rights, including the right to vote and to hold public office, are
predicated upon citizenship. Citizenship involves an awareness and understanding of the self and the larger
community, usually the nation.

Who are citizens of the Philippines?

Section 1, Article 1V, 1987 Constitution, citizens of the Philippines are:

1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;
3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of
majority; and
4. Those who are naturalized in accordance of law.

Forms of Acquiring Philippine Citizenship:

1. Filipino by birth
o Jus soli (right of soil) which is the legal principle that a person’s nationality at birth is determined by the place
of birth (e.g. the territory of a given state)
o Jus sanguinis (right of blood) which is the legal principle that, at birth, an individual acquires the
nationality of his/her natural parent/s. The Philippine adheres to this principle.

2. Filipino by Naturalization which is the judicial act of adopting a foreigner and clothing him with the privileges of
a native-born citizen. It implies the renunciation of a former nationality and the fact of entrance into a similar relation
towards a new body politic (2Am.Jur.561, par.188).

Aliens
Are people who live within the territory of the Philippines but “owe permanent allegiance to a foreign country”
(Ramirez 1969). They are not entitled to vote or run for elections. They have limited business capabilities, and they
cannot engage in professions like law and medicine, among other restrictions. But the State provides them protection
by extending the civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution, provided that they also obey the laws of the land and pay
taxes (Ramirez 1969).

Active Citizenship
 It is frequently used to describe citizens that engage in a broad range of activities that promote and sustain
democracy. These actions include civil society activities such as protesting and collecting petitions, community
activities such as volunteering, and conventional political engagement such as voting or campaigning for elections.
Active citizenship usually refers to participation that requires respect for others and that does not contravene human
rights and democracy. An individual citizenship becomes more active citizen when he or she becomes responsible
person for himself, for his family and for his community.
Civic responsibility is defined as “responsibility of a citizen”. Its is comprised of actions and attitudes
associated with democratic governance and social participation, it can include participation of all institutions in the
community. Actions of civic responsibility can be displayed in advocacy for various causes, such as political
economic, civil environmental or quality of life issues.

Some Indications of Active Citizenship:

• Contacts their political representatives
• Participates in public events about important public issues
• Worries about the wellbeing of future generations and acts upon it
• Regularly votes, pays their taxes and believes in equal rights for all
• Minds their behaviour in public spaces and is mindful of others’ comfort
• Is a conscious consumer and avoids unethical providers or products/services
• Supports the welfare system because it exists to help those who cannot provide for themselves
• Is involved in their community,express their views for the common good and reacts to injustice and
discrimination

Different Levels of Active Citizenship:

● Local level to refer to citizens who become actively involved in the life of their communities;
tackling problems, bringing about change or resisting unwanted change. Active citizens are those who over time
develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to be able to make informed decisions about their communities and
workplaces with the aim of improving quality of life in them.

● At regional and national level it can move from voting in democratic processes, to being involved in campaigning
groups, to becoming a member of a political party.

● At international level the global active citizen may be involved in movements to promote
environmental sustainability or fair trade, to reduce poverty or to eliminate people trafficking and slavery

Some Importance on Active Citizenship:

• Able to challenge existing structures
• Allows participation in the community
• A formal structure for active citizenship & participation
• Facilitate and articulate a diverse range of views and interests
• Empowering people to influence the decisions which affect their lives
• Provides a nominating structure for community & voluntary interests
• Provides a link for the Local Authority to connect with Community groups promoting consultation
• Knowledge and understanding of the political, social, and economic context of their
participation so that they can make informed decisions

Given all these, we can say that citizenship involves a set of obligations for both citizen and the state. By this,
effective citizenship is a product of the government’s and citizens’ collaborative work..

Activity
Direction: Check (√ ) the column for true if the statement indicates good citizenship while check (√ ) false if it is not.
Complete the statement afterwards.
Are You a Good Citizen?

True False
I obey the law
I do my part for the common good.
I participate in community service
I do what I can to take care of my environment
I take responsibility for what goes on around me
I do my share to make my school, my community, and the world a better place
I think I am/am not a good citizen because ________________________________________________.
_________________________________
 ASSESSMENT

Direction: Read each item carefully and choose the letter of your answer.

1. A relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its
protection.
A. Citizen B. Citizenship C. Governance D. Politics

2. Which one is an example of civic responsibility?

A. Being on a jury B. Obeying the laws C. Paying taxes D. All of these

3. How can good citizen participates in politics?

A. Refusing to vote and ignoring politics
B. Ignoring politics and not reading the newspaper
C. Refusing to vote and ignoring requests for jury duty
D. Voting and writing letters to government officials

4. What is the difference in citizen’s participation in politics in colonial times compared today?
A. More groups of people can vote now than could then.
B. Colonist were much better informed on issues than people are now
C. In colonial times, people had more free time to participate in politics.
D. Today people stage more protest and marches than was the case then.

5. Which of the following is one way in which citizens can go above and beyond their civic responsibilities?
A. respect and obey the law B. run for public office C. Pay taxes D. Vote

6. Which of the following describes Filipino citizenship?

A. Those that are renounced their Filipino citizenship
B. Those foreign- born resident who is not a citizen by naturalization
C. Those whose fathers or mothers are not citizens of the Philippines
D. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines

7. They are the people who live within the territory of the Philippines but owe permanent allegiance to a foreign
country.
A. Aliens B.Citizen C. Senators D.Voters

8. Jerry among others say that you don’t necessarily have to do big things in order to be good citizen. The following
below are examples of simple things in order to be good citizen that will makes the world a better place, EXCEPT
A. Does not respect authority C. Be honest and trustworthy on the task given
B. Volunteer to be active in your community. D. Be informed about the world around you

9. Ms. Jennifer was born in USA of a foreign father and a Filipino mother. Her mother applied for American
citizenship a month after Ms. Jennifer’s birth, then became a naturalized American citizen. Is Ms Jennifer a natural-
born Filipino?
A. No, because her parents migrated already .
B. Yes, because her father is an American .
C. No, because her parents applied for an American citizenship.
D. Yes, because her parents were Filipino at the time of his birth.

10. It means active participation in public life of a community in an informed, committed, and constructive manner
with a focus on the common good.
A. Aliens B. Citizen C. Citizenship D. Civic responsibility