a law that would ban actors and actresses in politics...

[istoryador]

Not unconstitutional at all. And not discriminatory. This would be a valid classification. Everyone who has the ability to work, will have the ability to work to be eligible to vote. Democracy is not about equality, it is about equal opportunity.

Just imagine if we say everyone HAS THE RIGHT TO VOTE without qualification. Even little children would be qualified to vote, yet NO ONE QUESTIONS that there should be a minimum age to vote.

Of course, there should be controls on the taxpayer vote, e.g. those who already earned the right to vote will not be disqualified because a poor economy made him lose his job, retirees should retain the right, etc.

THOSE WHO ACTUALLY HELP THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD HAVE THE BIGGEST SAY IN GOVERNMENT.

What qualification are you referring then? That there are peope who are poor who cannot pay taxes and there are those who can pay taxes because of they are rich.

Your valid classificatio0n. Of course children are not allowed to vote because of their inherent inability to comprehend what they are doing but to say that being discriminated because you dont pay taxes is proscribed under the Constitution. As I have said your being a citizen is not conditioned upon your ability to pay taxes.

If you are taking up law please read carefully the case of People v. Cayat. The case speaks about what is considered a valid classification. Or read magtajas v. pryce properties or the Ormoc Sugar Mills case.

[istoryador]

ARTICLE IV
CITIZENSHIP

Section 1. The following are citizens of the Philippines:

[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 with law.

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.

Its quite clear now.

[cyril-crusade]

that's a very stupid idea. why not allow actors to practice politics. just because some very few incompetent actors are in the government.

[dubioz]

And so it is clear that right to vote may be limited BY LAW. You'll be surprised that many countries that are considered the most democratic, not to mention the most progressive, have adopted the taxpayer vote.

I know it is difficult for someone who thinks of the principle of ONE MAN, ONE VOTE as sacred to accept it, but in REALITY, its sacredness is not being respected in this country. For many, if not most people, nothing less than a paradigm shift is necessary.

However, in this country, it is NOT ONE MAN, ONE VOTE, sadly, the truth is in this country, we have THE MAN WITH THE MOST MONEY, GETS (EVEN BUYS) THE MOST VOTES. Every election, we have people in the provinces wondering how much the candidates are going to give them. Institute the taxpayer vote and we will see vote buying, and other things that ail our electoral system, drastically reduced.

Instituting the taxpayer vote will also change our attitude about our right to vote. Too many of us think of it as a birthright, and so we have a very casual attitude about it. But make it a RIGHT WE HAVE TO WORK FOR, and we will respect the right to vote even more.

You can even make a good argument that if there is just ONE THING, only ONE THING, that can be done to effect immediate political and social change for the better, it is the implementation of the taxpayer vote.

And just to keep this discussion ON TOPIC, how many actors and actresses do you think could win when the vote is limited to taxpayers?

[b]

ARTICLE V
SUFFRAGE

Section 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines, not otherwise disqualified by law,[color=red][font=Verdana]

[FK]

And so it is clear that right to vote may be limited BY LAW. You'll be surprised that many countries that are considered the most democratic, not to mention the most progressive, have adopted the taxpayer vote.

can you name one of this countries?

[Master_Lampa]

change some portion of the constitution which is ineffective and not efficiently applicable to needs for the betterment of the society. it's true its the fundamental law.. but some part of it is obsolete and which renders the filipino people swim in the mud! if there is any amendment of the constitution the BILL OF RIGHTS must not be subject to amendment because it's our only weapon against the political oppresor.

[dubioz]

To start with, some of the states of the United States. You'll be even more confused about the right to vote over there, because it is not a birthright. The american constitution does not even expressly acknowledge the right to vote of the individual.

can you name one of this countries?

[bcasabee]

naa pud sense ang income tax payer's vote.........mas dako ug chance nga dili ma palit ang vote sa mga income tax payers because dili na pud sila masilaw anang 300 or 500 pesos para mapalit ilahang mga votes..............I suspect even slum areas are being tolerated to grow into being a more slum(to make them poorer and bigger in population) to make them potential voters who can be bought due to their poor conditions (Its just my speculation though)..........Its not I look down on the poor ha.....because I know naa pud sakto mo pili ug candidato......its just maybe its how politics work in our country, mas daghan ug pobre nga mapalit ang vote.........mas maayo........so politicians won't bother uplifting the lives of the poor..........so kung naa siguroy law nga mas dako ug weight ang votes sa mga tax payers......tingali maninguha pud ang mga politicians nga ma tax payers ang tanang tawo sa Pilipinas para mas daghan pud sila ug potential voters...........

[cyril-crusade]

wow nice insights

[tjyrna]

much better if only the educated people are allowed to vote..so that the politicians can't fool them..don't you think so?