SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIOI-I 
SCHOOL CURRlCULA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13 provides: 
The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building 
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, 
and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and 
nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. 
Article 14, Section 3 (2) further provides: 
[All 
educational 
institutions] 
shall inculcate patriotism and 
nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation 
of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, 
teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual 
values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical 
and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and 
promote vocational efficiency. 
Youth participation in public affairs upholds the democratic ethos of our country. 
It is inherent in a democratic country that all citizens participate in decision- and policy-
making processes. According to a paper published by the Cambodia Development 
Resource Institute, youth participation is beneficial for the development of the entire 
community or society, and for the promotion of civic and political life of young people. I 
I Heng Seiha, Yong Mun and Chheat Sreang with the assistance o/Chhuon Nareth (July 2014), "The 
Enduring Gap: Decentralisation Reform and Youth Pmticipation ill Local Rural Governance", CDR] Working Paper 
Series No. 94 (Phnom Penh: CDR!) 


Youth participation helps develop the community primarily because the youth 
comprise one-third of our country's population. To exclude the youth from the 
democratic process is to deprive a substantial number of the population of an opportunity 
to decide on matters affecting not only their interests but those of future generations as 
well. Aside from contributing to the community, youth participation aids in their 
individual development. Involvement in public and civic affairs allows them to have a 
deeper understanding of the rights accorded to them and the duties expected of them. 
They become more critical of crucial social issues and more capable of addressing them. 
It becomes incumbent upon the Legislature to encourage youth participation. 
Youth participation in the democratic process is promoted by educating the youth of the 
very foundation of democracy ~ the right to vote. The United Nations defines voter 
education as "the dissemination of information, materials and programmes designed to 
inform voters about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process for a particular 
election. Voter education involves providing information on who is eligible to vote; 
where and how to register; how electors can check the voter lists to ensure they have been 
duly included; what type of elections are being held; where, when and how to vote; who 
the candidates are; and how to file complaints.,,2 
In a background paper published by the International Institute for Democracy and 
Electoral Assistance, it stated, "Civic education in school and universities needs to be 
encouraged as a central element to foster the political participation of young people.',3 
Educating the youth through formal instruction of the right to vote and of the electoral 
system that safeguards such is one of the most effective approach to ensure that they are 
aware of how to contribute to nation-building, and that they act according to such 
knowledge. 
2 OSAGIIEAD, "Women and Elections: Guide to promoting the participation of women in elections" 
(March 2005) 
3 "Youth Participation in Politics and Elections'" International Institute for Democracy and Electoral 
Assistance Background Paper, Annual Democracy Forum 2013. 
2 


This bill seeks to integrate voter education in the junior and senior high school 
curricula with the aim of encouraging our students to become active citizens and of 
arousing their interest in safeguarding the integrity of our electoral system. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2472 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
'14 
NOV 26 P6 :35 
2 
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGI-I 
3 
SCHOOL CURRICULA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Compulsory Voter 
5 
Education Act." 
6 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to enlighten 
7 
citizens on their right to vote and to inculcate in them the duty to preserve the integrity of 
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the electoral process through the educational system. 
9 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
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(A) 
"Voter education" means dissemination of information, materials and 
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programmes designed to inform citizens about the specifics and mechanics of the voting 
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process. It includes providing information on the right to suffrage, its importance, and the 
13 
proper exercise thereof, as well as information on who is eligible to vote; where and how 
14 
to register; how electors can check the voter lists to ensure they havc been duly included; 
15 
what type of elections are being held; where, when and how to vote; who the candidates 
16 
are; and how to file complaints. 
1 


1 
SECTION 4. Integration a/Voter Education in the Junior and Senior High School 
2 
Curricula. -
Voter Education shall be integrated by the Department of Education 
3 
(DepEd) in the junior and senior high school curricula, effective at the start of the school 
4 
year immediately following one year from the effectivity of this Act. The Commission on 
5 
Elections (COMELEC) shall assist DepEd in preparing teachers during the one-year 
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transition period by conducting seminars and trainings on the electoral system and 
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process. COMELEC shall certify that the teacher, after attending such seminars and 
8 
trainings, is qualified to teach topics relating to the electoral system and process. 
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SECTION 5. Voter Education Syllabus. -
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(A) Voter education. - The main syllabus shall include, but not be limited to, the 
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following thematic areas: 
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(1) Suffrage. - This area introduces to students the right to vote accorded by 
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the Constitution, and other rights enabling citizens to participate in the conduct of 
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public affairs; 
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(2) Electoral system and process. - This area deals with the general 
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principles underlying the present electoral system, and legislation regulating all 
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the phases of election namely, pre-election, election proper, and post-election. It . 
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discusses the proper conduct of elections including registration, casting of ballots, 
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and counting of votes; 
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(3) Educated voting - This area focuses on the attitude and behavior a voter 
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must adopt to ensure fair, free, and honest elections. It emphasizes the importance 
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of participating in elections in a manner that shall stimn1ate and strengthen 
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democracy. 
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(B) Supplementary Topics. - This curriculnm should have additional topics and 
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studies on the political system of the country, the contextual background of elections, 
2 


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current political, social, and economic issues alfecting the elections, and the possible 
2 
solutions to address them. 
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(C) Other Subject Matters .. Other areas of voter education may be included in the 
4 
syllabus. 
5 
SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. • The Secretary of Education is hereby 
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authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the provisions of 
7 
this Act. The Secretary of Education shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of 
8 
this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to 
9 
carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Educational Materials . . It shall be obligatory on all schools offering 
11 
secondary education to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the 
12 
textbooks, primers, and leaflets on voter education to be issued by the DepEd. The 
\3 . DepEd shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the 
14 
enrollment of the school. 
15 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause . • If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
16 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affectcd shall 
17 
remain valid and subsisting. 
18 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
21 
accordingly. 
3 


., 
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SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days 
2 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Itmdp 14Nov20 14 
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