Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1490

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIED LAWYERS IN NATIONAL AND
LOCAL ELECTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitutions provides that, “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.”

The right to suffrage is the essence of our democracy. As a means to increase
participation by citizens who are otherwise prevented to vote, the country has enacted
absentee voting laws. Presently, there are laws that allow absentee voting for Filipinos
overseas, media practitioners, armed forces and police force. However, there still leave
another group disenfranchised due to the performance of their function during elections.

Lawyers are officers of the court and serve as guardians of truth and the rule of law,
and indispensable instruments in the fair and impartial administration of justice. It is their duty
to ensure that justice prevails and the law is observed. As such, lawyers are called out during
the elections to monitor the conduct of election and most are stationed away from their
residences because of this.

Hence, this bill provides for means for lawyers stationed away from their residences on
election days to vote on national elections in the precincts nearest to them subject to
reasonable regulations by the Commission on Election.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

(Rin

ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1430

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIED LAWYERS IN NATIONAL AND
LOCAL ELECTIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to make
voting convenient for lawyers by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for
the election.

SEC. 2. Early Voting. — For national and local elections, there shall be early voting
where lawyers qualified to vote early may choose to cast their ballot at accessible
establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within seven (7)
working days before the date set for the election.

SEC. 3. Registration. — There shall be nationwide registration for lawyers who may wish
‘to avail of their early voting privileges to qualify them for early voting. Those who are not
registered under this Act shall vote on Election Day.

SEC. 4. Obligations of the COMELEC. — To ensure the smooth implementation of this
Act, the COMELEC shall:

(a) Keep a record of lawyers who are registered voters;

(b) In coordination with local government units, the Office of the Bar Confidant of the
Supreme Court, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the Department of the
Interior and Local Government, design a registration system that shall allow
lawyers to register and opt for early voting in order to improve their voting
experience in national and local elections; and

(c) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting by qualified lawyers.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to fund early voting by qualified
lawyers in national and local elections shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. — The provisions of Batas Pambansa Big. 881 or the
Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled “An Act Providing for Synchronized
National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor,
and for Other Purposes”; and other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to
facilitate the early voting by qualified lawyers.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, the COMELEC shall, in consultation with other relevant government and
nongovernment agencies, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement this


Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,