Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
1° Regular Session

House Bill No. 136

Introduced by Honorable Danilo E. Suarez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It has been consistently observed that after any national and/or local
elections, the atmosphere of animosity and hostility is prevalent throughout
the country. Local politics especially, trigger conflict in the community,
coupled with incidents of violence and aggression. The same can be said
about the recently concluded national and local elections held last 10 May
2010. Several occasions of bloodshed were reported in various parts of
the country where lives and properties perished. With the barangay and
sangguniang kabataan elections slated on 25 October 2010, it is feared
that the violence will go on and conflicts will continue to hover amongst us.
To postpone the elections will thus allow the heat of the recent one to cool
down and calm to settle in.

It is likewise expected that election contests are aplenty just barely
five (5) months after the national and local polls thus the Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) will have its hands full during such time. The issues
of election protests and the conduct of the barangay and sangguniang
kabataan (SK) elections are important to Philippine society that full
attention must be afforded to both. The elections should thus be held at
the best possible time where no other pressing and equally important
matter exist. Conducting the barangay and SK elections approximately
eighteen (18) months after its original schedule is ideal.

More importantly, with the election automation under Republic Act
No. ____ being marred by numerous criticisms and allegations of fraud
and cheating, the system must first be looked into and re-evaluated to
ensure a fair and transparent election. It will invite more questions and
complaints should the same system be used for the barangay and SK
elections. It will create a mockery of the legislature and of the COMELEC
if the problems and flaws experienced in May will be the very same issues
to be confronted if the elections were to push through in October.

With the foregoing, this representation eamestly seeks the
immediate approval of this bill.

DANILO E. SUAREZ
Representative
3" District, Quezon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 136

Introduced by the Honorable Danilo E. Suarez

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, RESETTING THE
BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9340 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

"SECTION 1. Date of Election. - There shall be synchronized barangay
and sangguniang kabataan elections which shall be held on THE
SECOND MONDAY OF MAY, 2012 AND [July 15, 2002. Subsequent
synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be held
on the last Monday of October 2007 and] every three (3) years thereafter.

SUBJECT TO THE EXISTING LAW ON AUTOMATION, THE
BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS SHALL
BE FULLY AUTOMATED."

SEC. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9340 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"SEC. 4. EXTENSION/Assumption of Office. - The term of office of the
barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials elected under this Act shall
commence AT NOON OF JUNE 30 [on August 15, 2002], next following
their elections. [The term of office of the barangay and sangguniang
kabataan officials elected in the October 2007 election and subsequent
elections shall commence at noon of JUNE 30 November 30 next following
their election.]"

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall
promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and
rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - |f, for any reason, any section or provision
of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or


provisions hereof shall not be affected and thereby remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved.