Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1357 
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative 
JC M. ABALOS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the 19th Congress, this Representation filed House Bill (HB) No. 4349, titled 
“An Act Providing for Early Voting for Qualified Senior Citizens and Persons with 
Disabilities in National and Local Elections”. This measure intends to address the 
concerns of Senior Citizens and PWDs on the challenges they face during elections 
such as varying levels of inaccessibility of precincts in voting centers that could lead 
to the disenfranchisement of the said sectors.  
It was fortunate that fourteen (14) other similar bills were introduced in the 
previous Congress. All these bills, including HB 4349 were consolidated and 
substituted by House Bill No. 7576, “An Act Providing for Early Voting by Qualified 
Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, Lawyers, and Human Resources for 
Health in National and Local Elections”. As the title indicates, it included other 
sectors that could benefit from early voting hours during elections. 
Later on, HB 7576 was approved on its third and final reading, and was 
consequently transmitted to the Senate.  
In the 2025 National and Local Elections, the Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC)’s implementation of early voting hours for Senior Citizens, Persons 
with Disabilities, and other relevant sectors is commendable.  
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Since this Representation wishes to institutionalize such features in the 
national and local elections, and no further actions were done to HB 7576, this 
Representation adopted the latest version of the said substitute bill and intends to 
file this measure. 
Therefore, its immediate passage is earnestly sought.  
JC M. ABALOS 
Representative 
4Ps Partylist 
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1357
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative 
JC M. ABALOS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS, 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, LAWYERS, AND HUMAN RESOURCES FOR 
HEALTH IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs). 
lawyers, and human resources for health by giving them the option to vote earlier 
than the date set for the elections. 
SEC. 2. Early Voting. — In consideration of their respective physical and 
health conditions, senior citizens and PWDs shall be allowed to vote early in 
national and local elections. Similarly, in consideration of the necessity of providing 
professional services and ensuring the health and safety of the populace during 
election day, lawyers and human resources for health, respectively, shall be allowed 
to vote early in national and local elections. 
For the purposes of this Act, the term "human resources for health" shall refer 
to those who are engaged in health and health-related work, and all persons 
employed in all hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health 
units, barangay health stations, clinics and other health-related establishments 
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owned and operated by the Government or its political subdivisions with original 
charters and shall include medical, allied health professional, administrative and 
support personnel employed regardless of their employment status who physically 
report to the frontlines during the day of the election. 
 
SEC. 3. Registration. — There shall be a nationwide registration for senior 
citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health to qualify them to avail of 
this early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under this Act shall vote on 
Election Day. 
 
SEC. 4. Obligations of the Commission on Elections. — To ensure the 
effective implementation of this Act, the Commission on Elections shall: 
 
(a)​Keep a record of senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for 
health who are registered voters; 
 
(b)​Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the 
National Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the 
Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court, the Integrated Bar of the 
Philippines, the Department of Health, and the Department of the Interior 
and Local Government for senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human 
resources for health in order to facilitate their early voting; 
 
(c)​Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs, 
and properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical 
aids, as mandated under Republic Act No. 10366 entitled, "An Act 
Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to 
Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior 
Citizens"; and 
 
(d)​Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior 
citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health. 
 
SEC. 5. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the available appropriations of 
the COMELEC. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. — The provisions of Batas Pambansa 
Blg. 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 
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laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate early voting for qualified 
senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health. 
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from 
its effectivity, the Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
 
SEC 9. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof, which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision 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 a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved, 
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