Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__1510

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Every time our country conducts an election, many media people would
complain about the difficulty of exercising their right of suffrage. Most of them eventually
became disenfranchised because mediamen are usually assigned to a place/location
different from the precicnt where they registered.

Hence, this bill provides for early voting to qualified members of the media
particularly those who will be deployed to cover the conduct of elections in different parts of
the country on election day. This is giving recognition to the fact that their official assignment
for the purpose of broadcasting and reportage ensures transparency, integrity and
accountability among all political participants which ultimately protects the sanctity of the
ballot.

The proposal includes mandating heads of media outfits to submit to the
COMELEC the names of their respective qualified media members who wish to avail of the
early voting at least thirty (30) days before the election. Further, it allows qualified members
of the media to vote during office hours within seven (7) working days before the election day
in the Office of the Municipal / City Election Registrar where they are registered.

Given what the proposal would eventually achieve, approval of this measure is
earmestly sought.

fares! J——

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative, 1* District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1510

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — Elections shall be free and equal. The State shall ensure the
exercise of the right of suffrage by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law.

SEC. 2. Who are Qualified to Vote. - Any person, by reason of his/her functions and duties as a
member of the media, who is not able to cast his/her vote on election day.

SEC. 3. How to Apply for Early Voting. — Thirty (30) days before the election, the appropriate
head of office shall submit to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) a list of members of
media who are registered voters and, by reason of their duties and functions, will not be able to
vote on election day but desire to exercise their right to vote by filling up an application form for
early voting,

Upon verification by the COMELEC that the persons included in the list are qualified voters, it
shall transmit the exact number of application forms to the head of office making the request.

SEC. 4. Who to Vote for, When and Where. — A member of the media qualified to vote early may
cast his/her ballot in the Office of the Municipal/City Election Registrar where he/she is registered
during office hours within seven (7) working days before the day of elections. He/She may vote
for as many positions available to be voted on as any other qualified voter casting his/her ballot
on election day proper.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount needed to initially implement the provisions of this Act shall
be charged against the current fiscal year’s appropriations of the COMELEC for the holding of
elections. In case of deficiency, any savings generated from the budget of the COMELEC may be
used to augment said appropriations. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, other issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in
three (3) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,