Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.. 4310

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
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 of suffrage is one of the pillars of Philippine
democracy, it is the very soul of people’s expression for the
conduct of State affairs. The voting public should not be
constrained or limited in the free exercise thereof by the
overcrowded voting precincts, inconvenient locations and
additional burdens that come along the whole process. The
exercise of such right should then be modified to reflect not
only the used of modern or computerized technologies by
the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) but more so in
adapting to the changing times brought by fast paced
lifestyle and seeking the convenience of the people.

It is a common practice for Filipinos to flock the malls
for a variety of reasons, one of which is for convenience.
Given that it has become a one stop shop for everyone, a
hub on its own where business and recreation take place.
These establishments maintained by private entities have
risen to all the demands of the public; comfort brought by

a


the air conditioning, availability of parking space, sufficient
security measures, safety for all its patrons, presence of
police authorities within the area, and coordinated control
center for the facilities.

The creation of voting precincts/ sites in these places
would yield to better attendance of the voters who will be
positively affected by the appropriate progress for the
electorate. This bill seeks to encourage more citizens to
exercise their right to vote through the facilitation of
elections by means of providing comfort, especially for the
senior citizens who will escape the burden of going to the
crowded public school precincts.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has piloted
a program where they allowed and actually conducted
registration procedures within the premises of shopping
malls in accordance with the normal operating hours, thus,
the goal to educate and encourage the people to get
registered was achieved. This bill seeks to attain the best
results for the people and make sure that resources of the
government are being utilized to enhance the accessibility of
polling places.

Hence the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ew c- OW,

ERIC L, OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4310

House Bill No..

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE STRUCTURES AND OTHER
MECHANISMS FOR THE ALLOWANCE OF VOTING IN ALL
NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS WITHIN THE
PREMISES OF SHOPPING MALLS AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREOF.

SECTION 1: Title- This Act shall be known as the “Mall
Voting Convenience Act of 2019”.

SECTION 2: Declaration of Policy - The state shall ensure
the free exercise of the right of suffrage by all citizens of the
Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law.

SECTION 3: Mall Voting - The Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) shall set up structures and other mechanisms
to allow the voting in all national and local elections, except
barangay elections, within the premises of shopping malls
which shall include the following:

The list of specific shopping malls which shall be
utilized as voting precincts;

« The transfer of list of voters to be considered in
the creation of mall voting sites who are to vote
in such shopping malls as voting precincts;

« The installation of voting machines and other
devices to be used by the registered voters;


e¢ The manner in which elections shall be
conducted in these satellite voting precincts;

* Such other mechanisms necessary for mall
voting;

SECTION 4. Notification - The COMELEC shall send a
notice to the registered voter who is included in the list of
voters entitled to vote in mall voting sites. However, any
registered voter may opt to avail the right to vote in mall
voting sites either by giving a written notice to the
COMELEC or by informing in person the COMELEC or any
of its Regional, Provincial, City or Municipal Election
Registrar;

SECTION 5: Appropriations - The COMELEC shall include
allocation in its budget programs for the implementation of
this Act. The initial funding of this Act shall be charged
against the current year’s appropriations or from any
available savings of the COMELEC. Thereafter, such
amount as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The
COMELEC shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and
Regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Such
rules and regulations shall take effect upon their
publication in three (3) newspapers of general circulation.

SECTION 7: Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees,
executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances
or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8: Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days following its publication in at least three (3)
national newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED.