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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by
ACT TEACHERS Party-List Representative Antonio L. Tinio

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 13 of Republic Act 6646, known as the Electoral Reforms Law of 1987, mandates
that public school teachers comprise the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI). Historically,
they have acquitted themselves well in carrying out their election responsibilities, Time and
again, the success of national and local elections are rightfully attributed to the competence
and hard work of teachers. All too often, teachers on election duty have made personal
sacrifices over and above the call of duty.

In the 1995 elections, teacher Filomena Tatlonghari was shot and killed in Mabini, Batangas,
for refusing to surrender a ballot box to armed men. In the 2007 elections, teacher Nelly
Banaag died protecting ballots after masked armed men torched two classrooms which
served as polling precincts in Taysan, Batangas. In the 2010 national and barangay
elections, many more unsung heroes faced tremendous odds just to ensure the peoples’
votes are kept safe

Mandatory election duty has long been an additional burden borne by public school
teachers, who are already hard-pressed to provide quality education to our youth, in the
face of low pay and difficult working conditions. In order to alleviate their plight, teachers
must be given the freedom to choose whether or not they want to fulfil the roles of the BEI.

Elections are fundamental to a democratic country. Election service is an essential civic duty
that should be made available to all concerned citizens, The appointment of BEls from
among the ranks of motivated, civic-minded volunteers will provide greater opportunities
for people's participation in elections.

For these reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANTONIO L, TINIO.



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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. ==

Introduced by
ACT TEACHERS Party-List Representative Antonio L. Tinio

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 13 OF REPUBLIC ACT 6646,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE ELECTORAL REFORMS LAW OF 1987,”
MAKING ELECTION SERVICE VOLUNTARY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
AND OTHER CITIZENS

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

SECTION 1. Section 13 of Republic Act 6646 or the Electoral Reforms Law of 1987 is hereby
amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 13. Board of Election Inspectors — The Board of Election Inspectors to be
constituted by the Commission under Section 164 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 shall
be composed of a chairman and two (2) members, one of whom shall be designated
as poll clerk, all of whom shail be (public school teachers, giving preference to those
with permanent appointments. In case there are not enough public school teachers,
teachers in private schools, employees in the civil service, or other citizens of known
probity and competence who are registered voters of the city or municipality may be
appointed for election duty.] VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE
CITY OR MUNICIPALITY WHERE THEY WISH TO SERVE ON ELECTION DAY, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF PREFERENCE:

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS,

PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS,

EMPLOYEES IN THE GOVERNMENT, OR

CITIZENS OF KNOWN PROBITY AND COMPETENCE.”

PynN

SECTION 2. Said provision of Republic Act 6646, Republic Act 7166, Republic Act 8189 or the
Voter's Registration Act of 1996, regulations, or other issuances or any part thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of the Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or one (1) newspaper of general circulation

Approved,