Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
If there is one thing that needs to be improved in our electoral system 
nowadays, it should be the process of voters’ registration. While we are already 
implementing an automated system of voting, yet voter’s registration is still adopting 
the manual method. This apparently lengthy and tiresome process is the main reason 
why a sizable number of qualified citizens are discouraged to register thereby making 
them unable to participate in the electoral process which results in low turnout during 
elections. 
The inconvenience of queuing during personal appearance before the 
COMELEC field office, the loss of income of those who are working who are 
constrained to take leave of absence from work just to be able to register, the difficulty 
of persons with disability (PWD) to go to the registration venue, and the ongoing 
threat of Covid-19, are some of the reasons that must be taken into consideration 
which necessitate online voter registration in the country. 
With the present technological advances, it is high time that the COMELEC, as 
far as practicable, adopt, design, and use an automated and online voter registration 
system that enables the electronic and online filing and processing of the application 
for voter registration, transfer of registration, reactivation, correction of voter 
registration entries and such other requests and processes relative to the voter’s 
registration and records. Through this, a more efficient, convenient and accessible 
registration process will surely encourage more citizens to participate in the electoral 
process. 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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This measure was first filed in the 18th Congress by Representatives Villanueva 
and Rivera. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 


 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT  
AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO USE AND 
IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED AND ONLINE SYSTEM FOR VOTER 
REGISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Online Voter Registration 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to establish a system 
of registration that ensures and guarantees a clean, complete, permanent, and 
updated list of voters. To encourage and ensure a continuing system of voter 
registration, the State shall adopt and make use of technologies that shall facilitate 
and allow the automated and online registration of voters, taking into account the 
integrity, completeness, and accuracy of the list of voters. 
SECTION 3. Automated and Online Voter Registration System. — The Commission 
on Elections (COMELEC) shall, as far as practicable, adopt, design, and use an 
automated and online system for voter registration that enables the electronic and 
online filing and processing of the application for voter registration, transfer of 
registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such other 
requests and processes relative to the voter’s registration and records. 
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The COMELEC shall also endeavor to use the same automated and online system for 
the verification and approval of application for voter registration, transfer of 
registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such other 
requests and processes relative to the voter’s registration and records as may be 
practicable, bearing in mind the State’s policy of ensuring the integrity and accuracy 
of the voters list and records. 
SECTION 4. Automated and Online Verification. — Where online verification of the 
application or request is not feasible in the meantime, the system shall nonetheless 
allow the applicant to submit his or her application or request through the 
COMELEC'’s online platform. The same application and the information contained 
therein, including the demographics of the applicant, shall be processed 
electronically and shall be automatically stored in the COMELEC database for 
pending voter registration application or requests. 
The system shall promptly provide the applicant with complete and detailed 
information as to the steps required to complete the application or request. 
SECTION 5. Personal Filing. - The automated and online filing of application for 
voter registration shall not preclude the personal filing of applications for 
registration, transfer of registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration 
entries, and such other requests, which shall continue to be available and conducted 
in the office of the Election Officer during office hours. 
SECTION 6. Automated and Electronic Notice of Approval or Disapproval. — The 
automated and electronic system of voter registration shall include a feature that 
automatically informs the applicant of the successful submission of his or her 
application or request. The system shall provide detailed instructions on how the 
applicant may follow up or complete the application for registration or requests, the 
estimated time to complete the processing of the application or request, details on the 
notice of approval or disapproval of the application and requests, further remedies 
available in case of disapproval, and such other information necessary to promptly 
assist the applicant with his or her application or request. 
  
SECTION 7. Secure Internet Website and Online Platforms. — The COMELEC shall 
design, devise, adopt, or otherwise use a secure Internet Website or online platform 
where such applications may be filed by voters and/or applicants. Security measures 
shall be put in place to protect and guarantee the completeness, accuracy, and 
integrity of voter registration forms, applications, and information submitted and 
filed through such Internet Website or online platform. 


SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The COMELEC, in 
coordination with the appropriate government agencies, including the Department 
of Science and Technology (“DOST”) and the Department of Information and 
Communications Technology (“DICT”), and in consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 9. Appropriation. — The amount necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the COMELEC in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that may 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other 
portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can 
still subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
memoranda, circulars, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof, 
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved.