FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
7 GET 16 p5 125 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Local sectoral representation is one of the most significant democratization 
provisions in the 1987 Constitution as well as in the 1991 Local Government Code. It 
allows representatives from local sectoral groups especially those belonging to the 
marginalized to be elected as members of the local sanggunians and participate in local 
legislation or policy-making process. It intends to expand the composition of local 
sanggunians by democratizing electoral and political opportunities in consonance with 
the social justice provisions of the Constitution. By allowing the people to choose their 
sectoral organizations, the representation of the marginalized sectors in the local 
sanggunians will be ensured. 
Section 9, Art. X of the 1987 Constitution states that “[l]egislative bodies of local 
governments shall have sectoral representation as may be prescribed by law.” Section 41( 
c) of R.A. No. 7160 or the LGC, on the other hand, states that “...there shall be one (1) 
sectoral representative from the women, one (1) from the workers, and one (1) from any 
of the following sectors: the urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, disabled 
persons, or any other sector as may be determined by the sangguniun concerned within 
ninety (90) days prior to the holding of the next local elections as may be provided for by 
law.” It also states that COMELEC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
effectively provide for the election of such sectoral representatives. 
While previous attempts were made by the COMELEC to set the date and call 
the first elections for sectoral representatives through various resolutions (Resolutions 
Nos. 2515 and 2753 - calling for special elections in 1993; Resolution Nos. 2753 - 


where elections for sectoral representatives would coincide with the 1995 national and 
local elections), no elections to date has been conducted. 
In 1995, Congress enacted R.A. No. 7887, which instituted certain electoral 
reforms. The last par. of Sec. 1 thereof states that the “COMELEC shall promulgate rules 
and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of law which may hereafter be 
enactedproviding for the election of sectoral representatives.” This provision apparently 
strengthened COMELEC’s position not to push through with the planned elections in 
deference to Congress. 
Twelve years after, Congress has yet to pass an enabling law that will pave the 
way for the conduct of elections for local sectoral representatives. The constitutional and 
statutory mandate for such elections has not been implemented simply because of the 
absence of an enabling law that will provide for the manner and date of election of 
sectoral representatives to the local sangguniuns. 
This bill if enacted into law will serve as the enabling law for the unimplemented 
constitutional and statutory policy on local sectoral representation. The salient features of 
the bill includes: (a) election of (3) sectoral representatives each in the Sangguniang 
Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Panlungsod -- one (1) from the 
women sector, one (1) from the workers, and one (1) from any of the following sectors: 
the urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, disabled persons and elderly; @) the 
first election will be on the second Monday of May 2010 and every three years thereafter; 
(c) requirement of registration of sectoral organizations/coalitions to qualify in elections; 
(d) qualifications of sectoral nominees; (e) forfeiture of seat by any elected sectoral 
representative who changes his organizational affiliation during his term of office; and 
(f) conduct of voters’ education. 
For the past seventeen years since the enactment of the Local Government Code, 
there has been a marked increase in interest by civil society in local governance. This 
augurs well in instilling greater accountability in governance, but also in promoting 
innovative governance in partnership with an empowered civil society. The 


implementation of local sectoral representation is an important institutional mechanism 
for attaining this objective. 


5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 
OCT 16 P5:25 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER AND DATE OF ELECTION OF SECTORAL 
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LOCAL SANGGUNIANS AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Local Sectoral 
Representation Act of 2007”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to have sectoral 
representatives belonging to marginalized sectors in the provincial, city and municipal 
sanggunians. It is likewise the policy of the State to uphold the right of the people and 
their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, 
political and economic decision-making. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall mean: 
(a) “Sectoral Organization” refers to a group of citizens belonging to any of the 
following sectors: 1. women, 2. workers, 3. indigenous peoples and cultural communities, 
4. differently-abled persons, 5. senior citizens, 6. children, 7. urban poor and 8. 
cooperatives; 
@) “Coalition” refers to an aggrupation of duly registered sectoral organizations 
enumerated above and any other sector as may be determined by the sanggunian 
concerned for political and/or election purposes; 
(c) “Workers” refers to industrial, commercial, service workers, migrant workers, 
informal sector workers, agricultural workers; 
24 
1 


(d) “Marginalized sector” refers to those who are underrepresented and 
underprivileged. 
(e) “Indigenous Peoples” refer to a group of people or homogenous societies 
identified by self-ascription and ascription by other, who have continuously lived as 
organized community on communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, 
under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed customs, 
tradition and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, 
social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and culture, became 
historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. ICCs/IPs shall likewise include 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
1 5 
16 
peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations 
which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of 
inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present state 
boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political 
institutions, but who may have been displaced from their traditional domains or who may 
have resettled outside their ancestral domains; 
(9 “Commission” refers to the Commission on Elections; 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
SECTION 4. Election of Sectorul Representatives. - There shall be three (3) 
sectoral representatives each in the Sungguniung Punlalawigan, Sungguniung Buyun and 
Sungguniung Punlungsod who shall be elected pursuant to this Act: One (1) from the 
women sector; one (1) from the workers; and one (1) from any of the following sectors: 
indigenous peoples and cultural communities, differently-abled persons, senior citizens, 
children, urban poor and cooperatives to be determiued by the sunggunion concerned not 
later than one (1) year prior to the holding of the next local elections: Provided, That, 
such third sector shall likewise belong to the marginalized sectors of society. Provided, 
Whennore, That the youth shall not be among the sector to be chosen by the sungguniun 
because they are already represented by the Sungguniun Kubutuun as provided for under 
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, as 
amended. 
2 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
Furthermore, this bill recognizes the marginalized representation of IPS in areas 
where they are present. Thus, the election of a sectoral representative from the IP sector 
shall not in any way preclude the mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and 
other local legislative council, as guaranteed by Republic Act 8371 (Indigenous Peoples 
Rights Act). 
In cases o f  provinces, cities or municipalities with more than one district, sectoral 
representatives shall be elected at large. 
Selection of the third sector shall be by resolution duly adopted by a majority of 
the Sanggunian concerned provided that in the said selection the Sanggztlnian shall be 
guided by the any or all of the following factors: size and number of the members of the 
sectors seeking representation, impact of issues and concerns of the said sector and its 
relation to the overall welfare and development of the local government unit, and 
adequacy of representation in other bodies of the sectors seeking representation. 
The third sector determined by the sanggunian shall remain in force unless the 
sanggunian concerned determines a new sector. In the event that the sanggunian fails to 
determine the third sector in the first sectoral elections, the third slot shall be contested by 
any of the other sectors enumerated in this section. 
SECTION 5. Date of Election. - The first election for local sectoral 
representatives shall be held simultaneously with the local elections on the second 
Monday of May 2007 and every three years thereafter. 
SECTION 6. Manifestation to Participate in the Elections. - Any sectoral 
organization or coalition already registered with the Commission need not register anew. 
However, such organization shall file with the Commission, not later than one hundred 
twenty (120) days before every election, a manifestation of its intention to participate in 
the elections for sectoral representative: Provided, That, a coalition may run only for one 
and the same sector in a province, city or municipality: Provided further, That, no 
member-organization of a coalition which has manifested its desire to partkipate in the 
elections shall be eligible to run in the same local government. 
3 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
SECTION 7. Registvation. - Any sectoral organization or coalition which has 
been in existence for at least one (1) year at the time of effectivity of this Act, duly 
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Department of Labor 
and Employment, or with government agencies concerned, or with local government 
units concerned, and with a membership of not less than twenty five (25) registered 
voters within the municipality or city where it seeks to be a candidate, shall file with the 
Commission, not later than one hundred eighty (180) days before the election, a petition 
for registration and manifestation duly verified by its president or secretary stating its 
intention to participate in the election for sectoral representative, attaching thereto its 
constitution, by-laws, platform of program of government, Iist of officers, coalition 
agreement, if any, and other relevant information as the Commission may require. 
Failure to submit the aforecited formal requirements shall be a ground for 
dismissal, motu proprio by the Commission of its petition; Otherwise, the Commission 
shall immediately post the verified petition in the office of the election officer and in the 
bulletin board of the provincial, city or municipal hall setting the same for hearing at an 
appointed time and date. 
The Commission shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve said petition, 
including a motion for its reconsideration, within thirty (30) days from the date of its 
submission for resolution, but in no case later than one hundred twenty (120) days before 
election. 
The provincial, city or municipal chapters of registered provincial, regional or 
national sectoral organizations or coalitions shall be deemed registered: Provided, That, 
the local chapters shall notify and submit a proof of chapter affiliation and registration of 
such provincial, regional or national sectoral organization or coalition to the provincial, 
city or municipal Election Officer: Provided, further, That, provincial, city or municipal 
sectoral organizations or coalitions shall have chapters in at least twenty-five percent 
(25%) of the total number of municipalities or cities of a province where it seeks to be a 
candidate for Sunggunian Panlalawigan: Provided finally, That, each chapter shall have a 
4 


1 
membership of not less than 25 registered voters. 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
SECTION 8. Refusal or Cancellation of Registration. - The Commission, may 
motu proprio, or upon verified complaint of any interested party, refuse or cancel, aRer 
due notice and hearing, the registration of any sectoral organization or coalition on any of 
the following grounds: 
(a) It is a religious sect or denomination, organization or association organized 
solely for religious purposes; 
(b) It advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal; 
(c) It is a foreign organization; 
(d) It is receiving support from any foreign government, foreign political party, 
foundation, organization, whether directly or through any o f  its officers or members or 
indirectly through third parties for partisan election purposes; 
(e) It violates or fails to comply with laws, rules and regulations relating to 
elections; 
(0 It declares untrnthful statements in its petition; 
(g) It was dissolved, absorbed by or merged with other sectoral organizations; and 
(h) It fails to participate in the last two (2) consecutive elections. 
SECTION 9. Certified List of Registered Sectoral Organizations and Coalitions. 
-The Commission shall, not later than sixty (60) days before election, prepare a certified 
list of sectoral organizations and coalitions which have applied or manifested their desire 
to participate in the election of sectoral representatives to the local sanggunians and 
distribute copies thereof to all precincts for posting in the polling places on election day. 
The names of the nominees shall not be shown on the certified list. 
SECTION 10. Nomination of Sectoral Representative. - Each registered sectoral 
organization or coalition shall submit to the Commission not later than forty-five (45) 
days before the election, a list of nominees, ranking them as the first, second and third 
nominees. 
5 


8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
A person may be nominated in one (1) list only. Only persons who have given 
their consent in writing may be named in the list. The list shall not include any candidate 
for any elective office or a person who has lost his bid for an elective office other than 
sectoral representative in the immediately preceding election. No change of names or 
alteration of the order of nominees shall be allowed after the same are submitted to the 
Commission except in cases where the nominee dies, withdraws in writing, or becomes 
incapacitated. 
SECTION 11. Qualzjkations of Sectoral Nominees. - No person may be 
nominated as sectoral representative unless such nominee is: 
(a) A citizen of the Philippines; 
(b) A registered voter in the city or municipality where he or she intends to be 
elected; 
(c) A resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of 
the election; 
(d) At least twenty-one (21) years of age on the day of election in the case of a 
nominee for a provincial sanggunian or eighteen ( 1  8) years of age on the day of election 
in any other case; 
(e) A bona-fide member of the registered sectoral organization or coalition, which 
the nominee seeks to represent for at least ninety (90) days preceding the day of the 
election; and 
(0 Able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect. 
SECTION 12. DisqualiFcations of Sectoral Nominees. - The following are 
disqualified as nominees for sectoral representatives: 
(a) Those sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude or 
for an offense punishable by one (1) year or more of imprisonment, within two (2) years 
after serving sentence; 
(b) Those removed from office by final judgment in an administrative case; 
(c) Those convicted by final judgment for violating the oath of allegiance to the 
6 


1 
2 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
Republic of the Philippines; 
(d) Persons declared insane or non compos mentis by competent authority 
SECTION 13. Nominees Holding Appointive Ofice. - Any person holding a 
public appointive office or position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and other law enforcement agencies and 
officers and employees in government owned andlor controlled corporations shall be 
considered ipso facto resigned from his office upon the acceptance of his nomination as 
the nominee of a candidate for sectoral representation. 
SECTION 14. Manner of Voting. - Every voter shall be entitled to a vote for each 
of the positions reserved for the sectoral representatives in the local sanggunians: 
Provided, That, a vote cast for a sectoral organization or coalition not entitled to be voted 
upon shall not be counted. 
SECTION 15. Term of Office. - The term of office of sectoral representatives 
shall be three years: Provided, That, if the sectoral organization or coalition which 
nominated them is dissolved or disbanded, then the positions held by these elected 
sectoral representatives shall be deemed vacant. 
SECTION 16. Effect of Change of Affiliation. - Any elected sectoral 
representative who changes his organizational affiliations during his term of office shall 
forfeit his seat: Provided, That, if he or she changes organizational affiliation within six 
(6) months before the election, he or she shall not be eligible for nomination as sectoral 
representative under any other sectoral organization or coalition. 
SECTION 17. Vacancy. - In case a permanent vacancy in the seats reserved for 
sectoral representatives occurs, the vacancy shall be filled automatically by the next 
nominee of the organization or coalition represented by the person who caused the 
vacancy, who shall then serve the unexpired term. If the list is exhausted, the sectoral 
organization or coalition concerned shall submit additional nominees to the Commission: 
7 


7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
I 8  
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
Provided, That, such new nominee is not disqualified under this Act: Provided, further, 
That this procedure will likewise apply if the vacancy is caused by the recall of the 
nominee by the organization or coalition that they represent. 
SECTION 18. Rights of Sectoral Representatives. - Sectoral Representatives shall 
be entitled to the same salaries, emoluments, rights, privileges and benefits as members 
of the sanggunian. 
SECTION 19. Voter’s Education. - The Commission, together with and in 
support of accredited citizen’s arms, shall carry out a continuing and systematic 
campaign through newspapers of general circulation, radio and other media forms, as 
well as through seminars, symposia, and other non-traditional means to educate the 
public and fully inform the electorate about the election of sectoral representatives. 
SECTION 20. Designation of Other Dates for Certain Pre-Election Acts. -If it is 
no longer possible to observe the periods and dates prescribed by this Act for certain pre- 
election acts, the Commission shall fix other periods and dates in order to ensure the 
election of sectoral representatives: Provided, however, That his provision shall not be 
construed to allow the Commission to delay or cancel the elections for sectoral 
representatives in the year 2007. 
SECTION 21. Accommodation. - The inclusion of local sectoral representatives 
for fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities shall not increase the number of seats in the 
sanggunian as presently provided for by law unless a local government unit, by 
resolution, declares that there are available funds for such additional seats: Provided, That 
such resolution will be adopted one (1) year prior to the next local election and shall be 
henceforth be applicable in the succeeding elections. 
SECTION 22. Rules and Regulations. - The Commission shall promulgate rules 
and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act which shall be published 
in a newspaper of general circulation and/or Website. 
8 


9 
10 
11 
SECTION 23. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of 
this Act is declared unconstitutional or illegal, other parts or provisions hereof which are 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 24. Repealing Clause. - Section 41 paragraph (c) of Republic Act No. 
7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991” is hereby amended. 
Republic Act No. 8553 is hereby repealed. All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which are inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act, are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 25. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
9