HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila '

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
333

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT POSTPONING THE DECEMBER 5, 2022 BARANGAY AND
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS TO THE FIRST MONDAY OF 2024
AND EVERY FIVE (5) YEARS THEREAFTER, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10632, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10656, REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 10923, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10952 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11462
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the recent war between Ukraine and Russia
has left the Philippine Economy in dire straits. In the year 2020, the Philippine
GDP decreased by 9.5% which was its worst plunge since the Philippine Statistics
Authority started collecting data in 1946. Furthermore, it was also the first time
since 1998 or a year after the Asian financial crisis that the Philippine GDP has
contracted!

While the Philippine economy grew, albeit from the historic decline in 2020,
by 5.7% in 2021? and was poised to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, the war
between Ukraine and Russia has again threatened the recovery of the economy.
Last May 2022, the inflation rate in the Philippines has increased to 5.4% which
was its fastest pace since November 2018. Furthermore, the year-to-date
adjustments of domestic oil prices as of 21 June 2022 stand at a net increase of
Php 29.50/liter for gasoline, Php 44.25/liter for diesel and Php 39.65/liter for
kerosene’.

1 Philippines GDP shrinks 9.5% in 2020, worst since 1947 available at
https‘/asia.nikkei.com/Bconomy/Philippines GDP shrinks'9.5-in 2020-worst since-1947 (last
acevssed on 23 June 2022).
2 PSA Releases Annual Revisions of the National Accounts of the Philippines available at
https//psa.gov.phleontent/psa-releases-annual revisions-national-accounts philippines0 (last
accessed on 23 June 2022),
8 Oil Monitor as of 21 June 2022 available at https/www.doe.gov.ph/oil monitor ?withshicld=1 last
June 2022)

accessed on 23


The estimated cost of conducting the scheduled December 05, 2022
synchronized barangay and sanggunian kabataan elections is about Php 8.141
Billion pesos. Verily, this amount can be better utilized and should be redirected
to various economic stimulus programs which can help alleviate the hardships
that our countrymen are currently facing because of the continuing effects of the
COVID-19 Pandemic and the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Lastly, the amendment of the term of office for barangay and sanggunian
kabataan officials from three (3) years to five (5) years will also entail billions of
pesos worth of savings of public funds which can be utilize for the recovery of the
economy in the foreseeable future.

In view of the foregoing, this House Bill seeks to amend Republic Act No.
9164, as amended by Republic Act No. 9340, Republic Act No. 10632, Republic Act
No. 10656, Republic Act No. 10923, Republic Act No. 10952, and Republic Act No.
11462 to postpone the scheduled December 05, 2022 synchronized barangay and
sanggunian kabataan elections to the first Monday of May 2024 and every five (5)
years thereafter.

‘The jqmediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

MICHAEL L, ROMERO PhD.
Representative
1-PACMAN Partylist


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 333

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT POSTPONING THE DECEMBER 5, 2022 BARANGAY AND
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS TO THE FIRST MONDAY OF 2024
AND EVERY FIVE (5) YEARS THEREAFTER, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10632, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10656, REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 10923, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10952 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11462
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. - Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act No.
9340, Republic Act No. 10632, Republic Act No. 10656, Republic Act No. 10923,
Republic Act No. 10952 And Republic Act No. 11462, is hereby further amended
to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. Date of Election. — The synchronized barangay and
sangguniang kabataan elections scheduled on December 5, 2022
shall be postponed and be held on the first Monday of May 2024.
Subsequent barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be
held on the first Monday of May 2029 and every five (5) years
thereafter.”

SEC 2. - Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act No. 9340,
Republic Act No. 10632, Republic Act No. 10656, Republic Act No. 10923, Republic
Act No. 10952 And Republic Act No. 11462, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:

"SEC 4. Assumption of Office. - The term of office of the barangay
and sangguniang kabataan officials elected under this Act shall
commence at noon of June 30 next following their election.”

SEC 3. Hold-Over. - Until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified, all incumbent barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials shall
remain in office, unless sooner removed or suspended for cause: Provided, That
barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials who are ex officio members of the
sangguniang bayan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang panlalawigan, as


the case may be, shall continue to serve as such members in the sanggunian
concerned until the next barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections.

SEC 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be taken from the appropriations of the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) under the General Appropriations Act and/or supplementary
appropriations thereafter.

SEC 5. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts
thereof, which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provisions of this Act, are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby
shall remain in force and effect.

SEC 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately following the
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper
of general circulation.

Approved.