Republic of the Philippines “
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

480

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
POSTPONING THE DECEMBER 2022 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG
KABATAAN ELECTIONS, 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

Local Government Units serve as a vital link between the national government
and the people. In other words, “local government units are on the frontline trenches.”
Hence, efforts at improving the performance of Local Government Units should be of
crucial concem for all of us and at this seemingly important juncture, since the crafting
of the Local Government Code in 1991, the provision of basic services through the
implementation of meaningful programs at the local level are inextricably linked with
the stability of term of office. As enunciated in the Local Government Code of 1991,
“the capabilities of local government units especially the municipalities and barangays,
shall be enhanced by providing them with opportunities to participate actively in the
implementation of national programs and projects. A two-year term may not be enough
for our local barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials to effectively craft and
implement needed reforms and projects at the local level.

A more pressing problem that besets the conduct of the December 2022
barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections is its cost. Considering that the country
is still battling the pandemic, aside from other problems such as high inflation and
elevated prices of goods and fuel, as a result of the continuing war between Russia
and Ukraine which affects the free movement of goods, it is best to conserve our
resources and simply allocate the billions of pesos to be spent on another elections
this 2022 towards the pandemic response programs of the national government.


This bill is submitted with the view of postponing the December 2022
synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections to May 2024 which help
our national government conserve resources in the continuing fight against the
pandemic. This would also provide continuity of service on the barangay front,
considering that national and local officials had just been elected a few months prior.

Considering the lofty purposes of this bill, | enjoin our colleagues to help us

pass the same into law.
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

Representative, 2nd District Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

480

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

AN ACT
POSTPONING THE DECEMBER 2022 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG
KABATAAN ELECTIONS, 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

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

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

“SECTION. 1. Date of Election. - There shall be synchronized barangay and
‘sangguniang kabataan elections, which shall be held on July 15, 2002.
Subsequent synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall
be held on the last Monday of October 2007 and every three (3) years
thereafter: Provided, That the barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections
on December 5, 2022 shall be postponed to the second Monday of May 2024.
Subsequent synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall
be held on the second Monday of May 2027 and every three (3) years
thereafter."

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

“SEC. 4. Assumption of Office. - The term of office of the barangay and
ssangguniang kabataan officials elected under this Act shall commence at noon
of June 30 next following their election: Provided, however, That the term of
office of the barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials elected in the May
2024 elections and subsequently thereafter, shall commence at noon of June
30 next following then 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 officiomembers of the sangguniang
bayan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang panlalawigan, as the case may be,
shall continue to serve as such members in the sanggunian concemed 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, presedential 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.