FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 525 
I1ln i_\"t~~ _'. 
J 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
History has proven that national and local elections in our country are 
always characterized by widespread and systematic fraud at all levels with 
incidents of violence and terrorism in certain areas. Although present election 
laws provide for penalties for the commission of election-related offenses, these, 
however, are not enough to deter violators from committing the same. 
This proposed legislative measure seeks to increase the range of 
penalties for the commission of certain elected-related offenses in order to 
provide a better deterrent with the end in view of ensuring clean, orderly, honest 
and credible elections for the country's future generation. 
Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
III ,Ill -7 A9 :11 
Senate Bill No.525~.:A~-' 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLE 264 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS 
AMENDED AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 264 of Batas Pambansa Big. 881, otherwise known 
as the Omnibus Election Code, as amended, is hereby to read as follows: 
"SEC. 264. Penalties. - Any person found guilty of 
any election offense under this Code shall be punished with 
imprisonment of not less than SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) 
DAY [one year] but not more than TWELVE (12) YEARS [six 
years] and shall not be subject to probation. In addition, the 
guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer PERMANENT 
disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the 
right of suffrage. If he is a foreigner, he shall be sentenced 
deportation which shall be enforced after the prison term has 
been served. Any political part, COALITION PARTY, 
PARTY·LlST, OR GROUP ORGANIZED FOR POLITICAL 
PURPOSE found guilty shall be sentenced to pay a fine of 
not less than FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php 500, 
000.00) [ten thousand] pesos, which shall be imposed upon 
such after criminal action has been instituted in which their 
corresponding officials have been found guilty. 
In case of prisoner or prisoners illegally release from 
any penitentiary or jail during the prohibited period as 
provided in Section 261, paragraph (n) of this Code, the 
director of prisons, provincial warden, keeper of the jail or 
prison, or persons who are required by law to keep said 
prisoner in their custody shall, if convicted by a competent 
court, be sentenced to suffer to penalty of RECLUSION 
PERPETUA [prison mayor in its maximum period] if the 
prisoner or prisoners so illegally released commit any act of 
intimidation, terrorism or interference in the election. 


SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, 
orders, rules and regulations or any part thereof inconsistent herewith are 
hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen 
(15) days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,