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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with 
disabilities (PWDs) by allowing them to vote earlier than the date set for the 
elections. 
This measure provides, among others, for national and local elections, there shall 
be early voting where qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their 
ballot at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC) within seven (7) working days before the date set for the elections. 
Similarly, this bill mandates the COMELEC to ensure that polling places are safe 
and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs and adequately fitted with the 
necessary communication, visual, and physical aids. 
Hence, this representation seeks the passage of this measure.      
RUDYS CAESAR G. FARIÑAS I 
February 21, 2023
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS AND
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of 
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the State to make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with 
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disabilities (PWDs) by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date    set 
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for the elections. 
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SEC. 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be early 
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voting where qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their ballot 
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at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections 
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(COMELEC) within seven (7) working days before the date set for the elections. 
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SEC. 3. Registration. - There shall be a nationwide registration for 
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senior citizens and PWDs to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. 
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Those who are not registered under this Act shall vote on                   Election 
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Day. 
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SEC. 4. Obligations of the COMELEC. - To ensure the effective implementation 
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of this Act, the COMELEC shall: 
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(a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;
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(b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units,
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the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on   Human Rights, 
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the Department of Health and the Department of Interior and Local Government, 
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that allows senior citizens and PWDs to register               and opt for early voting; 
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  (c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and 
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PWDs, and properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and 
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physical aids, as mandated under Republic Act No. 10366 entitled,                An 
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Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to 
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Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior 
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Citizens”; and 
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  (d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for                
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qualified senior citizens and PWDs. 
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SEC 5. Appropriations. – The initial amount for the implementation of                
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this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the 
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COMELEC. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the   Annual 
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General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas              
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Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No.                
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7166, entitled, “An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections 
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and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other 
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Purposes”; and other election laws not inconsistent                 herewith shall be 
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applied to facilitate early voting for qualified senior    citizens and PWDs. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90)                 days 
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from its effectivity, the Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations 
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for the implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby 
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shall remain in force and effect. 
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SEC 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts 
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thereof, which are contrary to and inconsistent with     any provision of this Act, 
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are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication 
in 
the 
Official 
Gazette 
or 
in 
a 
newspaper 
of 
general                  
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circulation. 
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Approved,