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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) DATE June 22, 2021 3
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } TNE ST oe ae
Second Regular Session 4 BY er
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wo inp:

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No. 9637

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of the normal processes that we have been used to.
It showed us that we need to change some of our procedures and adapt to the current
situation.

(One change that should happen is to allow for online filing of certificates of candidacy (COC).
In most if not all provinces, cities and towns, Comelec offices are too small to accommodate
many candidates and their supporters. It cannot be denied that many supporters want to
accompany their candidate in the filing of COC. It would be impossible for them to observe
physical distancing in these workplaces.

The COMELEC can put in place systems to ensure that the online filing of COC will go
smoothly and not be tampered with.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUFUS B. Rt jUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 9637

AN ACT
ADOPTING A SYSTEM OF ONLINE FILING OF CERTIFICATES OF CANDIDACY,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166

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

SECTION 1. Section 7 of Republic Act 7166 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 7. Filing of Certificates of Candidacy. - The certificate of candidacy of
any person running for the office of President, Vice-President, Senator,
Member of the House of Representatives or any elective provincial, city or
municipal official shall be filed in five (5) legible copies with the offices of the
Commission specified hereunder not later than the day before the date
legally fixed for the beginning of his campaign period

a. The certificate of candidacy for President, Vice-President and Senators shall
be filed with the main office of the Commission in Manila;

b. The certificate of candidacy for the Members of the House of Representatives
shall be filed with the provincial election supervisor of the province
concerned. Those for legislative districts in the National Capital Region shall
be filed with the regional election director of said region and those for
legislative districts in cities outside the National Capital Region which
comprise one or more legislative districts shall be filed with the city election
registrar concerned;

c. The certificate of candidacy for provincial offices shall be filed with the
provincial supervisor concerned; and

d. The certificate of candidacy for city or municipal offices shall be filed with the
city or municipal election registrar concerned. Whenever practicable, the
names of registered candidates for local positions shall be printed in the
election returns: Provided, That, if a candidate has been disqualified or
declared a nuisance candidate, it shall be the duty of the Commission to
instruct without delay the appropriate election officials to delete the name of
said candidate as printed in the election return.

The certificate of candidacy shall be filed by the candidate personally or by
his duly authorized representative OR ELECTRONICALLY. [No certificate
of candidacy shall be filed or accepted by mail, telegram or facsimile]


‘SEC. 2. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act may
be charged against the current appropriations of the Commission. Thereafter, such sums as
may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act must be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within fifteen (15) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the Commission on Elections, in consultation with the Department of Information and
Communications Technology, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of
Interior and Local Government shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. 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. 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 provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

‘SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,