REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 682
Submitted by the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral

Reforms on ___ 2.1 £52 141

Re : House BillNo.__ 4241

Recommending its Approval in substitution of House Bill
Nos. 1510 and 1960

Sponsors : Representatives Elpidio F. Garzaga, Jr,
Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro, Teodoro A. Casino, Neri Javier
Colmenares, Luzviminda C. llagan, Rafael V, Mariano, Raymond
V. Palatino, Emerenciana A. De Jesus and Antonio L. Tinio

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, to which was referred
House Bill No. 1510, introduced by the Hon. Marcelino “Marcy” R.

Teodoro, entitled:

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

and House Bill No. 1960, introduced by the Hons. Teodoro A. Casino, Neri
Javier Colmenares, Luzviminda C. Ilagan, Rafael V. Mariano, Raymond
V. Palatino, Emerenciana A. De Jesus and Antonio L. , entitled

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”
has considered the same and recommends that the attached House Bill

No___ 4241. entitled:



“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

be approved in substitution of House Bill Nos. 1510 and 1960 with Reps.
Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro, Teodoro A. Casino, Neri Javier
Colmenares, Luzviminda C. lagan, Rafael V. Mariano, Raymond V.
Palatino, Emerenciana A. De Jesus and Antonio L. Tinio as authors
thereof.

Respectfully itted:

t
HON. ELPIDIO F. BGRZAGA, JR.

Chairman
Committee on Suffrage and
Electoral Reforms

on


THE HONORABLE SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezom City

THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. 42 4 1 , ENTITLED,

“AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

FOR THE MAJORITY:

ils fp amcor meme pi Sutead eee

1 HON. SALVACION, ANDRES, JR. D.

2 HON. ORTEGA, FRANCISCO EMMANUEL R.

| 3. . HON. FERRER, ANTONIO A. ra

fi

1

1 4. | HON, COLMENARES, NERI J. \

i | . —

'

1 §. | HON, AMANTE-MATBA, MA. ANGELICA M.

Lo _

i i

; 6 HON. TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Merk: re
7. , HON, AGGABAO, GIORGIDI 8. aa |

HON. GATCHALIAN, REXLON T.

i
|
i 7 + .

9. | HON. . GO, ANA CRISTINA S. ! rhea
a
| i

HON. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS, MARLYN L. _



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL
REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2 ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

FOR THE MAJORITY:

NAME OF MEMBER SIGNATURE
f

HON. VELASCO, LORD ALLAN Q. EP

12. | HON. NOGRALES, KARLO ALEXEI B. wn!
|

13. HON. DEFENSOR, ARTHUR, JR. R.

14. ; HON, MARCOLETA, RODANTE D.
15. | HON. ROMUALDO, PEDRO P.

I ' -

16 HON. . DIAZ, ANTONIO M.

| 47. | HON.. BELLO, WALDEN F.
I!

HON. LOPEZ, CAROL JAYNE B.

!
19. | HON. . TINIO, DANTE ANTONIO L. ee 2s Z '

20. HON. GOLEZ, ROILO 8.

21. | HON. ABAD, HENEDINA R. ‘£6, hd

22. HON, APOSTOL, SERGIO AF |



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE Comma ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. , ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

FOR THE MAJORITY:

no NAME OF MEMBERS

23. ) HON. COSALAN, RONALD H.

24. ' HON. RODRIGUEZ, RUFUS B.

— fb
25. | HON. MALIKSI, ERINEO S. | (eres

i 26. | HON, UMAL!, REYNALDO V.

27. : HON. GULLAS, EDUARDO R.

28. | HON. EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B.



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE ANO
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. 42414, ENTITLED,

“AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

FOR THE MINORITY:

29. i HON. DATUMANONG, SIMEON A.

30. HON. ORTEGA, VICTOR F.

| 31 HON. FUA, ORLANDO B. |

32. | HON. AUMENTADO, ERICO B.



\

THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. 424 ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

| HON. FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.
| 1. : Speaker

i "HON. RAUL A. DAZA . i
' Deputy Speaker |

N

HON. LORENZO R. TANADA Il
‘3. Deputy Speaker

“HON. PABLO P. GARCIA”
4,’ Deputy Speaker

HON. ANTONIO A. DEL ROSARIO
5. . deputized by ARNULFO P. FUENTEBELLA
Deputy Speaker . 7
HON. JESUS CRISPIN C. REMULLA
| 6. Deputy Speaker

f HON. IRVINM. ALCALA ~
| 7. : deputized by MARIA ISABELLE G. CLIMACO
| Deputy Speaker

i -.
"HON. NEPTALI M. GONZALES il
8. Majority Leader H

9. | Deputy Majority Leader
\

THON. ROMAN T. ROMULO
0. | Deputy Majority Leader

|
L
'
' THON. JANETTE L. GARIN"
1
t
I
1



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO._ 4244 ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

NAME OF MEMBERS

HON. RODOLFO C. FARINAS
41. Deputy Majority Leader

, HON. MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY, . 7 |
12. | Deputy Majority Leader
{
i THON, MAGTANGGOL T. GUNIGUNDO .
13. | 1, Deputy Majority Leader

i “HON. DAISY A. FUENTES
14. ' Deputy Majority Leader

HON. JORGE JOHN 6. BANAL, JR.
15. _ Deputy Majority Leader

THON. ROMERO FEDERICO S. QUIMBO
16. | Deputy Majority Leader

i
i} | HON. EDCEL C. LAGMAN
| 17. | Minority Leader

THON. DANILO E. SUAREZ
18. | Deputy Minority Leader

, HON. AUGUSTO L. SYJUCO, JR.
19. ° Deputy Minority Leader

HON. CARLOS M. PADILLA
(20. _, Beputy Minority Leader



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. 424 1. ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA”

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

ho NAME OF MEMBERS SIGNATURE

; HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

| 21. | deputized by
, HON. MA. AMELITA C. VILLAROSA
| Deputy Minority Leader
THON, MARC DOUGLAS C. CAGAS IV

; 22. . Deputy Minority Leader

HON. FLORENCIO G. NCEL.

23. | Chairperson
; Committee on Accounts 7 J



warnuesune

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1
15

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Introduced by the Honorable Representatives
Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro, Teodoro A. Casino, Neri Javier Colmenares,
Luzviminda C. Hagan, Rafael V. Mariano, Raymond V. Palatino, Emerenciana
A. De Jesus and Antonio L. Tinio

4241

House BillNo.
{in substitution of House Bill Nos. 1510 and 1960)

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

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

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Early Voting for Media Act of
2010."

Section 2, Dectaration of Policy. - All Filipino citizens at least eighteen years
old, unless disqualified by law, are accorded the right of suffrage. The State ensures
equal opportunity to all in order to exercise this fundamental right, This includes special
cases wherein citizens, carrying out public service, cannot cast their votes on Election
Day.

Section 3. Coverage. - Any registered voter who, by reason of his / her duties
as member of the media, who cannot cast his / her vote on election day may vote in his
/ her municipality or city prior to the date set for the elections.


Section 4. Requirements. - Thirty (30) days before the election, officers of
media establishments shall submit to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) a list of
members of their media staff who will be assigned away from their polling place and will
not be able to vote on day of the election but desire to exercise their right to vote. Upon
verification by the COMELEC, the media practitioners, all of which must be registered
voters, must fill up an application form for early voting.

Section 5. Voting Procedures. - Those qualified to vote may cast his / her
ballot in the Office of the Municipal / City Election Registrar where he / she is registered
during office hours within fourteen (14 working days before the day of elections. He /
she will be allowed to vote for as many positions available, as any other qualified voter.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

Section 7. Appropriations. - The budget needed to implement provisions of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shail not
be affected thereby.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, letter of instructions.
resolutions, orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,


Republic of the Bhilippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezan City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. LOL

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Every time our country conducts an election, many medie people would
complain about the difficulty of exercising their right of suffrage. Most of them eventually
became diseniranchised because mediamen are usually assigned to a placeftocation

different from the precicnt where they registered.

Hence, tnis bill provides for early voting to qualified members of the media
particularly these who will be deployed to cover the conduct of elections in differant parts of
the country on election day, This is giving recognition to the fact that their official assignment
for the purpese of broadcasting and reportage ensures transparency, integrity and

accountatility amang all political participants which ultimately protects the sanctity of the

patlot,

The proposal includes mandating heads of media outfits to submit to the
COMELEC the names of their respective qualified media members who wish to avail of tne
sarly voting at least thirty (30) days before the election, Further. it allows qualified members
of the medie to vote during office hours within seven (7) working days before the election day
in the Offize of the Municipal / City Election Registrar where they are ragistered.

Given what the proposal would eventually achieve, approval of this measure 1s

westly sought.

fore J——

- ste ~+  MARCELINO "MARCY" R: TEODORO”
Ropresentative, +* District
City of Marlena



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

FiFTSENTH CONGRESS
First Reguiar Session

1i5i9

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEQDORO

ANACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

Se il enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1, Declaration of Policy, — Elections shalt be free and equal. The State shall ensure the
exercise of the right of suffrage by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disquatified by iaw

SSC. 2. Who are Qualified to Vote. - Any person, by rasan of his/her functians and dues as a
member 9 the media, who is nat able to cast his/ner vote on election day.

SEC. 3. How to Apply for Early Voting. - Thirty (30) days before the election, the appropriate
head of office shall submit to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) a list of members of
madia who are registered voters and, by reason of their duties and functions, will not be able to
vote on election day but desire to exercise their right to vote by filling up an application form for
early voung.

Upon verification by the COMELEC that the persons included in the list are qualified voters, it
small transmit the exact number of application forms ta the head of office making the request.

SEC. 4 Wha to Vote for, When and Where. ~ A member of the media qualified to vote early may
cast his/her batiat in the Office of the MunicipalCity Election Registrar where he/she is registered
during office hours within seven (7) working days before the day of elections, He/She may vote
for ag many positions avaifable ta be vated an as any other qualified voter casting his*her baiiot

0 election day proper.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The COMELEC shall promulgate the necessary
tules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations, - The amount needed to initially implement the provisions of this Act shall
be charged against the current fiscal year's appropriations of the COMELEC for the holding of
elections. In case cf deficiency, any savings generated from the budget of the COMELEC may be
used to augment said appropriations. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7 Separapility Clause. — It any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstituonat or invalid, the other provisians hereat which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effact.

SEC. 8 Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and

reguiations, other issuances and parts thereo! which are inconsistent with the provisions of this_

Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Bifectivity Clause, ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in
three (3) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. LO"

Introduced by Reps. TEODORO A. CASINO, NERI JAVIER COLMENARES,
LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN, RAFAEL V. MARIANO, RAYMOND V. PALATINO
EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, and ANTONIO L. TINIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“Tue necessity of a free press in a striving democracy Tike the Philippines has been clearly
Tae cactated over the years. Besides delivering up-so-date and infortaative mews every Js. the press
fas been pivoral in exposing coruption, humas gb siolasions and other injustices. During critical
a ee he elections, media practitioners sexve 28 both watchdogs and help desks, revealing images
fraud ad bribery, facilitadng reports of violence and inefficiency.

election

their own public service chat hinders them from exercising their ight te vore Often,
+ parts of the country to closely moniter election

‘me and capacity to uavel to their owa polling

However, it is
these media practitioners are stadoned in diffe
events. More often than not, ther do not have
precincts and vote,

disqualified by law, ate accorded the sight of suffrage. In the
ativ and absentee voting
perform dunes on

|All citizens above 18 years old, unless
past und up co the present, special provisioas have been arranged fo grant ©
eee our overseas workers, military and police personnel who are assigned +
Election Day. Tris only fait to extend the opportunity to members of the media.

“This bill secks to plant media practitioners assigned in areas other than their polling places che nght 10

participate in the elections through early voting,

Last 14° Congress, both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved separate bills culling
for advance voting in certain areas and of certain sectors, including the media, deinees and
uniformed personnel. Congress, howerer, failed to pass a reconciled version of House Bill 6928 and
Senate Bill 3570. [tis hoped that chis measure will be given priotity ander. the new Congress.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval thezeof is sougbt.



<~ {a Ca
THODORO A, CASINO
Bayan Muna Pany-fist

NERI ayte COLMENARES a ei st

Gabriela Women’s Party

R RAYMO v. Em
Anakpawis Party-list yataan Party-list

EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS Kime

Gabriela Women’s Party ACT Teachers Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

eo

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by Reps. TEODORO A. CASINO, NERI JAVIER COLMENARES,
LUZVIMINDA C, ILAGAN, RAFAEL. V. MARIANO, RAYMOND V, PALATINO
EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, and ANTONIO L. TE NIO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

SECTION 1. Title, - ‘This Act shall be known as the “Early Voting for Media Act of 2010.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy, ~ 43 Filipmno citizens at east eighteen years old, unless
Gisqualified by law, are accorded the right of suflage. The State casures egual opporsunits to all ia
der to exercise this fundamental right. This incluces special cases wherein citizens, carrying out

public service, cannot cast their votes on election day

SECTION 3. Coverage.— Any registered votes, br reason of his/her duties as member of the
media, who cannot cast his /her vote on election day may vote in his/her municipality or city in

advance.

SECTION 4. Reguérenents. — Thirty dars becore the election, officers of media establishments
shall submit to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) a list of members of cheir media staff who
will be assigned away fromm their polling place and will not be able to vote on Election Das but desize
to exescise their tight to vote. Lipon verification by the COMELEC, the media practitioners, al) of
which must be registered voters, must fill up am application form for early voring

SECTION 5. Vouiag procedures. — Those qualified ro vote early may cast his/her bailor in the
Oifice of the Municipal /City Election Registrar where he/she is cegistered during office hours within
fourteen (14) working days before the day of elections. He/she will be allowed to vote for as many
positions available, us any other qualified vorer.

SECTION 5. Jmplementiag Rules and Regulations, ~ The COMELEC shall pzomulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. .



SECTION 6. Appropriations, — ‘The budger needed ro implement provisions of this Act shall be
ed in the annual General Appropriations Act

provision of this Act be declared invalid or

SECTION 11, Constitutionality, - Shoulé
of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby

uncens:itutional, the validity or constitutional;

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decsees, letters of instructions, resolutions, orders,
ordinances or pasts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two
(2 newspapers of general circulation.

Abproved,



COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL REFORMS
45" Congress

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

November 23, 2010, Tuesday, 1:30 PM
Conference Rooms 1 & 2, RVM Bldg.,

House of Representatives, Batasan Complex

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order 2:05 PM.
U. ROLL CALL,
Upon the duly seconded motion of Rep. Fua, the calling of the roll was dispensed with.

Mi, READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 17, 2010
MEETING

Upon the duly seconded motion of Rep. Fua. the minutes of the November 17, 2010 were
approved. The reading of the same was dispensed with

IV. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MEMBERS, GUESTS AND RESOURCE PERSONS

The Chair acknowledged the members of the committee in attendance. Representatives from
the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Parish
Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were likewise present.


Vv. MEETING PROPER

a} ON EARLY VOTING

«For qualified members of the media

fi) HB 1510 by Rep. Teodoro and

{i) HB 1960 by Reps. Casifio, Colmenares, lagan, Mariano, Palatino, De Jesus and Tinio
+ For national and local elections

() HB 2722 by Reps. (R) Rodriquez and (M) Rodriguez

COMELEC Director Pizana informed the body that ine early voting bills are doable. She
explained the pracess of local absentee voting identifying all the steps involved. This privilege,
She said, is extended to members of the Special Board of Election Inspectors, AFP. PNP.
district supervisors, COMELEC, DFA and other officials that are assigned in different parts of
the country during election day. “But it will be easier to implement if they will vote only for

national positions,” she added.
‘At this point, Vice-Chairman Colmenares: presided over the meeting.

Director Rafanan commented on the early voting for qualified members of the media He stated
that, “The easiest way to accomplish this is to insert in the existing EO for local absentee voting
the word “media” in the categories that enjoy the privilege.” He proposes further that the term
“ocai absentee voting” be amended to “domestic absentee voting” to differentiate it “rom
“overseas absemtee voting.” “The word “local” is misconstrued as not including national
positions for voting,” he explained.

Presiding Officer Colmenares gave 2 summary of Director Pizana's pronouncements. He stated
that the Executive Order governing local absentee voting excludes local positions. “It would be
better if they can vote for local positions.” he furthered, He likewise expressed his
apprehensions on how to go about early voting or local absentee voting for media as they come
from private entities. Director Rafanan sees no probler in implementing the faw even if media

practitioners do not come from the government.

‘The Presiding Officer emphasized on the point that ever if it is easier on the part of the
COMELEC to exclude local positions in local absentee voting. it will be better that those who
have the privilege will be able to vote for all positions as they, 'n the first place, will vote in their
respective places of registration. Director Rafanan said that the suggestion is very feasible.

Rep. Fua stated that it may falb under class legislation if the members of the media will be
alewed to vote for local positions and the others who enjoy locat absentee voting privileges

cannot.


Director Rafanan answered that everyone who enjoys the said privilege, not only the members
of the media, shall be allowed to vote for local positions.

Director Rafanan put his opinion forward on the overseas absentee voting law being more
effective if it operates on proxy voting. Presiding Officer Colmenares reacted that the director's
pronouncements are not supposed to be a part of the discussions. “A meeting on the OAV will
be scheduled very soon; maybe those paints could be integrated there,” the Presiding Officer

added
At this point, Rep, Rodriguez emphasized on the need to institutionalize early voting in the

county citing long lines, low voter tum-out and the discomfort in voting as reasons. He
informed the body that the biggest states in the US practice early voting. He then moved for the

approval of his bill,
Director Rafanan gave his comments. He is apprehensive that the long lines on election day
will transfer to the lines, or queues in early voting unless the privilage Is extended only to those
who really need it

Rep. Fua stated that he was able to observe firsthand the elections in California, “it is as

there is no election going on, how can we do it like that,” he asked,

Dr. Serrano of PPCRV is concerned on trending, cheating tactics and security risks that early
voting may unintentionally encourage, "A select group is more manageable than the general

public,” he stated,

Presiding Officer Colmanares then said that, "This will be more work for COMELEC, yes. But
this is strengthening the exercise of the right to suffrage.”

Rep. Rodriguez’ motion to approve early voting for national and iocal elections was carried.
House Bill No. 2272 is approved subject to amendments, He then moved for the approval af the
two bills on early voting for qualified members of the media subject to substitution. The same
was likewise carried and House Bill Nos. 1510 and 1960 were approved.


b) ON STIFFER PENALTIES ON ELECTION-RELATED VIOLENCE

(HB 584 by Reps. (R) Rodriguez and (M) Rodriguez
At this point, Chairman Barzaga presides.

Rep. Rodriguez steted that he filed House Bill No. 2514 in the 14” Congress and was
transmitted to the Senate but it did net act on i. For the present 15" Congress, he re-filed the
same bill on stiffer penalties on election-related violence. House Bill No. 684 seeks to impose
harsher penalties on violence connected to elections. He then moved for its approval

Before acting on the motion, the Chair gave the opportunity for the Invited resource persons to
make their positions on the matter manifest.

The representatives of the PNP and AFP fully support the imposition of harsher penalties on
election-related violence to deter future offenders.

Atty. Cuevas of the DOJ Informed the body that insofar as preliminary investigations on election-
related case are concerned, they are exclusively lodged with the COMELEC.

Director Rafanan reacted by saying that jurisdiction is now concurrent with COMELEC and the
DOJ. "RA 9369 Section 43 amends Section 265 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The Chair directed Atty. Cuevas to submit 2 position paper on the matter.
Rep. Rodriguez’ motion to approve his bill on stiffer penalties on election-related violence is

carried. House Bill No. 584 was approved without amendments.

c) ON STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM

(HB 49 by Reps. (R) Rodriguez and (M) Rodriguez
(ii) HB 403 by Rep. Angara

For lack of time, the discussions on the bills on strengthening the political party system were
deferred for the next meeting

NS


FACT SHEET

House Bill No. 4241
{in substitution of House Bill Nos. 1510 and 1960)

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

Introduced by the Honorable Representatives:
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO, TEODORO A. CASINO, NERI JAVIER
COLMENARES, LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN, RAFAEL V. MARIANO, RAYMOND V.
PALATINO, EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS and ANTONIO L. TINIO

Committee Referral: Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms
Committee Chairperson: HON. ELPIDIO F. BARZAGA,JR.

OBJECTIVES:

+ This bill seeks to grant media practitioners assigned in areas other than their
polling places the opportunity to participate in the elections through early voting.

KEY PROVISIONS:

* A qualified member of the media who cannot cast his vote on Election Day may
do so in his municipality/city in advance.

* Thirty (30) days before the election. officers of media establishments shall submit
to the Commission on Elections a list of members of their media staff who will be
assigned away from their polling place and will not be able to vote on Election
Day but desire to exercise their right to vote. Upon verification by the COMELEC.
the media practitioners, all of which must be registered voters, must fill up an
application form for early voting

* Qualified members of the media may vote during office hours within fourteen (14)
working days before the day of the elections in the Office of the Municipal/City
Election Registrar where they are registered

» Funds needed to implement provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual
GAA.


Vi. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 PM

Prepared by:

Certified correct by:

DEBBIE ANNE F. SORIANO-GARCIA
Committee Secretary

Approved by:

ELPIDIO F. BARZAGA, JR.
Chairman


Republic af the Philippines

House of Representatives

@urcon City, Metro Mawile

HON. JOSEPH EMILIO A. ABAYA
Congressman, Ist District, Cavite
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations

February 8, 2011

HON. ELPIDIO F. BARZAGA, JR
Chairman
Commitee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.

Dear Chairman Barzaga:
Please be informed that the Committee on Appropriations in its meeting held today at
Conference Rooms 7 and 8, Ramon V. Mitra Building, approved to report out the
following biils without amendment:
1) Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 1510 and 1960, entitled “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING TO QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE
MEDIA” and

2) House Bill No. 2722, as amended, entitled “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR
EARLY VOTING FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS.”

Very truly yours,

JOSEP! ABAYA
a

. Teodoro ALCasino
Hon. Neri Javier Colmenares
Hon. Luzviminda C. llagan
Hon. Rafael V. Mariano

Hon. Raymond V. Palatino

Hon. Emerenciana A. De Jesus
Hon. Antonio L.. Tinio

Hon. Rufus B, Rodriguez

Hon. Maximo B, Rodriguez, Jr.