0! t ; '
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
s. No. 677
25 JUL 16 P4:l1
RLCEIV.O BV
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF EARLIER VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR
?m™LREGNANT women' and persons with disabilities of the 
PURPOSESES/ APPR0PRIATING funds therefor, AND FOR OTHER
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, this right to suffrage is a fundamental 
and inviolable expression of the people's sovereign will, a means by which citizens
participate in the electoral process and help shape the direction of national and local 
governance.
However, the ultimate realization of this right requires that voting be not only 
constitutionally permitted but also physically and practically accessible to all eligible 
citizens regardless of age or physical condition. While the Constitution provides for our 
right to vote, it also compels the State to take positive measures to ensure that no
citizen is effectively disenfranchised by reason of age, disability, or temporary physical 
limitations.
According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), there are approximately 
12 million registered senior citizens and around 530,000 persons with disabilities 
(PWDs) nationwide who were qualified to vote in the recently held 2025 national and


local elections.1 However, only about 4.8 million voters from these vulnerable sectors 
were able to cast their votes during the early voting hours.2 They still encounter 
difficulties due to mobility problems and this results to most of them giving up their 
right to vote altogether.
While the COMELEC has made strides in accommodating vulnerable sectors 
during elections, challenges persist. Physical limitations, health-related concerns, and 
mobility constraints often prevent many senior citizens and PWDs from fully 
participating in regular voting activities. Pregnant women, especially those in 
advanced stages, face similar difficulties.
This bill seeks to establish a system that will allow early voting for qualified 
senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), enabling them 
to cast their ballots in accessible and secure voting centers designated by the 
COMELEC within five working days prior to the official election day. To ensure the 
integrity and orderly implementation of this system, a dedicated nationwide 
registration process shall be instituted to identify and verify those who are eligible to 
avail of the early voting privilege.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
1https://www.inquirer.net/441364/early-voting-for-seniors-pwds-pregnant-moms-begins/
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2072460/dswd-cites-snags-and-gains-in-voting-process-for-seniors-pwds


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^0; I ••
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
F/rst Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. r.77
25 JUL16 P4:ll
RHCEIVED t;'
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF EARLIER VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR
CITIZENS, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OF THE
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
v^incK
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section. 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Early Voting Days for 
Senior Citizens, Pregnant Women and PWDs Act of2025."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) by 
giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the election.
Sec. 3. Early Voting. - 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 five (5) 
working days before the date set for the elections.
Sec. 4. Registration. -There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens 
and PWDs to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not 
registered under this Act shall vote on Election Day.


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Sec. 5. Obligations of the COMELEC. -To ensure the effective implementation 
of this Act, the COMELEC shall:
a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;
b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the 
National Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the 
Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, 
that allows senior citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early voting;
c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs, 
and properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids, as 
mandated under Republic Act No. 10366 entitled, "An Act Authorizing the 
Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Pieces 
Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens"; and shall be charged 
against the current year's appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, the funding of 
which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations.
d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior 
citizens and PWDs.
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the COMELEC.
Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual General 
Appropriations Act.
Sec. 7. Applicability of Other Laws. -The provisions of Batas Pambansa Big. 881 
or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled, "An Act Providing for 
Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing 
Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes"; and other election laws not
inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate early voting for qualified senior 
citizens and PWDs.
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from its 
effectivity, the Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the 
implementation of this Act.


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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is deciared 
unconstitutional or invalid, any part or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 10. Repeating Clause. - Ail laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,