Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. 314 9 
Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA 
4th DISTRICT, BULACAN 
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Ii? DATE O 5 AUG 2025 
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BY 
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AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATIVE MODES OF VOTING FOR PERSONS IN 
VULNERABLE SITUATIONS TO EXERC ISE THEIR RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE R.A. No. 10366, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE COMELEC TO ESTABLISH PRECINTS ASSIGNED TO 
ACCESIBLE POLLING PLACES EXCLUSIVELY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 
AND SENIOR C ITIZENS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our present voting system has to be inclusive for it to be effective tool to strengthen 
our democracy. Those who are unable to vote or those who fail to participate in the voting 
process due to physical disabilities and other circumstances beyond their control have to be 
given the opportunity to exercise their right to suffrage. The state is mandated by the 
Constitution to provide the appropriate environment to this sector of our society by developing 
systems and procedure that are responsive to their needs as they actively participate in all 
political exercises. 
Presently, however, while the COMELEC is authorized to establish precincts assigned 
to accessible polling places for person with disabilities and senior citizen in R.A. No. 10366, it 
is imperative that the special needs of the PWDs and senior citizens in the exercise of their 
right to suffrage be given primary attention and consideration. A local absentee voting system 
must also be in place to accommodate senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women and internally 
displaced persons, health workers on official duty and quarantined and hospitalized persons, 
and repatriated overseas voters. 
This proposed bill seeks to strengthen this law by providing for the needs of persons in 
vulnerable situations in exercising their right suffrage. Support for the enactment of this 
measure is earnestly requested. 
REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No.31 !.. 9
Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA 
4th DISTRICT, BULACAN 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATIVE MODES OF VOTING FOR PERSONS IN 
VULNERABLE SITUATIONS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE R.A. NO. 10366, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE COMELEC TO ESTABLISH PRECINCTS ASSIGNED TO 
ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES EXCLUSIVELY FOR PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall ensure that senior citizens, 
persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, indigenous people (lps), internally 
displaced persons (!DPs), persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), and in special circumstances, 
health workers, quarantined and hospitalized persons, repatriated overseas voters, migrant 
workers, and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in distress, are able to exercise their right to 
political participation without restrictions. The state shall devise systems and procedures that 
will enhance accessibility in their voting process. 
SEC. 2. Definition o/Terms. -As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
(a) "Commission" refers to the Commission on Elections;
(b) "Senior Citizens" refer to qualified voters where are sixty (60) years or older;
( c) "Persons with disabilities" refer to qualified voters who have long term physical,
mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments, which, in interacting with various
barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis
with others;
( d) "Pregnant women" refer to qualified voters who are pregnant during election day
regardless of the trimester of pregnancy. For purpose of local absentee voting, the
term shall refer to qualified voters who are pregnant at the time of registration for
absentee voting and are expected to remain pregnant during the period of absentee
voting;