Republic of the Philippines ;
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

RECEIVE

rime: L234
NI ‘TEENTH CONGRESS y
First Regular Session

~ 2812

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives
HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR. and MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS AND
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Voting is a fundamental right of the people, one which defines the Philippines as a
democratic country. In fact, absentee voting laws have been enacted to ensure that each Filipino
will be able to exercise this right.

While absentee voting laws allow Filipinos residing or working overseas, government
officials and employees, media practitioners, members of the armed forces and police force to
vote for national elective positions, there is no law granting senior citizens and persons with
disabilities (PWDs) the same privilege. The experience of senior citizens and PWDs during the
May 2022 elections, where they had to endure long lines, crowded precincts and extended
waiting times due to technical problems in voting machines just to exercise their due right to
suffrage,! underscore the need to grant elderly voters and PWDs the privilege to vote at an
earlier period than the mandated voting day for the general citizenry.

In this proposed measure, qualified senior citizens and PWDs may opt to cast their
ballots at accessible establishments designated by the COMELEC within seven (7) working
days before the date set for the elections. Those who are not qualified shall vote on election
day.

This bill was previously filed during the 18" Congress, and was approved on Third
Reading,

* https:  /www.rappler.com /nation /elections/photos-senior-citizens-vote/

D

pares y 12022

&
a
S



In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

HORACIO x |AN!
2™ District’of Sultan Kudarat



Republic of the Phili

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2812

HOUSE BILL Ni

Introduced by Representatives
HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR. and MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING

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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. 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 elections.

SECTION 2. 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 seven (7) working days
before the date set for the elections.

SECTION 3. Registration, — There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens and
PWDs to quality them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under
this Act shall vote on Election Day.

SECTION 4. 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 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 Places Exclusively
for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens”; and

(d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior
citizens and PWDs.

SECTION 5. 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.

SECTION 6. Applicability of Other Laws. ~ The provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 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.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from its
effectivity, the Commission shal] promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation
of this Act.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, and proclamations,
rules, and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended,
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SECTION 10, Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,