Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4247 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR 
CITIZENS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, LAWYERS, AND HUMAN 
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Elections are a cornerstone of democratic participation, yet certain groups 
face unique challenges in exercising their right to vote. Senior citizens and 
persons with disabilities (PWDs) often encounter physical and health-related 
barriers on election day, while professionals such as lawyers and human health 
workers have critical responsibilities that may limit their availability to vote. 
These challenges can inadvertently disenfranchise these sectors, undermining 
their full participation in the electoral process. 
This bill seeks to address these concerns by allowing senior citizens, 
PWDs, lawyers, and human health resources to vote early in both national and 
local elections. For senior citizens and PWDs, early voting accommodates their 
physical and health conditions, ensuring safer and more convenient access to 
polling. For lawyers and health workers, early voting acknowledges their 
essential roles in maintaining public order and health, allowing them to fulfill 
professional duties without compromising their right to vote. 
September 1, 2025
3:49 pm


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By institutionalizing early voting for these groups, the bill promotes 
inclusivity, safeguards public welfare, and strengthens the democratic process by 
facilitating the participation of those who serve critical functions in society. 
This measure was also filed during the 19th Congress and was primarily 
referred to the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, where it was 
approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ 
ANDREW JULIAN K. ROMUALDEZ 
JUDE A. ACIDRE 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4247 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR 
CITIZENS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, LAWYERS, AND HUMAN 
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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, persons with disabilities (PWDs), 
lawyers, and human resources for health by giving them the option to vote earlier 
than the date set for the elections. 
SEC. 2. Early Voting. – In consideration of their respective physical and health 
conditions, senior citizens and PWDs shall be allowed to vote early in national 
and local elections. Similarly, in consideration of the necessity of providing 
professional services and ensuring the health and safety of the populace during 


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election day, lawyers and human resources for health, respectively, shall be 
allowed to vote early in national and local elections. 
 
 
For the purposes of this Act, the term “human resources for health” shall 
refer to those who are engaged in health and health-related work, and all persons 
employed in all hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health 
units, barangay health stations, clinics and other health-related establishments 
owned and operated by the Government or its political subdivisions with original 
charters and shall include medical, allied health professional, administrative and 
support personnel employed regardless of their employment status who 
physically report to the frontlines during the day of the election. 
 
SEC. 3. Registration. There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens, 
PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health to qualify them to avail of this 
early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under this Act shall vote on 
Election Day. 
 
SEC. 4. Obligations of the Commission on Elections. To ensure the effective 
implementation of this Act, the Commission on Elections shall: 
 
(a) Keep a record of senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources 
for health 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 Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court, 
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Department of Health, and the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government for senior citizens, 


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PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health in order to facilitate 
their 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, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health. 
 
SEC. 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the available appropriations of the 
COMELEC. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 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, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for 
health.  
 


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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from 
its effectivity, the Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 9.  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. 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,