OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 21, lays down the basic 
premises for election rights, recognizing that the conduct of free and fair elections is an integral 
element of an established democracy. 
The Philippines is a democratic and republican State (Constitution, Article 2, Section 1). 
Its policy is to promote conditions conducive to the conduct of free and fair elections and a 
climate of democratic tolerance that maintains and develops public confidence in the democratic 
process as a mechanism for implementing representative government and effecting peacefd 
change. 
Unfortunately, o UT p olitical process is marred by massive fraud and cheating. Through 
money and influence, parties and candidates in competition for political power always bend 
every rule, re-it 
to unla;%l-means, 
arid seek every advantage in the pursuit of the vote. 
Schemes of this sort must be condemned for they constitute immoral acts which are 
harmful to the democratic process. 
Hence, this bill seeks to establish a code of conduct and ethical standards for 
process, to be adhered to by political parties, candidates, political members, 
election officials, and media practitioners. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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’M AUG 10 P 4 3 3  
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR THE 
THEIR PENALTIES 
ELECTORAL. PROCESS, ENUMERATING PROHIBITED ACTS, AND PROVID 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
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Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Code of Conduct for 
Elections.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is the policy of the State to promote conditions 
conducive to the conduct o f  free and fair elections and a climate o f  democratic tolerance in 
which political activity may take place without fear of coercion, intimidation, or reprisals. 
SECTION 3. Norms of conduct of political parties, party members, candidates, and their 
sympathizers. - Every political party, paty member, candidate, and sympathizer shall observe 
the following: 
(1) Existing election laws must be complied with by all registered political parties 
and candidates. All registered political parties and candidates must actively encourage 
their members and sympathizers to comply with the provisions of existing election laws 
and must discipline and restrain them from committing any violations thereof; 
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(2) All registered political parties, political party members, candidates, and 
sympathizers shall commit themselves to - 
(A) promote free and fair elections; 
(B) publicly condemn violence and intimidation; 


(C) reject any form of discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, class, or 
religion in connection with the elections and political party activity; and 
(D) promote accurate information on the electoral processes for these 
elections: 
(3) All registered political parties and candidates must promote an atmosphere in 
whichelectionsw .be conducted in a manner that is fair, both during the campaign 
period and on polling day. They must cooperate with election officials to ensure peaceful 
and orderly polling and complete freedom for the voters to exercise their franchise 
without being subject to any annoyance, disturbance, or intimidation; 
(4) It is expected that criticism of opponents will occur during electioneering. 
However, indecorous and provocative speeches, statements, posters, taunting, ridiculing, 
and innuendos shall be avoided. All registered parties and candidates shall be careful so 
that behavior, statements, or comments do not cause unnecessary tension. 1. 
hey shall 
exercise restraint in speech, manner, and conduct, and show respect for the opinion of 
others so that electioneering does not turn into a war of words and confrontation. 
Speeches and slogans shall be dignified and based on principles of morality, decorum, 
and decency. 
(5) All registered political parties and candidates shall act with a sense of 
responsibility and dignity befitting their status. While propagating their own views and 
programs, they shall not interfere with the freedom of others to do the same, as that 
would be the negation of democracy. 
(6) The congenial and peaceful atmosphere for election must not be disturbed by 
spreading untrue and motivated rumor or by taking recourse to conspiracy; 
(7) On the declaration of a, free and fair election by the Commission on Elections 
to the satisfaction of the majority of the political parties, invited persons, and recognized 
observers, losing candidates shall honorably concede defeat; 
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(8) All registered political parties and candidates shall establish effective 
communication with one another at the central, provincial, and district levels and shall 


appoint liaison personnel, to be available for this purpose at all times, to deal with any 
problem arising during the registration of voters, the campaign, or the polling; and 
(9) All registered parties and candidates shall ensure that the election will not be 
influenced by money, weapons, muscle power, or local influence. 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. - In addition to acts and omissions of registered political 
parties and candidates prescribed in the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code of the 
Philippines, and other existing laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts and are hereby 
declared to beeunlawful:- 
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(1) All registered political parties and candidates, party members, and 
sympathizers shall not engage in practices that are corrupt or violate the integrity of the 
electoral processes, such as, but not limited to bribery of votes, intimidation of voters, 
and inducing a person to vote knowing that such person is not qualified to vote; 
(2) All registered political parties, candidates, party members, and s fithlm 
shall not create an atmosphere that leads to intimidation and harassment by b having in 
such a way that could incite violence. No party shall give indulgence to 
y kind of 
violent activity to demonstrate party strength or prove supremacy; 
(3) All registered political parties, candidates, party members, and sympathizers 
shall not publish or cause to be published false, inflammatory, or defamatory allegations 
about the personal conduct of another party or candidate; 
(4) All registered political parties, candidates, party members, and sympathizers 
shall not indulge in offering gifts or gratification or inducing another to stand, or not 
stand, as a candidate, or to withdraw, or not to withdraw, his candidacy; 
(5) All registered political parties and candidates, their members, and 
sympathizers shall not procure the assistance or support of any public servant or official 
of the Commission on Elections to promote or hinder the election of a candidate. 
(6) All registered parties shall not propagate any opinion or act i n  any m m e r  
prejudicial to the - 
sovereignty, integrity, or security of the Philippines or morality and the 
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maintenance of public order. 


(7) All registered political parties and candidates, their members, and 
sympathizers shall not use public funds, premises, vehicles, or other goods; 
(8) All registered political parties and candidates, their members,and sympathizers 
shall not disrupt or obstruct persons from attending the meetings, marches, or 
demonstrations of other parties and candidates; 
(9) All registered political parties and candidates, their members, and 
sympathizers shall not plagiarize the symbols of other parties, and shall not steal, destroy, 
or disfigure the political or other campaign materials of other parties and candidates; 
(10) All registered political parties and candidates, their members, and 
sympathizers shall not cany dangerous and lethal weapons or any instrument capable of 
being used as a weapon in any public meeting, political rally, march, or demonstration; 
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-- (11) All registered political parties and candidates, their members, and 
sympathizers shall not influence voting through money or allurement and hire or use any 
kind of transport to carry voters other than for self and family. 
SECTION 5. Voters ’Norms of Conduct. - Every voter shall observe the follow’ng: 
(1) It is the individual’s fundamental right to vote. A voter shall not ab tain from 
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voting without good reason; . 
(2) All persons eligible to register should seek at all times to be honest with the 
information they impart; 
(3) A voter must not sell his or her vote and not forfeit his freedom of choice and 
devalue his or her worth as a person; 
(4) A voter must exercise his or her responsibility by voting for a candidate on the 
basis of ability, integrity, and competence, for integrity, good character, and sound 
judgment as manifested in his or her good behavior as a voter is important to the Political 
Process, and those whom he or she seeks to elect; 
(5) A voter shall vote after serious consideration of all candidates’ policies. Each 
person has a right to his or her views and to support the candidate he o r  she prefers. 
Respect must be maintained for the opinion of others; 


(6) Each voter has a responsibility to obey the law and to pr mote the 
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maintenance of law and order throughout the country., 
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SECTION 6. Norms of conduct public ofjcials and employees of the Commission on 
Elections and other election officials. - E very e lection o fficial or employee shall observe the 
following: 
(1) All election officials must promote conditions conducive to the conduct of free 
and fair elections in which the secrecy and integrity of the ballot are respected. All 
election officials undertake to: 
(A) Refrain from politically influencing any voter; 
(B) Perform all duties and functions with care, competence, and courtesy; 
(C) Maintain strict impartiality in carrying out duties and functions; 
(D)Reject and dissociate themselves from any intimidation, force, sexual 
harassment, hostility, injury, disadvantage, or threat of reprisal to any person or 
damage to any property that may disrupt or influence the process or result of the 
elections; 
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(E)Reject and object to any form of discrimination based on gender, 
ethnicity, language, class, or religion in connection with the elections and political 
(2) All election officials shall not commit or attempt any act of cormp ion. Such 
activity; 
acts will include the commission or omission of an act in the performanc "of'or 'in 
connection with one's duties in exchange for money, gift, or promise of reward from any 
party or candidate. Election officials shall make every effort to oppose or combat any act 
of corruption that is discovered in the course of their duties; 
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(3) Election officials shall make every effort to attend meetings, training classes, 
or workshops that arc set up to facilitate the carrylng out of their functions; 
(4) All elections officials must accept the role of duly appointed representatives of 
registered political parties and candidates and their right to object to irregular procedures; 


party or candidate in connection with the elections, be the holder of an office 
or wear any apparel or emblem likely to be associated with any party or candida:e; 
in a party, 
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should be maintained in the use and selection of news ,sources. News 
commentary, and editorials should be clearly identified as such, distinguishing 
straight news reporting. 
analysis, 
them from 
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(4) During the Campaign Period, the media have a special responsibility to the 
public to encourage participation by the electorate in the democratic process and to 
ensue they have the opportunity to be informed on the candidates and issues. 
(5) Broadcast or publication errors beyond the control of the medium should be 
corrected in accordance with the standard broadcast or publication policies of rocednres 
for the correction of mistakes. The media may not censor, change, or alter in 
y manner 
any of the materials presented. by the parties or candidates for broadcast or pub ication by 
the media. 
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(6) In the event any of the media believe a political message may not be in good 
taste, or contraq to public interest, security, peace, or morality, the questioned political 
message may be rejected by the media. 
SECTION 8. Commitment of parties and candidates. - No political party shall be 
registered and no candidate for any office shall be issued a certificate of candidacy unless such 
party or candidate, under oath, undertakes to abide by this Code of Conduct. 
SECTION 9 ,  Penalties. - (1) Any registered political party which violates any of the 
prohibited acts enumerated in Section 4 of this Act shall be suspended from participating in two 
(2) consecutive elections or be banned from participating in any electoral process depending on 
the gravity d t h e  offense-after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency; (2) 
Any person who violates any of the prolubited acts enumerated in Section 4 of this Act shall be 
punished with a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,OOO.OO) after due notice 
and hearing of the appropriate body or agency, provided that if the offender is a candidate for 
public office, he shall also be disqualified from seeking such post. If the violation is punishable 
by a heavier penalty under another law, he shall be prosecuted under the latter statute. 
SECTION 10. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations, Administration, and 
- The Commission on Elections shall have the primav responsibility for the administration and 
enforcement of this Act. It shall transmit all cases of prosecution arising from violations of this 


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Act to the proper authorities for appropriate action, provided, however, that it may institute such 
administrative actions and disciplinary measures as may be warranted in accordance with law. 
The Commission is also hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry 
out the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 11. Appropriations. - The sum necessary for the effective implementation of 
this Act shall be taken from the appropriations of the Commission on Elections. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected sh 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,