FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 590 
,. 
. ''',/ . 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPl.ANATORY NOTE 
, ,,\! 
Present laws provide that appeals from the decision of courts of general 
jurisdiction as regards election contest are elevated to the Court of Appeals. The 
problem with this set-up is that the Court of Appeals, notable in its campaign to 
provide quality decision, more often than not, is also burdened with caseloads 
dealing with equally important aspect of law. 
The measure then seeks to modify the appeal process wherein it would now 
be the Commission on Election (COMELEC) that would have appellate jurisdiction 
over election contests. This would translate into a de-clogging of the Court of 
Appeals dockets as well as ensuring that election contests would be deliberated 
and resolved by people with technical expertise in election laws. 
Premises considered, the early passage of this legislative measure is 
eamestly sought. 
·' J 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 590 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 256 of Batas Pambansa Big, 881, otherwise known as 
the 
Election Code of the Philippines, as amended, hereby further amended to 
read as follows: 
"SEC.256.APPEALS. - Appeals from any decision rendered by [the 
regional trial] courts of GENERAL AND LIMITED JURISDICTION [under 
Section 251 and paragraph two, Section 253 hereof with respect to quo 
warranto petitions filed] in,election contests [affecting municipal officers, the 
aggrieved party may appeal to the intermediate Appellate Court] SHALL BE 
FILED WITH THE COMMISSION within five (5) days [after receipt of a 
copy] FROM THE PROMULGATION of the decision OR RECEIPT OF THE 
DECISION. 
No motion for reconsideration shall be entertained by the court. The 
appeals shall be decided within sixty (60) days after the case has been 
submitted for decision, 
BUT NOT LATER THAN NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE FILING OF THE 
APPEAL." 
. 
SEC. 2. 
Article XXI is hereby amended to include the following new 
provision: 
"SECTION 
256-A. 
EXECUTION PENDING APPEAL IS NOT 
ALLOWED. -
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISION OF THE 
RULES OF COURT, EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT PENDING APPEALS 
SHALL NOT APPLY TO ELECTION CASES." 
SEC. 3. Section 257 of Batas Pambansa Big. 881 is hereby amended to 
read as follow: 
"SEC. 267 DECISION ON ELECTION CONTES. -
THE PARTY 
WHO HAS BEEN DECLARED ELECTED SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO 
ASSUME OFFICE UPON FINALITY OF JUDGMENT." 


• 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, 
orders, rule and regulations or any part thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby 
amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 5. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,