SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
~ .. rmh> 
(!~'Hh-;r :of t~e ,;~hn'rbt' 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
SEP -5 P 1 :45 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 1 5 2 7 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY 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 
proviOe ql,l\ility OeOi~ion. more often than not. i~ i:l1l?o bl,lrOeneO with Oi:lseloi:lgl? 
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 
earnestly sought. 
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


;Smail:' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
If}fft;l' of ltlf ;i'FHl't.'lfV 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
. 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
SEP -5 P 1 :45 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1 527 
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: 
!! 
"I , 
"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 hereef with respect te que warrante petitiens filed] in electien 
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 NOTA,PPL Y TO ELECTION CASES." 
SEC. 3. Section 257 of Batas Pambansa Big. 881 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"SEC. 257 [Decision in the Commission] DECISION ON 
ELECTION CONTEST. -
[The Commission shall decide all 


election cases brought before it within ninety days from the date of 
their submission for decision. 
The decision of the Commission 
shall become final thirty days after receipt of judgment.] 
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,