Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In our attempts to insure clean, honest, transparent, and credible elections, we 
migrated into the automated system in 2010. It was a leap of faith for our country and 
people. While we know little of the many technicalities and intricacies associated with 
holding automated elections, we nevertheless pushed ahead. We thought that the 
automated election system is the panacea for all the many woes and problems we 
experienced in the manual election system we have had since the birth of our republic. 
We put much faith in the newly crafted automated election system laws, the 
COMELEC, and the chosen service provider to achieve our goals.  
However, right from the start, the 2010 automated elections became marred by 
technical glitches and logistical problems we never foresaw. These seemingly 
innocuous problems, while allegedly continuing up to the last automated elections in 
2022, had also mutated into more dangerous problems involving automated 
manipulation and wanton violation of our election laws by both the COMELEC and its 
service provider.  
By 2016, at least thirty-five (35) violations have been documented in which 
more than half of these violations were serially committed with impunity in the elections 
in 2010, 2013, and 2016. At least half of all these documented violations involved the 
security, accuracy, auditability, integrity, and transparency provisions of our election 
laws which necessarily cast very serious doubts on the credibility of our elections.  
A news report released on May 11, 2022 mentioned that an election watchdog 
has received around 577 reports of vote-counting machine failures during the May 
2022 elections which caused long queues and delayed voting. It also quoted Election 
Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia saying that “paper jams, rejected ballots, and 
vote-counting machines not printing returns properly were common problems 
encountered on election day.”1 
This condition cannot be allowed to continue unabated because the political 
and economic stability of our country is paramount.  
1 https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2022/05/11/447841/election-watchdog-cites-need-to-fix-automated-
system/ 
December 13, 2022
2:13 pm
6658


2
This bill seeks to overhaul the present automated election system by repealing 
the existing automated election laws and replacing them with a hybrid election system 
that combines both manual voting and counting and electronic transmission and 
canvassing of election results.  
The hybrid election system of manual voting and counting and electronic 
transmission and canvassing of election results will secure for our country and people 
the benefits of totally transparent voting and counting system while ensuring that the 
results thereof are speedily and accurately canvassed and made known to the public. 
Any attempts to manipulate the electronic transmission and canvassing of election 
results can always be checked and audited against the one true count made at every 
polling precinct across the country. The good old manual counting of the votes will 
effectively serve as the bulwark against the ever-real and present danger of automated 
manipulation of election results. 
Through this hybrid election system, all subsequent electoral exercises shall be 
truly clean, honest, transparent, and credible. It is a gift that is within our hands to give 
to the Filipino people. Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.  


3
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR A HYBRID ELECTION SYSTEM THROUGH MANUAL VOTING 
AND COUNTING AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION AND CANVASSING OF 
RESULTS IN NATIONAL, LOCAL AND ARMM ELECTIONS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Hybrid Election System Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to ensure free, 
orderly, peaceful, clean, honest, transparent, credible and informed elections, 
plebiscites, referenda, recall and other similar electoral exercises by improving on the 
election system, which shall involve the use of a combination of manual voting, manual 
counting and electronic transmission and canvassing of the election results that will 
ensure the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot and the transparency of all election, 
transmission and consolidation documents in order that the election system shall be 
fully auditable and credible and that the results shall be fast, accurate and reflective of 
the genuine will of the people. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. – The provisions of this Act shall be applicable to the conduct 
of all national, local and ARMM elections. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
a) Hybrid election system, hereinafter referred to as HES – a system using a
combination of manual casting of votes, manual counting of votes and
electronic transmission of precinct-level election results to the consolidation
and canvassing boards, stations or servers;
b) Official ballot – refers to the printed paper ballot that faithfully represents the
votes cast by a voter;
6658


4
c) Established precinct – the precinct originally established by the Commission
prior to the clustering or merging of precincts for purposes of the automated
elections;
d) Electronic transmission – conveying data in electronic form from one location
to another;
e) Election returns – a document in printed and electronic form, printed and
manually accomplished for purposes of reflecting the manual count of the votes
at the polling precinct and also electronically produced by an appropriate
electronic device, showing the date of the election, the province, municipality
and polling precinct in which it is held and the votes in figures for each candidate
in a polling precinct;
f)
Electronic election returns – an electronic spreadsheet in an appropriate
electronic device where the recording of the votes is made in real-time and is
electronically transmitted to the canvassing and consolidation board, station or
server;
g) Statement of votes – a document containing the votes obtained by candidates
in each precinct in a city/municipality;
h) City/municipal/district/provincial certificate of canvass – a document in printed
and electronic form containing the total votes in figures obtained by each
candidate in a city/municipality/district/province, as the case may be. The
electronic certificates of canvass shall be the official canvass results in the
aforementioned jurisdictions;
i)
Continuity plan - a list of contingency measures, and the policies for activation
of such, that are put in place to ensure continuous operation of the
automated/electronic component of the HES; and,
j)
Source code – human-readable instructions that define what the
automated/electronic component of the HES will do.
SECTION  5. Filing of Certificates of Candidacy. – The certificate of candidacy of 
any person running for the office of President, Vice-President, Senator, 
Representative, party-list representative or any elective regional, provincial, city or 
municipal official shall be filed in such offices of the Commission as it may direct and 
in such legible copies as it may require, not earlier than ninety (90) days before the 
date legally fixed for the start of the campaign period for national positions. 
The candidate shall file the certificate of candidacy personally or by his duly 
authorized representative. No certificate of candidacy shall be filed or accepted by 
postal service, electronic mail, telegram, facsimile and the like. 
SECTION 6. Established Precincts. – For purposes of the HES, all clustered 
precincts existing and used in the automated election system shall be de-clustered 
and shall revert back to the original established precinct. In no case shall each 


5
established precinct exceed a maximum of two hundred (200) registered voters. The 
Commission shall take the necessary steps to carry this provision into effect. 
SECTION 7. Official Ballots. – 
a) Ballots for national, local and ARMM elections, regular or special, plebiscites and
referenda, shall be pre-printed and of uniform size were practicable and shall be
prescribed by the Commission, taking into account environmental considerations
and with reasonable minimum paper size. They shall be printed in black ink with
appropriate demarcating indicators for each title of the office to be voted for, on
security paper with distinctive, clear and legible watermarks or security marks that
will readily distinguish it from ordinary paper.
b) Each ballot shall bear at the top of the middle portion thereof the coat-of-arms of
the Republic of the Philippines, the word “Official Ballot,” the name of the city or
municipality and the province in which the election is to be held, the date of the
election and the appropriate instructions to the voters in Filipino to shade only the
ovals corresponding to the candidates of his choice, in secrecy, and to avoid
putting any distinctive mark anywhere on the ballot.
c) Each ballot shall be serially numbered with corresponding bar codes for
authentication purposes at the upper part thereof. Spaces for the thumbmark of
the voter and the signature of the chairman of the board of election inspectors
shall be provided in the lower part thereof. A unique ballot ID number shall also
be printed which shall be uniform for all official ballots for each established
precinct. For purposes of transparency, the ballot ID number and the serial
numbers of the ballots corresponding to each established precinct shall be
available for viewing by interested parties on the official website of the
Commission at least fifteen (15) days before the day of the elections.
d) A digital image of a sample official ballot without the security features and bar
codes shall be available for viewing and downloading by interested parties on the
official website of the Commission at least ninety days (90) days before the day of
the elections.
e) Each ballot shall contain an oval opposite the name of each and all official
candidates for all elective positions in the elections segregated by appropriate
demarcating indicator for each of the titles of the offices to be voted for. The
omission of the name of any of the official candidates or the absence of the
appropriate demarcating indicator for each of the titles of the offices to be voted
for in the printed official ballot shall constitute a prima facie evidence of electoral
sabotage and a conspiracy to commit massive electoral fraud.
f)
Ballots for cities and municipalities where Arabic is of general use shall have each
of the titles of the offices to be voted for printed in Arabic in addition to and
immediately below the English title.
g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Commission is hereby authorized to
prescribe a different form of official ballot on the same watermarked security paper
to facilitate voting by illiterate and disabled voters only. The Commission shall


6
adopt the latest technology as to enable such illiterate or disabled voters to confirm 
that the assisting person truly adhered to his choice of candidates, as provided 
under Section 52(i) of the Omnibus Election Code. 
SECTION 8.  Printing of Official Ballots. – The printing of official ballots shall be 
exclusively done by the National Printing Office and shall in no case be contracted out 
or outsourced to any private or public person, entity or agency for any reason including, 
but not limited to, claims of better output, higher capacity or even in cases of 
emergency. 
The Commission shall exercise stringent mandatory oversight in the printing of 
official ballots. For this purpose, the representatives of the Commission overseeing it 
shall not be a confidential employee of, or related by consanguinity or affinity within 
the 3rd civil degree to, any of the Commissioners and Executive Director of the 
Commission. 
Any violation of this Section shall constitute a prima facie evidence of electoral 
sabotage and a conspiracy to commit massive electoral fraud. 
SECTION 9. Distribution of Official Ballots. – The official ballots shall be distributed 
and delivered to each of the established precincts, consulates and embassies at a 
strict ratio of one ballot for every registered voter of the precinct plus one ballot for 
each of the three (3) members of the board of election inspectors. 
In overseas absentee voting where the ballots are mailed to the voters, the 
concerned consulate or embassy shall insure that the ballots are mailed in time for the 
voters to receive the ballots at least fifteen (15) days before the start of the period for 
absentee voting so that the voters can mail back to the consulate or embassy in time 
before the closing of the polls. 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
SECTION 10.  Voting Hours. – All polling precincts shall open at 6 o’clock in the 
morning of the day of the elections. Voting shall continue until the polling precincts are 
closed at 11 o’clock in the morning of the day of the elections. No extension of voting 
shall be allowed under any circumstances. Any violation of this Section shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
SECTION 11. Voting Journey. – The Commission is hereby mandated to adopt 
process flows and measures for mandatory and uniform implementation by the boards 
of election inspectors which will facilitate a more convenient voting journey including, 
but not limited to, maximizing the number of voters able to vote at the same time, faster 
and orderly turnaround of voters, and prioritizing elderly voters and disabled voters. 
SECTION 12. Authentication of Ballots. – In every case before handing an official 
ballot to the voter, the chairman of the board of election inspectors shall show to the 
accredited watchers and the voter that the ballot is clean and without pre-shaded votes 


 
7
or marks. Thereafter, the chairman shall affix his signature in the space provided for. 
Failure to authenticate the official ballots shall be noted in the minutes of the board of 
election inspectors and shall constitute an election offense punishable under Sections 
263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code. 
 
SECTION 13.  Pre-shaded Ballots. – In cases where the official ballot handed to the 
voter already contains pre-shaded votes or marks, it shall be noted in the minutes of 
the board of election inspectors and shall constitute a prima facie evidence of electoral 
sabotage and a conspiracy to commit massive electoral fraud. Such ballot shall be 
considered spoiled and shall be distinctly marked with the word “spoiled” and signed 
by the board of election inspectors on the face thereof and immediately placed in the 
envelope for spoiled ballots. In any case, the voter shall have the right to a clean 
replacement ballot.  
 
SECTION 14. Manner of Voting. – To facilitate faster manual counting of the votes, 
avoid misreading of the votes, and avoid dilatory tactics by the opposing accredited 
watchers, the voter shall fill out his ballot by shading only the oval opposite the name 
of his chosen candidate. No other form of marking or voting shall be considered a valid 
vote. The voter shall not put or place any other mark on any other part of his ballot. 
The act of putting or placing any mark other than on the ovals opposite the names of 
the official candidates shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in 
accordance with the Omnibus Election Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 15. Cancellation of Vote. – The voter shall not be allowed to cancel a vote 
or shade he already made on his ballot in order to prevent election fraud by cancelling 
votes already cast. 
 
SECTION 16. Beginning, Ending and Manner, of Counting of Votes. – Immediately 
after the closing of the polls in the polling precinct, the reading and counting of the 
official ballots shall begin and shall end no later than 3 o’clock in the afternoon of the 
day of the elections. In addition to the requirements of Section 210 of the Omnibus 
Election Code, the chairman, the poll clerk and the third member of the board of 
election inspectors shall position themselves in a manner that will provide the 
accredited watchers and the public, an unimpeded view of the ballot being read by the 
chairman, the election return, and the tally board being simultaneously accomplished 
by the poll clerk and the third member, respectively, without touching any of the said 
election documents. Any violation of this Section shall constitute an election offense 
punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code. 
 
Before the start of the counting, the chairman shall first ascertain whether every 
ballot contains the signature of the chairman as provided in Section 11 hereof. Any 
ballot without the required signature shall be rejected. 
 
The chairman shall read the votes in each ballot for national positions, party-list 
representatives, regional positions and local positions until all the ballots cast in the 
precinct shall have been read and counted. Thereafter, the board of election 
inspectors shall terminate the counting, accomplish the printed election return forms 
and transmit the electronic version thereof. 
 


 
8
The chairman shall exercise full control of the proceedings at all times. Any 
action by any of the accredited watchers or the public which is designed to delay the 
counting of the votes, accomplishing the printed election return forms and transmission 
of the election return shall be a ground for his exclusion from the proceedings. Such 
action shall constitute a violation of this Section. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 17.  Counting of Votes Shall be Public. – As soon as the voting is 
concluded, the board of election inspectors shall publicly count in the polling precinct 
the votes cast and ascertain the results. The board may rearrange the physical set up 
of the polling precinct for purposes of the counting or perform any other activity in 
respect thereof. However, it can do so only in the presence of the accredited watchers 
and within close view of the public. At all times, the ballot box and all election 
documents and paraphernalia shall be within close view of the accredited watchers 
and the public. 
 
The board of election inspectors shall not adjourn, postpone or delay the 
counting until it shall have been fully completed, unless otherwise ordered by the 
Commission. 
 
The Commission, in the interest of free, orderly, honest, transparent and 
credible elections, may authorize the board of election inspectors to count the votes 
and to accomplish the election return and other forms prescribed under the Omnibus 
Election Code in any other place within a public building in the same municipality or 
city on account of imminent danger of widespread violence or similar causes of 
comparable magnitude: Provided, that the transfer shall have been recommended in 
writing by the board of election inspectors by unanimous vote and endorsed in writing 
by the majority of the accredited watchers present: Provided, further, that the said 
public building shall not be located within the premises of or inside a military or police 
camp, reservation, headquarters, detachment or field office nor within the premises of 
a prison or detention facility or any law enforcement or investigation agency. 
 
This Section shall also strictly apply in the case of overseas absentee voting in 
the consulates and embassies of the Republic of the Philippines. The doors and 
windows of the room where the counting shall be held shall be open to interested 
parties and the public in order to observe the proceedings. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 18. Election Returns. – The board of election inspectors shall prepare and 
accomplish the election return simultaneously with the counting of the votes in the 
polling precinct as prescribed in Section 210 of the Omnibus Election Code. The 
recording of the votes shall be made as prescribed in the said section. The entry of 
votes in words and figures for each candidate shall be closed with the signature and 
the clear imprint of the thumbmark of the right hand of all the members, likewise to be 


 
9
affixed in full view of the public, immediately after the last vote recorded or immediately 
after the name of the candidate who did not receive any vote. 
 
The election returns shall also show the date of the election, the established 
precinct, the barangay and the city or municipality in which it was held, the total number 
of ballots found inside the ballot box, the total number of excess ballots, the total 
number of spoiled, marked or void ballots, and the total number of votes obtained by  
each candidate. These pieces of information shall be written in words and in figures 
and, at the end thereof, the board of election inspectors shall certify that the contents 
are correct. The election returns for national positions and party-list representatives 
shall be accomplished in a single sheet of paper. Additional sheets may be used for 
regional and local positions which shall be prepared in the same manner as the first 
sheet and likewise certified by the board of election inspectors. 
 
The Commission shall take the necessary steps so that the entries on the first 
copy of the election returns are clearly reproduced on the second, third, fourth, fifth 
and sixth copies thereof. For this purpose, the Commission shall use a special kind of 
paper. 
 
SECTION 19.  Electronic Election Returns. – Simultaneous with the manual 
counting of the votes and the filling out of the printed election return forms, there shall 
be independent technical personnel who shall enter the votes, as they are manually 
counted, into an electronic spreadsheet, which shall serve as the electronic election 
returns, in an appropriate electronic device provided for the purpose. The recording of 
the votes in real-time in the appropriate electronic device shall be open for the 
accredited watchers to validate and the public to observe. 
 
The electronic election return shall be equipped with such programs and 
encryption algorithms as to ensure that the technical personnel, or any other person, 
cannot make alterations in any of the entries therein, or the results of the counting of 
votes, except in case of discrepancy with the manual or printed election return as 
provided herein. It shall also bear a serial number that is uniquely assigned to the 
particular polling precinct. The appropriate electronic device shall be configured to 
confine its operation only for this purpose and to transmit the results of the counting to 
the consolidation and canvassing board, station or server. 
 
Immediately upon the accomplishment of the manual election return, the poll 
clerk shall announce the posting of the second copy of the said election return on a 
wall with sufficient lighting within the premises of the polling precinct. He shall then 
proceed to do the same in the presence of the other members of the board of election 
inspectors, the accredited watchers and those present in the polling precinct. He shall 
also take a digital image of the second copy as announced and posted, and save the 
same in the storage device of the appropriate electronic device used in the counting 
of the votes. 
 
The independent technical personnel shall print one copy of the electronic 
election return as filled out, and the board of election inspectors and the accredited 
watchers shall authenticate the same by comparing the results as printed with the 
second copy of the manual election return as announced and posted. Should the 
results of the electronic election return be found to be the same as that of manual 


 
10
election return, the board of election inspectors and the accredited watchers shall affix 
their signatures and thumbprints in the spaces provided for and the same shall be 
deposited inside the ballot box. 
 
Should there be any discrepancy between the electronic and the manual 
election returns, the results in the manual election return shall prevail. However, for 
purposes of electronic transmission, all the members of the board of election 
inspectors shall add their mandatory separate and individual digital signatures into the 
electronic document using the appropriate electronic device to allow the necessary 
corrections in the electronic election return to conform to the results as reflected in the 
manual election return. The erroneous electronic election return shall be torn in half 
lengthwise and deposited inside the ballot box. 
 
Thereafter, the technical personnel shall print a copy of the electronic election 
return as corrected and shall allow the board of election inspectors and the accredited 
watchers to scrutinize and authenticate the same as herein prescribed. When there is 
no more discrepancy in the results, the board of election inspectors and the accredited 
watchers shall affix their signatures and thumbprints, and the correct electronic 
election return shall be deposited in the ballot box. 
 
The board of election inspectors shall see to it that the memory card and 
storage device of the appropriate electronic device used in the counting of votes which 
contains the electronic election return and the digital image of the manual election 
return are properly backed up and write-protected.  
 
All the members of the board of election inspectors shall again add their 
mandatory separate and individual digital signatures to authenticate and authorize the 
electronic transmission of the election results to the various boards, stations or servers 
as prescribed herein. 
 
Once the printouts of the digital image of the manual election return have been 
produced, the poll clerk shall call the other members of the board of election inspectors 
to authenticate each print copy by scrutinizing and comparing the same with the 
election return posted on the wall in the presence of the accredited watchers and within 
view of the public. If the board of election inspectors finds each printed copy a faithful 
reproduction of the said election return, all the members thereof shall annotate and 
sign a certification to that effect on the bottom front of the printed copy. 
 
Each certified printed copy shall be placed in an envelope provided for the 
purpose with the corresponding serial number assigned to the particular polling 
precinct and sealed in the presence of the accredited watchers and the public. It shall 
be distributed as herein provided prior to the transmission of the electronic election 
return. The designated recipients of the certified printed copies may receive their 
copies at the polling precinct. 
 
Any election return with a separately printed serial number or which bears a 
different serial number from that uniquely assigned to the particular polling precinct 
shall not be canvassed and shall be declared as spurious, and shall be a ground for a 
pre-proclamation controversy. This is to be determined by the board of canvassers 
concerned prior to its canvassing on the basis of the certification of the provincial, city 


 
11
or municipal treasurer as to the serial number of the election return assigned to said 
polling precinct. 
 
If the signatures and/or thumbprints of the board of election inspectors or some 
of them as required in this provision are missing in the election return, the board of 
canvassers shall summon the members of the board of election inspectors concerned 
to complete the election return. 
The accredited citizens’ arm is mandated to present for perusal its copy of the manual 
election return and the electronic file thereof to the board of canvassers upon the 
request of any interested candidate. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 20.  Unofficial Count. – A copy of the electronic election return of the 
polling precinct shall also be transmitted to the secure servers of the accredited 
citizens’ arm which the Commission has authorized to set up an unofficial count center 
where the votes are consolidated and the results are announced to the public. 
 
The announcement or publication of the unofficial election results by such 
accredited citizens’ arm shall be continuous and uninterrupted from the time of the first 
transmission until all transmissions shall have been completed. Any interruption for 
any reason shall be a ground for the revocation of its accreditation for at least three 
(3) successive national elections. 
 
Any interested candidate, political party or non-partisan groups or organizations 
enlisted by the Commission pursuant to Section 52(k) of the Omnibus Election Code 
may request in writing from the accredited citizens’ arm the metadata of all the election 
returns as electronically transmitted by all the polling precincts to its secure servers. 
The accredited citizens’ arm is hereby required to provide the metadata in Microsoft 
Excel format within three (3) days from receipt of the request. No such request shall 
be denied for any reason. The accredited citizens’ arm is prohibited from charging any 
form of service fees for this purpose but the cost of the storage device shall be borne 
by the requesting person, party or organization. 
 
The accredited citizens’ arm shall exercise full independence from any 
interested person, political party or organization, and the Commission and any of its 
contractors or service providers involving the elections. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 21.  Copies and Distribution of Election Return. – The board of election 
inspectors shall prepare in handwriting the election return in their respective polling 
precinct, in the number of copies herein provided, and in the form to be prescribed and 
provided by the Commission. 
 


 
12
The chairman of the board of election inspectors shall distribute the copies of 
the election return as follows: 
 
a) In the election for President, Vice-President, Senator, Representative and 
party-list representatives: 
 
1. The electronic election return, mandatorily required to be digitally signed 
separately and individually by all the members of the board of election 
inspectors, shall be electronically transmitted to the concerned board, 
station or server and the first copy of the manual election return, as 
digitally captured and printed, shall be delivered to the city or municipal 
board of canvassers immediately after the closing of the polling precinct; 
 
2. The second copy, to be posted on a wall within the premises of the 
polling place; 
 
3. The third copy, to the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate; 
 
4. The fourth copy, to the Commission; 
 
5. The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the 
Commission in accordance with law; 
 
6. The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the 
Commission in accordance with law; 
 
7. The seventh copy, to a citizens’ arm authorized by the Commission to 
conduct an unofficial count; Provide, however, that the accreditation of 
the citizens’ arm shall be subject to the provisions of Section 52(k) of the 
Omnibus Election Code; and, 
 
8. The eighth copy, to be deposited inside the ballot box. 
 
The copy of the election return posted on the wall shall be open for public 
viewing at any time of the day for seventy-two (72) hours following its posting. Any 
person may view or capture an image of the election return by means of any data 
capturing device. After the prescribed period for posting, the chairman of the board of 
election inspectors shall collect the posted election return and keep the same in his 
custody to be produced for image or data capturing as may be requested by any voter 
or for any lawful purpose as may be ordered by a competent authority. 
 
Except for those copies which are required to be delivered, copies of election 
return may be claimed at the polling precinct. Any unclaimed copy shall be brought by 
the chairman of the board of election inspectors to the canvassing center where the 
recipients or their representatives may claim them. Copies remaining unclaimed at the 
canvassing center shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the board 
of election inspectors, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or his 
representative, or when ordered by a competent authority. 
 


 
13
Eighteen (18) copies of the election return shall be printed, certified and 
distributed as follows: 
 
a) The first six (6) copies shall be given to the six (6) accredited major national 
parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. In the absence 
of an agreement, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the 
copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 
7166; 
 
b) The next three (3) copies shall be given to the three (3) accredited major local 
parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. In the absence 
of an agreement, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the 
copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 
7166; 
 
c) The next four (4) copies shall be given to national broadcast or print media 
entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of 
propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; 
 
d) The next two (2) copies shall be given to local broadcast or print media entities 
as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the 
copies to the widest extent possible; 
 
e) The next two (2) copies shall be given to the accredited citizens’ arm and other 
non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission pursuant to 
Section 52(k) of the Omnibus Election Code; and, 
 
f) The last copy shall be given to the provincial board of canvassers. 
 
The certified print copies of the election return may be claimed at the polling 
precinct. Any unclaimed copy shall be brought by the chairman of the board of election 
inspectors to the city or municipal canvassing center where the recipients or their 
representatives may claim them. Copies still unclaimed at the canvassing center shall 
be placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of election inspectors who shall 
produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent 
authority. 
 
Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any of the recipients of the 
print or electronic copies of the election return may conduct an unofficial consolidation 
of votes and may announce the results thereof to the public. 
 
It is mandatory for the Commission to post the electronic files of all election 
results from all the polling precincts in its official website for the public to view or 
download at any time of the day. Such posting shall be simultaneous with the 
electronic transmission of election returns from the polling precincts. The posting and 
availability to the public of such electronic files shall be continuous and without any 
significant interruption. Any interruption exceeding three (3) days shall be considered 
significant for this purpose. The Commission shall maintain the electronic files for at 
least three (3) years from the date of posting.  
 


 
14
Any interested candidate, political party or non-partisan groups or organizations 
enlisted by the Commission pursuant to Section 52(k) of the Omnibus Election Code 
may request in writing from the Commission the metadata of all the election returns as 
electronically transmitted by all the polling precincts on the day of the election. The 
Commission is hereby required to provide the metadata in Microsoft Excel format 
within three (3) days from receipt of the request. No such request shall be denied for 
any reason. The Commission is prohibited from charging any form of service fees for 
this purpose but the cost of the storage device shall be borne by the requesting person, 
party or organization. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 22.  Canvassing by the Provincial, City, District and Municipal Board 
of Canvassers. –  
 
a) The city or municipal board of canvassers shall canvass the electronically 
transmitted election returns for President, Vice-President, Senator, 
Representative and party-list representative, and for elective provincial and 
city or municipal officials. Upon completion of the canvass, the board shall 
announce the results of the election for national positions in the city or 
municipality, prepare the certificate of canvass for Representatives and 
elective provincial officials, and, thereafter, proclaim the elected city or 
municipal officials, as the case may be. 
 
b) The city board of canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative 
districts shall canvass the electronically transmitted election returns for 
President, 
Vice-President, 
Senator, 
Representative, 
party-list 
representative and elective city officials. Upon completion of the canvass, 
the board shall announce the results of the election for national positions in 
the city, prepare the certificate of canvass for President, Vice-President, 
Senator and party-list representative, and, thereafter, proclaim the elected 
Representatives and city officials. 
 
c) 1.  In the Metro Manila Area such municipality comprising a legislative 
district shall have a district board of canvassers which shall canvass the 
electronically transmitted election returns for President, Vice-President, 
Senator, Representative, party-list representative and elective municipal 
officials. Upon completion of the canvass, the board shall announce the 
results of the election for national positions in the municipality, prepare the 
certificate of canvass for President, Vice-President, Senator and party-list 
representative, and, thereafter, proclaim the elected Representative and 
city officials. 
 
2.  Each component municipality in a legislative district in the Metro Manila 
Area shall have a municipal board of canvassers which shall canvass 
the electronically transmitted election returns for President, Vice-
President, Senator, Representative, party-list representative and 
elective municipal officials. Upon completion of the canvass, the board 


 
15
shall announce the results of the election for national positions in the 
municipality, prepare the certificate of canvass for President, Vice-
President, Senator, Representative, party-list representative, and, 
thereafter, proclaim the elected municipal officials. 
 
3. The district board of canvassers of each legislative district comprising 
two (2) municipalities in the Metro Manila Area shall canvass the 
certificate 
of 
canvass 
for 
President, 
Vice-President, 
Senator, 
Representative and party-list representative as electronically transmitted 
by the municipal board of canvassers of the component municipalities. 
Upon completion of the canvass, the board shall announce the results 
of the election for national positions in the district, prepare the certificate 
of canvass for President, Vice-President, Senator and party-list 
representative, and, thereafter, proclaim the elected Representative in 
the legislative district. 
 
d) The provincial board of canvassers shall canvass the certificate of canvass 
for 
President, 
Vice-President, 
Senator, 
Representative, 
party-list 
representative and elective provincial officials as well as plebiscite results, 
if any plebiscite is conducted simultaneously with the same election, as 
electronically transmitted by the city or municipal board of canvassers of 
component cities and municipalities. Upon completion of the canvass, the 
board shall announce the results of the election for national positions in the 
province, prepare the certificate of canvass for President, Vice-President, 
Senator and party-list representative, and, thereafter, proclaim the 
Representatives and provincial officials as well as the plebiscite results, if 
any. 
 
The canvassing of election returns or certificates of canvass, as the case may 
be, by the board of canvassers in a municipality, city, district or province shall be 
completed within two (2) hours from the time the board of canvassers officially 
convened for the purpose. In the conduct thereof, the board of canvassers shall project 
visibly each election return or certificate of canvass on a wall from which its contents 
shall be read in order that those present in the canvassing center will be able to follow 
the progress of the canvassing process from beginning to end. The Commission shall 
utilize the appropriate projection equipment for this purpose. 
 
Immediately after the certificate of canvass is accomplished, the chairman of 
the board of canvassers shall announce the posting of the second copy thereof and 
its supporting statements of votes on a wall with sufficient lighting within the premises 
of the canvassing center. He shall then proceed to do the same in the presence of the 
other members of the board of canvassers, the accredited representatives and those 
present in the canvassing center. Without delay and when feasible, he shall capture 
images of the certificate of canvass and supporting statements of votes using a 
secured data capturing device and thereafter, while in the premises of the canvassing 
center, immediately print the data so captured in eighteen (18) copies. The board of 
canvassers shall then authenticate each printed copy, in the presence of 
representatives and within public view, by closely comparing the same with the 
certificate of canvass or statements of votes, as the case may be, posted on the wall. 
If the board of canvassers finds each printed copy a faithful reproduction of the 


 
16
certificate of canvass or statements of votes as announced and posted, all members 
thereof shall annotate and sign a certification to that effect on the bottom front of each 
printed copy. 
 
Each certified printed copy shall be placed in an envelope provided for the 
purpose with corresponding serial number assigned to the particular canvassing 
center and sealed in the presence of the accredited representatives and the public. It 
shall be distributed as herein provided prior to the transmission of the electronic files 
of the certificate of canvass and its supporting statements of votes. The designated 
recipients of the certified printed copies may receive their copies at the canvassing 
center. 
 
The chairman of the board of canvassers shall transmit the electronic files of 
the certificate of canvass and its supporting statements of votes, which shall be 
mandatorily required to be digitally signed separately and individually by all the 
members of the board of canvassers, encrypted for security reasons and using a 
secured transmission device with authentication features, to the secured tabulation 
system of the Commission and to the secure servers of the other designated recipients 
as herein provided. 
  
Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any of the recipients of the 
print or electronic copies of the certificate of canvass and its supporting statements of 
votes may conduct an unofficial consolidation of votes and may announce the results 
thereof to the public. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 23.  Copies of Certificate of Canvas and their Distribution. – The 
number of copies of the certificate of canvass to be prepared and their distribution 
shall be as follows: 
 
a) The 
certificate 
of 
canvass 
for 
President, 
Vice-President, 
Senator, 
Representative and elective provincial officials shall be prepared in eight (8) 
copies by the city or municipal board of canvassers and distributed as follows: 
 
1. The first copy shall be delivered to the provincial board of canvassers for 
use in the canvass of election results for President, Vice-President, Senator, 
Representative and elective provincial officials; 
 
2. The second copy shall be sent to the Commission; 
 
3. The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the 
canvassing center;  
 
4. The fourth copy shall be kept by the chairman of the board of canvassers; 
 
5. The fifth copy shall be given the accredited citizens’ arm designated by the 
Commission to conduct a media-based unofficial count; and, 


 
17
 
6. The sixth, seventh and eighth copies shall be given to the representatives 
of three (3) of the six (6) major political parties in accordance with the 
voluntary agreement of the parties. In the absence of an agreement, the 
Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the said copies of the 
certificate of canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of 
Republic Act No. 7166. The parties receiving such certificate of canvass 
shall have the obligation to furnish the other parties with authentic copies 
thereof with the least possible delay. 
 
b) The certificate of canvass for President, Vice-President and Senator shall be 
prepared in eight (8) copies by the city board of canvassers of cities comprising 
one or more legislative districts in the Metro Manila Area, and distributed as 
follows: 
 
1. The first copy shall be sent to the Congress directed to the President of the 
Senate for use in the canvass of election results for President and Vice-
President; 
 
2. The second copy shall be sent to the Commission for use in the canvass of 
election results for Senator; 
 
3. The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvasing 
center; 
 
4. The fourth copy shall be kept by the chairman of the board of canvassers; 
 
5. The fifth copy shall be given to the accredited citizens’ arm designated by 
the Commission to conduct a media-based unofficial count; and, 
 
6. The sixth, seventh and eighth copies shall be given to the representatives 
of three (3) of the six (6) major political parties in accordance with the 
voluntary agreement of the parties. In the absence of an agreement, the 
Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the said copies of the 
certificate of canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of 
Republic Act No. 7166. The parties receiving such certificate of canvass 
shall have the obligation to furnish the other parties with authentic copies 
thereof with the least possible delay. 
 
The copy of the certificate of canvass posted on the wall shall be open for public 
viewing at any time of the day for seventy-two (72) hours following its posting. Any 
person may view or capture an image of the certificate of canvass. After the prescribed 
period for posting, the chairman of the board of canvassers shall collect the posted 
certificate of canvass and keep the same in his custody to be produced for image or 
data capturing as may be requested by any voter or for any lawful purpose as may be 
ordered by a competent authority.  
 
Except for those copies which are required to be delivered, copies of certificate 
of canvass may be claimed at the canvassing center. Any unclaimed copy shall be 
deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of canvassers, who shall 


 
18
produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent 
authority.  
 
The eighteen (18) certified printed copies of the certificate of canvass for 
national positions shall be distributed as follows: 
 
a) The first six (6) copies shall be given to the six (6) accredited major national 
parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. In the absence 
of an agreement, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the 
copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 
7166; 
 
b) The next three (3) copies shall be given to the three (3) accredited major local 
parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. In the absence 
of an agreement, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the 
copies on the basis of the criteria analogous to that provided in Section 26 of 
Republic Act No. 7166; 
 
c) The next four (4) copies shall be given to national broadcast or print media 
entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of 
propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; 
 
d) The next two (2) copies shall be given to local broadcast or print media entities 
as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the 
copies to the widest extent possible; 
 
e) The next two (2) copies shall be given to the accredited citizens’ arm and other 
non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission pursuant to 
Section 52(k) of the Omnibus Election Code; and, 
 
f) 
The last copy shall be kept in file by the chairman of the board of canvassers 
to be subsequently distributed as the national board of canvassers may direct. 
 
The certified printed copies of the certificate of canvass may be claimed at the 
canvassing center. Any unclaimed copy shall be deemed placed in the custody of the 
chairman of the board of canvassers who shall produce them when requested by the 
recipient or when ordered by a competent authority. 
 
It is mandatory for the Commission to post the electronic files of all the 
certificates of canvass in its official website for the public to view or download at any 
time of the day. Such posting shall be simultaneous with the electronic transmission 
of the certificates of canvass from the boards of canvassers.  The posting and 
availability to the public of such electronic files shall be continuous and without any 
significant interruption. Any interruption exceeding three (3) days shall be considered 
significant for this purpose. The Commission shall maintain the electronic files for at 
least three (3) years from the date of posting.  
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 


 
19
 
SECTION 24. Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for the Election of 
President and Vice President: The Commission En Banc as the National Board 
of Canvassers for the Election of Senators: Determination of Authenticity and 
Due Execution of Certificates of Canvass. – The Congress and the Commission en 
banc shall determine the authenticity and due execution of the submitted and 
electronically transmitted certificates of canvass for President and Vice-President, and 
Senators, respectively, as accomplished, submitted and electronically transmitted to it 
by the boards of canvassers, on a showing that:  
a) Each certificate of canvass was executed, signed or digitally signed, as the 
case may be, and thumb marked by the chairman and the members of the 
board of canvassers and submitted and electronically transmitted or caused to 
be submitted and electronically transmitted to the Congress by them;  
 
b) Each certificate of canvass contains the names of all the candidates for 
President and Vice-President, or Senator, as the case may be, and their 
corresponding votes in words and in figures;  
 
c) There exist no discrepancy in other authentic copies of the said document, or 
any of its supporting documents such as the statement of votes by city or 
municipality or by precinct, or discrepancy in the votes of any candidate in the 
words and figures therein; and,  
 
d) There exist no discrepancy in the votes of any candidate in the words and 
figures therein against the aggregate number of votes appearing in the election 
returns of polling precincts covered by the particular certificate of canvass: 
Provided, that certified printed copies of the election returns or certificates of 
canvass may be used for the purpose of verifying the existence of any 
discrepancy.  
 
When the certificate of canvass, duly certified by the board of canvassers of 
each province, city or district appears to be incomplete, the Senate President or the 
chairman of the Commission, as the case may be, shall require the board of 
canvassers concerned to submit the election returns from the polling precincts that 
were not included in the certificate of canvass. Said election returns shall be submitted 
by personal delivery within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of notice.  
 
When it appears that any of the supporting statement of votes of each province, 
city or district appears to be incomplete, the Senate President or the chairman of the 
Commission, as the case may be, shall require the board of canvassers concerned to 
submit the election returns from the polling precincts that were not included in the 
supporting statement or votes. Said election returns shall be submitted by personal 
delivery within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of notice. 
 
When it appears that any certificate of canvass including other duly certified 
printed copies thereof or supporting statements of votes by city or municipality or by 
polling precinct bears erasures or alterations which may cast doubt as to the veracity 
of the number of votes stated therein and may affect the result of the elections, upon 
the request of the presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial candidates concerned or 
of his party, the Congress or the Commission en banc, as the case may be, shall, for 


 
20
the sole purpose of verifying the votes as they appear in the copies of the election 
returns submitted and electronically transmitted to it, suspend the canvassing. 
 
Any person who present in evidence a simulated copy of an election return, 
certificate of canvas or statement of votes, or printed copy of an election return, 
certificate of canvass or statement of votes bearing a simulated certification or a 
simulated image, shall be guilty of an election offense and shall be penalized in 
accordance with the Omnibus Election Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 25.  Communication Channels for Electronic Transmissions. – 
Electronic transmission as defined herein shall be guided by the following: all 
electronic transmissions of election returns, certificates of canvass and other 
supporting or related documents shall only utilize the secure transmission channels as 
duly recommended by the Department of Science and Technology and the National 
Telecommunications Commission to ensure authentication and integrity of 
transmission.  
 
The Commission is hereby authorized to procure the necessary equipment, 
facilities and services for installing the electronic transmission infrastructure in order 
to effectively and securely implement the provisions of this act.  
 
Electronic transmissions of the election returns and such other supporting or 
related documents from the polling precincts shall be forwarded to the Commission 
and to the national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined 
by the Commission. 
 
SECTION 26.  Pre-proclamation controversy. – In case of any discrepancy, 
incompleteness, erasures or alterations as mentioned herein, the procedures on pre-
proclamation controversies as provided in Sections 17, 18, 19 and 20 of Republic Act 
No. 7166 shall be adopted and applied. 
 
SECTION 27.  Tampering of Election Servers. – The accredited citizens’ arm 
authorized by the Commission to set up an unofficial count center and all of its officials 
shall be equally liable for the acts of any person who shall tamper, alter, manipulate, 
abuse, interfere, intrude or misuse its secure servers used in receiving the 
transmissions of the electronic election results, in the consolidation of the votes, and 
in the publication and announcement of the results thereof to the public. 
 
All the members of the Commission and its Executive Director shall be equally 
liable for the acts of any person who shall tamper, alter, manipulate, abuse, interfere, 
intrude or misuse the electronic devices and/or secure servers used in sending and/or 
receiving the transmissions of the electronic election results, the certificates of 
canvass, the statements of votes and other supporting or related documents; in the 
consolidation and canvassing of the votes; and, in the publication and announcement 
of the results thereof to the public. 
 
The act of tampering, altering, manipulating, abusing, interfering, intruding or 
misusing the electronic devices and/or secure servers as herein provided shall 
constitute a prima facie evidence of electoral sabotage and a conspiracy to commit 
massive electoral fraud. 


 
21
 
SECTION 28.  Election Offenses under this Act. – In addition to the violation of the 
pertinent provisions of this Act, the following shall also constitute election offenses: 
 
a) Any person who removes the election return that is posted on the wall, whether 
within or after the prescribed seventy-two (72) hours of posting or defaces the 
same in any manner; 
 
b) Any person who simulates an actual election return, or a print or electronic copy 
thereof; 
 
c) Any person who simulates the certification in a printed copy of an election 
return; 
 
d) The chairman or any member of the board of election inspectors who, during 
the prescribed period of posting, removes the election return from the wall on 
which it had been posted other than for the purpose of immediately transferring 
it to a more suitable place; 
 
e) The chairman or any member of the board of election inspectors who signs or 
authenticates a printed copy of the election return outside of the polling precinct; 
 
f) The chairman or any member of the board of election inspectors who signs or 
authenticates a printed copy which bears an image different from the election 
return produced after the counting and posted on the wall; 
 
g) Any person who removes the certificate of canvass that is posted on the wall, 
whether within or after the prescribed seventy-two (72) hours of posting or 
defaces the same in any manner; 
 
h) Any person who simulates an actual certificate of canvass or statement of 
votes, or a print or electronic copy thereof; 
 
i) Any person who simulates the certification in a certificate of canvass or 
statement or votes;  
 
j) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who, during the 
prescribed period of posting, removes the certificate of canvass or its 
supporting statement of votes from the wall on which they have been posted 
other than for the purpose of immediately transferring them to a more suitable 
place; 
 
k) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who signs or   
authenticates a printed copy of the certificate of canvass or its supporting 
statement of votes outside of the canvassing center; and, 
 
l) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who signs or 
authenticates a printed copy that bears an image different from the certificate 
of canvass or statement of votes produced after the canvassing and posted on 
the wall. 


 
22
 
SECTION 29.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Immediately upon the 
approval of this Act, the Commission shall formulate such rules and regulations that 
will effectively and securely implement this Act for purposes of the national, local, and 
ARMM elections.  
 
SECTION  30.  Project Management Office. – The Commission shall set up a 
permanent Project Management Office which shall be directly responsible and vested 
with such powers and authority necessary for the installation, activation, monitoring, 
and supervision of the entire election infrastructure to insure glitch-free, clean, honest, 
transparent, and credible elections. 
 
The Project Management Office shall be headed by a member of the 
Commission and assisted by its Executive Director. It shall have other members as 
the Commission deems fit and necessary: Provided, that it shall include as members 
thereof one representative each from the Department of Science and Technology, the 
National Telecommunications Office, and an accredited citizens’ arm not otherwise 
authorized to conduct the unofficial count. It shall also have at least three (3) 
independent members who shall be selected by drawing of lots from among interested 
qualified applicants as recommended by election advocacy groups. The term of office 
of the members thereof shall be three (3) years. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 31.  Source Code Review. – Once a HES technology is selected for 
implementation, the Commission shall promptly make the source code of that 
technology available and open to any interested political party or any group which may 
conduct their own review thereof. The said review shall not be curtailed or restricted 
in any way. 
 
The Commission shall not in any way curtail the right of such interested political 
parties or groups in making known to the public their observations, findings, or 
comments about the results of their own review of the source code. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 32.  Continuity Plan. – The HES shall be so designed as to include a 
continuity plan in case of systems breakdown or any such eventuality which shall result 
in the delay, obstruction or nonperformance of the electoral process. Activation of such 
contingency or continuity measures shall be undertaken in the presence of 
representatives of political parties and accredited citizens' arms who shall be notified 
by the Commission or the election officer, as the case may be, of such activation. 
 
All political parties and party-list organizations shall be furnished copies of said 
continuity plan at their official addresses as submitted to the Commission. The 
contingency or continuity measures shall be published in at least two (2) newspapers 


 
23
of national circulation and shall be posted on the official website of the Commission at 
least fifteen (15) days prior to the electoral activity concerned. 
 
SECTION 33. Procurement of Equipment and Materials. – The Commission shall 
prescribe the technical specifications for the electronic devices, computer programs, 
security and encryption technologies, and other related electronic technologies to be 
used for the effective and secure implementation of this Act, with an aim to ensure 
free, orderly, peaceful, clean, honest, transparent and credible elections and the 
speedy determination of the true results thereof. 
 
The Commission is hereby authorized to procure by purchase, in accordance 
with existing laws, equipment, software, facilities, supplies, materials and other 
services, from local sources free from taxes and import duties, subject to accounting 
and auditing rules and regulations.  
 
The transmission system or infrastructure procured must have successfully 
passed the applicable tests prior to their actual deployment for election purposes. 
 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 and its implementing 
rules and regulations, no bidder shall be disqualified from participating in the 
procurement of equipment and materials for failing to comply with the Single Largest 
Completed Contract requirement thereof. 
 
Any violation of this Section, or any of its pertinent provisions, shall constitute 
an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with the Omnibus Election 
Code and other pertinent election laws. 
 
SECTION 34. Appropriations. – The Congress shall provide the necessary 
appropriations in a supplemental budget or general appropriations act, as the case 
may be, without delay and for purposes of the national, local, and ARMM elections. 
 
SECTION 35. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any section or provision of 
this Act or any part thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof shall not be affected by such 
declaration. 
 
SECTION 36. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations, resolutions, ordinances, or circulars or parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly 
or declared null and void and inoperative. 
 
SECTION 37. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
  
Approved,