Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5963

HOUSE BILL NO.___

Introduced by Hon. GABRIEL LUIS R. QUISUMBING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Suffrage is the lifeblood of a democracy. The Constitution, Article 5, Section 1

provides:
Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise
disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall
have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place where
they propose to vote for at six months immediately preceding the election.
No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed
on the exercise of suffrage.

During the national elections last 2010, news programs showed footage of senior
citizens leaving polling centers because their physical conditions cannot endure
the long lines and lengthy procedure they have to undergo in order to cast their
votes. Hence, these senior citizens were deprived of the opportunity to exercise
the very basic right of suffrage.

Accordingly, in this legislation, the author seeks to provide for early voting of
senior citizens in the Philippines for the National and Local Elections.

Hence the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

GABRIEL VUI$ R. QUISUMBING


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

og
HOUSE BILL NO. 5963

Introduced by Hon. GABRIEL LUIS R. QUISUMBING

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. This act shall be known as the “Early Voting for Senior
Citizens Act of 2012”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The State shall ensure the exercise of the
right of suffrage by alll citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by
law.

SECTION 3. Requirements. Thirty (30) days before the election, the
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall implement the following:

* COMELEC shall keep a record of Senior Citizens who are registered as
voters.

* COMELEC shall coordinate with the Local Government Units (LGU), the
Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Local and Interior
Government (DILG) in designing systems and assistance to be accorded to
Senior Citizens.

* COMELEC shall designate accessible polling places where Senior Citizens
may be able to cast their vote, ensuring that such polling places are
provided with the necessary mobility, communication, visual and other
forms of assistance for concerned voters.

SECTION 4. Voting Procedures. Those herein qualified to vote early may cast
his/her ballot in the Office of the Municipal/ City Election Registrar where he/
she is registered during office hours within one (1) working day before the day
of the election. He/ she will be allowed to vote for as many positions available, as
any other qualified voter.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. - COMELEC shall include allocation in its budget
programs for the implementation of this Act. The initial funding of this Act shall
be charged against the current year’s appropriations or from any available


savings of the COMELEC. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,