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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

42

HOUSE BILL NO. 18°

Introduced by Honorable Ronald V. Singson

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7166 otherwise known as “An
Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral
Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, And For Other Purposes” by
making the day of election on the nearest Saturday to the second Monday of May

R.A.7166 provides for the election for President, Vice-President, twenty-
four (24) Senators, all elective Members of the House of Representatives, and all
elective provincial, city and municipal officials on the second Monday of May,
1992. Thereafter, the President and Vice-President shall be elected on the same
day every six (6) years; while the Senators, elective Members of the House of
Representatives and all elective provincial, city and municipal officials shall be
elected on the same day every three (3) years, except that with respect to Senators,
only twelve (12) shall be elected.

Voting provides an important way to voice the electorate’s opinions
regarding candidates, future leaders and overall policies. It helps people decide
their future by electing a leader who might reflect their views. The right to vote
directs the nation in preserving democracy. This must be exercised in order to
achieve social equality.

During the past election, it has been observed that a low turnout of voters
was evident in the polls. It is believed that the main reason is attributed to the long
weekend vacation which prompted the electorates to spend long vacation
elsewhere instead of voting. Hence this bill.


By amending the law in holding the elections on the nearest Saturday to the
second Monday of May of each year, it is hoped that the voting public will find
importance in value of voting. In this manner, the will of the people will be
expressed more in the polls.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

4
HOUSE BILL No.__ 18

Introduced by Honorable Ronald V. Singson

AN ACT

DESIGNATING THE SATURDAY NEAREST THE SECOND MONDAY
OF MAY 2016 AND EVERY THREE YEARS THEREAFTER AS THE
DAY FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTION,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 7166,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR SYNCHRONIZED
NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR ELECTORAL
REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”

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

SECTION 1. The synchronized national and local elections shall be held on
the Saturday nearest the Second Monday of May 2016 and every three years
thereafter. Thereafter, the President and Vice-President shall be elected on the
same day every six (6) years; while the Senators, elective Members of the House of

Representatives and all elective provincial, city and municipal officials shall be


elected on the same day every three (3) years, except that with respect to Senators,
only twelve (12) shall be elected.

SEC. 2. Republic Act 7166 otherwise known as “An Act Providing For
Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing
Appropriations Therefor, And For Other Purposes” and all other laws affected by
this Act shall be repealed.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,