Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1569 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many countries are now allowing early voting. It is done to give voters who cannot 
participate in elections during election day an opportunity to still exercise their right of suffrage. 
The reality is that there are people who are not available to vote during election day for 
various reasons, including their jobs. Without early voting, they cannot vote and voter turnout 
will be less than desired. Further early voting can also result in less congestion of polling 
precincts during election day which results in more convenience for voters, because it gives 
them significantly more time to complete their ballots or go to the polls. Early voting also gives 
more time to process ballots and relieves some of the strain on voting systems that occur on 
Election Day. 
This proposed measure seeks to uphold the constitutional right of suffrage by 
introducing early voting for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), thereby 
addressing the barriers they often face during elections. While voting is a fundamental 
democratic right enshrined in Article V of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the practical ability 
of vulnerable sectors to exercise this right is often hindered by physical, logistical, and 
environmental limitations on Election Day. This bill is designed to address those limitations by 
allowing qualified senior citizens and PWDs to vote up to seven working days prior to the 
regular election date, in accessible and secure polling places designated by the Commission 
on Elections (COMELEC). 
Hence, this bill which seeks to provide for early voting in the Philippines for the national 
and local elections. 
July 8, 2025
10:24 am


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.  
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1569 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS AND 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to make 
voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) by giving them the 
option to vote earlier than the date set for the elections. 
SEC. 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be early voting where 
qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their ballot at accessible establishments 
designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within seven (7) working days before 
the date set for the elections. 
SEC. 3. Registration. - There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens and PWDs 
to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under this 
Act shall vote on Election Day. 
SEC. 4. Obligations of the COMELEC. - To ensure the effective implementation of this Act, 
the COMELEC shall: 
(a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;
(b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the National


Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Health and 
the Department of Interior and Local Government, that allows senior citizens and PWDs to 
register and opt for early voting; 
(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs, and 
properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids, as mandated under 
Republic Act No. 10366 entitled, An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish 
Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and 
Senior Citizens”; and 
(d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior citizens 
and PWDs. 
SEC 5. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act shall be 
charged against the current year’s appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, the funding of 
which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the 
Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled, "An Act Providing for Synchronized 
National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, 
and for Other Purposes”; and other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to 
facilitate early voting for qualified senior citizens and PWDs. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from its effectivity, 
the Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in 
force and effect. 
 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are 
contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or 


modified accordingly. 
SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,