Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2545

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED LAWYERS IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitutions provides that, “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 wherein they propose to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the
election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the
exercise of suffrage.”

The right to suffrage is the essence of our democracy. As a means to increase
participation by citizens who are otherwise prevented to vote, the country has enacted
absentee voting laws. Presently, there are laws that allow absentee voting for Filipinos
overseas, media practitioners, armed forces and police force. However, these still leave another
group disenfranchised due to the performance of their function during elections.

Lawyers are officers of the court and serve as guardians of truth and the rule of law, and
indispensable instruments in the fair and impartial administration of justice. It is their duty to
ensure that justice prevails and the law is observed. As such, lawyers are called out during the
elections to monitor the conduct of election and most are stationed away from their residences
because of this.

Hence, this bill provides for means for lawyers stationed away from their residences on
election days to vote on national elections in the precincts nearest to them subject to

reasonable regulations by the Commission on Election.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

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Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2545

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED LAWYERS IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 lawyers 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 lawyers 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. Registratian. - There shall be a nationwide registration for lawyers 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 lawyers who are registered voters;

(b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the Office
of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and
the Department of Interior and Local Government, that allows lawyers to register
and opt for early voting;

(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to lawyers; and
(d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for lawyers.

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 Big. 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.


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. - \f 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,