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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

525d

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE STELLA LUZ A. QUIMBO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) data shows that 318,013 Persons
with Disabilities (PWDs) and 6.695 Million Senior Citizens registered to vote during the
May 2016 elections.

After the 23 percent low voting turnout of PWDs and Senior Citizen during the
2013 midterm elections’, there were clamors for disability inclusivity in elections.

In response, Aquino government enacted Republic Act 10366 which
mandates COMELEC to establish accessible polling places (APPs) exclusively for
PWDs and the elderly. COMELEC Resolution 10180, released two weeks before
May 9, 2016 elections, provides specific guidelines in implementing Republic Act
10366.

Despite said measures in place, senior citizens Mia Esteban, 74, and Josefa
Basarde, 65 had to wait in line under the heat for three (3) hours to vote at the
designated emergency accessible polling places (EAPP) at President Corazon
Aquino Elementary School in Batasan Hills, Quezon City during the recently
concluded elections.?

Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), a network of lawyers, paralegals
engaged in vote monitoring and the electoral process also said that recently passed,
Republic Act 10366, though commendable, proved to be a “band-aid” solution to the
bigger problem of having a better mechanism of voter registration and voting process
for the vulnerable sector.

Article V of the 1987 Constitution provides that all citizens, not otherwise
disqualified by law, shalll have the free exercise of the right to vote. Furthermore, the

* Disability sector dealt another blow as voting in malls cancelled, 05 May 2016, retrieved from
htps:/www.verafles.org/artcles!tisability-sector-dealt-another-blow-voting-malls-canceled

Despite EAPPs, voting not any easier for many PWDs and senior citizens", 10 May 2016, retrieved from
htips:/iwww.verailes.orglarticles/despite-eapps-voting-not-any-easier-many-pwds-and-senior-cit


State shall also design a procedure for the disabled to vote without the assistance of
other persons.

This bill aims to improve the voting experience of the vulnerable sector by
assigning an earlier voting day for our elderly and the PWDs, thus ensuring an
expedited, streamlined and convenient voting process. The bill also mandates
COMELEC to designate an “accessible polling place” within premises of the
Municipal Hall or City Hall exclusively for PWDs and senior citizens. Under Republic
Act 10366, an “accessible polling place” is defined as the venue where the Board of
Election Inspectors (BEIs) conducts election-related proceedings and where the
voters cast their votes. The accessible polling place shall be located at the ground
floor, preferably near the entrance of the building, and is free of any physical barriers
and provided with necessary services, including assistive devices.

This measure seeks to ensure disability-inclusivity but, more importantly,
promote greater involvement of citizenry in the electoral process. This bill was
originally filed by Cong. Romero “Miro” S. Quimbo and was approved on third reading
in the 17" Congress.

The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

realli QUIMBO

Representative
Second District, Marikina City


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
254
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE STELLA LUZ A. QUIMBO

AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 9 OF REPUBLIC ACT 10366, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO
ESTABLISH PRECINCTS ASSIGNED TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES
EXCLUSIVELY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as “Senior Citizens and PWDs

Absentee Voting Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Section 9 of Republic Act 10366 otherwise known as the “Act
Authorizing The Commission On Elections To Establish Precincts Assigned To
Accessible Polling Places Exclusively For Persons With Disabilities And Senior

Citizens” is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION. 9. [Greation-of} Precincts for Persons with Disabilities and Senior
Citizens. - The Commission is hereby authorized to [establish} DESIGNATE
precincts [efe-nentertitoriat nature] ASSIGNED TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING
PLACES WITHIN THE PREMISES OF THE MUNICIPAL HALL OR CITY

HALL, exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens [whe+n-their



voting-center.] Such precincts shall be provided with assistive devices as well

as the services of experts in assisting persons with disabilities.

THE COMMISSION SHALL EXTEND THE RIGHT TO VOTE UNDER THE
LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING SYSTEM PROVIDED UNDER THE EXISTING
LAWS AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS, TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

AND SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE DULY REGISTERED VOTERS.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate the implementing rules and

regulations.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part hereof
be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall

remain valid and effective.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
resolutions, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,