Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. Go.

Introduced by Representative Jerry P. Trefias

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The spirit of our laws and the practical realities of the highly political and divisive nature of the
upcoming May 2013 elections dictate that the next Barangay election, which is slated on October 2013,
be postponed to a later date,

‘The Barangay is the basic unit of the country’s social structure. It has therefore been decided by
the lawmakers of our country to insulate the barangays from the influence of partisan politics.
Unfortunately, the next Barangay election is scheduled on the same year as the nationwide national and
local clections in 2013. Suffice it to say, the highly polarizing and political nature of the May 2013
elections will greatly influence the conduct and outcome of the next Barangay election, if such is to take
place immediately after the national and local elections.

It was noted by the Supreme Court, in the case of Occefia vs. Comelec, that there are good
reasons for insulating the Barangay from the divisive and debilitating effects of a partisan political
campaign, as the Barangay Captain and the Barangay Council also act as agencies for neutral community
actions such as distribution of basic necessities, conducting plebiscites and settling local disputes. Hence,
the High Tribunal noted that “it would definitely enhance the objective and impartial discharge of their
duties for barangay officials to be shielded from political loyalty.”

It is therefore prudent to postpone the Barangay clection to a date which is not proximate to the
next national/local elections.

Moreover, the postponement of the 2013 Barangay election will allow the incumbent Barangay
officials to continue to implement their projects and initiatives. Scheduling a nationwide Barangay
election too soon will disrupt the continuity of the programs and the implementation of projects in the
various Barangays all over the country. Hence, it is best to schedule the next Barangay election on the last
Monday of October 2015, which is five (5) years after the last elections of Barangay officials.

In view of the foregoing, highly encourage the approval of this, =| } 4

JERRY)P. TRENAS

* Occefia vs. Comelec, G.R. No. L-60258 (January 31, 1984)


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Jerry P. Trefias

AN ACT RESETTING THE 2013 BARANGAY ELECTIONS TO THE LAST MONDAY
OF OCTOBER 2015.

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

Section 1. The 2013 Barangay elections scheduled on October 2013 is hereby postponed and
reset to the last Monday of October 2015

Section 2. All incumbent Barangay officials shall remain in office unless sooner removed or
suspended for cause until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.

Section 3. The Commission on Elections shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act.

Section 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected and
thereby remain in full force and effect.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations, or
parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,