Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._2217 x

Introduced by Representative Edgar Mary S. Sarmiento

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to postpone the May 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan
Elections to May 2020.

The barangay is the most basic political unit of the country. It serves as the
Primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs and
Projects. The barangay also provides a platform for every resident to actively participate
in the community. On the other hand, the sangguniang kabataan was instituted to ensure
that the youth would be active and be well-represented at the grassroots level.

The importance of the barangay and sangguniang kabataan could not be more
elucidated. However, since the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections
will be held a year before the 2019 National Elections, resetting the former will allow
the COMELEC to adequately prepare for the latter.

At present, issues are being raised against COMELEC for exercising its Option
to Purchase (OTP) the vote counting machines (VCM) used in 2016 for the upcoming
2019 National Elections. A House Resolution calling for an investigation on the matter
has in fact already been filed.' Thus, moving the barangay elections to 2020 will give
the COMELEC the opportunity to concentrate its attention and resources to ensuring
that the conduct of the 2019 Elections will be orderly and beyond reproach.

There are also other developments which may need the full participation of the
COMELEC. Amending the supreme law of the land, for example, will need the active
involvement of COMELEC and it is best if there are no other concerns that would divert
from this.

In the meantime, it is hoped that postponing the barangay elections will allow
the incumbent barangay officials to continue implementing the policies and programs
of the current administration. This would allow non-disruption of the different
programs of the barangay especially the infrastructure development. In addition to this,

* House Resolution 1647


it would strengthen the implementation of the peace and security programs of the
government through the continuous involvement of the barangay.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

EDGAR RY S\SARMIENTO
Representyive, 1*\District Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7217

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Introduced by Representative Edgar Mary S. Sarmiento

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AN ACT POSTPONING THE MAY 2018 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG
KABATAAN ELECTIONS TO MAY 2020, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO, 9340,
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10632, REPUBLIC ACT NO, 10656, REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 10923, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10952, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act No.
9340, Republic Act No. 10632, Republic Act No. 10656, Republic Act No. 10923, and
Republic Act No. 10952 is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 1. Date of Election — There shall be synchronized barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which shall be held on July 15, 2002
Subsequent synchronized barangay and sangguniang Kabataan elections shall
be held on the last Monday of October 2007 and every three (3) years thereafter,
Provided that the barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections on October 23,
2017 shall be postponed to the second Monday of May 2020 [2018]. Subsequent
synchronized barangay elections shall be held on the second Monday of May
2023 [2020] and every three (3) years thereafter.”

SECTION 2. Hold Over — Until the successors shall have been duly elected and
Qualified, all incumbent barangay officials shall remain in office, unless sooner
removed or suspended for cause.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Commission on Elections,
within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, shall promulgate such rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause — All law, decrees, ordinances, rules or regulations or
parts thereof, inconsistent or in conflict with the Provisions of this Act are hereby
expressly repealed, amended, or modified accordingly,


SECTION 5. Separability Clause ~ If for any reason any section or provision of this
Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof
which are not affected hereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Effectivity — This Act shall become effective fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.