FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Biazon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article I I ,  Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution mandates: “...The Armed Forces of 
the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the 
sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.” 
In relation to this mandate, the Constitution specifies that this duty extends to the 
protection of the sanctity of the ballot as enunciated in Article IX, Paragraph c, Section 
2, (4): 
“Sec. 2. The Commission on Elections shall exercise the following 
powers and functions: 
(4) Deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law 
enforcement 
agencies 
and 
instrumentalities of 
the 
Government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 
for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, 
peaceful, and credible elections.” 
While the AFP may be deputized as such our fundamental law also stipulates in 
Article XVI, Section 5 (3) which states: 
‘I.. . The armed forces shall be insulated from partisan politics. 
No member of the military shall engage directly or indirectly in any 
partisan political activity, except to vote. ” 
This bill seeks to do just this by defining the role of the AFP during electic s not 
only to make it an instrument in moving this country forward but also to maintain 
professionalism among its ranks. Allegations regarding the involvement of certain 
members of the AFP affecting the results of elections have been plaguing this country 
for quite some time and reached its pinnacle in 2004 when the so-called “Hello Garci 
Tapes” came out. The passage of this proposed measure is envisioned to lessen if not 
totally stop this malady affecting the conduct of our elections. 
With the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. n 
RODOLFO G: BIAZON 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 1.43g 
Introduced by Senator Biazon 
AN ACT 
TO DEFINE THE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) 
DURING ELECTIONS 
Be it enacted by fhe Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
maintain a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, credible and efficient elections. The State 
shall insulate its armed forces from politics and that no member of the military shall 
engage in any partisan political activity, except to vote. 
Sec. 2. Role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). - The Armed Forces 
of the Philippines or any of its units or members thereof shall only be deputized to 
maintain peace and order during elections when there are no available units or 
members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or when there is a need to augment 
the PNP units in a certain area as determined by the Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC) through a resolution approved by a majority of its Commissioners. 
In no manner shall the AFP be deputized in activities related to the handling and 
opening of ballot boxes; counting, tallying, and canvassing of votes; and proclamation 
during any electoral exercise. Whenever a unit or a member of the AFP is deputized in 
the transportation of ballots, such role shall be limited to providing security to ensure the 
safety of election personnel tasked to transport these ballots and the integrity of election 
paraphernalia. 
For purposes of this Act, the word "elections" shall include all national, regional 
and local elections as well as referenda, plebiscites and recall and initiatives. 
Sec. 3. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The COMELEC and the 
Department of National Defense (DND) shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations within sixty (60) days upon the effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - The provisions of this Act are hereby declared to 
be separable, and in the event one or more of such provisions is held unconstitutional, 
the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. . - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, 
whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,