SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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AUG 15 
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Introduced by Senator R ichard J. Gordon
AN ACT POSTPONING THE OCTOBER 2017 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG 
KABATAAN ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164, 
AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10656, REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 10923, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Given the difficulties our country face today, as well as the expenses being incurred, 
as a result of the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City that began on 23 May 2017, the 
proclamation and extension of Martial Law in Mindanao through Proclamation No. 216, 
and the prevalence of illegal drugs, it is but proper to postpone the barangay and 
sangguniang kabataan elections in October 2017 to October 2018, to give the government 
ample time to maintain peace and order, protect lives, and promote the general welfare of 
the people.
Significantly, illegal drugs have corrupted most of the barangays. According to the 
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), there are around four (4) million drug users 
in the Philippines and forty-seven percent (47%) of barangays throughout the country are 
drug-affected, with ninety-four percent (94%) of all barangays in Metro Manila as drug- 
infiltrated. Various reports state that too many barangay officials have been contaminated. 
Therefore, conducting the 2017 scheduled barangay elections will only lead to the victory 
of drug money-backed barangay officials because, as of the moment, they are the ones who 
are powerful and influential.
The problem of illegal drugs is not only an issue of law and order, but also extends 
to the issues on health, social, and economic well-being of individuals. The barangays - our 
basic political unit -  should take the lead in protecting the communities from crimes, 
especially those involving illegal drugs, in order to protect the general welfare of the 
people.
The budget for conducting the barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections in 
2017 may be used in subsequent elections. Meanwhile, the government can focus on the 
restoration and rehabilitation of the areas affected by the armed conflict in Marawi City 
and in the promotion of the general welfare of the people, at the same time, ensure peace 
and order.
GORDON
Senator


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
)
s.N„Em
2
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t -u’
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'17 AUG 15 P4 27
Rlll.
Introduced by Senator R ichard J. Gordon
AN ACT POSTPONING THE OCTOBER 2017 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG 
KABATAAN ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164.
AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10656, REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 10923, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Sec. 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the prime duty of the State to serve and protect the 
people. In line with this duty, the State seeks to maintain peace and order, the protection of life, 
and the promotion of the general welfare. Given the events occurring, such as: the armed conflict 
in Marawi City, the proclamation and extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, and the prevalence 
of illegal drugs, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to postpone the October 2017 
barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections to October 2018 to provide ample time for the 
government to maintain peace and order and protect the general welfare of the people.
Sec. 2. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act No. 9340, 
Republic Act No. 10656, and Republic Act No. 10923, 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 the fourth Monday of October 
2017 shall be postponed to the fourth Monday of October 2018. Subsequent 
synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be held on the 
second Monday of May 2021 and every three (3) years thereafter.”
Sec. 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act No. 9340 and 
Republic Act No. 10923, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 4. Assumption of Office. - The term  of office of the barangay and 
sangguniang kabataan officials elected under this Act shall commence at noon of 
November 30 next following their election: Provided, however, That the term of


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office of the barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials elected in the May 2021
elections and subsequently thereafter, shall commence at noon of June 30 next
following their election.”
Sec. 4. Hold Over. - Until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, all 
incumbent barangay officials shall remain in office, unless sooner removed or suspended for 
cause.
Sec. 5. Return of Appropriations. - The appropriations for the Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC) for the conduct of the barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be 
returned to the Treasury upon approval of this Act.
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall, within thirty (30) 
days after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to 
implement this Act.
Sec. 7. 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. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the rem ainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in 
force and effect.
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the completion of 
its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a new spaper of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Approved,