Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Mila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
5816
House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the responsibility of the State to educate its citizens on their right to
vote and to ingrain in them the duty to preserve the integrity of the electoral
process.

It is vital that students at junior and senior high school be educated about
elections and their electoral choice, that they would be well-informed about the
country's political landscape and electoral process, and mold them into
becoming the pillars of democracy in the country.

Including this strategic and institutional platform will empower the youth
by providing them with thorough knowledge in choosing leaders and prepare

them to become responsible voters.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Manila
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. pele

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS:

AN ACT
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA

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 the “Compulsory Voter
Education Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to enlighten citizens
on their right to vote and to inculcate in them the duty to preserve the integrity
of the electoral process through the educational system.

SEC. 3. Definition of Voter Education. - As used in this Act, “Voter education”
means dissemination of information, materials and programs designed to inform
citizens about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process. It includes
Providing information on the right to suffrage, its importance, and the proper
exercise thereof, as well as information on who is eligible to vote; where and how
to register; how electors can check the voter lists to ensure they have been duly

included; what type of elections are being held; where, when and how to vote;


who the candidates are; and how to seek redress for grievances and report
violations of election laws.

SEC.4. Integration of Voter Education in the Junior and Senior High
School Curricula. - Voter Education shall be integrated by the Department of
Education (DepEd) in the junior and senior high school curricula, effective at the
start of the school year immediately following one (1) year from the effectivity of
this Act. The Commission on Election (COMELEC) shall assist DepEd in
preparing teachers during the one-year transition period by conducting seminars
and trainings on the electoral system and process. COMELEC shall certify that
the teacher, after attending such seminars and trainings, is qualified to teach
topics relating to the electoral system and process.

SEC.5. Voter Education Syllabus. -

A. Voter education. - The main syllabus shall include, but not limited to,
the following thematic areas:

1. Suffrage. - This area introduces to students the right to vote
accorded by the constitution, and other rights enabling citizens to
participate in the conduct of public affairs;

2. Electoral system and process - This area deals with the general
principles underlying the present electoral system, and legislation
regulating all the phases of the election. It discusses the proper
conduct of elections including registration, casting of ballots, and
counting of votes;

B. Educated voting — This area focuses on the attitude and behavior a voter
must adopt to ensure fair, free, and honest elections. It emphasizes the
importance of participating in elections in a manner that shall stimulate
and strengthen democracy.


C. Supplementary topics. - This curriculum should have additional topics
and studies on the political system of the country, the contextual
background of elections, current political, social, and economic issues
affecting the elections, and the possible solutions to address them.

D. Other subject matters. - Other areas of voter education maybe included
in the syllabus.

SEC.6, Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Education is
hereby authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out
the provisions of this Act. The Secretary of Education shall, within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations, including
those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act.

SEC.7. Educational Materials. - It shall be obligatory on all schools offering
secondary education to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of
the textbooks, primers, and leaflets on voter education to be issued by the
DepEd. The DepEd shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,
depending upon the enrollment of the schools.

SEC.8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the reminder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC.9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to,
or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SEC.10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,