FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION ;

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

me ia
House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Elections in the Philippines is always a costly exercise, both for the
candidate and the government. In the recently concluded May 2010 national
elections, the Commission on Elections entered into a contract for the
automation of the counting of the votes for the amount of P7.2 Billion, just for
the PCOS machines alone. The cost for the upcoming Barangay elections is
quoted to be around P3.6 Billion.

For a country whose budget deficit was estimated by the President to
reach a record high of P349 billion by the end of the year, P3.6 billion is too
high a price to spend on barangay elections.

The P3.6 billion earmarked for the barangay elections would be better
spent if it would be instead used for other government projects like
construction of bridges, roads and other infrastructure projects and even the
constructions of school buildings.

Also, it is of common knowledge that elections, whether national, local
or barangay, prove to be divisive among the populace specially coming from
the heels of the recently concluded and very divisive May 10, 2010 National
and local elections. Candidates and their supporters try to destroy their
opponents by using any means necessary just to be able to secure victory.
During these trying times for our country, division is the last thing that we
need. As what President Noynoy Aquino mentioned in his inaugural speech,
“You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation is about to end. This
is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the cross we will lift
it, no matter how heavy it is”.


Furthermore, the three year term of barangay officials is too short a
time for the unity and stability in barangay leadership and affairs. A one year
extension would therefore be in order.

Hence, because barangay elections this October will be very costly and
divisive, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

fe?
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
~—EIRST REGULAR SESSION )

O\ House OF REPRESENTATIVES

introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1171

House Bill No.

AN ACT
RESETTING THE 2010 BARANGAY ELECTIONS TO THE LAST MONDAY
OF OCTOBER 2011.

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

SECTION 1. The 2010 Barangay elections scheduled to be held on October
25, 2010 is hereby postponed and reset to the last Monday of October, 2011

SEC. 2. The Commission on Elections shall promulgate the Implementing
rules and regulations necessary for this Act.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
and rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after its complete
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,