Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. __ 4585

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR
CITIZENS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL
AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

This bill seeks to broaden the access to the right of suffrage of
qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities in order to eliminate
possible impediments to electoral participation and ultimately improve
the quality of their voting experience.

This measure will allow qualified senior citizens and persons with
disabilities, together with qualified media practitioners, teachers, military
personnel, and government employees involved in the conduct of
elections, to vote one (1) week before the date of the elections in
COMELEC designated and accessible voting centers nationwide.

This bill was approved on third reading by the House of
Representatives during the 17 Congress and transmitted to the Senate of
the Philippines on May 31, 2017. The approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

PANTALEON VAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4565
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIEED SENIOR
CITIZENS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL
AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy
of the State to make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons
with disabilities (PWDs) by giving them the option to vote earlier than
the date set for the elections.

SEC. 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall
be early voting where senior citizens and PWDs qualified to vote early
may choose to cast their ballot at accessible establishments designated by
the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within seven (7) working days
before the date set for the election.

SEC. 3. Registration. - There shall be a nationwide registration for
senior citizens and PWDs who may wish to avail of their early voting
privileges to qualify them for early voting. Those who are not registered
under this Act shall vote on Election Day.

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SEC. 4. Obligation of the COMELEC. - To ensure the smooth
implementation of this Act, the COMELEC shall:

(a)Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered
voters;

(b)In coordination with local government units, the National
Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human
Rights, the Department of Health, and the Department of the
Interior and Local Government, design a registration system that
shall allow senior citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early
voting in order to improve their voting experience in national
and local elections;

(c)Ensure the full implementation of Republic Act No. 10366,
entitled “An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to
Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places
Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens”,
such that polling places are safe, highly accessible, and fitted
with the necessary communication, visual, and physical aids;
and

(d)Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting by
qualified senior citizens and PWDs.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to fund early voting
by qualified senior citizens and PWDs in national and local elections shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas
Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 7166,
entitled “An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local
Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations
Therefor, and for Other Purposes”, and other elections laws not
inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate the early voting by
qualified senior citizens and PWDs.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
the approval of this Act, the COMELEC shall, in consultation with other

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relevant government and non-government agencies, promulgate the
rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved,

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