NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE
RECEIVED BV
115G
S.B. No.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF HYBRID NATIONAL, LOCAL, AND 
BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (BARRM) 
ELECTIONS, THROUGH MANUAL-AUTOMATED VOTING, COUNTING, 
CANVASSING, CONSOLIDATION, AND TRANSMISSION, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8436, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It cannot be denied that many voters still distrust the automated election 
system. While the current system may be lauded for the speed by which it delivers the 
results, questions as to the accuracy and transparency of the system, not only during 
the counting of votes, but more importantly, in the canvassing and consolidation 
thereof, still remain. That the consolidation and canvassing process has undergone 
"glitches" such as the seven-hour glitch during the 2019 National and Local Elections 
certainly does not help the case for an automated election set-up. Likewise, the alleged 
incidents of hacking which seem to plague almost every automated election in the 
country further cast doubts into the minds of the electorate as to whether the results 
reflected in the election returns and certificates of canvass truly reflect the will of the 
people.
Thus, there is a need for a system which will retain the speed of the automated 
system but shall, at the same time, address the concerns and doubts of the electorate 
as to the transparency and accuracy of the counting and canvassing of votes. That is 
what the Hybrid Election System (HES), as proposed in this bill, seeks to achieve. By 
combining the automated counting and canvassing system with a parallel manual 
counting and canvassing set-up, the HES aims to put to rest the long-standing doubts 
of the Filipino people on the transparency and accuracy of the automated count, while 
avoiding the evils normally associated with a purely manual counting system.
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Furthermore, the existing law on automated elections requires specific pre­
conditions on the automated election system (AES) that the Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC) is authorized to use. Republic Act No. 9369, which amends Republic Act 
No. 8436, requires that the AES should have "demonstrated the capability and had 
been successfully used in a prior electoral exercise here or abroad." In effect, this is a 
pre-condition before an automated elections system can be considered for use by the 
COMELEC. By requiring the successful use of an AES in a prior electoral exercise here 
or abroad, the options of the COMELEC are considerably restricted.
To help compensate for aforesaid pre-condition and in order to open up the 
bidding for automated election system equipment, materials, and other services, 
particularly, to Filipino companies, this bill proposes to exempt prospective bidders from 
the single largest completed contract requirement.
Under the premises, the approval of this bill is highly recommended.
: /).


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 115G
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Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
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AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF HYBRID NATIONAL, LOCAL, AND 
BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (BARRM) 
ELECTIONS, THROUGH MANUAL-AUTOMATED VOTING, COUNTING, 
CANVASSING, CONSOLIDATION, AND TRANSMISSION, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8436, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Hybrid Election Act"
SEC. 2. Coverage.-The coverage of the provisions of this Act shall be applicable 
to the conduct of the elections in May 2025 and all national, local, and Bangsamoro 
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections thereafter.
SEC. 3. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
"SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 
ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, credible and informed elections, 
plebiscites, referenda, recall and other similar electoral exercises by 
improving on the election process and adopting systems, which shall 
involve the use of [an automated] A HYBRID election system that will 
ensure the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot and all election, consolidation 
and transmission documents in order that the process shall be transparent 
and credible and that the results shall be fast, accurate, and reflective of 
the genuine will of the people. THE HYBRID ELECTION SYSTEM 
SHALL BE A COMBINATION OF THE AUTOMATED ELECTION


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SYSTEM AND THE MANUAL ELECTION SYSTEM TO ENSURE 
TRANSPARENCY AND CREDIBILITY OF THE ELECTORAL 
PROCESSES.
The State recognizes the mandate and authority of the Commission to 
prescribe the adoption and use of the most suitable technology of 
demonstrated capability taking into account the situation prevailing in the 
area and the funds available for the purpose."
SEC. 4. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
read as follows:
"SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following 
terms shall mean:
"1. [Automated] HYBRID election system, hereinafter to as [AES] HES 
- a system using appropriate technology which has been demonstrated 
in the voting, counting, consolidating, canvassing, and transmission of 
election result, and other electoral process BUT ALSO UTILIZES 
MANUAL COUNTING TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND 
CREDIBILITY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESSES;
"2. Electronic transmission - conveying data in electronic form from one 
location to another;
"3. Official ballot - [where AES is utilized, refers] REFERS to the paper 
ballot, whether printed or generated by the technology applied, that 
faithfully captures or represents the votes cast by a voter recorded or to 
be recorded in electronic form;
"4. Election returns - A) a document in electronic and printed form 
directly produced by the counting or voting machine, showing the date 
of the election, the province, municipality and the precinct in which it is 
held and the votes in figures for each candidate in a precinct [in areas 
where AES is utilized] AND B) A DOCUMENT IN PRINTED FORM 
AND MANUALLY ACCOMPLISHED FOR PURPOSES OF 
REFLECTING THE MANUAL COUNT OF THE VOTES AT THE 
POLLING PRECINT, SHOWING THE DATE OF THE ELECTION, THE 
PROVINCE, CITY, OR MUNICIPALITY, AND THE PRECINT IN 
WHICH IT IS HELD AND THE VOTES IN FIGURES FOR EACH 
PRECINT;
"5. Statement of votes - a document containing the votes obtained by 
candidates in each precinct in a city/municipality;


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"6. City/municipal/district/provincial certificate of canvass - a document
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in electronic and printed form containing the total votes in figures
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obtained by each candidate in a city/municipality/district/province as the
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case may be. The electronic certificates of canvass shall be the official
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canvass result in the aforementioned jurisdictions;
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"7. Paper-based election system - a type of automated election system
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that use paper ballots, records and counts votes, tabulates,
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consolidates/canvasses and transmits electronically the results of the
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vote count;"
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["8. Direct recording electronic election system—a type or-automoted
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election-system that uses electronic ballots, records, votes by mcans-of
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a ballot-display provided with mechanical or electro-optical component
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that can be activated-by-the-voter, processes data by means of-a
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computer programs, record voting data and ballot images, and transmits
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voting results electronicailyj]
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"[9] 8. Counting center- a public places within the city/municipality or
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in such other places as may be designated by the Commission where the
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official ballots cast in various precincts of the city/municipality shall be
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counted. Polling places or voting centers may also be designated as
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counting centers;
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"[40] 9. Continuity plan-a list of contingency measures, and the policies
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for activation of such, that are put in place to ensure continuous
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operation of the AES;
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"[11. Disabled voters a person with impaired capacity to use the AES];
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"[45] 10. Source code - human readable instructions that define what
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the computer equipment will do; and
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"[40] 11. Station - refers to a polling place, counting center, municipal
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or provincial canvassing center."
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SEC. 5. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to
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read as follows:
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"SEC 3. Board of Election Inspectors. - [Where AES shall be
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adopted, at least] AT LEAST one member of the Board of Election
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Inspectors shall be an information technology-capable person, who is
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trained or certified by the [DOST] DICT to use the [EAS] HES. Such
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certification shall be issued by the [DOST] DICT, free of charge."


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SEC. 6. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
"SEC. 4 Information Technology Support for the Board of 
Canvassers. - [To implement the AES, each] EACH board of canvassers 
shall be assisted by an information technology-capable person authorized 
to operate the equipment adopted for the elections. The Commission 
shall deputize information technology personnel from among the 
agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including government- 
owned and controlled corporations. The per diem of the deputized 
personnel shall be the same as that of the members of the board of 
canvassers."
SEC. 7. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
"SEC. 5 Authority to Use [an Automated] A HYBRID Election 
System. - To carry out the above-stated policy, the Commission on 
Elections, herein referred to as the Commission, is hereby authorized to 
use [an automated] A HYBRID election system or systems in the same 
election in different provinces [,] . THE SYSTEM SHALL BE A 
COMBINATION OF THE AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM AND 
THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM [whether] THROUGH A paper- 
based [or a direct recording cicctronie] election system [as it may deem 
appropriate and practical] for the process of voting, counting of votes 
and canvassing/consolidation and transmittal of results of electoral 
exercises: [Provided, that for the regular national and local election, 
which shall be held immediately after effectivity of this Act, the AES shaH
be used in at-least two highly urbanized cities and two provinces each in
Luzon;—Visayas—aftd—Mindanao;—to—be—chosen—by—the
Commission: Provided, further, That local government-units whose
officials have been the subject of administrative charges within sixteen
(46)—month—prior—to—the—May—14;—2007—election—shaH—not—be
chosen: Provided, finally. That no area shall be chosen without the
consent of the Sanggunian of the local government unit concerned. The 
term local government unit as used in this provision shall refer to a highly 
urbanized- city or province.- In succeeding regular national or local 
elections, the AES shall be implemented nationwide.-] PROVIDED, 
THAT THE HYBRID ELECTION SYSTEM NEED NOT BE 
IMPLEMENTED FOR OVERSEAS VOTING.
SEC. 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:


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"SEC.8. The Advisory Council. - The Commission shall create an advisory 
Council, hereafter referred to as the Council, which shall be convened not 
later than eighteen (18) months prior to the next schedule electoral 
exercise, and deactivated six months after completion of 
canvassing[! Provided, for purposes of the 2007 cIcctionG, the Advisory 
Council shall be immediately convened within ten (10) days after the
cffcctivity of this Act].
"The Council shall be composed of the following members, who must be 
registered Filipino voters, of known independence, competence and 
probity;
"(a) The [Chairman—of—the—Commission—en—information—and 
Communications—Technology—(CICT-)] SECRETARY OF THE 
DERPATMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY (DICT) who shall act as the chairman of the council;
"(B) THE RESPECTIVE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE SENATE 
COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORMS AND PEOPLE'S 
PARTICIPATION AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL REFORMS WHO 
SHALL ACT AS EX OFFICIO MEMBERS;
"[(b)] (C) One member from the Department of Science and Technology;
"[(e)] (D) One member from the Department of Education;
"[(d)])(E) One member representing the academe, to be selected by the 
chair of the Advisory Council from among the list of nominees submitted 
by the country's academic institutions;
M[{^] (F) Three members representing ICT professional organizations to 
be selected by the chair of the Advisory Council from among the list of 
nominees submitted by Philippines-based ICT professional organization. 
Nominees shall be individuals, at least one of whom shall be experience in 
managing or implementing large-scale IT projects;
"[(f)] (G) Two members representing nongovernmental electoral reform 
organizations, to be selected by the chair of the Advisory Council from 
among the list of nominees submitted by the country's nongovernmental 
electoral reform organizations.
"THREE OBSERVERS, REPRESENTING THE ACCREDITED 
CITIZEN'S ARM OF THE COMMISSION, AND THE DOMINANT


MAJORITY AND MINORITY PARTIES AS DETERMINED BY THE 
COMMISSION DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING 
ELECTION, SHALL BE INVITED DURING MEETINGS OF THE 
ADVISORY COUNCIL. THE OBSERVERS SHALL BE ALLOWED TO 
GATHER INFORMATION: PROVIDED, THAT THEY SHALL NOT 
DISRUPT OR OBSTRUCT THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ADVISORY 
COUNCIL OR COUNTERMAND ITS DECISIONS."
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"A person who is affiliated with any political party or candidate for any 
national position, or is related to a candidate for any national position by 
affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree, shall not be eligible 
for appointment or designation to the Advisory Council. Should any such 
situation arise at any time during the Incumbency of a member, the 
designation or appointment of that member, shall ipso facto be 
terminated.
"Any member of the advisory council is prohibited from engaging, directly 
or indirectly, with any entity that advocates, markets, imports, produces 
or in any manner handles software, hardware or any equipment that may 
be used for election purposes for personal gain".
"Any violation of the two immediate preceding paragraphs shall disqualify 
said member from the Advisory Council and shall be punishable as 
provided in this Act and shall be penalized in accordance with the Anti- 
Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and other related laws.
"The council may avail itself of the expertise and services of resource 
person who are known independence, competence and probity, are 
nonpartisan, and do not posses any of the disqualifications applicable to a 
member of the Advisory Council as provided herein. The resource persons 
shall also be subject to the same prohibitions and penalties as the 
members of the Advisory Council.
"The [commission on information and communications technology (CICT)] 
DICT [7] shall include in its annual appropriation the funds necessary to 
enable the council to effectively perform its functions".
SEC. 9. Section 12 of R.A. No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended as follows:
"SEC. 12. Procurement of Equipment and Materials. - To achieve 
the purpose of this Act, the Commission is authorized to procure, in 
accordance with existing laws, by purchase, lease, rent or other forms of 
acquisition, supplies, equipment, materials, software, facilities, and other


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service, from local or foreign sources free from taxes and import duties,
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subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulation. With respect to
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the May [10, 2010] 2025 elections and succeeding electoral exercises, the
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system procured must have demonstrated capability and been successfully
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used in a prior electoral exercise here or board. Participation in [the 2007]
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pilot [exercise] EXERCISES shall not be conclusive of the system's fitness.
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"In determining the amount of any bid from a technology, software or
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equipment supplier, the cost to the government of its deployment and
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implementation shall be added to the bid price as integral thereto. The
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value of any alternative use to which such technology, software or
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equipment can be put for public use shall not be deducted from the original
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face value of the said bid."
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"NOTWITHSTANDING THE REQUIREMENT UNDER SECTION
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23.4.1.3 OF THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9184, FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF
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PROCURING SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, SOFTWARE,
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FACILITIES, AND OTHER AUTOMATED ELECTIONS SERVICES,
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UNDER THIS CODE, THE PROSPECTIVE BIDDER MUST HAVE
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EITHER COMPLETED WITHIN THE PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE
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INVITATION TO BID, A SINGLE LARGEST COMPLETED CONTRACT
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THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE CONTRACT TO BE BID, AND WHOSE
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VALUE, ADJUSTED TO CURRENT PRICES USING THE PHILIPPINE
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STATISTICS AUTHORITY CONSUMER PRICE INDICES, MUST AT
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LEAST BE FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THE APPROVED BUDGET OF
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CONTRACT OR WITH PROVEN FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL, AND
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ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO CONDUCT SUCH EXERCISE SO
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AS TO ENSURE THAT THE BIDDING AND PROCUREMENT SHALL
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NOT UNREASONABLY LIMIT COMPETITION AND INEQUITABLY
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BAR PARTICIPATION OF CAPABLE SUPPLIERS,
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MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS."
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SEC. 10. A new Section 15 of R.A. No. 8436, as amended, is hereby inserted
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and the succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly. The new Section 15
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shall read as follows:
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"SEC. 15. SUBSTITUTION OF CANDIDATES- AFTER THE
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LAST DAY FOR THE FILING OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
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CANDIDACY, WHICH SHALL NOT BE EARLIER THAN ONE
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HUNDRED AND FIFTY (150) DAYS PRECEDING THE DAY OF
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ELECTION, NO SUBSTITUTION SHALL BE ALLOWED EXCEPT ON
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THE GROUND OF DEATH, INCAPACITY, OR DISQUALIFICATION:


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PROVIDED, THAT SUCH SUBSTITUTE CANDIDATE MUST HAVE
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THE SAME SURNAME AS THE CANDIDATE BEING SUBSTITUTED:
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PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
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WHO FILED A CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY MAY ALSO BE
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SUBSTITUTED,
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THE SUBSTITUTE CANDIDATE MAY FILE HIS OR HER
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CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY FOR THE OFFICE AFFECTED IN
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ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRECEDING SECTIONS NOT LATER
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THAN MID-DAY OF THE DAY OF THE ELECTION. IF THE DEATH,
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INCAPACITY OR DISQUALIFICATION SHOULD OCCUR
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BETWEEN THE DAY BEFORE THE ELECTION AND MID-DAY OF
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ELECTION DAY, SAID CERTIFICATE MAY BE FILED WITH ANY
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ELECTORAL BOARD IN THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION WHERE
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HE OR SHE IS A CANDIDATE, OR, IN THE CASE OF CANDIDATES
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TO BE VOTED FOR BY THE ENTIRE ELECTORATE OF THE
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COUNTRY, WITH THE COMMISSION,"
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SEC, 11, Section 15 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby
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amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. [4S]. 16. Official Ballot - [The Commission shall prescribe
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the format of the electronic display and/or the size and form of the official
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ballot, which shall contain the titles of the position to be filled and/or the
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proposition to be-voted upon in an initiative, referendum or plcbisater
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Where practicable, electronic displays must be constructed to present the
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names of all candidates for the same position in the same page or screeoj
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otherwise, the electronic displays nriust be constructed to present the
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entire ballot to the voter, in a series of sequential pages, and to ensure
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that the voter sees all of the ballot options on all pages before completing
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his or her vote and to allow the voter to review and change all ballot
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choices prior to completing and costing his or her ballot. -Under each
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position to—be filled-,—the—names of candidates shati—be arranged
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alphabetically by surname and uniformly indicated using the same type
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size. The maiden or married name shall be listed in the official ballot, as
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preferred by the female candidate. Under each proposition to be vote
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upon, the choices should be uniformly indicated using the same font and
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size^] "(A) BALLOTS FOR NATIONAL, LOCAL, AND BANGSAMORO
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AUTONOMOUS REGION ELECTIONS, WHETHER REGULAR OR
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SPECIAL, PLEBISCITES, INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND
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RECALL ELECTIONS SHALL BE PAPER-BASED, UNIFORM SIZED,
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AND SHALL BE PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSION, TAKING


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INTO ACCOUNT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS, WITH A 
REASONABLE MINIMUM PAPER SIZE AND, AS FAR AS 
PRACTICABLE, USING ONLY RECYCLED PAPER. THEY SHALL BE 
PRINTED IN BLACK INK ON SECURITY PAPER WITH 
DISTINCTIVE, CLEAR, AND LEGIBLE WATERMARKS THAT WILL 
READILY DISTINGUISH IT FROM ORDINARY PAPER. EACH 
BALLOT SHALL BEAR A SERIAL NUMBER AND A BAR CODE, 
WHICH CAN BE SCANNED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROJECTING 
THE DIGITAL IMAGE OF THE BALLOT AND FOR ITS 
AUTHENTICATION. IT SHALL BEAR AT THE TOP MIDDLE 
PORTION THEREOF THE COAT-OF-ARMS OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
THE PHILIPPINES, THE WORD "OFFICIAL BALLOT", THE NAME 
OF THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY AND PROVINCE IN WHICH THE 
ELECTION IS TO BEHELD, AND THE DATE OF THE ELECTION."
"(B) THE OFFICIAL BALLOT SHALL BE SERIALLY NUMBERED AND 
SHALL BE DELIVERED TO, AND CORRESPOND TO, SPECIFIC 
PRECINCTS OR CLUSTER OF PRECINCTS, AS THE CASE MAY BE, 
WHICH SHALL HAVE CORRESPONDING AND EXCLUSIVE BALLOT 
IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS SEPARATE FROM THE SERIAL 
NUMBER OF THE INDIVIDUAL BALLOTS. FOR PURPOSES OF 
TRANSPARENCY, THE BALLOT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS AND 
THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE BALLOTS CORRESPONDING TO 
EACH PRECINCT OR CLUSTER OF PRECINCTS, AS THE CASE MAY 
BE, SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING BY INTERESTED 
PARTIES ON THE COMMISSION'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT LEAST 
FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS."
"(C) A DIGITAL IMAGE OF A SAMPLE OFFICIAL BALLOT MAY BE 
AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AND DOWNLOADING FROM THE 
COMMISSION'S WEBSITE, MINUS THE SECURITY FEATURES, 
AND ACTUAL BAR CODES FOR AUTHENTICATION."
"(D) THE OFFICIAL BALLOT SHALL CONTAIN THE TITLES OF THE 
POSITIONS TO BE FILLED AND/OR THE POSITIONS TO BE 
VOTED UPON IN AN INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, OR 
PLEBISCITE. UNDER EACH POSITION TO BE FILLED, THE NAMES 
OF CANDIDATES SHALL BE ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY BY 
SURNAME AND UNIFORMLY INDICATED USING THE SAME TYPE 
SIZE. THE MAIDEN OR MARRIED NAME SHALL BE LISTED IN THE 
OFFICIAL BALLOT, AS PREFERRED BY THE FEMALE CANDIDATE. 
UNDER EACH PROPOSITION TO BE VOTED UPON, THE CHOICES 
SHOULD BE UNIFORMLY INDICATED USING THE SAME FONT 
AND SIZE. OPPOSITE THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE OR THE


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PROPOSITION TO BE VOTED UPON, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL 
BE A SQUARE OR RECTANGLE, ON WHICH THE VOTER WILL 
PLACE A SINGLE VERTICAL MARK TO REGISTER A VOTE FOR 
SUCH CANDIDATE OR PROPOSITION."
"(E) A fixed space where the chairman of the board of election inspector 
(BEI) shall affix her/her signature to authenticate the official ballot shall 
be provided.
["For this purpose,-the Commission shall set the deadline for the filing of
certificate—of—candidacy/petition—of—registration/manifestatien—te
participate in the election. Any person-who files his certificate of
candidacy within this period shall only be considered as a candidate at 
the start of the-campaign period for which he filed his certificate of 
candidacy: Provided, That, unlawful acts or omissions applicable to a 
condidate shall effect only upon that start of the aforesaid campaign
period: Provided, finally, That ony person holding a public appointive 
office or position, including active rnembers of the armed forces, and 
officers;—ofid—employees—in—government owned—or controlled
corporations, shall be considered ipso factor resigned from his/her office
and must-vacate the same at the-start of the day of the filing of his/her
certification of candidacyr
"Political parties may hold political-conventions to nominate their official
candidate within thirty (30) days before the start of the period for filif>§
certificate of candidacyr]
"(F) THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS NOTWITHSTANDING, THE 
COMMISSION IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO PRESCRIBE A 
DIFFERENT FORM OF OFFICIAL BALLOT ON THE SAME 
WATERMARKED SECURITY PAPER TO FACILITATE VOTING BY 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND BY PERSONS WHO ARE 
UNABLE TO READ OR WRITE ONLY. THE COMMISSION SHOULD 
USE OR ADOPT THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL AND ELECTRONIC 
DEVICES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AS TO ENABLE SUCH 
VOTERS TO CONFIRM THAT THE ACCOMPANYING PERSON 
TRULY ADHERED TO THE VOTER'S CHOICE OF CANDIDATES."
"(G) [With respect to a paper based election system, the] THE 
PRINTING OF THE official ballots shall be [printed] DONE by the 
National Printing Office and/or the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas [at the 
price comparable with that of private printers under proper security 
measu-res which the Commission shall adopt. The Commission may
contact the services of private printers upon certification by the National
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Printing OW\CQlBangko Scntral ng Pilipinas thatHt- cannot meet
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printing requirements. AcerGdited political parties and deputized citizen's
3 
arms- of-the Commission shall-assign watchers in the printing, storage
4 
and distribution of official ballots] USING THE PRINTING MACHINES
5 
THEY OWN, AND SHALL NOT BE CONTRACTED OUT OR
6 
OUTSOURCED TO ANY PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PERSON, ENTITY,
7 
OR AGENCY.
8 
"(H) To prevent the use of fake ballots, the Commission through the
9 
Committee shall ensure that the necessary safeguards, such as, but not
10 
limited to, bar codes, holograms, color shifting ink, microprinting, are
11 
provided on the ballot.
12 
"(I) The official ballots shall be printed and distributed to each
13 
city/municipality at the rate of one ballot for every registered voter with
14 
a provision of additional three ballots per precinct."
15 
SEC.12. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended
16 
to read as follows:
17 
"SEC. [34] 22. Counting Procedure. - The Commission shall prescribe the
18 
manner and procedure of counting the votes under the automated
19 
system AND THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM: PROVIDED, THAT
20 
A SEPARATE ELECTION RETURN SHALL BE PREPARED
21 
SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE MANUAL COUNTING OF THE
22 
BALLOTS, WHICH SHALL ALSO BE CANVASSED ALONGSIDE THE
23 
ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED AND DIGITALLY SIGNED
24 
ELECTION RETURNS UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM:
25 
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY OF AT
26 
LEAST TWO PERCENT (2%) OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THE
27 
VOTES CAST BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF THE AUTOMATED
28 
SYSTEM AND THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM FOR ANY
29 
POSITION, AN AUTOMATIC RECOUNT SHALL BE UNDERTAKEN
30 
FOR THAT POSITION ONLY: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE
31 
COMMISSION SHALL DEPLOY SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF
32 
TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST THE ELECTORAL BOARD IN
33 
SUCH RECOUNT. A COMPARISON SHALL BE MADE BETWEEN
34 
THE DIGITALLY CAPTURED IMAGE OF THE BALLOT AND THE
35 
PHYSICAL BALLOT ITSELF BEFORE THE RECOUNT TO
36 
DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE DISCREPANCY AND TO
37 
ASCERTAIN THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. THE RESULT OF THE
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RECOUNT SHALL BE REFLECTED IN THE MANUALLY PREPARED 
ELECTION RETURN WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED, ALONG 
WITH THE UNAFFECTED ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED AND 
DIGITALLY SIGNED ELECTION RETURNS, IN DETERMINING THE 
WINNING CANDIDATE FOR THE SUBJECT POSITION; Provided 
FINALLY, That apart from the electronically stored result, [thirty (30-)] 
TWELVE (12) copies of the election returns are printed AND TWELVE 
(12) COPIES OF THE ELECTION RETURN FOR THE MANUAL 
COUNTING SYSTEM SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED."
SEC. 13. Livestreaming or video recording of the counting. - The Commission 
shall accredit groups who wish to livestream or record a video of the manual counting 
of votes at the precinct level.
The recorded video or livestream may be used as evidence in electoral protests.
No photo, recorded video, or livestream, whether official or unofficial, taken 
during election day of any member of the BEI and any other personnel of the 
Commission performing election duties during election day shall be used to defame or 
publicly shame said member of the BEI or personnel of the Commission in social media 
or in any other platform, digital or otherwise. Any violation of this paragraph shall 
constitute as an election offense under this Act and shall be punished in accordance 
with Section 264 of B.P. 881, otherwise known as the Omnibus Election Code of the 
Philippines (OEC).
SEC. 14. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
"SEC. [22] 23. Eiectronic Returns. - Each copy of the of the printed 
election returns UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM shall bear 
appropriate control marks to determine the time and place of printing.
THE COMMISSION SHALL DESIGN THE FEATURES OF THE 
ELECTION RETURNS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM.
Each copy shall be signed and thumbmarked by all the members of the 
board of election inspectors and the watchers present. If any member of 
the board of election inspectors present refuses to sign, the chairman of 
the board shall note the same copy in each copy of the printed AND 
MANUALLY ACCOMPLISHED election returns. The member of the 
board of election inspectors concerned refusing to sign shall be compelled 
to explain his or her refusal to do so. Failure to explain an unjustifiable
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refusal to sign each copy of the printed election return by any member of 
the board of election inspectors shall be punishable as provided in this Act. 
The chairman of the boards shall then publicly read and announce the total 
numbers of registered voters, the total number of voters who actually 
voted and the total numbers of votes obtained by each candidate based 
on the election returns AND WHETHER THERE IS A DISCREPANCY 
BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE 
MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM, AND THE DETAILS OF THE SAID 
DISCREPANCY, INCLUDING THE RESULT OF THE RECOUNT, IF 
ANY.
"Thereafter, the copies of the election returns shall be sealed and placed 
in the proper envelopes for distribution as follows:
"A. In the election of president, vice-president, senators and party-list 
system;
1) The first copy shall be delivered to the city or municipal board of 
canvassers;
2) The second copy, to the congress, directed to the President of the 
Senate;
3) The third copy, to the commission;
4) The fourth copy, to the citizen's arm authorized by the Commission to 
conduct an unofficial count
5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the 
Commission in accordance with law;
6) The six copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the 
Commission in accordance with law; [afid]
7) The seventh copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the 
ballot box for valid ballotsH;
8) The eight copy to the Provincial Board of canvassers; AND
[ Q) The ninth to the eighteenth copies, shall-bc given to the ten (10)
accredited major national parties, excluding the dominant majority and
minority parties, in accordance with a volu-ntary agreement among themv
If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which
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parties shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided-iR
Section 2-6 of Republic Act No. 7166;
10) The-fiineteenth and twentieth copies, to the two occredited major-local
parties in-accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. I-f no suc-N
agreement is reoched, the commission shall decide which parties shati
receive the copies on the basis of criteria analogous to that provided in
Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7I667
44) ] 9) The [twenty-first to the twenty-fourth] NINTH TO THE 
TWELFTH copies, to national broadcast or print media entities as may be 
equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies 
to the widest extent possible[t].
[12) The twenty-fifth and twenty-six copies, to locol broadcast or print
media entities os may be equitobly determined by the Commission in view
of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; and
13) The twenty seventh to the thirtieth copies,- to the major citizen's arms,-
including the accredited citizen's arm, and other non partisan groups or
orgonization enlisted by the Commission-pursuant -to Section 52(k) of
Bates Pambansa Big. 881. Such citizens' arm, groups and organization may
use the four certified copies of election returns for the conduct of citizens1
quick counts at the local or national levelst]
"B. In the election of local officials and members of the House of 
Representatives:
1) The First copy shall be delivered to the city or municipal board of 
canvassers;
2) The second copy, to the Commission;
3) The third copy, to the provincial board of canvassers;
4) The fourth copy, to the citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to 
conduct an unofficial count;
5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the 
Commission in accordance with law;
6) The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the 
Commission in accordance with law; and
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7) The seventh copy shall be deposited Inside the copy shall deposited 
inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots.
8) The eight copy to be posted conspicuously on a wall within the premises 
of the polling place or counting center; AND
[ 9) The-ninth to the eighteenth copies, shall be given to the tcn--(lG)
accredited major national parties, excluding the dominant mojorlty-oftd
minority parties, in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them.
If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which
parties shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in
Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7166/
10) The nineteenth and twentieth copies shall be given to the two
accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement
among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall
decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of--Cf-iteF<a 
analogous to that provided in Section 26 of republic Act No. 7166;
44)] 9) The [twenty-first to the twenty-fifth] NINTH TO THE TWELFTH 
copies, to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably 
determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the 
widest extent possible[7],
[12) The-twenty-sixth and twenty seventh copies, to local broadcast---OF
print media entities as may be equitably-determined by the Commission-m
view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; and
13) The twenty-eighth to the thirtieth copies to the major citizens' armsy
including the accredited citizens' arm, and other non partisan groups of
organization enlisted by the Commission pursuant to section 52(k) of Batas
Pambansa Big. 881. Such citizens' arms, groups and organization may use
the five certified copies of election returns for the conduct of citizens' quick
counts at the local or national levels.]
"Immediately after ALL the (eight copy) COPIES (ts) ARE printed AND 
COMPLETED, the poll clerk shall announce [the posting of said copy] 
THAT THE RELEVANT COPIES FOR POSTING ARE BEING POSTED
on a wall within the premises of the polling place or counting center, which 
must be sufficiently lighted and accessible to the public. Any person may 
view or capture an image of the election return by means of any data 
capturing device such as, but not limited to cameras at any time of the 
day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. After such period, the 
chairman of the board of election inspectors shall detach the election
15


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returns from the wall and keep the same in his custody to be produced as
2 
may be requested by any voter for image or data capturing or for any
3 
lawfui purpose as may be ordered by competent authority.
4 
"Within one hour after the printing AND COMPLETION of the election
5 
returns, the chairman of the board of election inspectors or any official
6 
authorized by the Commission shail, in the presence of watchers and
7 
representatives of the accredited citizens' arm, political parties/candidates,
8 
if any, electronically transmit the precinct results UNDER THE
9 
AUTOMATED SYSTEM to the respective levels of board of canvassers,
10 
to the dominant majority and minority party, to the accredited citizen's
11 
arm, and to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). THE
12 
ELECTION RETURNS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM
13 
SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE MBOC/CBOC
14 
"The election results at the city/municipality canvassing centers UNDER
15 
THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM shall be ELECTRONICALLY transmitted m
16 
the same- manner WHILE THE ELECTION RESULTS UNDER THE
17 
MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM SHALL BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH
18 
THE FASTEST MEANS AVAILABLE by the election officer or any official
19 
authorized by the [e] Commission to the district or provindai canvassing
20 
centers.
21 
"The election returns transmitted electronically and digitally signed
22 
shail be considered as official election results and shall be used as the
23 
basis for the canvassing of votes and the proclamation of a candidate.
24 
PROVIDED, THAT IN CASE OF RECOUNT, AS PROVIDED UNDER
25 
SECTION 22 HEREOF, THE MANUALLY ACCOMPLISHED ELECTION
26 
RETURN SUBJECT OF THE RECOUNT SHALL BE CONSIDERED,
27 
ALONG WITH THE UNAFFECTED ELECTRONICALLY
28 
TRANSMITTED AND DIGITALLY SIGNED ELECTION RETURNS.
29
30 
["After the electronic results hove been transmitted additional copies not
31 
to exceed thirty (30) may be printed and given to requesting parties at
32 
their own expense."]
33 
SEC.15. Section 25 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, 
is hereby amended
34 
to read as foilows:
35 
"SEC. [2B] 26. Canvassing by Provincial, City, District and Municipal Boards
36 
of Canvassers. - The City or Municipai board of canvassers shail canvass the
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votes for the president, vice-president, senators, [and parties, organizatioft 
or coalitions participating under the party list system] MEMBERS OF THE 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ELECTIVE REGIONAL OFFICIALS, 
IF APPLICABLE, ELECTIVE PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS, AND 
ELECTIVE CITY OR MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, AS THE CASE MAY BE, 
by consolidating the electronically transmitted results or the results 
contained in the data storage devices used in the printing of the election 
returns UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE ELECTION 
RETURNS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM. Upon 
completion of the canvass, it shall print AND COMPLETE the certificate of 
canvass of votes for president, vice-president, senators [aed], members of 
the House of Representatives, ELECTIVE REGIONAL OFFICIALS, IF 
APPLICABLE, and elective provincial officials and thereafter, proclaim the 
elected city or municipal officials, as the case may be.
"The city board of canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative 
districts shall canvass the votes for president, vice-president, senators, 
members of the House Representatives, ELECTIVE REGIONAL 
OFFICIALS, IF APPLICABLE, and elective city officials by consolidating 
the certificates of canvass electronically transmitted or the results contained 
in the data storage devices used in the printing of the election returns 
UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE CERTIFICATES OF 
CANVASS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM. Upon 
completion of the canvass, the board shall produce the canvass of votes for 
president, vice-president, [aftd] senators, PARTY-LIST 
REPRESENTATIVES, AND ELECTIVE REGIONAL OFFICIALS, IF 
APPLICABLE, and thereafter, proclaim the elected members of the House 
of Representatives FOR SUCH DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS and city 
officials.
["In the Metro Manila area, each municipality comprising a legislative district
shall have a district board of canvassers which shall canvass the votes for
prcsident7—vicc-prcsident7—scnators7—mcmbcfs—of—the—House—of
Representatives ar>d elective- municipal officials by consolidating the
electronically transmitted results-or the results contained in the data storage
devices used in the printing of the election returns. Upon completion of the
canvass, it shall produce the certificate of canvass of votes for president7
vice-president, and senators and thereafter, proclaim the elected members
of the House Representatives and municipal officialsr
"Each component municipality in a legislative district in the Metro Manila
area shall have a municipal board of canvassers which shall canvass the
votes for president, vice president, senators, members of the house of
Representatives and elective municipal officials by consolidating the results
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electronically transmitted from the counting centers OF-the-fcsults contained
in the data storage devices used in the printing of-the election returns. Upon
completion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass of-votes
for president,—vice-president/—senators;;—members ■ of tfte—House -of
Representatives and thereafter, proclaim the elected municipal officialsT
"The district board of canvassers of each legislative district comprising two
municipalities in the Metro Manila-areashall canvass the-votes for prcsident7
vice-president, senators and members of the House of Representatives by
consolidating the certificates--of canvass electronically transmitted from the
city/municipal- consolidating-centers or the results contained in the- data
storage-devices submitted by the municipal board of canvassers -of-the
component municipalities. Upon completion of the canvass. It shall produce
a certificate of the canvass votes for president, vice president, senators and
thereafter, proclaim the elected- members of the House of Representatives
in the legislative distrietT]
THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS OF TAGUIG-PATEROS SHALL 
HAVE A DISTRICT BOARD OF CANVASSERS WHICH SHALL 
CANVASS THE VOTES FOR PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, 
SENATORS, AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
BY CONSOLIDATING THE RESULTS ELECTRONICALLY 
TRANSMITTED FROM THE CITY/MUNICIPAL CONSOLIDATING 
CENTERS OR THE RESULTS CONTAINED IN THE DATA STORAGE 
DEVICES UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND CERTIFICATE OF 
CANVASS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM SUBMITTED 
BY THE BOARD OF CANVASSERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
PATEROS AND THE CITY OF TAGUIG. UPON COMPLETION OF THE 
CANVASS, IT SHALL PRODUCE THE CERTIFICATES OF CANVASS 
FOR PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SENATORS, AND PARTY-LIST 
REPRESENTATIVES AND THEREAFTER, PROCLAIM THE ELECTED 
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTING 
THE TAG UIG-PATE ROS LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.
"The district/provincial board of canvassers shall canvass the votes for 
president, vice-president, senators, members of the House of 
Representatives, [efid] elective provincial officials, AND, IF APPLICABLE,
ELECTIVE REGIONAL OFFICIALS, by consolidating the results 
electronically transmitted from the city/municipal consolidating centers or 
the results contained in the data storage devices UNDER THE 
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER THE
18


MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM submitted by the board of canvassers of 
the municipalities and component cities. Upon completion of the canvass, It 
shall produce the certificates of canvass for president, vice-president [end], 
senators, PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVES, AND ELECTIVE 
REGIONAL OFFICIALS, IF APPLICABLE, and thereafter, proclaim the 
elected members of the House of Representatives and the provincial 
officials.
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WHENEVER APPLICABLE, THE REGIONAL BOARD OF 
CANVASSERS OF AUTONOMOUS REGIONS SHALL CANVASS THE 
VOTES FOR PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, SENATORS, PARTY- 
LIST REPRESENTATIVES AND THE ELECTIVE REGIONAL 
OFFICIALS BY CONSOLIDATING THE RESULTS ELECTRONICALLY 
TRANSMITTED FROM THE PROVINCIAL CANVASSING CENTERS 
AND FROM THE CITY CANVASSING CENTERS, IN CASE OF CITIES 
COMPRISING ONE OR MORE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS, OR THE 
RESULTS CONTAINED IN THE DATA STORAGE DEVICES UNDER 
THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER 
THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM SUBMITTED BY THE BOARD OF 
CANVASSERS OF THE PROVINCES OR CITIES COMPRISING ONE 
OR MORE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT. UPON COMPLETION OF THE 
CANVASS, IT SHALL PRODUCE THE CERTIFICATES OF CANVASS 
FOR PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SENATORS, AND PARTY-LIST 
REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEREAFTER, PROCLAIM THE ELECTED 
REGIONAL OFFICIALS.
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"The municipal, city, district, [end] provincial, AND, WHENEVER 
APPLICABLE, REGIONAL certificates of canvass of votes shall each be 
supported by a statement of votes.
"Within one hour after the canvassing, the Chairman of the district 
or provincial Board of Canvassers or the city board of canvassers of those 
cities which comprise one or more legislative districts OR THE REGIONAL 
BOARD OF CANVASSERS shall electronically transmit the certificate of 
canvass UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO THE COMMISSION [t© 
the commission] sitting as the national board of canvassers for senators and 
party-list representatives and to the Congress as the National Board of 
Canvassers for the president and vice president, directed to the President 
of the Senate. THEREAFTER, THE CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER 
THE MANUAL SYSTEM SHALL ALSO BE TRANSMITTED, THROUGH
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THE FASTEST MEANS AVAILABLE, TO THE SAME NATIONAL BOARD
2 
OF CANVASSERS.
3 
"The Commission shall adopt adequate and effective measures to
4 
preserve the integrity of the certificates of canvass transmitted electronically
5 
and the results in the storage devices at the various levels of the boards of
6 
canvassers.
7 
"The certificates of canvass transmitted electronically and digitally
8 
signed shall be considered as official election results and shall be used as
9 
the basis for the proclamation of a winning candidate: PROVIDED, THAT
10 
IN CASE OF RECOUNT AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 22 HEREOF,
11 
THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVISE A SYSTEM WHERE THE RESULTS
12 
REFLECTED IN SAID CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS WILL BE
13 
ADJUSTED BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE RECOUNT WITHOUT,
14 
HOWEVER, CHANGING THE ENTRIES IN SUCH ELECTRONICALLY
15 
TRANSMITTED AND DIGITALLY SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF
16 
CANVASS."
17 
SEC. 16. Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended
18 
to read as follows:
19 
"SEC. [26] 27. Number of Copies of Certificates of Canvass of Votes
20 
and their distribution. - (a) The certificates of canvass of votes UNDER
21 
THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING
22 
SYSTEM, RESPECTIVELY, for president, vice-president, senators,
23 
members of the House of Representatives, parties, organization or
24 
coalitions participating under the party-list system, ELECTIVE REGIONAL
25 
OFFICIALS, and elective provincial officials shall be produced by the city
26 
or municipal board of canvassers and distributed as follows:
27 
"(1) The first copy shall be delivered to the provincial board of canvassers
28 
for use in the canvass of election results for president, vice-president,
29 
senators, members of the House of Representatives, parties, organization
30 
or coalitions participating under the party-list system and elective provincial
31 
officials;
32 
"(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission;
33 
"(3) The third copy shall be kept by the chairman of the board; and
34 
"(4) The fourth copy shall be given to the citizen arm designated by the
35 
Commission to conduct an unofficial count. It shall be the duty of the
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1 
citizens' arm to furnish independent candidates' copies of the certificate of
2 
canvass at the expense of the requesting party.
3 
"(5) The fifth copy to Congress, directed to the President of Senate;
4 
"(6) The sixth copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the
5 
canvassing center;
6 
"(7) The seventh and eighth copies shall be given to the dominant majority
7 
and minority parties; AND
8 
["(8) The ninth to eighteenth copies shall be given to-the ten (10) accredited
9 
major national parties, excluding the dominant majority-and—minority
10 
partic5,-ift-accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such
11 
agreement is reached, the-Commission-shall decide which -parties--shaH
12 
feceive the copies on the basis of-the-criteria provided- in-Section 26 of
13 
Republie-Act no. 7166;-
14 
"(Q) The nineteenth and twentieth copies shall be given to the two
15 
accredited major local parties in accordance-with a voluntary agreement
16 
among-t-heffh-If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide
17 
which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of criteria analogous to
18 
that provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7166;]
19 
(8) The [twenty-first to the twenty-fifth] NINTH TO TWELFTH
20 
copies, to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably
21 
determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the
22 
widest extent possible [7].
23 
["(11) The twenty-six and-twenty-seven-copics, to local broadcast or print
24 
media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission-fn-view
25 
of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; and
26 
"(12) The twenty-eighth to the thirtieth copies, to the-major-citizens' arms>
27 
including-the-accredited citizens' arm, and other non-partisan groups or
28 
organizations enlisted by the commission pursuant to Section 52(k) of Batas
29 
Pambansa Big. 881.-Such-e4t4zcns' arms, groups and organization may use
30 
the t-hree-certified copies of election returns for the conduct-ef-eitizens' quick
31 
counts at the local or national levels;]
32 
"The board of canvassers shall furnish all other registered parties copies of
33 
the certificates of canvass at the expense of the requesting party.
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"(b) The certificates of canvass of votes for president, vice-president 
senators, parties, organization or coalitions participating under the party- 
list system AND ELECTIVE REGIONAL OFFICIALS shall be produced by 
the city boards of canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative 
districts, by provincial boards of canvassers and by district boards of 
canvassers in the Metro Manila area, and other highly urbanized areas and 
distributed as follows:
"(1) The first copy shall be sent to congress , directed to the president of 
the Senate for use in the canvass of election results for president and vice- 
president;
"(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission for use in the canvass 
of the election results for senators;
"(3) The third copy shall be kept the chairman of the board; and
"(4) The fourth copy shall be given to the citizens' arm designated by the 
Commission to conduct an unofficial count. It shall be the duty of the 
citizens' arm to furnish independent candidates copies of the certificate of 
canvass at the expense of the requesting party.
"(5) The fifth copy to Congress, directed to the President of the Senate;
"(6) The six copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the 
canvassing center;
"(7) The seventh and eight copies to the dominant majority and minority 
parties; AND
["(8) The ninth and tenth copies to two accredited major national parties 
representing the majority and minority, excluding the dominant majority
and minority parties, to be determined by the Commission on the basis of
the criteria provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7I667]
(8) The [eleventh to thirteenth] NINTH TO TWELFTH copies to 
broadcast media entities as may be equitably determined by the 
Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent 
possible[7-eftd].
["(10) The fourteenth copy to another citizens' arm or in the absence
thcrcof, to a non-partisan group or organization enlisted by the Commission
pursuant to Section 52(k) of Betas Pambansa Big. 881. Such citizens' arm
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or non-partisan group or organization may use the cepy of election rcture
for the conduct of citizenG1 quick counts-at the local or national levels.-]
"The board of canvassers shall furnish all other registered parties copies of 
the certificate of canvass at the expense of the requesting party.
"(c) The certificates of canvass printed AND COMPLETED by the 
REGIONAL, provincial, district, city or municipal boards of canvassers shall 
be signed and thumb marked by the chairman and members of the board 
and the principal watchers, if available. Thereafter, it shall be sealed and 
placed inside an envelope which shall likewise be properly sealed.
"In all instances, where the board of Canvassers has the duty to furnish 
registered political parties with copies of the certificate of canvass, the 
pertinent election returns shall be attached thereto, where appropriate."
"Immediately after the sixth copy and its supporting statement of votes are 
printed AND COMPLETED, the chairman of the board of canvassers shall 
announce the posting of said [prints] PRINTED AND COMPLETED 
COPIES on a wall within the premises of the canvassing center, which must 
be sufficiently lighted and accessible to the public. Any person may view or 
capture an image of the Certificates of Canvass or the supporting statement 
of votes by means of any data capturing device such as, but not limited to, 
cameras at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following the 
posting. After such period, the chairman of the board of canvassers shall 
detach the [election return] CERTIFICATES OF CANVASS from the wall 
and keep the same in his custody to be produced as may be requested by 
any voter for image or data capturing or for any lawful purpose as may be 
ordered by competent authority."
SEC. 17. Section 27 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
"SEC. [37] 28. National Board of Canvassers for Senators and 
Party-List Representatives. - The chairman and members of the 
Commission on Election sitting en banc, shall compose the national board 
of canvassers for senators and party-list representatives. It shall canvass 
the results by consolidating the certificates of canvass electronically 
transmitted UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE 
TRANSMITTED CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER THE MANUAL 
COUNTING SYSTEM. Thereafter, the national board shall proclaim the 
winning candidates for senators and party-list representatives."
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1 
SEC. 18. Section 28 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended
2 
to read as follows:
3 
"SEC. [38] 29. Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for
4 
President and Vice-President - The Senate and the House of
5 
Representatives in joint public session shall compose the national board of
6 
canvassers for president and vice-president. The certificates of canvass
7 
for president and vice-president duly certified by the board of canvassers
8 
of each province or city, shall be electronically transmitted, IN THE CASE
9 
OF THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM, AND MANUALLY DELIVERED, IN
10 
THE CASE OF THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM, to the Congress,
11 
directed to the president of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates of
12 
canvass, the President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty (30) days
13 
after the day of the election, open all the certificates in the presence of
14 
the Senate and the House of representatives in joint public session and
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the Congress upon determination of the authenticity and the due
16 
execution thereof in the manner provided by law, canvass all the results
17 
for president and vice-president and thereafter, proclaim the winning
18 
candidates."
19 
SEC. 19. Section 29 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby deleted.
20 
SEC. 20. Communication Channels for Electronic Transmission. - Electronic
21 
transmission which is defined under R.A. No. 9369 as conveying data in electronic form
22 
from one location to another shall be guided by the following: all electronic transmission
23 
of the election returns, certificates of canvass and its supporting statements, and other
24 
related documents shall utilize secure transmission channels with the following
25 
minimum security objectives:
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(a) Strong authentication- each entity in the communications channel must prove
27 
its identity to the other by demonstrating knowledge of a key associated with
28 
the entity without revealing the key itself during the protocol;
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(b) Mutual entity authentication;
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(c) Data origin authentication;
31 
(d) Data integrity;
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(e) Non-reputation of origin;
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(f) Anti-replay- an election return or certificate of canvass once processed cannot
34 
be resent to be reprocessed at a later time. In case of re-transmission, the Board
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of Canvassers should authenticate themselves to the receiving computer, and
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authorize the non-processing of the previous transmission/s to receive the new
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transmission. Both election returns or certificates of canvass or any election
2 
result shall be kept in the system for record-keeping; and
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(g) Auditability of transmission post-election- all records of transmission saved on
4 
all the servers shall be stored and copies furnished the Joint Congressional
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Oversight Committee on the Hybrid Election System and Department of
6 
Information and Technology in its original entirety. The Commission shall
7 
digitally sign said copies and certify under oath as to its authenticity and
8 
integrity.
9 
The Commission is hereby authorized to procure the necessary equipment,
10 
facilities, and services for putting up the electronic transmission system in order to
11 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
12 
The aggregator for the purpose of transmission should not be the same as the
13 
supplier of the machines used for the automated election system.
14 
SEC. 21. Election Offenses under this Act -The following persons shall be guilty
15 
of an election offense and shall be punished in accordance with Section 264 of B.P. 881
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or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines:
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(a) Any person who violates any pertinent provision of this Act;
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(b) Any person who removes the election return that is posted on the wall,
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whether within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, or defaces the
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same in any manner;
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(c) Any person who simulates an actual election return, or a print or digital copy
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thereof;
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(d) Any person who simulates the certification in a print of an election return;
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(e) The chairman or any member of the board of election Inspectors who, during
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the prescribed period of posting, removes the election return from the wall on which it
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had been posted other than for the purpose of Immediately transferring it to a more
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suitable place;
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(f) The chairman or any member of the board of election inspectors who signs
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or authenticates a print which bears an image different from the election return
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produced after counting and posted the same on the wall;
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(g) Any person who removes the certificates of canvass posted on the wall,
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whether within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, unless so
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ordered by the Commission, or defaces the same in any manner;
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(h) Any person who stimulates an actual certificate of canvass or statement of
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votes, or a print or digital copy thereof;
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(i) Any person who stimulates the certification of a certificate of canvass or
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statement of votes;
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(j) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who, during the
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prescribed period of posting, removes the certificate of canvass or its supporting
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statement of votes from the wall on which they have been posted other than for the
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purpose of immediately transferring them to a more suitable place.
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(k) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who signs or
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authenticates a print of the certificate of canvass or its supporting statement of votes
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outside of the polling place; and
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(I) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who signs or
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authenticates a print that bears an image different from the certificate of canvass or
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statement of votes produced after counting.
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SEC. 22. Appropriations. - Such amounts as may be necessary to implement
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this Act shall be included in the budget of the Commission in the next succeeding
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General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 23. Separability Clause. - Should any portion of this Act be declared
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unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain valid
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and effective.
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SEC. 24. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or
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portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
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repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 25. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
26