NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENA 
S. B. No. 5E48 2
of f’C ' *i MM'
23 NOV-8 P6 -48
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF EARLIER VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR 
CITIZENS, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The right to suffrage is a constitutionally protected right that shall be exercise 
by all citizens of the Philippines, and the Congress shall provide a system and design 
a procedure for the vulnerable sector to be able to vote. These vulnerable sectors 
include senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, and they are 
given special considerations during the electoral process to ensure their ease of 
participation.
According to the Philippines Statistics Authority, there are 15,078,121 Filipinos 
aged 60 years old and above as of May 2020. COMELEC Vulnerable Sectors Office's 
(VSO) data tallied around 512,000 registered persons with disabilities in 2022.1 
However, they still encounter difficulties due to mobility problems and this results to 
most of them giving up their exercise to vote altogether. The voter turnout for May 
2022 elections as of January 2023 for persons with disability is only 296,240, and 
6,912,984 for senior citizens. Relatively, in a survey conducted by Upholding Life and 
Nature (ULAN), a nongovernmental organization, showed that 1,326 voting centers 
across the country documented experiences of PWDs and senior citizens reassigned
1 PIDS: Accessible voting precints for PWDs a good start, but more inclusive coverage still needed - 
https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/in-the-news/accessible-voting-precincts-for-pwds-a-eood-start-but-
more-inclusive-coverage-still-needed


to upper floors, long queues, and non-consideration of their unique needs and 
situations.
This bill seeks to provide a system that will allow early voting for qualified senior 
citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities to cast their ballot in accessible 
establishments designated by the COMELEC within seven working days before the 
election date. Further, they will be provided a nationwide registration to qualify them 
to avail of the early voting privilege. Through early voting, we aim to improve political 
representation by addressing the special needs of our vulnerable sector.
In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENA]
S.B. No.
Senate
of tl)f
23 NOV-8 P6 48 
A
RECEIVED BV..
Introduced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF EARLIER VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR 
CITIZENS, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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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Section. 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
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to make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) by
3 
giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the election.
4 
Sec. 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be early
5 
voting where qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their ballot at
6 
accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
7 
within seven (7) working days before the date set for the elections.
8 
Sec. 3. Registration. -There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens
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and PWDs to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not
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registered under this Act shall vote on Election Day.
11 
Sec. 4. Obligations of the COMELEC. -To ensure the effective implementation
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of this Act, the COMELEC shall:
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a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;
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b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the
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National Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the
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Department of Health and the Department of Interior and Local Government,
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that allows senior citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early voting;


1 
c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs,
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and properiy fitted with the necessary communication, visuai and physicai aids,
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as mandated under Repubiic Act No. 10366 entitied. An Act Authorizing the
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Commission on Eiections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessibie Poiling
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Pieces Exciusiveiy for Persons with Disabiiities and Senior Citizens"; and shail
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be charged against the current year's appropriations of the COMELEC.
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Thereafter, the funding of which shail be included in the Annual General
8 
Appropriations.
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d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for quaiified senior
10 
citizens and PWDs.
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Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act
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shali be charged against the current year's appropriations of the COMELEC.
13 
Thereafter, the funding of which shaii be inciuded in the Annuai General
14 
Appropriations Act.
15 
Sec. 6. Appiicabiiity of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas Pambansa Big.
16 
881 or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitied, "An Act Providing
17 
for Synchronized Nationai and Local Elections and for Eiectorai Reforms, Authorizing
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Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes"; and other eiection iaws not
19 
inconsistent herewith shaii be appiied to faciiitate early voting for quaiified senior
20 
citizens and PWDs.
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Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days from its
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effectivity, the Commission shail promulgate the rules and regulations for the
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implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act is deciared
25 
unconstitutionai or invalid, any part or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
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continue to be in fuii force and effect.
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Sec. 9. Repeating Ciause. - Ail laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations or parts thereof which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingiy.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity. -This Act shaii take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at ieast two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.


> . \
Approved,