TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. ^54
2!:^ JUL 14 P2 56
RiX;:;., 
■■
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR 
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees the right of suffrage under Article 
V, Section 1. However, while this right is constitutionally protected, its meaningful 
exercise requires that voters be adequately informed. This includes a sound 
understanding of the electoral system and processes, as well as responsible and 
educated voting, one that encourages thoughtful participation and helps uphold the 
principles of democracy. In the absence of a comprehensive voter education, the right 
to vote may remain legally intact but functionally impaired, leaving the electorate 
vulnerable to misinformation, apathy, and manipulation.
According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), millennials and Gen Z 
now account for 60.5 percent of the country's 68,431,965 registered voters for the 
2025 midterm elections, totaling 41,412,361 individuals. This reflects a significant 
increase from the 2022 national elections, where they comprised 56 percent, or 
approximately 37 million, of the 65.7 million registered voters.
This youth-driven electorate has enormous potential to shape the nation's 
future. But potential alone is not enough. The strength of our democracy lies not only 
in voter turnout but in the quality of participation. Informed voting helps ensure that 
public officials are held accountable and that government reflects the will of the 
people, not just their numbers, but their considered choices.
Moreover, COMELEC projects that at least one million new voters are expected 
to participate in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in 
December 2025, many of whom are first-time voters. This highlights the urgent need 
for accessible and structured voter education, particularly among the youth.


By empowering citizens, starting with the youth, with knowledge and critical 
thinking skills, this measure fulfills the deeper spirit of the constitutional right to 
suffrage: that every Filipino not only has the right to vote, but also the capacity to 
choose wisely.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOEI4 VILLANUEVAgj/


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
554
25 JUL 14 P2 ;56
“ d -'
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR 
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Compulsory
2 
Voter Education Act of 2019."
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to enlighten
4 
citizens on their right to vote and to inculcate in them the duty to preserve the
5 
integrity of the electoral process through the educational system.
6 
SEC. 3. Definition of Voter Education. - As used in this Act, "Voter
7 
education" means dissemination of information, materials, and programs designed
8 
to inform citizens about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process. It
9 
includes providing information on the right to suffrage, its importance, and the
10 
proper exercise thereof, as well as the information on who is eligible to vote; where
11 
and how to register; how electors can check the voter lists to ensure they have
12 
been duly included; what type of elections are being held; where, when and how
13 
to vote; who the candidates are; and how to file complaints.
14 
SEC. 4. Integration of Voter Education in the Junior and Senior High
15 
School Curricula. - Voter Education shall be integrated by the Department of
16 
Education (DepEd) in the junior and senior high school curricula, effective at the
1


1 
start of the school year immediately following one (1) year from the effectivity of
2 
this Act. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall assist the DepEd in
3 
preparing teachers during the one-year transition period by conducting seminars
4 
and trainings on the electoral system and process. The COMELEC shall likewise
5 
certify that a teacher, after attending such seminars and training, is qualified to
6 
teach topics relating to the electoral system and process.
7 
SEC. 5. Voter Education Syllabus.-
8 
a) Voter education - The main syllabus shall include, but not be limited to,
9 
the following thematic areas:
10 
(1) Suffrage - J\\\s area introduces to students the right to vote accorded
11 
by the Constitution, and other rights enabling citizens to participate in
12 
the conduct of public affairs;
13 
(2) Electoral system and process - This area with the general principles
14 
underlying the present electoral system, and legislation regulating all
15 
the phases of election, namely, pre-election, election proper, and post-
16 
election. It discusses the proper conduct of elections including
17 
registration, casting of ballots, and counting of votes.
18 
(3) Educated voting - This area focuses on the attitude and behavior a
19 
voter must adopt to ensure fair, free, and honest elections. It
20 
emphasizes the importance of participating in elections in a manner that
21 
shall stimulate and strengthen democracy.
22 
b) Supplementary Topics - The syllabus shall have additional topics and
23 
studies on the political system of the country, the contextual background of
24 
elections, current political, social, and economic issues affecting the elections,
25 
and the possible solutions to address them.
26 
c) Other Subject Matters - Other areas of voter education may be included
27 
in the syllabus.
28 
SEC. 6. Implementing Agency. - The Secretary of Education is hereby
29 
authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the
30 
provisions of this Act. The Department of Education shall, within sixty (60) days
31 
from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations, including
32 
those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act.


1 
SEC. 7. Educational Materials. - It shall be obligatory on all schools
2 
offering secondary education to keep in their libraries an adequate number of
3 
copies of the textbooks, primers, and leaflets on voter education to be issued by
4 
the DepEd. The DepEd shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,
5 
depending upon the enrollment of the school.
6 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid
7 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
8 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
9 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
10 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
11 
contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act, is hereby repealed,
12 
modified, or amended accordingly.
13 
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
14 
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
15 
circulation.
Approved,