HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRES:
First Regular Session

REASTRATION UNIT
1373 BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING FOR SENIOR
CITIZENS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitutions provides that, “Suffrage may
be exercised by alll citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are
at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least
one year and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at least six months
immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive
requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.”

‘The right to suffrage is the essence of our democracy. As a means to increase
participation by citizens who are otherwise prevented to vote, the country has enacted
absentee voting laws. Presently, there are laws that allow absentee voting for Filipinos
overseas, media practitioners, armed forces and police force. However, these still leave
another group disenfranchised due to age-related conditions during elections.

Senior citizens have a significant role to play and contribution to make in the
transformation of our country towards a more just, fair and humane society. Our elderly
have the treasure of wisdom, knowledge, values and experience that they can share with
us, most especially with the younger generation of Filipinos. As such, it is important to
ensure that their voices will be heard and their votes will be counted during elections.
However, some of them may not be able to vote as they are stationed away from their
residences on election days either to seek treatment or due to elderly health issues and
conditions among other reasons.

Hence, this bill provides for means for senior citizens stationed away from their
residences on election days to vote on national elections in the precincts nearest to them
subject to reasonable regulations by the Commission on Election.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

OM 80m
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4" District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

37
HOUSE BILL NO. 1373

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING FOR SENIOR
CITIZENS

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

SECTION. 1. Declaration of Policy. ~ The state shall ensure the free exercise of
the right of suffrage by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law.

SEC. 2. Local Absentee Voting for Senior Citizens. - The Commission on
Elections shall extend the right to vote under the local absentee voting system provided
under existing laws and executive orders to all senior citizens in the country who are
duly registered voters and who, on election day, may not be able to vote due to age-
related conditions. Provided, That they shall be allowed to vote only for the positions of
President, Vice President, Senators and Party-List Representative.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Elections
shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the
implementing rules and regulations which shall include a system of accreditation and
verification of the senior citizens who are qualified to avail of local absentee voting.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The initial funding of this Act shall be charged against
the current year's appropriations or from any available savings of the Commission on
Elections. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
resolutions, rules and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2 newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,