Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“ai wo. 2 0

House Bill No. * !

Introduced by
Senior Citizens Party-List Representative RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The importance of a citizen's right to vote is best encapsulated with the universal dictum “salus popull suprema
est lex" or “the welfare of the people is the supreme law.” This is because one’s right to vote is the primary mean
by which a country's citizen can directly shape their nation’s politcal future and demand accountability from their
chosen leaders. However, even with its great importance, a significant part of our electorate are still constructively
prohibited from voting due to the cumbersome voting process they have to undergo to exercise their right to vote.

{At present, senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWD, are subjected to the same rigorous and congested electoral
process that other able-bodied voters participate in, without any consideration to their unique and special
circumstances that renders them highly vulnerable and unable to ordinarily participate in the regular electoral
process. In fact, for most of our senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWD, the election's cumbersome and
rigorous process has become prohibitive for them when they attempt to exercise their right to vote. Current
‘measures where assistance is given to them on election day proper is almost impossible to execute given the sheer
number of voters which our Commission on Elections must accommodate. Thus, given the clear inadequacy of
existing measures, new measures must be made to ensure that our senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWD
can comfortably exercise their right to vote.

This directive is in line with the mandate of the Constitution which provides that the needs of needs of the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children shall be prioritized. Furthermore, it in line with
‘our culture which champions and prioritizes the welfare of the most vulnerable members of our society.

The proposed measure seeks to fulfill the aforementioned Constitutional mandate by allowing senior citizens,
pregnant women, and PWD to avoid the cumbersome and rigorous electoral process in the regular election day by
allowing them to vote seven (7) days before the scheduled election day. Through this measure, we ensure that

‘our senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWD can participate in a hassle-free and comfortable elections.


Furthermore, by ensuring a conducive environment for them to vote, we promote a more participative election
from all our sectors and enhance political representation in the country, thus, securing @ robust Philippine
democracy we have all aspired for.

{In view of this, passage of the bill is sought.

RODOLFO “OMPO! |. ORDANES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

LL

House Bill No.

Introduced by
Senior Citizens Party-List Representative RODOLFO "OMPONG” M. ORDANES

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 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 election.

‘SEC. 2. Early Voting. ~ For national and local elections, there shall be early voting where qualified senior citizens
and PWDs 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 elections.

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

SEC. 4. Obligations of the COMELEC. - To ensure the effective implementation of this Act, the
COMELEC shall:
(a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;
(b) Design a registration system, 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
Interior and Local Government, that allows senior citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early voting;



(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs, and properly fitted with the
necessary communication, visual and physical aids, as mandated under 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"; and

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

SEC 5. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the
current year’s appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, the funding of which 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 election
laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate early voting for qualified senior citizens and
PWDs.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days from its effectivity, the
Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act

Approved,