REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manita

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT No. 679

Submitted by the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral

Reforms on __92 MAR 20!1

Re : House Bill No. _430'7

Recommending Its approval In substitution Of House Bill
No, 2722

Sponsors : _ Representatives Elpidio F, Barzaga, Jr., Rufus
B, Rodriguez and Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, to which was referred
House Bill No. 2722, introduced by Reps. Rufus B. Rodriguez and Maximo
8. Rodriguez, Jr, entitled:

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”

has considered the same and recommends that the attached House Bill No.

ABO? entitled
“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”
be approved in substitution of House Bill no. 2722 with Reps. Rufus B.

Rodriguez and Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. as authors thereof.

eg His. i " ws + bts 7 _ een sbbiie



Respectfully submitted:

HON. ELPIDIO F. BARZAGA, JR.
Chairman

Committee on Suffrage and
Electoral Reforms

dics, snblinasacnstiiaeinas fa ssasaneiaesss.



THE HONORABLE SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. , ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”

FOR THE MAJORITY:

NAME OF MEMBER SIGNATURE

HON. SALVACION, ANDRES, JR. D.

i 7 |
2 HON. ORTEGA, FRANCISCO EMMANUEL R. a i

| 3 | HON. FERRER, ANTONIO A.
| 4 | HON. COLMENARES, NERI J.
5. HON. AMANTE-MATBA, MA. ANGELICA M.
| 4
6. HON. TEODORO, MARCELINO R. WA (Qe
7. HON. AGGABAO, GIORGIDIB. or
, 8 HON. GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. “\
| 8 HON. . GO, ANA CRISTINA 8. | Porky |
10. HON. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS, MARLYN L. | .



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL
REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILLNO. ~ ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”

FOR THE MAJORITY:

NAME OF MEMBER SIGNATURE

11. HON. VELASCO, LORD ALLAN Q.

_ N,
12. | HON. NOGRALES, KARLO ALEXEI B. yur!

HON. DEFENSOR, ARTHUR, JR. R.

| 14. HON. MARCOLETA, RODANTE D. CO
i Z

B

15. HON. ROMUALDO, PEDRO P.

16. HON. . DIAZ, ANTONIO M.

' 47, HON. . BELLO, WALDEN F.

18. | HON. LOPEZ, CAROL JAYNE B.

19. HON. . TINIO, DANTE ANTONIO L_

j 20. HON. GOLEZ, ROILO S.

21. | HON. ABAD, HENEDINA R. Led

22.

HON. APOSTOL, SERGIO AF ay



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND

ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. :

“AN ACT

ENTITLED,

PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”

FOR THE MAJORITY:

23. | HON. COSALAN, RONALD H.
i

NAME OF MEMBERS

SIGNATURE

24. : HON. RODRIGUEZ, RUFUS B,

25. HON, MALIKSI, ERINEO 5S,

26. | HON. UMALI, REYNALDO V.

27. : HON. GULLAS, EDUARDO R.

28. j HON. EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B.



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. ~ _ ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”

FOR THE MINORITY:

NAME OF MEMBERS

29. | HON. DATUMANONG, SIMEON A.

30. HON. ORTEGA, VICTOR F.

31. | HON. FUA, ORLANDO B,

—L

32. HON. AUMENTADO, ERICO B.
l : _



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. , ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS"

SIGNATURE

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

NAME OF MEMBERS

HON. FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.
1.” Speaker

HON, RAUL A. DAZA
2. . Deputy Speaker '

HON. LORENZO R. TANADA Ill
| 3." Deputy Speaker

i HON. PABLO P. GARCIA
4. _ Deputy Speaker

HON. ANTONIO A. DEL ROSARIO
| 5. | deputized by ARNULFO P. FUENTEBELLA
! Deputy Speaker .
HON. JESUS CRISPIN C. REMULLA ;
6. _ Deputy Speaker

HON. IRVIN M. ALCALA
7. ; deputized by MARIA ISABELLE G. CLIMACO

Deputy Speaker

HON. NEPTALI M. GONZALES Il
8. Majority Leader

HON. JANETTE L. GARIN
9. : Deputy Majority Leader

HON. ROMAN T. ROMULO
10. "Deputy Majority Leader



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. , ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

NAME OF MEMBERS:

! HON. RODOLFO C, FARINAS
11. | Deputy Majority Leader

SIGNATURE

HON. MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY,
12. Deputy Majority Leader

i "HON, MAGTANGGOL T. GUNIGUNDO
| 13. ° |, Deputy Majority Leader

HON. DAISY A. FUENTES,
14. ° Deputy Majority Leader

| HON. JORGE JOHN B. BANAL, JR.
15. _ Deputy Majority Leader

| HON. ROMERO FEDERICO S$. QUIMBO
16. Deputy Majority Leader

| HON. EDCEL C. LAGMAN
| 17. Minority Leader

HON. DANILO E. SUAREZ
| 18. _ Deputy Minority Leader

“HON. AUGUSTO L. SYJUCO, JR.
49. Deputy Minority Leader

| HON. CARLOS M. PADILLA j
20. | Deputy Minority Leader

9



THE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS, ON HOUSE BILL NO. _ ENTITLED,

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS”

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

E SIGNATURE

' ‘HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ
21.» deputized by
| HON. MA. AMELITA GC, VILLAROSA
____ Deputy Minority Leader
, HON, MARC DOUGLAS C. CAGAS IV
| 22. Deputy Minority Leader

HON. FLORENCIO G, NOEL
23. — Chairperson
Committee on Accounts



10

a

12

13

14

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE }
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bil! No._4307
(in substitution of House Bill No. 2722)

Introduced by Representatives Rufus B. Rodriguez and Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL
ELECTIONS

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

SECTION 1, Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to make voting convenient to people 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 a voter may choose to appear at the polling place within
fourteen (14) working days before the date set for the election and vote in a booth
as one would on the date of the election or at the Office of the City or Municipal
Election Registrar where one is registered.

SEC. 3. Appropriations. The amounts necessary to fund early voting for
the national elections shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the
corresponding fiscal year.

SEC. 4. Applicability of Other Laws. The provisions of the Omnibus
Election Code, Republic Act. No. 7166 and other election laws not inconsistent

herewith shall be applied to early voting.



2

11

12

SEC. 5. Rules and Regulations. The Commission on Elections shall
issue rules and regulations to implement this Act which shall be published in at
Jeast two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. Should any provision of this Act or any
part thereof is declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are
separable, shal] remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, issuances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

introduced by Honorable Rufus B. Rodriguez and OT
Honorable Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2722

House Bill No.,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Many states in America now allow early voting, in which ballots are cast

prior to Election Day. The primary argument in favor ‘of early voting is that it
increases turnout Dy making it easier to vote. A research shows that in the 24
states in America with no excuse absentee voting, turnout increased in 2004 in
the aggregate by &7 percent, whereas it increased 6.2 percent for the other
states. In the 14 states that had early voting in both 2002 and 2004, turnout
increased by an aggregate average of 7.2 percentage paints as opposed to 5.2
in stales without early voting.

in addition to the statistical evidence, early vating Is advocated by voting
rights groups whose primary concem is making voting as convenient as.
possible for voters, because it gives them significantly more time to complete

their ballots or go to the polls.

Some election administrators also prefer e271 voting because it allows them
more ime to process ballots, relieves Some of the strain on voting systems that

occurs on Election Day, cuts down Jong lines, and reduces the number of poll
workers needed

‘This bill seeks to provide for early voting in the Philippines for the 2070
National Elections. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill s eamesUy

sought
y :
mpl RODRIGUEZ
CG

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Honorable Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Honorable Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2722

House Bill No.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL

ELECTIONS

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

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. it is hereby declared policy of the
State to make voting convenient to peopie by giving tham option to vote earlier
than election day proper.

Section 2. Early Voting. For National and Local Elections, there shall
be early voting where a voter may choose to appear at the polling place before
Election Day and vote.in 2 booth exactly as he or she would on the day of the
election.

Section 3. Applicability of Other Laws, The provisions of the Omnibus
Election Code, Republic Act No. 7166 and other election laws not inconsistent

herewith shall be applied to early voting

Section 4. Rules and Regulations. The Commission on Elections shall
issue rules and regulations to impiement this Act. Said rules shall be published
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Section 5. Appropriation. - The amounts necessary (o fund subsequent
early voting for the national elections shall be included in the General

Appropriations Act for the corresponding fiscal year

Section 6. Separability Clause, ~ Should any provision of this Act or
any part thereof be declared invalid, the other Provisions, 80 far as they are
‘separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect,



Section 7. Repeating Clause. -
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
modified accordingly.

All laws, orders, issuances, rules and
with this Act are hereby repealed or

Section 8, Effectivity. - This Act shall take
after its complete Publication in at least two (2) ni

/ circulation,

Approved.

effect fifteen (15) days
ewspapers of general



COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL REFORMS

15" Congress

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

November 23, 2010, Tuesday, 1:30 PM
Conference Rooms 1 & 2, RVM Bidg.,
House of Representatives, Batasan Complex

I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order 2:05 PM.
ROLL CALL,
Upon the duly seconded motion of Rep. Fua, the calling of the roll was dispensed with.

I, READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 3, 2010
MEETING

Upon the duly seconded motion of Rep. Fua, the minutes of the November 19, 2010 were
approved, The reading of the same was dispensed with.

tV. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MEMBERS, GUESTS AND RESOURCE PERSONS

The Chair acknowledged the members of the committee in attendance. Representatives from
the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Parish
Pastoral Council for Responsible Voiing (PPCRV), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were likewise present,



Vv. MEETING PROPER

a) ON EARLY VOTING

+ For qualified members of the media

() HB 1510 by Rep. Teodoro and

fio, Colmenares, llagan,

(ii) HB 1960 by Reps. Casifi Mariano, Palatino, De Jesus and Tinio

+ For national and local elections
() HB 2722 by Reps. (R) Rodriguez and (M) Rodriguez

COMELEC Director Pizana informed the body that the early voting bills are doable. She
explained the process of local absentee voting identifying all the steps involved. This privilege,
¥ the Special Board of Election Inspectors, AFP, PNP,

she said, is extended to members of
district supervisors, COMELEC, DFA and other officials that are assigned in different parts of
the country during election day. “But it will be easier to implement if they will vote only for

national positions,” she added.

‘At this point, Vice-Chairman Colmenares presided over the meeting

Director Rafanan commented on the early voting for qualified members of the media. He stated

that, “The easiest way to accomplish this is to insert in the existing EO for local absentee voting
the word ‘media’ in the categories that enjoy the privilege.” He proposes further that the term
“local absentee voting” be amended to "domestic absentee voting’ to differentiate it from

‘overseas absentee voting.” "The word “local” is misconstrued as not including national

positions for voting,” he explained.

Officer Colmenares gave a summary of Director Pizana's pronouncements. He stated
that the Executive Order governing local absentee voting excludes local positions. “It would be
better if they can vote for local positions.” he furthered. He likewise expressed his
apprehensions on how to go about early voting or local absentee voting for media as they come
from privale entities. Director Rafanan sees no problem in implementing the law even if media

practitioners do not come from the government.

Presiding

The Presiding Officer emphasized on the point that even if it is easier on the part of the
COMELEC to exclude local positions in local absentee voting, it will be better that those who
have the privilege will be able to vote for all positions as they, in the first place, will vote in their
respective places of registration, Director Rafanan said thal the suggestion is very feasible

Rep. Fua stated that it may fall under class legislation if the members of the media will be
allowed to vote for iocal positions and the others who enjoy local absentee voting privileges

cannot.



Director Rafanan answered that everyone who enloys the said privilege, not only the members

of the media, shall be allowed to vote for local positions.

Director Rafanan put his opinion forward on the overseas absentee voting law being more
ctteclive if tt operates on proxy voting. Presiding Officer Colmenares reacted that the director's
pronouncements are not supposed to be @ part of the discussions. “A meeting on the OAV will
coevchaduled very soon; maybe those points could be integrated there,” the Presiding Officer

added.

[At this point, Rep. Rodriguez emphasized on the need fo institutionalize early voting in the
‘country citing long lines, low voter turn-out and the discomfort in voting as reasons. He

informed the body that the biggest states in the US practice early voting He then moves for the

approval of his bill

ments. He is apprehensive that the long lines on election day

Director Ratanan gave his com
.s5 the privilege is extended only to those

will transfer to the lines, or queues in early voting unle:
who really need it.

Rep. Fua stated that he was able to observe firsthand the elections in California. “It is as if
there is no election going on, how can we do it ike tha” he asked

cheating tactics and security risks that early

Or. Serrano of PPCRV is concerned on trending,
group is more manageable than the general

voting may unintentionally encourage. “A select
public,” he stated,

Presiding Officer Colmenares then said that, “This will be more work for COMELEC, yes. But

this is strengthening the exercise of the right to suffrage”

Rep. Rodriguez’ motion to approve early voting for national and local elections was carried

House Bill No. 2272 is approved subject
‘two bills on early voting for qualified mer
was likewise carried and House Bill Nos.

to amendments. He then moved for the approval of the
mbers of the media subject to substitution. The same
4510 and 1960 were approved.



b) ON STIFFER PENALTIES ON ELECTION- TED VIOLENC!

() HB 584 by Reps. (R) Rodriguez and (M) Rodriquez

At this point, Chairman Barzaga presides

Rep. Rodriguez stated that he filed House Bill No. 2514 in the 14” Congress and was
transmitted to the Senate but it did not act on it. For the present 15" Congress, he re-filed the
same bill on sfiffer penalties on election-related violence. House Bill No. 584 seeks to impose
harsher penatties on violence connected to elections. He then moved for its approval

Before acting on the motion, the Chair gave the opportunity for the invited resource persons to
make their positions on the matter manifest.

The representatives of the PNP and AFP fully support the imposition of harsher penalties on
election-related violence to deter future offenders.

Atty. Cuevas of the DOJ informed the body that insofar as preliminary investigations on election-
related case are concemed, they are exclusively lodged with the COMELEC.

Director Rafanan reacted by saying that jurisdiction is now concurrent with COMELEC and the
DOU. “RA 9369 Section 43 amends Section 265 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The Chair directed Atty. Cuevas to submit a position paper on the matter.

Rep. Rodriguez’ motion to approve his bill on stiffer penalties on election-related vioience is
carried, House Bill No. 584 was approved without amendments

c) ON STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM

@ HB 49 by Reps. (R) Rodriguez and (M) Rodriguez
(i) HB 403 by Rep. Angara

For iack of time, the discussions on the bills on strengthening the political party system were
deferred for the next meeting



Vi, ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 PM.

Prepared by:

MAY F-BAUTI

Sus

Certified correct by:

DEBBIE ANNE F. SORIANO-GARCIA
Committee Secretary

Approved by:

ELPIDIO F. BARZAGA, JR.
Chairman



FACT SHEET

House Bill No.
(in substitution of House Bill No. 2722)

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

Introduced by: HON. RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ and
HON. MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.

Committee Referral: Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms
Committee Chairperson: HON. ELPIDIO F. BARZAGA, JR.

OBJECTIVES:

* To provide for early voting in the Philippines to make voting more convenient as.
it gives more time to process ballots, relieves some of the strain cn voting
systems that occurs on Election Day, cut down long lines and reduce the number
of poll workers needed.

KEY PROVISIONS:
* Mandates an early voting for the national and focal Elections where a voter may
choose to appear at the polling place before Election Day and vote in a booth

exactly as he would on the day of the election

* Provides that the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No.
7166 and other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to early
voting.

RELATED LAWS:

* Republic Act No. 7166.
* Omnibus Election Code