‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2615

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Elections in the Philippines are always costly exercises, both for the candidate and
the government. Candidates spend a lot just to get elected.

Also, it is of common knowledge that elections, whether national, local or barangay,
prove to be divisive among the populace. Candidates and their supporters try to destroy their
‘opponents by using any means necessary just to be able to secure victory. As proof of the
division and problems caused by the past barangay elections, the COMELEC investigated
the interruption of the elections and is just about to come out with the results of said
investigation to determine who would be held liable for the late delivery of ballot and election
retums which caused the delay of the conduct of elections in several polling centers
nationwide. Also, many election documents were left behind by the shipping companies
tapped by the poll body because of packaging delays at the National Printing Office in
Quezon City.

Furthermore, the three year term of barangay officials is too short a time for the unity
and stability in barangay leadership and affairs. It is not enough to ensure that the programs
of the barangay are carried out properly especially considering the fact that it cannot be
denied that the last year of the term is basically used for campaigning. An additional two
years to the term of office of barangay officials would therefore be in order. It would ensure
more stability in the barangay level and that the programs initiated by the current leaders
would come to fruition,

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

OW

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS __)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 761 5

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 43 OF REPUBLIC ACT 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES BY INCREASING BY TWO YEARS
THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS.

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

Section 1. Section 43 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 43. Term of Office. - (a) The term of office of all local
elective officials elected after the effectivity of this Code shall
be three (3) years, starting from noon of June 30, 1992 or such
date as may be provided for by law, except that of elective
barangay officials: Provided, That all local officials first elected
during the local elections immediately following the ratification
of the 1987 Constitution shall serve until noon of June 30,
1992.

(b) No local elective official shall serve for more than three (3)
consecutive terms in the same position. Voluntary renunciation
of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as
an interruption in the continuity of service for the full term for
which the elective official concemed was elected.

(0) The term of office of barangay officials and members of the
sangguniang kabataan shall be for {three (3) years] FIVE (5)
YEARS. [which shall begin after the regular election of
barangay officials on the second Monday of May 1994.]

SEC 2. The amendment introduced by this Act shall apply to the next Barangay Elections to
be held after the effectivity of this Act and every Barangay Elections thereafter

SEC 3. Separability Clause — Should any of the provisions of this Act or any part thereof be
declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the invalid ones,
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC 4. Repealing Clause — All laws, presidential decrees and issuances, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC 5. Effectivity ~ This Act shalll take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,