NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  9629
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 returns 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 one 
year 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 earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
November 28, 2023
3:47 pm


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  9629 
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 concerned was elected.
(c) 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 shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,