Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVI
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1371

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

REGISTRATION UNIT
BULLS AND INDEX SERVICE

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING FOR LAWYERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitutions provides that, “Suffrage may
be exercised by all 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 the performance of their function during
elections.

Lawyers are officers of the court and serve as guardians of truth and the rule of
law, and indispensable instruments in the fair and impartial administration of justice. It
is their duty to ensure that justice prevails and the law is observed. As such, lawyers are
called out during the elections to monitor the conduct of election and most are stationed
away from their residences because of this.

Hence, this bill provides for means for lawyers 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.

REM
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4" District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1371
HOUSE BILL NO.

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

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING FOR LAWYERS

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 Lawyers. - The Commission on Elections shall
extend the right to vote under the local absentee voting system provided under existing
laws and executive orders to members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, who are
duly registered voters and who, on election day, may not be able to vote to the
performance of their functions in monitoring the observance of laws during the
elections: 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

irty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the

and regulations which shall include a system of accreditation and

verification of the members of Integrated Bar of the Philippines 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,