HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT!
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRES}

First Regular Session <spaiiied Gai

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL No, _1372

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

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING FOR PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES

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
ion 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 their physical conditions.

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have a significant role to play in nation building.
As such, it is important to ensure that their voices will be heard and their votes will be
counted during elections. However, some of them may not be able to vote as they are
stationed away from their residences on election days due to disability issues and
conditions.

Hence, this bill provides for means for PWDs 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.

ING

Wiendiae

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



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session,
1372

HOUSE BILL NO.

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

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING FOR PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES

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 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). - The
Commission on Elections shall extend the right to vote under the local absentee voting
system provided under existing laws and executive orders to all persons with disabilities
(PWDs) in the country who are duly registered voters and who, on election day, may not
be able to vote due to their condition. Provided, That they shalll 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
shall, within thirty (g0) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the
implementing rules and regulations which shall include a system of accreditation and
verification of the PWDs 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,