Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House BiLLNo,__4960

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

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.

ANGELINA “HELEN” BL TAN, M.D.
4% District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House BiLLNo,_ 4960

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.

3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - ‘The Commission on Elections shall, within
thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the implementing rules 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.

Annrnwed