Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
        HOUSE BILL NO. 10186 
Introduced by Hon. Representative Florida “Rida” P. Robes 
Lone District of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the 
people.”    
–
Abraham Lincoln
It has been 39 years since the Omnibus Election Code took effect, and there have been 
numerous elections since its inception. One of its prominent provisions is the power of 
Substitution of Candidates which is, more often than not, abused by parties and candidates. 
Section 77 provides parties with the power to substitute candidates in case of the latter’s 
death, disqualification or withdrawal. In these three instances, it is the withdrawal of another 
which is often abused by candidates. It is the power granted among political parties to replace 
their candidates. Apparently, substitution is being taken advantaged which necessarily results 
to the deception of the electorate as to the identity of a party’s nominees. 
Hence, this amendment aims to limit the grounds for substitution. Under this bill, a 
political party would be prohibited from substituting any candidate after the latter’s voluntary 
withdrawal. 
If approved, this amendment would drastically change how elections are conducted in 
the Philippines. By limiting political parties' ability to substitute candidates in cases of 
voluntary withdrawal, it would guarantee that the candidates who are put in front of the public 
during the campaign will be the ones who, should they be elected, serve the people. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is greatly urged. 
 FLORIDA P. ROBES 
March 19, 2024
4:01 pm


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
        HOUSE BILL NO. 10186
Introduced by Hon. Representatives Florida “Rida” P. Robes 
Lone District of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT  
AMENDING THE LAW GOVERNING THE SUBSTITUTION OF CANDIDATES 
FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE SECTION 77 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 881, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as Substitution of Candidate Act. 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that 
the Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all 
government authority emanates from them. Hence, limiting the grounds for substitution of 
candidates will ensure that the elections shall be honest, clean and fair for the candidates and 
the electorate. 
Section 3. Section 77 of Batas Pambansa Big. 881, s. 1985, otherwise known as the 
“Omnibus Election Code”, is hereby amended to read as follows:  
“Section 77. Candidates in case of death, or disqualification or 
withdrawal of another. - If after the last day for the filing of certificates 
of candidacy, an official candidate of a registered or accredited political 
party dies, withdraws or is disqualified for any cause, only a person 
belonging to, and certified by, the same political party may file a 
certificate of candidacy to replace the candidate who died, withdrew or 
was disqualified. The substitute candidate nominated by the political party 
concerned may file his certificate of candidacy for the office affected in 
accordance with the preceding sections not later than mid-day of the day 
of the election. If the death, withdrawal or disqualification should occur 
between the day before the election and mid-day of election day, said 
certificate may be filed with any board of election inspectors in the 
political subdivision where he is a candidate, or, in the case of candidates 
to be voted for by the entire electorate of the country, with the 
Commission.  


 
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In no case shall substitution be allowed in cases of voluntary withdrawal 
of any candidate for any cause/reason whatsoever. 
Section 4.   Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Commission on Election (COMELEC), upon consultation with 
relevant stakeholders, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions of this Act.  
Section 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other 
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified. 
Section 6. Separability Clause. If for any reason any section or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof, shall not be 
repealed or modified.  
Section 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation.