FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
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SENATE 
S.B. No .. 1418 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to provide representation of senior citizens in local legislative 
and special bodies. 
Senior citizens have a vital role in nation building. They have amassed 
valuable experiences as past or current leaders and prime movers in the nation's 
political, social and economic affairs. Based on 2000 Census, there are around 4.6 
million senior citizens which accounts for 6 % of total population. There is a senior 
citizen in one out of every five households in the country. Around 80% of all senior 
citizens are literate, 57.41% are household heads and 57.07% are gainfully and 
economically productive. These indicate that more than half of senior citizens have 
the capacity and the energy to participate in productive affairs in society. 
The State recognizes that senior citizens have their special needs that should 
be addressed through the provision of public services. This is evident with the 
passage of Republic Act No. 7432 titled" An Act to Maximize the Contribution of 
Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for 
Other Purposes" and other such laws. However, senior citizens have yet to be fully 
tapped to represent their own concerns and interests in public policymaking bodies. 
Local policymaking bodies are the most viable venue for involving active 
participation of senior citizens s~nce they tend to be less mobile as evidenced by the 
2000 census which showed that 95% of senior citizens have remained in the same 
city I municipality where they lived five years prior to the census. 
This bill seeks to promote the active participation of senior citizens in local 
governance and encourage them to advance their concerns through direct 
representation in local decision-making bodies. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
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LOREN LEGARDA 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1418 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
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MANDATING THE REPRESENTATION OF THE ELDERLY IN EVERY 
SANGGUNIAN AND LOCAL SPECIAL BODIES IN ALL LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines In 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the wisdom and 
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values of senior citizens derived from the wealth of their experiences as past leaders 
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and prime movers of government, corporate and civic affairs of the nation. Towards 
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this end, the State shall endeavor to promote the active participation and 
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contribution of senior citizens in political and governance processes. 
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SECTION 2. Objective. - Pursuant to the foregoing policy, the State shall 
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ensure the representation of senior citizens in: (a) all Sanggunians in all barangays, 
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municipalities, cities and provinces; and (b) all local special bodies including, but 
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not limited to, those provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as 
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the "Local Government Code of 1991". 
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SECTION 3. Representation in Sanggunians. - All Sangguniang Barangay, 
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Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall 
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reserve a seat for a senior citizens' representative who shall enjoy all the privileges 
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and emoluments enjoyed by regular members of the Sangguniang. 
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SECTION 4. Manner of Election. - The senior citizens shall organize 
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themselves and elect from among them a chairperson who will represent them in the 
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Sangguniang Barangay. The chairpersons of the senior citizens' organizations in the 
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barangays will elect from among them their representative to the Sangguniang 
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Bayan/Sangguniang 
Panlungsod. 
The senior citizens' 
representatives 
of 
all 
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municipalities and cities under the jurisdiction of the provincial government shall 
elect from among them a representative to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. 
SECTION 4. Representation in Local Special Bodies. - The senior citizens' 
representatives in the sanggunian of all barangays, municipalities, cities and 
provinces shall sit as members Of in all local special bodies in their respective local 
. government units. 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
Interior and Local Government, in coordination with the Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC), shall be responsible for formulating the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations necessary to effectively carryout the objectives and provisions provided 
under this Act. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or portions thereof . inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after its publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of gener~l circulation. 
Approved. 
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