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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) = paTesune 22, 2021 cy

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No. 9636

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of the normal processes that we have been
sed to. It showed us that we need to change some of our procedures and adapt to the current
situation.

‘One change that should happen is to allow for online voter registration.

Itis a fact that many Filipinos, even before the pandemic, hesitate to register as voters
because of the time it takes to complete the registration process and the lines that they have
to endure.

We need to provide a more convenient and efficient voter registration system and
ensure a continuing system of voter registration by adopting online registration of voters as an
option

This bill seeks to amend Section 8 of RA 8189 by adding as an option to the existing
personal mode of voter registration, the electronic or online mode of registration through the
official website as designated by the Commission on Elections. Online registration shall not
be limited to the filing of an application to register but to all processes under the existing law
such as reactivation of voter registration records, transfer of registration records and correction
in the entries of voter's registration records.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUFUS B. jUEZ



EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 9636

AN ACT
ADOPTING A SYSTEM OF ONLINE REGISTRATION OF VOTERS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTIONS 2, 3, 8, AND 10 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8189, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “VOTER’S REGISTRATION ACT OF 1996”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8189 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
[systematize the present method of registration in order to establish a
clean, complete, permanent and updated list of voters] ESTABLISH A
SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION THAT ENSURES AND GUARANTEES A
CLEAN, COMPLETE, PERMANENT, AND UPDATED LIST OF VOTERS.
TO ENCOURAGE AND ENSURE A CONTINUING SYSTEM OF VOTER
REGISTRATION, THE STATE SHALL ADOPT AND MAKE USE OF
TECHNOLOGIES THAT SHALL FACILITATE AND ALLOW THE
AUTOMATED AND ONLINE REGISTRATION OF VOTERS AS AN
OPTION, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE _ INTEGRITY,
COMPLETENESS, AND ACCURACY OF THE LIST OF VOTERS.”

SEC. 2. Section 3 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in is Act:

a) Registration refers to the act of accomplishing and filing of a sworn
application for registration by a qualified voter ONLINE OR before the
election officer of the city or municipality wherein [he] THE APPLICANT
resides and including the same in the book of registered voters upon
approval by the Election Registration Board. REGISTRATION LIKEWISE
REFERS TO OTHER PROCESSES ATTENDANT TO BEING A
QUALIFIED VOTER SUCH AS THE REACTIVATION OF VOTER
REGISTRATION RECORDS, TRANSFER OF VOTER REGISTRATION
RECORDS, AND CORRECTION OF ENTRIES THEREIN;

SEC. 3. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 8. System of Continuing Registration of Voters. — The
personal OR ELECTRONIC filing of application [of] FOR registration of
voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the Election Officer during
regular office hours OR THROUGH THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE
COMMISSION. No registration shall, however, be conducted [during the
period starting] WITHIN one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular
election and ninety (90) days before a special election.”


SEC. 4. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 10. Registration of Voters. —A qualified voter shall be
registered in the permanent list of voters in a precinct of the city or
municipality [wherein he] WHERE THE VOTER resides to be able to vote
in any election. To register as a voter, [he] THE APPLICANT shall
personally OR ELECTRONICALLY accomplish an application form for
registration as prescribed by the Commission [in three (3) copies before
the Election Officer] AND PERSONALLY SUBMIT THE ACCOMPLISHED
FORM TO THE OFFICE OF THE ELECTION OFFICER OF THE CITY OR
MUNICIPALITY WHERE THE VOTER RESIDES on any date during office
hours, OR THROUGH THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE COMMISSION
[after having acquired the qualifications of a voter]

Xe x.

The application for registration [shall contain three (3) specimen signatures
of the applicant, clear and legible rolled prints of his left and right
thumbprints, with four (4) identification size copies of his latest photograph,
attached thereto, to be taken at the expense of the Commission] MAY BE
SUBMITTED PERSONALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY AND SHALL BE
PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10367
ENTITLED "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY BIOMETRICS
VOTER REGISTRATION" AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COMMISSION .

Before the applicant accomplishes [his] THE application for registration, the
Election Officer shall inform [him] THE APPLICANT of the qualifications
and disqualifications prescribed by law for a voter, and thereafter, see to it
that the accomplished application contains all the data therein required and
that the applicant's specimen signatures, fingerprints, and photographs are
properly affixed in [all copies of] the voter's application.

IN CASE OF ONLINE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR
REGISTRATION BY AN APPLICANT, THE COMMISSION SHALL SEND
A NOTICE CONFIRMING ITS RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION AND
PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW THE APPLICANT MAY CHECK
THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION.

FURTHERMORE, THE COMMISSION SHALL EMPLOY DATA
SECURITY MEASURES WHICH ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE
ACCURACY AND INTEGRITY OF ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTED
VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS.”

SEC. 5. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act may
be charged against the current appropriations of the Commission. Thereafter, such sums as
may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act must be included in the annual

General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within fifteen (15) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the Commission on Elections, in consultation with the Department of Information and
Communications Technology, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of
Interior and Local Government shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective

implementation of this Act.



‘SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is dectared unconstitutional,
the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders,
issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are

contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,