THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
' f  
S. B. No. 
1925 
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Election contests are part and parcel of Philippine politics. These are 
mechanisms that provide both parties the forum to present and rebut evidence 
on the outcome of an electoral exercise. This was meant by the Legislature as a 
safeguard against allowing a non-qualified candidate from occupying public 
office. 
Yet this mechanism has often been the tool by some parties to frustrate the 
sovereign will of the electorate. More often than not, election contests drag on 
for years that by the time it nears resolution, the next elections for the very 
position under contention is just around the corner. 
This legislative measure seeks to provide a time period for the resolution 
of election contests on municipal and barangay offices ensuring that the 
electorate will not be deprived of the services of their chosen representative. 
Premises considered, the early passage of this legislative measure is 
earnestly sought. 
IT0 ESTRAD 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF 
) 
5 FED 21 P 2 3 2  
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First kgular Session 
S E N A T E  
AECElVED BY:.-#-- 
: 
S.B.No. 
1923 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTIONS 251 AND 252 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
i 
SECTION 1. Sections 251 and 252 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, otherwise 
known as the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, as amended, is hereby 
amended and joined as follows, thereby deleting said Section 252 which would 
read as follows: 
"SEC. 251. HEARINGS OF ELECTION CONTESTS ON 
MUNICIPAL OR BARANGAY OFFICES. - THE HEARING ON 
ELECTION 
CONTESTS 
IN 
COURTS 
OF 
GENERAL 
JURISDICTION SHALL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THIRTY (30) 
DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE PETITION. THE COURTS 
SHALL DECIDE THE CASE WITHIN (30) DAYS FROM THE 
DATE IT IS SUBMITTED FOR DECISION, BUT IN EVERY CASE 
WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS AFTER ITS FILING. 


, .I 
2 
THE HEARING ON ELECTION CONTESTS IN COURTS 
OF LIMITED JURISDICTION SHALL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 
TEN (10) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF FILING OF THE PETITION. 
THE TRIAL COURTS SHALL DECIDE THE ELECTION 
PROTESTS WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FILING 
THEREOF.” 
SEC. 2. 
Penalty Clause. - Any officer or personnel of the 
Commission who shall be found guilty of violating any provisions of this 
Act shall be subject to criminal and administrative sanctions as prescribed 
by the Implementing Rules and Regulations to be promulgated pursuant 
to this Act. 
SEC. 3 Repealing Clause. - 
All laws, presidential decrees, 
issuances, orders, rules and regulations or any part thereof inconsistent 
herewith are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen 
(15) days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,