Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__0286 _

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B. Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Voting is a fundamental right of the people, one which defines the
Philippines as a democratic country. In fact, absentee voting laws have been
enacted to ensure that each Filipino will be able to exercise this right.

While absentee voting laws allow Filipinos residing or working overseas,
government officials and employees, media practitioners, members of the
armed forces and police force to vote for national elective positions, there is
no law granting senior citizens and persons with disabilities the same
privilege.

This bill seeks to broaden the access to the right of suffrage of the
elderly and persons with disabilities who wish to register for early voting in
order to eliminate possible impediments to electoral participation and
ultimately improve the quality of the voting experience.

In this proposed measure, qualified senior citizens and persons with
disabilities may opt to cast their ballots at accessible establishments
designated by the Commission on Elections within seven (7) working days
before the date set for the elections. Those who are not qualified shall vote on
Election Day.

This bill is a re-file of House Bill No. 5661, which was approved on Third
and Final Reading during the 17 Congress. In view of the foregoing,
immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

iG nonacio Aine, JR.
1° District, Nueva Ecij 2nd Districé Sultan Kudarat

‘LLITA B. SU:


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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 0286

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B. Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS AND
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with
disabilities (PWDs) by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set
for the election.

SEC. 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be early
voting where senior citizens and PWDs qualified to vote early may choose to
cast their ballot at accessible establishments designated by the Commission
on Elections (COMELEC) within seven (7) working days before the date set for
the election.

SEC. 3. Registration. - There shall be a nationwide registration for senior
citizens and PWDs who may wish to avail of their early voting privileges to
qualify them for early voting. Those who are not registered under this Act shall
vote on Election Day.

SEC. 4. Obligations of the COMELEC. - To ensure the smooth
implementation of this Act, the COMELEC shall:

(a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered
voters;

(b) In coordination with local government units, the National Council
on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of
Health and the Department of Interior and Local Government, design a
registration system that shall allow senior citizens and PWDs to register and


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opt for early voting in order to improve their voting experience in national and
local elections;

() Ensure the full implementation of Republic Act No. 10366,
entitled “An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish
Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with
Disabilities and Senior Citizens”, such that polling places are safe, highly
accessible and fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical
aids; and

(4) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting by
qualified senior citizens and PWDs.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to fund early voting by
qualified senior citizens and PWDs in national and local elections shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas Pambansa
Big. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled “An
Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral
Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes”; and
other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate the
early voting by qualified senior citizens and PWDs.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
from the approval of this Act, the COMELEC shall, in consultation with other
relevant government and nongovernment agencies, promulgate the rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or part hereof is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,