FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 
: ; ~; 
3312 
Prepared by the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation with 
Senators Francis G. Escudero, Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. and Aquilino "Koko" L. 
Pimentel III, as authors 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9189 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE 
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING ACT OF 2003" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9189 is hereby amended to read 
2 
as follOWS: 
3 
"Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act: 
4 
a. xxx 
5 
b. xxx 
6 
e. "Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters" (CLOAV) refers to the list of 
7 
registered overseas absentee voters whose applications to vote in absentia 
8 
have been approved by the Commission, said list to be prepared by the 
9 
Committee on OVERSEAS Absentee Voting (COAV) of the Commission, on 
10 
a eountry-by-country AND POST BY POST basis. The list shall be approved 
11 
by the Commission in an en bane resolution; 
12 
d. xxx 


1 
E. "DFA-OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING SECRETARIAT (DFA-OAVS)" 
2 
REFERS TO THE SECRETARIAT BASED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF 
3 
FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS (DFA) HOME OFFICE TASKED TO 
DIRECT, 
4 
COORDINATE AND OVERSEE THE DEPARTMENT'S PARTICIPATION IN 
5 
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING LAW 
6 
(OAVL); 
7 
F. 
"MUNICIPALlTYICITYIDISTR1CT 
REGISTRY 
OF 
OVERSEAS 
8 
ABSENTEE VOTERS (ROAV)" REFERS TO THE CONSOLIDATED LIST 
9 
PREPARED, APPROVED AND MAINTAINED BY THE COMMISSION FOR 
10 
EVERY MUNICIPALlTY/CITYIDISTRICT, OF 
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE 
11 
VOTERS WHOSE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS SUCH, 
12 
INCLUDING THOSE REGISTERED VOTERS UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
13 
8189 WHO APPLIED FOR CERTIFICATION AS OVERSEAS ABSENTEE 
14 
VOTERS, HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE ELECTION REGISTRATION 
15 
BOARD AND/ORRESIDENT ELECTION REGISTRATION BOARD; 
16 
[e.] G. "National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV)" refers to 
17 
the consolidated list prepared, approved and maintained by the Commission, 
18 
of overseas absentee voters whose applications for registration as 
19 
OVERSEAS absentee voters, including those registered voters UNDER 
20 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8189 who have applied to be certified as absentee 
21 
OVERSEAS voters, have been approved by the RESIDENT Election 
22 
Registration Board, INDICATING THE POST WHERE THE OVERSEAS 
23 
ABSENTEE VOTER IS REGISTERED; 
24 
H. "POSTS" REFER TO THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSIES, CONSULATES, 
25 
FOREIGN SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS AND OTHER PHILIPPINE 
26 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES MAINTAINING OFFICES ABROAD AND 
27 
HAVING JURISDICTION OVER THE PLACES WHERE THE OVERSEAS 
28 
VOTERS RESIDE; 


1 
I. "RESIDENT ELECTION REGISTRA T/ON BOARD" (RERB) REFERS TO 
2 
THE IN-HOUSE ELECTION REGISTRATION BOARD IN EVERY POST 
3 
AND 
IN 
THE 
COAV, 
WHICH 
PROCESSES, 
APPROVES 
OR' 
4 
DISAPPROVES ALL APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION ANDIOR 
5 
CERTIFICATION AS OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTERS, INCLUDING THE 
6 
DEACTIVATION, 
REACTIVATION 
AND 
CANCELLATION 
OF 
7 
REGISTRATION RECORDS; 
8 
J. "SEAFARERS" REFER TO SHIP OFFICERS AND RATINGS MANNING 
9 
SHIPS, INCLUDING OFFSHORE WORKERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND 
10 
FISHERMEN, AS DEFINED IN THE REVISED RULES ON THE ISSUANCE 
11 
OF SEAFARER'S IDENTIFICATION AND RECORD BOOK OF THE 
12 
MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY; 
13 
K. "VOTING PERIOD" REFERS TO A CONTINUOUS THIRTY-DAY (30) 
14 
PERIOD, THE LAST DAY OF WHICH IS THE DAY OF ELECTION, 
15 
INCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHED HOLIDAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND OF 
16 
SUCH OTHER HOLIDAYS IN THE HOST COUNTRIES. 
17 
SECTION 2. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
18 
"Sec. 5. Disqualifications. - The following shall be disqualified from 
19 
REGISTERING AND voting under this Act: 
20 
a) 
Those who have lost their Filipino citizenship in accordance with 
21 
Philippine laws; 
22 
b) 
Those 
who 
have 
expressly 
renounced 
their 
Philippine 
23 
citizenship and who have pledged allegiance to a foreign country, EXCEPT 
24 
THOSE WHO HAVE REACQUIRED OR RETAINED THEIR PHILIPPINE 
25 
CITIZENSHIP UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9225, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
26 
AS THE "CITIZENSHIP RETENTION AND REACQUISITION ACT OF 
27 
2003"; 


1 
c) 
Those who have committed and are convicted in a final 
2 
judgment by a PHILIPPINE court or tribunal of an offense punishable by 
3 
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year, [including those who have 
4 
committed and been found guilty of Disloyalty as defined under Article 137 of 
5 
the Revised Penal Code] such disability not having been removed by plenary 
6 
pardon or amnesty: Provided, howevel; That any person disqualified to vote 
7 
under this subsection shall automatically acquire the right to vote upon THE 
8 
expiration of five (5) years after service of sentence, AND; [Provided, further, 
9 
That the Commission may take cognizance of final judgments issued by 
10 
foreign courts or tribunals only on the basis of reciprocity and subject to the 
11 
formalities and processes prescribed by the Rules of Court on execution of 
12 
judgments;] 
13 
["d) An immigrant or a permanent resident who is recognized as such 
14 
in the host country, unless he/she executes, upon registration, an affidavit 
15 
prepared for the purpose by the Commission declaring that he/she shall 
16 
resume actual physical permanent residence in the Philippines not later than 
17 
three (3) years from approval of his/her registration under this Act. Such 
18 
affidavit shall also state that he/she has not applied for citizenship in another 
19 
country. Failure to return shall be the cause for the removal of the name of 
20 
the immigrant or permanent resident from the National Registry of Absentee 
21 
Voters and his/her permanent disqualification to vote in absentia.] 
22 
tel DJ Any citizen of the Philippines abroad previously declared insane 
23 
or incompetent by competent authority in the Philippines or abroad, as 
24 
verified by the Philippine embassies, consulates or foreign service 
25 
establishments concerned, unless such competent authority subsequently 
26 
certifies that such person is no longer insane or incompetent. 
27 
SECTION 3. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby is amended to read as 
28 
follows: 
29 
"Sec. 8. Requirements for Registration. Every Filipino registrant shall 
30 
be required to furnish the following documents: 


1 
a. A valid Philippine passport. In the absence of a valid passport, a 
2 
certification of the Department of Foreign Affairs that it has reviewed the 
3 
appropriate documents submitted by the applicant and HAS found them 
4 
sufficient to warrant the issuance of a passport, or that the applicant is a 
5 
holder of a valid passport but is unable to produce the same for a valid 
6 
reason; 
7 
b. Accomplished registration form prescribed by the Commission; AND 
8 
[containing the following mandatory information: 
9 
[i. Last known residence of the applicant in the Philippines before 
10 
leaving for abroad; 
11 
[ii. Address of applicant abroad, or forwarding address in the case 
12 
of seafarers; 
13 
[iii. Where voting by mail is allowed, the applicants mailing address 
14 
outside the Philippines where the ballot for absentee voters will be sent, in 
15 
proper cases; and; 
16 
[iv. Name and address of applicants authorized representative in 
17 
the Philippines for purposes of Sec. 6.7 and Sec. 12 hereof.] 
18 
[c. In the case of immigrants and permanent residents not otherwise 
19 
disqualified to vote under this Act, an affidavit declaring the intention to 
20 
resume actual physical permanent residence in the Philippines not later than 
21 
three (3) years after approval of his/her registration as an overseas absentee 
22 
voter under this Act. Such affidavit shall also state that he/she has not applied 
23 
for citizenship in another country.] 
24 
"C.) 
APPLICANTS 
WHO 
AVAILED 
THEMSELVES 
OF THE 
25 
CITIZEN RETENTION AND REACQUISITION ACT (R.A. 9225) SHALL 
26 
PRESENT THE ORIGINAL OR CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER 
27 
OF APPROVAL OF THEIR APPLICATION TO RETAIN OR REACQUIRE 
28 
THEIR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP ISSUED BY THE POST OR THEIR 
29 
IDENTIFICATION 
CERTIFICATE 
ISSUED 
BY 
THE 
BUREAU 
OF 
30 
IMMIGRATION." 


1 
"The Commission may also require additional data to facilitate 
2 
registration and recording. No information other than those necessary to 
3 
establish the identity and qualification of the applicant shall be required. 
4 
"ALL 
APPLICATIONS 
FOR 
REGISTRATION 
AND/OR 
5 
CERTIFICATION AS AN OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTER SHALL BE 
6 
CONSIDERED 
AS 
APPLICATIONS 
TO 
VOTE 
IN ABSENTIA. 
AN 
7 
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTER IS PRESUMED TO BE ABROAD UNTIL 
8 
SHE/HE APPLIES 
FOR TRANSFER OF 
HER/HIS 
REGISTRATION 
9 
RECORDS OR REQUESTS THAT HERIHIS NAME BE CANCELLED FROM 
10 
THE NROAV." 
11 
SECTION 4. 
Section 9 of the same Act is hereby is amended to read as 
12 
follows: 
13 
"Sec. 9. National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV). -
14 
The Commission shall maintain a National Registry of Overseas Absentee 
15 
Voters (NROAV) CONTAINING THE NAMES OF REGISTERED OVERSEAS 
16 
ABSENTEE VOTERS AND THE POSTS WHERE THEY ARE REGISTERED. 
17 
[Approved applications of overseas absentee registrants shall also be included 
18 
in the permanent list of voters of the city or municipality where the registrant is 
19 
domiciled, with the corresponding annotation that such person has been 
20 
registered or will be voting as an overseas absentee voter. The registry shall 
21 
also inciude those registered under Republic Act No. 8189 and who have been 
22 
issued certifications as overseas absentee voters. The entries in the National 
23 
Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters and the annotations as overseas 
24 
absentee voters in the Certified Voters' List shall be permanent, and cannot be 
25 
cancelled or amended except in any of the following cases: 
26 
"[9.1. When the overseas absentee voter files a letter under oath 
27 
addressed to the Commission that he/she wishes to be removed from the 
28 
Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters, or that his/her name be transferred to 
29 
the regular registry of voters; or, 


1 
"[9.2. When an overseas absentee voter's name was ordered removed 
2 
by the Commission from the Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters for his/her 
3 
failure to exercise his/her right to vote under this Act for two (2) consecutive 
4 
national elections.] 
5 
"LIKEWISE, THE COMMISSION SHALL MAINTAIN A REGISTRY OF 
6 
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTERS (ROAV) PER MUNICIPALITY, CITY OR 
7 
DISTRICT CONTAINING THE NAMES OF REGISTERED OVERSEAS 
8 
ABSENTEE VOTERS DOMICILED THEREIN. TOWARDS THIS END, THE 
9 
COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE EACH AND EVERY MUNICIPALITY, CITY 
10 
OR DISTRICT WITH A ROAV FOR THEIR REFERENCE." 
11 
SECTION 5. A new Section 26 is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
12 
"SEC. 26. RESIDENT ELECTION REGISTRATION BOARD (RERB); 
13 
COMPOSITION, DISQUALIFICA nONS AND COMPENSA TION. -
THE 
14 
RERB SHALL BE A THREE (3) PERSON BOARD COMPOSED OF: A) A 
15 
CAREER OFFICIAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
16 
(DFA) AS CHAIRPERSON; B) THE MOST SENIOR OFFICER FROM THE 
17 
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) OR ANY 
18 
GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF THE PHILIPPINES MAINTAINING OFFICES 
19 
ABROAD AS MEMBER; AND C) A REGISTERED OVERSEAS VOTER OF 
20 
KNOWN PROBITY, AS MEMBER. 
21 
IN CASE OF DISQUALIFICATION OR NON-AVAILABILITY OF THE 
22 
MOST SENIOR OFFICER FROM THE DOLE OR ANY GOVERNMENT 
23 
AGENCY OF THE PHILIPPINES MAINTAINING OFFICES ABROAD, THE 
24 
COMMISSION SHALL DESIGNATE A CAREER OFFICIAL FROM THE 
25 
EMBASSY OR CONSULATE CONCERNED. 
26 
THE RERB IN MANILA SHALL HOLD OFFICE IN THE MAIN OFFICE 
27 
OF THE COMMISSION IN INTRAMUROS, MANILA. THE RERB SHALL BE 
28 
COMPOSED OF ANY SENIOR OFFICIAL OF THE COMMISSION ON 
29 
ELECTIONS AS THE CHAIRPERSON AND THE TWO (2) OTHER 


-_._- ---
1 
MEMBERS SHALL BE FROM THE DFA AND THE DOLE, WHOSE RANK 
2 
SHALL NOT BE LOWER THAN A DIVISION CHIEF OR ITS EQUIVALENT. 
3 
26.1. DISQUALIFICA TlON OF MEMBERS OF THE RERB. - NO 
4 
MEMBER OF THE RERB SHALL BE RELATED TO EACH OTHER OR TO 
5 
THE INCUMBENT 
PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT OR SENATOR OF 
6 
THE PHILIPPINES OR ANY INCUMBENT MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF 
7 
REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTING THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM OF 
g 
REPRESENTATION, 
WITHIN 
THE 
FOURTH 
CIVIL 
DEGREE 
OF 
9 
CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY. 
10 
26.2 COMPENSATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE RERB - EACH 
11 
MEMBER OF THE RERB SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN HONORARIUM AT 
12 
RATES 
APPROVED 
BY THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
BUDGET AND 
13 
MANAGEMENT (DBM)." 
14 
SECTION 6. A new Section 27 is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
15 
"SEC. 27. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE RERB. - THE RERB 
16 
SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS: 
17 
A. POST IN THE BULLETIN BOARDS OF THE EMBASSY OR 
18 
CONSULATES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AND IN THEIR RESPECTIVE 
19 
WEBSITES, THE NAMES OF THE APPLICANTS AND THE DATES WHEN 
20 
THEIR APPLICATIONS SHALL BE HEARD, AS WELL AS THE PLACE 
21 
WHERE THE RERB WILL HOLD ITS HEARING; 
22 
B. NOTIFY, THROUGH THE COAV, ALL POLITICAL PARTIES AND 
23 
OTHER PARTIES CONCERNED OF THE PENDING APPLICATIONS 
24 
THROUGH A WEEKLY UPDATED PUBLICATION IN THE WEBSITE OF 
25 
THE COMMISSION; 
26 
C. ACT ON ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED; 


_. 
1 
D. NOTIFY ALL APPLICANTS, WHOSE APPLICATIONS HAVE 
2 
BEEN 
DISAPPROVED, 
STATING 
THE 
REASONS 
FOR 
SUCH 
3 
DISAPPROVAL; 
4 
E. PREPARE A LIST OF ALL APPROVED APPLICATIONS DURING 
5 
EACH HEARING AND POST THE SAME ON THE BULLETIN BOARDS OF 
6 
THE EMBASSY OR CONSULATES OR AT THE OFFICE OF THE COAV, 
7 
AS THE CASE MAY BE, AND IN THEIR RESPECTIVE WEBSITES; 
8 
F. DEACTIVATE THE REGISTRATION RECORDS OF OVERSEAS 
9 
ABSENTEE VOTERS; AND 
10 
G. PERFORM SUCH OTHER DUTIES AS MAY BE CONSISTENT 
11 
WITH ITS FUNCTIONS AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS ACT." 
12 
SECTION 7. A new Section 28 is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
13 
"SEC. 
28. 
PETITION 
FOR 
EXCLUSION, 
MOTION 
FOR 
14 
RECONSIDERA TlON, PETITION FOR INCLUSION -
15 
28.1. PETITION FOR EXCLUSION. - IF THE APPLICATION HAS 
16 
BEEN APPROVED, ANY INTERESTED PARTY MAY FILE A PETITION 
17 
FOR EXCLUSION NOT LATER THAN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) 
18 
DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING 
19 
PERIOD WITH 
THE 
PROPER MUNICIPAL/METROPOLITAN TRIAL 
20 
COURT, IN THE CITY OF MANILA OR WHERE THE OVERSEAS 
21 
ABSENTEE VOTER RESIDES IN THE PHILIPPINES, AT THE OPTION OF 
22 
THE PETITIONER. 
23 
THE PETITION SHALL BE DECIDED ON THE BASIS OF THE 
24 
DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FROM ITS 
25 
FILING, BUT NOT LATER THAN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS 
26 
BEFORE THE START OF THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING PERIOD. 
27 
SHOULD THE COURT FAIL TO RENDER A DECISION WITHIN THE 


1 
PRESCRIBED PERIOD, THE RULING OF THE RERB SHALL BE 
2 
CONSIDERED AFFIRMED. 
3 
28.2. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION. -IF THE APPLICATION 
4 
HAS BEEN DISAPPROVED, THE APPLICANT OR THE AUTHORIZED 
5 
REPRESENTATIVE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE A MOTION FOR 
6 
RECONSIDERATION BEFORE THE RERB WITHIN A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) 
7 
DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF DISAPPROVAL. THE 
8 
MOTION SHALL BE DECIDED WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS AFTER ITS FILING 
9 
ON THE BASIS OF DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BUT NOT LATER THAN 
10 
120 DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE 
11 
VOTING PERIOD. THE RESOLUTION OF THE RERB SHALL BE 
12 
IMMEDIATELY EXECUTORY, UNLESS REVERSED OR SET ASIDE BY 
13 
THE COURT. 
14 
28.3. PETITION FOR INCLUSION. - WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS FROM 
15 
RECEIPT OF NOTICE DENYING THE MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION, 
16 
THE APPLICANT MAY FILE A PETITION FOR INCLUSION WITH THE 
17 
PROPER MUNICIPAL/METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, IN THE CITY OF 
18 
MANILA OR WHERE THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTER RESIDES IN 
19 
THE PHILIPPINES, AT THE OPTION OF THE PETITIONER. 
20 
THE PETITION SHALL BE DECIDEO ON THE BASIS OF THE 
21 
DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FROM FILING, 
22 
BUT NOT LATER THAN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS BEFORE 
23 
THE START OF THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING PERIOD. SHOULD 
24 
THE COURT FAIL TO RENDER A DECISION WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED 
25 
PERIOD, THE RERB RULING SHALL BE CONSIDERED AFFIRMED. 
26 
QUALIFIED 
PHILIPPINE 
CITIZENS 
ABROAD 
WHO 
HAVE 
27 
PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED AS VOTERS PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC 
28 
ACT NO. 8189, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "VOTERS REGISTRATION 
29 
ACT OF 1996" SHALL APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION AS OVERSEAS 
30 
ABSENTEE VOTERS AND FOR INCLUSION IN THE NROAV. IN CASE OF 
~~-- - -


1 
APPROVAL, THE ELECTION OFFICER CONCERNED SHALL ANNOTATE 
2 
THE 
FACT 
OF 
REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION 
AS 
OVERSEAS 
3 
ABSENTEE VOTER BEFORE THE VOTER'S NAME AS APPEARING IN 
4 
THE CERTIFIED VOTERS LIST AND IN THE VOTER'S REGISTRATION 
5 
RECORDS." 
6 
SECTION 8. A new Section 29 is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
7 
"SEC. 29. TRANSFER OF REG/STRATION RECORD. - IN THE 
8 
EVENT OF CHANGE OF VOTING VENUE, AN APPLICATION FOR 
9 
TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RECORD MUST BE FILED BY THE 
10 
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTER WITH THE COAV, THROUGH ITS 
11 
CHAIRPERSON, AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) DAYS PRIOR 
12 
TO THE START OF THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING PERIOD: 
13 
PROVIDED, THAT THOSE WHO WOULD EVENTUALLY VOTE IN THE 
14 
PHILIPPINES SHOULD REGISTER WITHIN THE TIME FRAME PROVIDED 
15 
FOR LOCAL REGISTRATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY, CITY OR DISTRICT 
16 
WHERE THEY INTEND TO VOTE AND; PROVIDED: FURTHER, THAT 
17 
THOSE WHO HAVE REGISTERED IN THE MUNICIPALITY, CITY OR 
18 
DISTRICT WHERE THEY RESIDED PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE 
19 
ABROAD NEED NOT REGISTER ANEW; PROVIDED: FINALLY, THAT 
20 
TRANSFEREES 
SHALL 
NOTIFY 
THE 
COAV, 
THROUGH 
ITS 
21 
CHAIRPERSON, 
OF 
THEIR 
TRANSFERRING 
BACK 
TO 
THE 
22 
PHILIPPINES AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) DAYS PRIOR TO 
23 
THE NEXT NATIONAL ELECTIONS FOR PURPOSES OF CANCELLING 
24 
THEIR NAMES FROM THE CLOAV AND OF REMOVING THEIR 
25 
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTER'S REGISTRATION FROM THE BOOK OF 
26 
VOTERS". 
27 
SECTION 9. A new Section 30is hereby inserted to read as follOWS: 
28 
"SEC.30. DEACTIVATION OF REGISTRATION. - THE RERB SHALL 
29 
DEACTIVATE AND REMOVE THE REGISTRATION RECORDS OF THE 
30 
FOLLOWING PERSONS FROM THE CORRESPONDING BOOK OF 


1 
VOTERS AND PLACE THE SAME, PROPERLY MARKED AND DATED, IN 
2 
THE INACTIVE FILE AFTER ENTERING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING 
3 
CAUSES OF DEACTIVATION: 
4 
A) ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN SENTENCED BY FINAL 
5 
JUDGMENT BY A PHILIPPINE COURT OR TRIBUNAL TO SUFFER 
6 
IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR, SUCH 
7 
DISABILITY NOT HAVING BEEN REMOVED BY PLENARY PARDON OR 
8 
AMNESTY: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY PERSON DISQUALIFIED 
9 
TO 
VOTE 
UNDER THIS 
PARAGRAPH 
SHALL AUTOMATICALLY 
10 
REACQUIRE THE RIGHT TO VOTE UPON THE EXPIRATION OF FIVE (5) 
11 
YEARS AFTER SERVICE OF SENTENCE, AS CERTIFIED BY THE 
12 
CLERKS OF COURTS OF THE MUNICIPAL, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT, 
13 
METROPOLITAN, 
REGIONAL 
TRIAL 
COURTS 
OR 
THE 
14 
SANDIGANBAYAN; 
15 
B) ANY PERSON DECLARED BY COMPETENT AUTHORITY TO BE 
16 
INSANE OR INCOMPETENT, UNLESS SUCH DISQUALIFICATION HAS 
17 
BEEN SUBSEQUENTLY REMOVED BY A DECLARATION OF A PROPER 
18 
AUTHORITY THAT SUCH PERSON IS NO LONGER INSANE OR 
19 
INCOMPETENT; 
20 
C) ANY PERSON WHO DID NOT VOTE IN TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE 
21 
NATIONAL ELECTIONS AS SHOWN BY VOTING RECORDS, AND 
22 
0) ANY PERSON WHOSE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN ORDERED 
23 
EXCLUDED BY THE COURTS. 
24 
THE FACT OF DEACTIVATION SHALL BE ANNOTATED IN THE 
25 
NROAV AND THE CORRESPONDING ROAV." 
26 
SECTION 10. A new Section 31 of the same Act is hereby inserted to read 
27 
as follows: 


-
-- --
1 
"SEC. 31. REACTIVATION OF REGISTRATION. - ANY OVERSEAS 
2 
ABSENTEE VOTER WHOSE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED 
3 
PURSUANT TO THE PRECEDING SECTION MAY FILE WITH THE RERB 
4 
AT ANY TIME, BUT NOT LATER THAN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) 
5 
DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING 
6 
PERIOD, 
A 
SWORN 
APPLICATION 
FOR 
REACTIVATION 
OF 
7 
REGISTRATION 
STATING 
THAT 
THE 
GROUNDS 
FOR 
THE 
8 
DEACTIVATION NO LONGER EXIST." 
9 
SECTION 11. A new Section 32 of the same Act is hereby inserted to read 
10 
as follows: 
, 
11 
"SEC. 32. CANCELLA T/ON OF REG/STRA TlON. - THE RERB 
12 
SHALL CANCEL THE REGISTRATION RECORDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE 
13 
DIED, AS CERTIFIED BY EITHER THE POSTS OR BY THE LOCAL CIVIL 
14 
REGISTRAR, AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO HAVE LOST 
15 
THEIR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP." 
16 
SECTION 12. A new Section 33 of the same Act is hereby inserted to read 
17 
as follows: 
18 
"SEC. 
33. 
VOTING. 
-
VOTING 
MAY 
BE 
DONE 
EITHER 
19 
PERSONALLY, BY MAIL, OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS AS MAY BE 
20 
DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE 
21 
COMMISSION SHALL ISSUE THE NECESSARY GUIDELINES ON THE 
22 
MANNER AND PROCEDURES OF VOTING. 
23 
THE 
COAV, 
IN 
CONSULTATION WITH 
DFA-OAVS, SHALL 
24 
DETERMINE THE COUNTRIES WHERE VOTING SHALL BE DONE BY 
25 
ANY SPECIFIC MODE, TAKING INTO CONSI.DERATION THE MINIMUM 
26· 
CRITERIA ENUMERATED UNDER THIS ACT WHICH SHALL INCLUDE 
27 
THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS, ACCESSIBILITY OF THE 
28 
POSTS, EFFICIENCY OF THE HOST COUNTRY'S APPLIED SYSTEM 


1 
AND SUCH OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY AFFECT THE 
2 
CONDUCT OF VOTING. 
3 
THE COMMISSION SHALL ANNOUNCE THE SPECIFIC MODE OF 
4 
VOTING PER COUNTRY/POST AT LEAST ONE-HUNDRED TWENTY (120) 
5 
DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE VOTING PERIOD." 
6 
SECTION 13. A new Section 34 is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
7 
"SEC. 34. AUTHORITY TO ADOPT OTHER MODES OR SYSTEMS 
8 
USING AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM 
NOTWITHSTANDING 
9 
CURRENT PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS HEREIN PROVIDED, FOR THE 
10 
PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT AND IN VIEW OF THE 
11 
PECULIARITIES ATTENDANT TO THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING 
12 
PROCESS, THE COMMISSION MAY EXPLORE AND ADOPT OTHER 
13 
MORE EFFICIE;NT, RELIABLE AND SECURE MODES OR SYSTEMS, 
14 
ENSURING THE SECRECY AND SANCTITY OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS, 
15 
WHETHER PAPER-BASED, ELECTRONIC-BASED OR INTERNET·BASED 
16 
TECHNOLOGY OR SUCH OTHER LATEST TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE, 
17 
FOR ONSITE AND REMOTE REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS AND 
18 
SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT 
19 
COMMITTEE." 
20 
SECTION 14. Sections 26, 27. 28 and 29 of Republic Act No. 9189 are 
21 
hereby renumbered as Sections 35, 36, 37, and 38, respectively. 
22 
SECTION 15. A new Section 39 is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
23 
"SEC. 
39. 
TRANSITORY PROVISION • ALL PRIOR ACTS, 
24 
RESOLUTIONS, ISSUANCES OF THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS ACT, 
25 
NOT 
OTHERWISE 
INCONSISTENT 
HEREWITH, 
INCLUDING 
THE 
26 
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS AND MODES OF VOTING, SHALL REMAIN 
27 
VALID AND EFFECTIVE." 


1 
SECTION 16. A new Section 40 is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
2 
"SEC. 40. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULA TlONS. -
THE 
3 
COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR 
4 
THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISION OF 
5 
THIS ACT WITHIN 
SIXTY (60) 
DAYS FROM 
THE 
EFFECTIVITY 
6 
THEREOF." 
7 
SECTION 17. Sections 30,31 and 32 of R.A. 9189 are hereby renumbered as 
8 
Sections 41,42, and 43, respectively. 
9 
SECTION 18. Repealing/Amending Clause. - All other laws, orders and 
10 
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to 
11 
the provisions of this Act or its purposes are hereby revised or modified accordingly. 
12 
SECTION 19. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held 
13 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise 
14 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
15 
SECTION 20. Effectivity Clause. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
16 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
17 
circulation. 
Adopted,