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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 710 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to ensure that sovereignty resides in the 
people and that all government authority emanates from them1. This bill seeks to 
amend Section 240 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, otherwise known as the Omnibus 
Election Code of the Philippines, by removing the provision that resolves electoral 
ties through the drawing of lots and instead requiring the conduct of a special 
runoff election among the tied candidates. 
Allowing the outcome of an electoral tie to be determined by random chance 
undermines the democratic nature of public office and deprives the electorate of 
the opportunity to make an informed and deliberate choice. This bill affirms that 
the authority to govern must always be derived through the expressed will of the 
people, not by an arbitrary method of selection. 
The proposed amendment enhances the legitimacy of electoral results and 
strengthens the credibility of democratic institutions. It aligns with international 
norms on electoral integrity, which discourage the use of chance in resolving 
electoral outcomes and promote mechanisms that ensure the vote remains the sole 
source of political authority2. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
1 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 1 
2 International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), Electoral System Design: The New 
International IDEA Handbook (2005); United Nations Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 25, 
CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.7 (1996), para. 20.  
July 1, 2025
8:04 am


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 710 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 240 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES,” PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN 
CASE OF ELECTORAL TIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Runoff Election 
Act of 2025”. 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to uphold the 
sovereign will of the electorate through electoral processes that reflect a clear 
mandate. In case of an electoral tie, the determination of the winning candidate 
shall be based on a renewed vote by the people, and not on any method of chance. 
SEC. 3. Amendment of Section 240. – Section 240 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 
is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Section 240. Election Resulting in a Tie. — If two or more candidates 
receive an equal and highest number of votes for the same position, the 
Commission on Elections shall conduct a runoff election exclusively among 
the tied candidates. 
The runoff election shall be held not later than thirty (30) calendar 
days from the official declaration of the tie by the Board of Canvassers. Only 
the tied candidates shall appear on the official ballots. 
The candidate who obtains the highest number of valid votes cast in 
the runoff election shall be proclaimed the winner. 
No drawing of lots, coin toss, or other method of chance shall be used 
to resolve an electoral tie.” 
SEC. 4. Transition Provisions. – In case of an electoral tie pending final 
resolution as of the effectivity of this Act, and no drawing of lots has been 
conducted, the Commission on Elections shall resolve the tie in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act. If a tie has already been resolved by drawing of lots 


 
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prior to the effectivity of this Act, the result shall remain valid, without prejudice 
to any protest or legal remedy available under existing law. 
SEC. 5.  Appropriations. – The initial funding for the conduct of runoff 
elections shall be sourced from the current appropriations of the Commission on 
Elections. Subsequently, the necessary funds shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 6.  Implementing Rules and Regulations (“IRR”). – Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission on Elections shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its implementation, including those on the 
scheduling of the runoff election, preparation of ballots, conduct of the campaign 
period, and canvassing of votes. 
 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected. 
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,