EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO.1516
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO USE 
AND IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED AND ONLINE SYSTEM FOR 
VOTER REGISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Suffrage, or the right to vote, is the hallmark of a vibrant democracy. It is through 
which that the people, in their sovereign capacity and will, vest upon their chosen few 
the power, duty, and privilege to serve and govern. The right of suffrage, however, is 
a franchise subject to State regulation. While it lies in the heart of a truly democratic 
State, its exercise is conditioned on the fulfilment of a procedural limitation—that of 
registration. The seeming lengthy and tedious processes involved in voter registration 
however may prove to be a deterrent for many from registering as voters or updating 
their registration records. As we herald the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technological 
advancements and innovations present an abundant opportunity for the State to 
address this issue by lending more efficiency, economy, and accessibility to voter 
registration processes.
This bill seeks to take advantage of these technological advances by mandating 
the Commission on Elections, as far as practicable, to adopt, design and use an 
automated and online system for voter registration that enables the electronic and 
online filing and processing of the application for voter registration, transfer of 
registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries and such other 
requests and processes relative to the voter’s registration and records.
Indeed, a more convenient, efficient, and accessible registration process 
encourages more people to register. This further increases the possibility of higher 
voter participation in the elections because there is nothing healthier for a democratic


state than to have citizens who are informed, actively participating in its democratic 
processes, and truly engaged in charting the course of its destiny.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR
VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO.1516
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2020
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO USE 
AND IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED AND ONLINE SYSTEM FOR 
VOTER REGISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Online Voter Registration 
Act.”
SEC. 2. Deciaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 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, taking into account the integrity, 
completeness, and accuracy of the list of voters.
SEC. 3. Automated and Online Voter Registration System. - The Commission on 
Elections (COMELEC) shall, as far as practicable, adopt, design, and use an 
automated and online system for voter registration that enables the electronic and 
online filing and processing of the application for voter registration, transfer of 
registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such other 
requests and processes relative to the voter’s registration and records.
The COMELEC shall also endeavor to use the same automated and online system 
for the verification and approval of application for voter registration, transfer of 
registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such other 
requests and processes relative to the voter’s registration and records as may be 
practicable, bearing in mind the State’s policy of ensuring the integrity and accuracy 
of the voters list and records.


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SEC. 4. Automated and Online Verification. - Where online verification of the 
application or request is not feasible in the meantime, the system shall nonetheless 
allow the applicant to submit his or her application or request through the 
COMELEC’s online platform. The same application and the information contained 
therein, including the demographics of the applicant, shall be processed 
electronically and shall be automatically stored in the COMELEC database for 
pending voter registration application or requests.
The system shall promptly provide the applicant with complete and detailed 
information as to the steps required to complete the application or request.
SEC. 5. Personal Filing. - The automated and online filing of application for voter 
registration shall not preclude the personal filing of applications for registration, 
transfer of registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such 
other requests, which shall continue to be available and conducted in the office of the 
Election Officer during office hours.
SEC. 6. Automated and Electronic Notice of Approval or Disapproval. - The
automated and electronic system of voter registration shall include a feature that 
automatically informs the applicant of the successful submission of his or her 
application or request. The system shall provide detailed instructions on how the 
applicant may follow up or complete the application for registration or requests, the 
estimated time to complete the processing of the application or request, details on 
the notice of approval or disapproval of the application and requests, further remedies 
available in case of disapproval, and such other information necessary to promptly 
assist the applicant with his or her application or request.
SEC. 7. Secure Internet Website and Online Platforms. - The COMELEC shall 
design, devise, adopt, or otherwise use a secure Internet Website or online platform 
where such applications may be filed by voters and/or applicants. Security measures 
shall be put in place to protect and guarantee the completeness, accuracy, and 
integrity of voter registration forms, applications, and information submitted and filed 
through such Internet Website or online platform.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC, in coordination 
with the appropriate government agencies, including the Department of Science and 
Technology (“DOST”) and the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (“DICT”), and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall 
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation 
of this Act.
SEC. 9. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation 
of this Act shall be included In the budget of the COMELEC in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other 
portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can 
still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.


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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
memoranda, circulars, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof, 
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,