Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This is a refiled bill originally authored in the 18th Congress by Representative Xavier Jesus 
D. Romualdo and was referred to the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.
The explanatory note of the bill from the previous Congress is hereby reiterated here as the 
principle behind the drafting of this proposal is still valid up to date: 
“Republic Act (RA) No. 8436, as amended by RA No. 9369, mandates the use 
of an automated election system (AES), so long as it will continue to uphold the 
necessary safeguards in protecting the sanctity of the ballot. This measure, which 
is based on the proposed Hybrid Election Act prepared by the Committee on 
Electoral Reforms and Peoples Participation of Senate, seeks to amend RA No. 
8436 further by introducing a hybrid election system that will enable voters to 
more transparently participate in the electorate process and choose leaders for 
our country. In every election using the AES, the same lingering issues have 
been raised by voters, information technology experts, election experts, 
members of the media, political parties, and others. A hybrid election system 
that ensures that each and every vote is counted and fosters transparency and 
credibility in the counting of votes, and, at the same time, makes canvassing and 
transmission of votes accurate and efficient will dispel all doubts on the integrity 
of our elections and show, without any doubt, that the results of our elections 
truly reflect the choice and will of the people.” 
In the 2019 elections, people’s confidence on the results of the automated 
elections were satisfactory and the random manual audit resulted to 99.99% of 
the automated elections. Yet, there are still dissatisfaction as to the how 
automated voting is done with a high percentage goes to rejected ballots, thus 
disenfranchising the voters of their right to vote and choose their leaders due to 
shading issue and possibly, computer glitches in appreciating the accomplished 
ballots. A hybrid system will ensure transparency and that each vote will be 
July 20, 2022
1:15 pm
2197


appreciated in public and the will of the people will be truly reflected and 
counted well at the precinct level with automated transmission to expedite the 
forwarding of results to the Commission on Elections and proper forums. 
 
This observation holds true if we check with the Commission on Elections the total number 
of rejected ballots per town and province in the past elections. 
  
Accordingly, the support of the Members of Congress for the timely approval of this bill 
is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF HYBRID ELECTIONS FOR 
NATIONAL, LOCAL, AND THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN 
MUSLIM MINDANAO, THROUGH MANUAL-AUTOMATED VOTING, 
COUNTING, CANVASSING, CONSOLIDATION, AND TRANSMISSION, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8436, AS AMENDED, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Hybrid Election Act'. 
1 
2 
SEC. 2. Coverage. - The coverage of the provisions of this Act shall be applicable 
3 
to the conduct of the elections on May 2022 and all national, local, and the Bangsamoro 
4 
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections thereafter. 
5 
6 
SEC. 3. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
7 
to read as follows: 
8 
9 
"SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to ensure free, 
10 
orderly, honest, peaceful, credible and informed elections, plebiscite, referenda, recall and 
11 
other similar electoral exercises by improving on the election process and adopting 
12 
systems, which shall involve the use of [an automated] A HYBRID election system that 
13 
will ensure the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot and all election, consolidation and 
14 
transmission documents in order that the process shall be transparent and credible and that 
15 
the results shall be fast, accurate and reflective of the genuine will of the people. THE 
16 
HYBRID ELECTION SYSTEM SHALL BE A COMBINATION OF THE 
17 
AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM AND THE MANUAL ELECTION SYSTEM 
18 
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TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND CREDIBILITY OF THE ELECTORAL 
1 
PROCESSES. 
2 
The State recognizes the mandate and authority of the Commission to prescribe 
3 
the adoption and use of the most suitable technology of demonstrated capability 
4 
taking into account the situation prevailing in the area and the funds available for 
5 
the purpose." 
6 
7 
SEC. 4. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
8 
read as follows: 
9 
"SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
10 
mean: 
11 
"1. [Automated]HYBRID election system, hereinafter referred to as [AES] HES - 
12 
a system using appropriate technology which has been demonstrated in the voting, 
13 
counting, consolidating, canvassing, and transmission of election results, and other 
14 
electoral processes BUT ALSO UTILIZES MANUAL COUNTING TO ENSURE 
15 
TRANSPARENCY AND CREDIBILITY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESSES; 
16 
"2. Electronic transmission - conveying data in electronic form from one location 
17 
to another; 
18 
19 
"3. Official ballot - [Where AES-is utilized; refers]REFERS to the paper ballot, 
20 
whether printed or generated by the technology applied, that faithfully captures or 
21 
represents the votes cast by a voter recorded or to be recorded in electronic form; 
22 
23 
"4. Election returns - A) a document in electronic and printed form directly 
24 
produced by the counting or voting machine, showing the date of the election, the province, 
25 
municipality and the precinct in which it is held and the votes in figures for each candidate 
26 
in a precinct [in-areas where-AES-is-utilized] AND B) A DOCUMENT IN PRINTED 
27 
FORM 
AND 
MANUALLY 
ACCOMPLISHED 
FOR 
PURPOSES 
OF 
28 
REFLECTING THE MANUAL COUNT OF THE VOTES AT THE POLLING 
29 
PRECINT, SHOWING THE DATE OF THE ELECTION, THE PROVINCE, 
30 
MUNICIPALITY, AND THE PRECINT IN WHICH IT IS HELD AND THE 
31 
VOTES IN FIGURES FOR EACH PRECINT; 
32 


'*> 
 
 
 
1 
"5. Statement of votes - a document containing the votes obtained by candidates in 
2 
each precinct in a city/municipality; 
3 
"6. City/municipality/district/provincial certificate of canvass - a document in 
4 
electronic and printed form containing the total votes in figures obtained by each candidate 
5 
in a city/municipality/district/province as the case may be. The electronic certificates of 
6 
canvass shall be the official canvass results in the aforementioned jurisdictions; 
7 
"7. Paper-based election system - a type of automated election system that uses 
8 
paper ballots, records and counts votes, tabulates, consolidates/canvasses and transmits 
9 
electronically the results of the vote count; 
10 
[“8. Direct recording electronic-election-system—a type-of automated election 
11 
system -that uses electronic ballots,' records-and counts-votes-fey-means of-a-ballot-
12 
display-provided with-mechanical-or electro-optical-components-that can-be-activated—
13 
by—the voter- processes data-by means-of a computer-program^ records voting data and 
14 
ballot images, and transmits voting-results electronically;] 
15 
"[9]8. Counting center - a public place within the city/municipality, or in such other 
16 
places as may be designated by the Commission where the official ballots cast in various 
17 
precincts of the city/municipality shall be counted. Polling places or voting centers may 
18 
also be designated as counting centers; 
19 
 
20 
"[10]9. Continuity plan - a list of contingency measures, and the policies for 
21 
activation of such, that are put in place to ensure continuous operation of the [AES] HES; 
22 
. 
"[-11. Disabled-voters—o person-with impaired capacity to use the-AES]; 
23 
"[12]10. Source code - human readable instructions that define what the computer 
24 
equipment will do; and 
25 


'*> 
"[13]11. Station - refers to a polling place, counting center, municipal or provincial 
1 
canvassing center." 
2 
SEC. 5. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
3 
read as follows: 
4 
5 
"SEC. 3. Board of Election Inspectors. — [Where-AES-shall-be adopted, at least] 
6 
AT LEAST one member of the Board of Election Inspectors shall be an information 
7 
technology-capable person, who is trained or certified by the (DOST) DICT to use the 
8 
[AES] HES. Such certification shall be issued by the (DOST) DICT, free of charge." 
9 
10 
SEC. 6.Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
11 
read as follows: 
12 
"SEC. 4. Information Technology Support for the Board of Canvassers.— [To-
13 
implement-the-AES, each]EACH board of canvassers shall be assisted by an information 
14 
technology-capable person authorized to operate the equipment adopted for the elections. 
15 
The Commission shall deputize information technology personnel from among the 
16 
agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned and 
17 
controlled corporations. The per diem of the deputized personnel shall be the same as that 
18 
of the members of the board of canvassers." 
19 
20 
SEC. 7. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
21 
read as follows: 
22 
"SEC. 5.Authority to use [an-Automated]A HYBRID Election System. — To 
23 
carry out the above-stated policy, the Commission on Elections, herein referred to as the 
24 
Commission, is hereby authorized to use [an-automated]A HYBRID election system or 
25 
systems in the same election in different provinces[,]. THE SYSTEM SHALL BE A 
26 


'*> 
 
 
COMBINATION OF THE AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM AND THE 
1 
MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM [whether] THROUGH A paper-based [or-a-direct-
2 
recordingelectronic] election system [as-it-may deem-appropriate and-practical] for the 
3 
process of voting, counting of votes and canvassing/consolidation and transmittal of 
4 
results of electoral exercises: [Provided-that for the-regular-national-and- local election-,-
5 
which-shall-be held-immediately-after-effectivity of-this Act, the-AES-shall be used in-
6 
at-least-two-highly-urbanized-cities-and two provinces each-in-Luzon,-Visayas-and -
7 
Mindanao,-to-be-chosen by the Commission:Provided, That-local- government units 
8 
whoseofficials have been the subject-of-administrative charges within-sixteen(46)-month 
9 
prior to the-May 14, 2007 electionshall not-bechosen: Provided-finally, - That no -area-
10 
shall-be chosen-without -the consent of the -Sanggunian-of-the local government unit-
11 
concerned;- The term local-government-unit is used in this-provision shall refer to a 
12 
highly-urbanized-city or-province.-In-succeeding regular national or teed—elections, the 
13 
AES shall—be—implemented—nationwide."]PROVIDED, THAT THE MANUAL 
14 
COUNTING SYSTEM UNDER THIS ACT SHALL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED 
15 
FOR OVERSEAS VOTING UNDER R.A. NO. 9189, AS AMENDED BY R.A. NO. 
16 
10590." 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 8.Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
19 
read as follows: 
20 
"SEC. 8. The Advisory Council. — The Commission shall create an Advisory 
21 
Council, hereafter referred to as the Council, which shall be convened not later than 
22 
eighteen (18) months prior to the next 1 scheduled electoral exercise, and deactivated six 
23 
months after completion of canvassing [: Provided,for purposes of the—2007 elections/-
24 
the Advisory-Council-shall be-immediately-convened-within ten-(40)-days after-the-
25 
effectivity of this Act]. 
26 


'*> 
 
 
"The Council shall be composed of the following members, who must be registered 
1 
Filipino voters, of known independence, competence and probity: 
2 
"(a) 
The 
[€chairman-of-the 
-Commission- 
on 
"Information 
and 
3 
Communications—Technology—(CICT)]SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT 
4 
OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (DICT) who 
5 
shall act as the chairman of the council; 
6 
"(B) 
THE 
RESPECTIVE 
CHAIRPERSONS 
OF 
THE 
SENATE 
7 
COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORMS AND PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION 
8 
AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE 
9 
AND ELECTORAL REFORMS WHO SHALL ACT AS EX OFFICIO MEMBERS; 
10 
“[(b)](C) One member from the Department of Science and Technology; 
11 
"[c)](D) One member from the Department of Education; 
12 
"[(d)](E) One member representing the academe, to be selected by the chair of the 
13 
Advisory Council from among the list of nominees submitted by the country's academic 
14 
institutions; 
15 
"[(e)](F) Three members representing ICT professional organizations to be 
16 
selected by the chair of the Advisory Council from among the list of nominees submitted 
17 
by Philippine-based ICT professional organizations. Nominees shall be individuals, at 
18 
least one of whom shall be experienced in managing or implementing large-scale IT 
19 
projects; 
20 
"[(f)](G) Two members representing nongovernmental electoral reform 
21 
organizations, to be selected by the chair of the Advisory Council from among the list of 
22 
nominees submitted by the country's nongovernmental electoral reform organizations; 
23 
 
24 


'*> 
 
 
"THREE 
OBSERVERS, 
REPRESENTING 
THE 
ACCREDITED 
1 
CITIZENS' ARM OF THE COMMISSION, AND THE DOMINANT MAJORITY 
2 
AND MINORITY PARTIES AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
3 
DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING ELECTION, SHALL BE INVITED 
4 
DURING MEETINGS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF 
5 
GATHERING INFORMATION IN AN OPEN AND PROFESSIONALLY 
6 
COURTEOUS MANNER AND SHOULD NOT DISRUPT, OBSTRUCT, OR 
7 
COUNTERMAND DECISIONS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
8 
 
9 
“xxx. 
10 
“xxx. 
11 
“xxx. 
12 
“xxx. 
13 
 
14 
"The 
[Commission—on—Information—and—Communications 
Technology-
15 
(GICT)J DICT, shall include in its annual appropriation the funds necessary' to enable the 
16 
Council to effectively perform its functions." 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 9.  Section 12 of R.A. No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended as follows: 
19 
"SEC. 12. Procurement of Equipment and Materials. - To achieve the purpose of 
20 
this Act, the Commission is authorized to procure, in accordance with existing laws, by 
21 
purchase, lease, rent, or other forms of acquisition, supplies, equipment, materials, 
22 
software, facilities, and other services, from local or foreign sources free from taxes and 
23 
import duties, subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations. With respect to the 
24 
May [£97-20-10] 2022 elections and succeeding electoral exercises, the system procured 
25 
must have demonstrated capability and been successfully used in a prior electoral exercise 
26 
\\ 
\\ 
\\ 


'*> 
 
 
here or abroad. Participation in the 2007 pilot exercise shall not be conclusive of the 
1 
system's fitness. 
2 
 
3 
"In determining the amount of any bid from a technology, software or equipment 
4 
supplier, the cost to the government of its deployment and implementation shall be added 
5 
to the bid price as integral thereto. The value of any alternative use to which such 
6 
technology, software or equipment can be put for public use shall not be deducted from 
7 
the original face value of the said bid. 
8 
 
9 
"NOTWITHSTANDING THE REQUIREMENT UNDER SECTION 
10 
23.4.1.3 OF THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF 
11 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9184, FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROCURING 
12 
SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, SOFTWARE, FACILITIES, AND 
13 
OTHER AUTOMATED ELECTION SERVICES, UNDER THIS ACT, THE 
14 
PROSPECTIVE BIDDER MUST HAVE EITHER COMPLETED, WITHIN THE 
15 
PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE INVITATION TO BID, A SINGLE LARGEST 
16 
COMPLETED CONTRACT (SLCC) THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE CONTRACT 
17 
TO BE BID, AND WHOSE VALUE, ADJUSTED TO CURRENT PRICES USING 
18 
THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY CONSUMER PRICE INDICES, 
19 
MUST BE AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THE APPROVED BUDGET 
20 
OF CONTRACT OR WITH PROVEN FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL, AND 
21 
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITY TO CONDUCT SUCH EXERCISE SO AS TO 
22 
ENSURE THAT THE BIDDING AND PROCUREMENT SHALL NOT 
23 
UNREASONABLY 
LIMIT 
COMPETITION 
AND 
INEQUITABLY 
BAR 
24 
PARTICIPATION 
OF 
CAPABLE 
SUPPLIERS, 
MANUFACTURERS, 
25 
DISTRIBUTORS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS." 
26 


'*> 
 
 
 
1 
SEC. 10. A new Section 15 of R.A. No. 8436, as amended, is hereby inserted and 
2 
the succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly. The new Section 15 shall read 
3 
as follows: 
4 
 
5 
"SEC. 15.SUBSTITUTION OF CANDIDATES — AFTER THE LAST DAY 
6 
OF THE FILING OF CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY (COC), WHICH SHALL 
7 
NOT BE EARLIER THAN DECEMBER 15 PRECEDING THE DAY OF 
8 
ELECTION, NO SUBSTITUTION SHALL BE ALLOWED EXCEPT ON THE 
9 
GROUND OF DEATH OR DISQUALIFICATION: PROVIDED, THAT THE 
10 
PERSON 
SUBSTITUTING 
THE 
CANDIDATE 
WHO 
DIED 
OR 
IS 
11 
DISQUALIFIED BY FINAL JUDGMENT, MAY FILE A COC UP TO MID-DAY 
12 
OF ELECTION DAY: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE SUBSTITUTE AND 
13 
THE SUBSTITUTED HAVE THE SAME SURNAMES: PROVIDED, FINALLY, 
14 
THAT A CANDIDATE WHO FILES A COC AS AN INDEPENDENT 
15 
CANDIDATE MAY ALSO BE SUBSTITUTED." 
16 
 
17 
SEC. 11.Section 15 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
18 
read as follows: 
19 
"SEC.[45] 16. Official Ballot.- [The Commission—shall prescribe-the format of 
20 
the-electronic display and/or-the-size and form of-the official ballot-which-shall-contain-
21 
the-titles of the position-to-be filed-and/or-the propositions-to be voted upon-in-an-
22 
initiative; referendum or plebiscite. -Where-practicable-electronic displays mustbe-
23 
constructed to present the names-of-all-candidates-for-the-sameposition in-the same-page 
24 
or screen, otherwise, the electronic-displaysmust-be-constructed-to present the entire-
25 
ballot to the voter, in a seriesof sequential pages,and to ensure-that-the-voter-sees-all of-
26 


'*> 
 
 
the-ballot options on all pages before-completing -his-or-her-vote and to-allow thevoter-
1 
to-reviewand-change-all ballot choices-prior to -completing-and casting-his-or-her ballot-
2 
.-Under each position-to be filled, the-names-ofcandidates shall be arranged alphabetically 
3 
by surname and-uniformly indicated-using the-same-type size. The-maiden-or married 
4 
name-shall be-listed in the official ballot, as preferred-by the female candidate. Under-- 
5 
each proposition to be vote upon, the choices should -beuniformly indicated using the 
6 
same font and size.](A) BALLOTS FORNATIONAL, LOCAL, AND BARMM 
7 
ELECTIONS, REGULAR ORSPECIAL, PLEBISCITES, AND REFERENDA, 
8 
SHALL BE PAPER-BASED, UNIFORM SIZED, AND SHALL BE PRESCRIBED 
9 
BY THECOMMISSION, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATIONENVIRONMENTAL 
10 
CONSIDERATIONS, WITH A REASONABLE MINIMUM PAPER SIZE AND 
11 
USING ONLY RECYCLED PAPER.THEY SHALL BE PRINTED IN BLACK INK 
12 
ON SECURITY PAPERWITH DISTINCTIVE, CLEAR, AND LEGIBLE 
13 
WATERMARKS 
THAT 
WILL 
READILY 
DISTINGUISH 
IT 
FROM 
14 
ORDINARYPAPER. EACH BALLOT SHALL BEAR A SERIAL NUMBER AND 
15 
ABAR 
CODE, 
WHICH 
CAN 
BE 
SCANNED 
FOR 
THE 
PURPOSE 
16 
OFPROJECTING THE DIGITAL IMAGE OF THE BALLOT AND FORITS 
17 
AUTHENTICATION. IT SHALL BEAR AT THE TOP MIDDLEPORTION 
18 
THEREOF THE COAT-OF-ARMS OF THE REPUBLIC OFTHE PHILIPPINES, 
19 
THE WORD "OFFICIAL BALLOT", THENAME OF THE CITY OR THE 
20 
MUNICIPALITY AND PROVINCEIN WHICH THE ELECTION IS TO BE 
21 
HELD, AND THE DATE OFTHE ELECTION. 
22 
 
23 
"(B) THE OFFICIAL BALLOT SHALL BE SERIALLY NUMBERED AND 
24 
SHALL BE DELIVERED TO, AND CORRESPOND TO, SPECIFIC PRECINCTS 
25 


'*> 
 
 
OR CLUSTER OF PRECINCTS, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WHICH SHALL HAVE 
1 
CORRESPONDING AND EXCLUSIVE BALLOT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 
2 
SEPARATE FROM THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE INDIVIDUAL BALLOTS. 
3 
FOR PURPOSES OF TRANSPARENCY, THE BALLOT IDENTIFICATION 
4 
NUMBERS 
AND 
THE 
SERIAL 
NUMBER 
OF 
THE 
BALLOTS 
5 
CORRESPONDING TO EACH PRECINCT OR CLUSTER OF PRECINCTS, AS 
6 
THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING BY 
7 
INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE COMMISSION'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT 
8 
LEAST FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS. 
9 
 
10 
"(C) A DIGITAL IMAGE OF A SAMPLE OFFICIAL BALLOT MAY BE 
11 
AVAILABLE 
FOR 
VIEWING 
AND 
DOWNLOADING 
FROM 
THE 
12 
COMMISSION'S WEBSITE, MINUS THE SECURITY FEATURES, AND 
13 
ACTUAL BAR CODES FOR AUTHENTICATION. 
14 
 
15 
"(D) THE OFFICIAL BALLOT SHALL CONTAIN THE TITLES OF THE 
16 
POSITIONS TO BE FILLED AND/OR THE POSITIONS TO BE VOTED UPON 
17 
IN AN INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, OR PLEBISCITE. UNDER EACH 
18 
POSITION TO BE FILLED, THE NAMES OF CANDIDATES SHALL BE 
19 
ARRANGED 
ALPHABETICALLY 
BY 
SURNAME 
AND 
UNIFORMLY 
20 
INDICATED USING THE SAME TYPE SIZE. THE MAIDEN OR MARRIED 
21 
NAME SHALL BE LISTED IN THE OFFICIAL BALLOT, AS PREFERRED BY 
22 
THE FEMALE CANDIDATE. UNDER EACH PROPOSITION TO BE VOTED 
23 
UPON, THE CHOICES SHOULD BE UNIFORMLY INDICATED USING THE 
24 
SAME FONT AND SIZE. OPPOSITE THE NAME OF THE OF THE CANDIDATE 
25 
SHALL BE A SQUARE OR RECTANGLE, ON WHICH THE VOTER WILL 
26 


'*> 
 
 
PLACE A SINGLE VERTICAL MARK TO REGISTER A VOTE FOR A 
1 
CANDIDATE OF THE VOTER'S CHOICE. 
2 
 
3 
"(E)A fixed space where the chairman of the board of election inspectors 
4 
(BEI)shall affix his/her signature to authenticate the official ballot shall be provided. 
5 
 
 
6 
[Fer-this-purpose, the-Commission-shall-set-the-deadline-for the filing of 
7 
certificate of candidacy/petition of registration/manifestation to participate-in-the-
8 
election.-Any-person who-files-his-certificate-of candidacy within this period shall only-
9 
be considered-as-a-candidate-at-the start of-the campaign-period for which he filed his-
10 
eertffieate-of-^-ondidacy:-/0/r>i//sfc'4-:i:hat-,-unlawful-act5-or emissions-applicable-to 
11 
a-candidate 
shall 
effect-only-upon-that-start-of 
the-aforesaid-campaign 
-period:-
12 
Provided-finally that-any- person holding a public appointive-office-or-position,-
13 
including-active members of-the-armed-forces/ and officers,and -employees-in-
14 
government- 
owned—or-controlled—corporations/—shall—be 
considered-resigned-
15 
from-his/her -officeand-must-vacate-the-same-at-the start-of-the-day-of thefiling of 
16 
his/her certification-of-candidacy. 
17 
 
18 
Political parties-may hold political-conventions-to nominate their-official-candidate 
19 
within thirty-(30)-days- before -the-start of the period for filing certificate of candidacy.] 
20 
 
21 
"(F) THE 
FOREGOING 
PROVISIONS NOTWITHSTANDING, 
22 
THE COMMISSION IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO PRESCRIBE A 
23 
DIFFERENT FORM OF OFFICIAL BALLOT ON THE SAME WATERMARKED 
24 
SECURITY PAPER TO FACILITATE VOTING BY PERSONS WITH 
25 
DISABILITIES AND BY PERSONS WHO ARE UNABLE TO READ OR WRITE 
26 


'*> 
 
 
ONLY. THE COMMISSION SHOULD USE OR ADOPT THE LATEST 
1 
TECHNOLOGICAL 
AND 
ELECTRONIC 
DEVICES 
IN 
CONNECTION 
2 
THEREWITH, AS TO ENABLE SUCH VOTERS TO CONFIRM THAT THE 
3 
ACCOMPANYING PERSON TRULY ADHERED TO THE VOTER'S CHOICE 
4 
OF CANDIDATES, AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 52(1) OF THE OMNIBUS 
5 
ELECTION CODE. 
6 
 
7 
"(G)[With-respect to a paper-based election-system, t]The PRINTING OF THE 
8 
official ballots shall be [printed] DONE by the National Printing Office and/or the Bangko 
9 
Sentral ng Pilipinas, USING THE PRINTING MACHINES THEY OWN, AND 
10 
SHALL NOT BE CONTRACTED OUT OR OUTSOURCED TO ANY PRIVATE 
11 
OR PUBLIC PERSON, ENTITY, OR AGENCY, DESPITE CLAIMS OF BETTER 
12 
OR HIGHER CAPACITY TO DO SO, NOT EVEN UNDER A VALID 
13 
ACCREDITATION 
PURSUANT 
TO 
ANY 
LAW 
OR 
RULES 
AND 
14 
REGULATIONS[at-the -price-comparable-with-that-of private-printers under proper 
15 
security measures which the Commissionshall adopt.-The Commission-may - contact-the 
16 
-services-of-privateprinters 
-uponcertification-by 
the 
National 
Printing 
-
17 
Office/BangkoSentral-ng Pilipinas that-it-cannot meet-the-printing -requirements:- 
18 
Accredited- political parties-and- deputized--citizen's-arms of- theCommission-shall 
19 
assign watchers-in the printing, storage-anddistribution of official ballots]. 
20 
"(H) To prevent the use of fake ballots, the Commission through the Committee 
21 
shall ensure that the necessary safeguards, such as, but not limited to, bar codes, 
22 
holograms, color shifting ink, microprinting, are provided on the ballot. 
23 
 
24 


'*> 
 
 
"(I) The official ballots shall be printed and distributed to each city/municipality 
1 
at the rate of one ballot for every registered voter with a provision of additional three 
2 
ballots per precinct. 
3 
 
4 
"A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE A PRIMA FACIE 
5 
EVIDENCE OF ELECTORAL SABOTAGE AND A CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT 
6 
MASSIVE ELECTORAL FRAUD." 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 12. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended to 
9 
read as follows: 
10 
 
11 
"SEC. [24]22.Counting Procedure. - The Commission shall prescribe the manner 
12 
and procedure of counting the votes under the automated system AND THE MANUAL 
13 
COUNTING SYSTEM: PROVIDED, THAT A SEPARATE ELECTION RETURN 
14 
SHALL BE PREPARED SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE MANUAL 
15 
COUNTING OF THE BALLOTS, WHICH SHALL ALSO BE CANVASSED 
16 
ALONGSIDE THE ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED AND DIGITALLY 
17 
SIGNED ELECTION RETURNS UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM: 
18 
PROVIDED FURTHER THAT IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY OF AT LEAST 
19 
TWO (2%) PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THE VOTES CAST 
20 
BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE 
21 
MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM FOR ANY POSITION, AN AUTOMATIC 
22 
RECOUNT SHALL BE UNDERTAKEN FOR THAT POSITION ONLY: 
23 
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL DEPLOY 
24 
SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST THE BEI IN 
25 
THE SAID RECOUNT. A COMPARISON SHALL BE MADE BETWEEN THE 
26 


'*> 
 
 
DIGITALLY CAPTURED IMAGE OF THE BALLOT AND THE BALLOT 
1 
ITSELF BEFORE THE RECOUNT TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF 
2 
THE DISCREPANCY AND TO ASCERTAIN THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. THE 
3 
RESULT OF THE RECOUNT SHALL BE REFLECTED IN THE MANUALLY 
4 
PREPARED ELECTION RETURN WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED, ALONG 
5 
WITH THE UNAFFECTED ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED AND 
6 
DIGITALLY SIGNED ELECTION RETURNS, IN DETERMINING THE 
7 
WINNING CANDIDATE FOR THE SUBJECT POSITION; Provided FINALLY, 
8 
that apart from the electronically stored result, (thirty-(38))TWELVE (12) copies of the 
9 
election return are printed AND TWELVE (12) COPIES OF THE ELECTION 
10 
RETURN 
FOR 
THE 
MANUAL 
COUNTING 
SYSTEM 
SHALL 
BE 
11 
ACCOMPLISHED." 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 13.Livestreaming or video recording of the counting. – The Commission 
14 
shall accredit groups who wish to livestream or record a video of the manual counting of 
15 
votes at the precinct level. 
16 
The recorded video or livestream may be used as evidence in an electoral protest. 
17 
No photo, recorded video, or livestream, whether official or unofficial, taken 
18 
during election day of any member of the BEI and any other personnel of the Commission 
19 
performing election duties during election day shall be used to defame or publicly shame 
20 
said member of the BEI or personnel of the Commission in social media or in any other 
21 
platform, digital or otherwise. Any violation of this paragraph shall constitute as an 
22 
election offense under this Act. 
23 
 
24 
SEC. 14.Section 22 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
25 
to read as follows: 
26 


'*> 
 
 
"SEC. [22]23. Electronic Returns. - Each copy of the printed election returns 
1 
UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM shall bear appropriate control marks to 
2 
determine the time and place of printing. THE COMMISSION SHALL DESIGN THE 
3 
FEATURES OF THE ELECTION RETURNS UNDER THE MANUAL 
4 
COUNTING SYSTEM. Each copy shall be signed and thumbmarked by all the members 
5 
of the board of election inspectors and the watchers present. If any member of the board 
6 
of election inspectors present refuses to sign, the chairman of the board shall note the same 
7 
in each copy of the printed AND MANUALLY ACCOMPLISHED election returns. The 
8 
member of the board of election inspectors concerned refusing to sign shall be compelled 
9 
to explain his or her refusal to do so. Failure to explain an unjustifiable refusal to sign each 
10 
copy of the printed AND MANUALLY ACCOMPLISHED election return by any 
11 
member of the board of election inspectors shall be punishable as provided in this Act. 
12 
The chairman of the board shall then publicly read and announce the total numbers of 
13 
registered voters, the total number of voters who actually voted and the total number of 
14 
votes obtained by each candidate based on the election returns AND WHETHER 
15 
THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF THE 
16 
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM, AND THE 
17 
DETAILS OF THE SAID DISCREPANCY, INCLUDING THE RESULT OF THE 
18 
RECOUNT, IF ANY. 
19 
'Thereafter, the copies of the election returns shall be sealed and placed in the proper 
20 
envelopes for distribution as follows: 
21 
"A. In the election of president, vice-president, senators and party-list system: 
22 
 
23 
1. The first copy shall be delivered to the city or municipal board of canvassers; 
24 
2. The second copy, to the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate; 
25 
3. The third copy, to the Commission; 
26 


'*> 
 
 
4. The fourth copy, to the citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to conduct 
1 
an unofficial count; 
 
2 
5. The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission 
3 
in accordance with law; 
4 
6. The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined 
5 
by the Commission in accordance with law; [and]  
6 
7. The seventh copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot box 
7 
for valid ballots[.]; 
8 
8. The eighth copy to the Provincial Board of Canvassers; AND 
9 
 
10 
9.The ninth to-the-eighteenth-copies, shall be given to the ten (10) accredited 
11 
major—national—parties—-excluding-the-dominant majority-and-minority-parties in 
12 
accordancewith -a -voluntary agreement-among them. If-no-such-agreement-is-reached, 
13 
the Commission-shall decide-which-parties shall receive-the copies on-the basis-of-the-
14 
criteria-analogous to that-provided-in-Section-26-of-Republic-Act-No.-7166. 
15 
 
16 
10) The-nineteenth and twentieth-copies-to-the-two-accredited major-local-
17 
parties-in accordance-with-a-voluntary-agreement-among them. If-no such agreement-is-
18 
reached/-the commission-shall decide which-parties shall receive the-copies-on the basis 
19 
of criteria analogous to-that-provided' in Section 26 of-Republic-Act-No-7166;] 
20 
 
21 
11)] 9. The [twenty-first-to-the-twenty-fourth] NINTH TO THE TWELFTH 
22 
copies, to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the 
23 
Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible]. 
24 
 
25 


'*> 
 
 
[12) The twenty-fifth-and-twenty-six copies, to local-broadcast or-print-media 
1 
entities-as-may-be- equitably-- determined by- the Commission in-view-of-propagating-
2 
the copies to the-widest-extent-possible;and 
3 
 
4 
13) The twenty-seventh to-the-thirtieth copies,to-the-major citizen’s -arms, 
5 
including-the- accredited citizen's-arm's and other nonpartisan-groups or organization-
6 
enlisted-by-the-Commission-pursuant to -Section -529(k)-of-Batas- Pambansa -Blg. 881.-
7 
Such citizens'-arm, groups-and organization-may-use the four certifiedcopies-of election 
8 
returns for the-conduct-of citizens' quick counts-at-the- local or notional levels;)] 
9 
 
10 
"B. In the election of local officials and members of the House of Representatives: 
11 
1. The first copy shall be delivered to the city or municipal board of canvassers; 
12 
2. The second copy, to the Commission; 
13 
3. The third copy, to the provincial board of canvassers; 
14 
4. The fourth copy, to the citizens' arm (authorized by the Commission to conduct 
15 
an unofficial count; 
16 
5. The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission 
17 
in accordance with law; 
18 
6. The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the Commission 
19 
in accordance with law; 
20 
7. The seventh copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot box 
21 
for valid ballots; 
22 
8. The eighth copy to be posted conspicuously on a wall within the premises of the 
23 
polling place or counting center; AND 
24 
[9) 
The-ninth 
to 
the 
eighteenth 
copies 
shall-be 
given 
to 
the-ten 
25 
(10)accreditedmajor-national parties, excluding the dominant majority and-minority-
26 


'*> 
 
 
parties, in accordance with a voluntary agreement-among them. -Ifno such-agreement is. 
1 
reached, the Commission shall-decide which parties shall receive the copies on-the basis-
2 
of-the criteria-provided in Section -26 of Rcpublic-Act-No.-7166. 
3 
10) The nineteenth and twentieth-copies-shall-be-given-to-the twoaccredited-
4 
major-local-parties-in-accordance-with -a-voluntary agreement among them: If-nosuch-
5 
agreement-is reached, the Commission-shall decide-which-parties-shall receive the copies 
6 
on the basis-of criteria analogous-to-that-provided in Scction-26-of-Republic Act-No. 
7 
7166. 
8 
11)] 9) The [twenty-first to the twenty-fifth-)] NINTH TO THE TWELFTH copies, 
9 
to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the 
10 
Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible]. 
11 
[12)The twenty-sixth -and--twenty-seventh copies to-localbroadcast-or-print-
12 
media-entities as may be-equitably determined-by the Commission in-view of-
13 
propagating-the-copies to the widest-extent- possible; and 
14 
13) 
The 
twenty-eighth-to-the-thirtieth 
copies-to-the-major 
citizen’s'-arms 
15 
including -the accredited- citizens’' arm, -and-other-nonpartisan-groups-or-organization 
16 
enlisted-by-the-Commission-pursuant to Section"52(k) of-Batas-Pambansa-Blg.- 881.- 
17 
Such citizens' arms,groups and organization-may-use-the-five-certified-copies-of-
18 
electionreturns for-lhe-conduct-of-citizens1 quick counts at-the local or national levels.] 
19 
"Immediately after ALL the (eight copy) COPIES (is) ARE printed AND 
20 
COMPLETED, the poll clerk shall announce [the posting of-said-copy]THAT THE 
21 
RELEVANT COPIES FOR POSTING ARE BEING POSTED on a wall within the 
22 
premises of the polling place or counting center, which must be sufficiently lighted and 
23 
accessible to the public. Any person may view or capture an image of the election returns 
24 
by means of any data capturing device such as, but not limited to cameras at any time of 
25 


'*> 
 
 
the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. After such period, the chairman of 
1 
the board of election inspectors shall detach the election returns from the wall and keep 
2 
the same in his custody to be produced as may be requested by any voter for image or data 
3 
capturing or for any lawful purpose as may be ordered by competent authority. 
4 
 
5 
"Within one hour after the printing AND COMPLETION of the election returns, 
6 
the chairman of the board of election inspectors or any official authorized by the 
7 
Commission shall, in the presence of watchers and representatives of the accredited 
8 
citizens' arm, political parties/candidates, if any, electronically transmit the precinct results 
9 
UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM to the respective levels of board of canvassers, 
10 
to the dominant majority and minority party, to the accredited citizen's arm, and to the 
11 
Kapisanan ng mga Broadcastersng Pilipinas (KBP). THE ELECTION RETURNS 
12 
UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO 
13 
THE MBOC/CBOC. 
14 
 
15 
'The election results at the city/municipality canvassing centers UNDER THE 
16 
AUTOMATED SYSTEM shall be ELECTRONICALLY transmitted in-the-same-
17 
manner WHILE THE ELECTION RESULTS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING 
18 
SYSTEM SHALL BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE FASTEST MEANS 
19 
AVAILABLE by the election officer or any official authorized by the [e]Commission to 
20 
the district or provincial canvassing centers. 
21 
 
22 
'The election returns transmitted electronically and digitally signed shall be 
23 
considered as official election results and shall be used as the basis for the canvassing of 
24 
votes and the proclamation of a candidate. PROVIDED, THAT IN CASE OF 
25 
RECOUNT, AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 22 HEREOF, THE MANUALLY 
26 


'*> 
 
 
ACCOMPLISHED ELECTION RETURN SUBJECT OF THE RECOUNT SHALL 
1 
BE CONSIDERED, ALONG WITH THE UNAFFECTED ELECTRONICALLY 
2 
TRANSMITTED AND DIGITALLY SIGNED ELECTION RETURNS. 
3 
 
4 
[After the-electronic-results-have-been-transmitted-additional copies-not-to-exceed-thirty 
5 
(30) may be printed-and-given to requestingparties-at-their own-expense.]" 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 15. Section 25 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
8 
to read as follows: 
9 
 
10 
"SEC. [25]26.Canvassing by Provincial, City, District and Municipal Boards of 
11 
Canvassers. - The city or municipal board of canvassers shall canvass the votes for the 
12 
president, vice-president, senators, and parties, organizations or coalitions participating 
13 
under the party-list system by consolidating the electronically transmitted results or the 
14 
results contained in the data storage devices used in the printing of the election returns 
15 
UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE ELECTION RETURNS UNDER 
16 
THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM. Upon completion of the canvass, it shall 
17 
print AND COMPLETE the certificate of canvass of votes for president, vice-president, 
18 
senators and members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial officials 
19 
and thereafter, proclaim the elected city or municipal officials, as the case may be. 
20 
 
21 
'The city board of canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative districts 
22 
shall canvass the votes for president, vice-president, senators, members of the House 
23 
Representatives and elective city officials by consolidating the certificates of canvass 
24 
electronically transmitted or the results contained in the data storage devices used in the 
25 
printing of the election returns UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE 
26 


'*> 
 
 
CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM. 
1 
Upon completion of the canvass, the board shall produce the canvass of votes for president, 
2 
vice-president, and senators and thereafter, proclaim the elected members of the House of 
3 
Representatives and city officials. "In the Metro Manila area, each municipality 
4 
comprising a legislative district shall have a district board of canvassers which shall 
5 
canvass the votes for president, vice-president, senators, members of the House of 
6 
Representatives and elective municipal officials by consolidating the electronically 
7 
transmitted results or the results contained in the data storage devices used in the printing 
8 
of the election returns UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE 
9 
ELECTION RETURNS UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM. Upon 
10 
completion of the canvass, it shall produce the certificate of canvass of votes for president, 
11 
vice-president, and senators and thereafter, proclaim the elected members of the House 
12 
Representatives and municipal officials. 
13 
 
14 
 
"Each component municipality in a legislative district in the Metro Manila area 
15 
shall have a municipal board of canvassers which shall canvass the votes for president, 
16 
vice-president, senators, members of the House of Representatives and elective municipal 
17 
officials by consolidating the results electronically transmitted from the counting centers 
18 
or the results contained in the data storage devices used in the printing of the election 
19 
returns UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE ELECTION RETURNS 
20 
UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM. Upon completion of the canvass, it 
21 
shall prepare the certificate of canvass of votes for president, vice-president, senators, 
22 
members of the House of Representatives and thereafter, proclaim the elected municipal 
23 
officials. 
24 
 
25 


'*> 
 
 
'The district board of canvassers of each legislative district comprising two 
1 
municipalities in the Metro Manila area shall canvass the votes for president, vice-
2 
president, senators and members of the House of Representatives by consolidating the 
3 
certificates of canvass electronically transmitted from the city/municipal consolidating 
4 
centers or the results contained in the data storage devices UNDER THE AUTOMATED 
5 
SYSTEM AND THE CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER THE MANUAL 
6 
COUNTING SYSTEM submitted by the municipal board of canvassers of the component 
7 
municipalities. Upon completion of the canvass, it shall produce a certificate of the canvass 
8 
of votes for president, vice-president and senators, and thereafter, proclaim the elected 
9 
members of the House of Representatives in the legislative district. 
10 
 
11 
'The district/provincial board of canvassers shall canvass the votes for president, 
12 
vice-president, senators, members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial 
13 
officials by consolidating the results electronically transmitted from the city/municipal 
14 
consolidating centers or the results contained in the data storage devices UNDER THE 
15 
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER THE 
16 
MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM submitted by the board of canvassers of the 
17 
municipalities and component cities. Upon completion of the canvass, it shall produce the 
18 
certificates of canvass votes for president, vice-president and senators and thereafter, 
19 
proclaim the elected members of the House of Representatives and the provincial official. 
20 
 
21 
'The municipal, city, district and provincial certificates of canvass of votes shall each be 
22 
supported by a statement of votes. 
23 
 
24 
"Within one hour after the canvassing, the Chairman of the district or provincial 
25 
Board of Canvassers or the city board of canvassers of those cities which comprise one or 
26 


'*> 
 
 
more legislative districts shall electronically transmit the certificate of canvass UNDER 
1 
THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM to the Commission sitting as the national board of 
2 
canvassers for senators and party-list representatives and to the Congress as the National 
3 
Board of Canvassers for the president and vice president, directed to the President of the 
4 
Senate. THEREAFTER, THE CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER THE 
5 
MANUAL SYSTEM SHALL ALSO BE TRANSMITTED, THROUGH THE 
6 
FASTEST MEANS AVAILABLE, TO THE SAME NATIONAL BOARD OF 
7 
CANVASSERS. 
8 
 
9 
'The Commission shall adopt adequate and effective measures to preserve the 
10 
integrity of the certificates of canvass transmitted electronically and the results in the 
11 
storage devices at the various levels of the boards of canvassers. 
12 
 
13 
'The certificates of canvass transmitted electronically and digitally signed shall be 
14 
considered as official election results and shall be used as the basis for the proclamation 
15 
of a winning candidate: PROVIDED, THAT IN CASE OF RECOUNT, AS 
16 
PROVIDEDUNDER 
SECTION 
22 
HEREOF, 
THE 
COMMISSION 
17 
SHALLDEVISE A SYSTEM WHERE THE RESULT OF THE RECOUNT 
18 
FORTHE AFFECTED POSITION WILL WORK TO ADJUST THERESULT OF 
19 
THE SAID CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS FOR THESAID POSITION IN THE 
20 
PROCESS OF PROCLAMING AWINNING CANDIDATE AND WITHOUT 
21 
CHANGING 
THE 
ENTRIES 
IN 
THE 
SAID 
ELECTRONICALLY 
22 
TRANSMITTED AND DIGITALLY SIGNED CERTFICATE OF CANVASS." 
23 
 
24 
SEC. 16. Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
25 
to read as follows: 
26 


'*> 
 
 
 
1 
"SEC. [36] 27. Number of Copies of Certificates of Canvass of Votes and their 
2 
distribution. - (a) The certificates of canvass of votes UNDER THE AUTOMATED 
3 
SYSTEM AND UNDER THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM, RESPECTIVELY, 
4 
for president, vice-president, senators, members of the House of Representatives, parties, 
5 
organizations or coalitions participating under the party-list system and elective provincial 
6 
officials shall be produced by the city or municipal board of canvassers and distributed as 
7 
follows: 
8 
"(1) 
The first copy shall be delivered to the provincial board of canvassers for 
9 
use in the canvass of election results for president, vice-president, senators, members of 
10 
the House of Representatives, parties, organizations or coalitions participating under the 
11 
party-list system and elective provincial officials; 
12 
"(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission; 
13 
"(3) The third copy shall be kept by the chairman of the board; And 
14 
"(4) 
The fourth copy shall be given to the citizens' arm designated by the 
15 
Commission to conduct an unofficial count. It shall be the duty of the citizens' arm to 
16 
furnish independent candidates copies of the certificate of canvass at the expense of the 
17 
requesting party. 
18 
"(5) The fifth copy to Congress, directed to the President of Senate; 
19 
 
"(6) The sixth copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvassing 
20 
center; 
21 
"(7) The seventh and eighth copies shall be given to the dominant majority and 
22 
minority parties; AND 
23 
[^8) The ninth to eighteenth copies shall-be given to-the; ten(10)accredited' major 
24 
national—parties, -excluding-the dominantmajority and minority' parties, in accordance—
25 
with a voluntaryagreement' among thorn. If ne-such agreement is reached, the Commission 
26 


'*> 
 
 
shall -decide which parties-shall receive the copies on the basis-of- the criteria-provided-
1 
in Scction-26 of Republic Act no. 7166; 
2 
(9)-The-ninetccnth-ond-twentieth-copie3-shall-be-givcn-to-thc 
two-accredited-
3 
major local -parties- in-accordance-with-a-voluntary agreement-among-them. If no such-
4 
agreement-is reached, the Commission-shall-decide-which-parties-shall receive-the 
5 
copies-on-the basis-of-criteria-analogous-to-that provided-in Scction-26 of Republic 
6 
"(10)](8) The [twenty-first -to-the-twenty-fifth] NINTH TO TWELFTH copies, 
7 
to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the 
8 
Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible]. 
9 
["(11) Thetwenty-six and twenty-sevencopies; to local broadcast-or-print-media-
10 
entities-as-may-be equitably-determined-by the-Commission-in view of-propagating-the-
11 
copies to-the-widest-extent possible;and 
12 
"(-12) The-twenty-eighth to the-thirtieth copies—to-the-major citizens'arms, 
13 
including the accredited citizens' arm- and other-nonpartisan groups or organizations 
14 
enlisted by the commission-pursuant to-Section-52(k-)-of-Batas-Pambansa -Blg No. 881. 
15 
Such citizens'-arms- groups and organization may -use the three certified-copies of 
16 
election returns -for the-conduct-of citizens'-quick-counts at the locator-national levels;] 
17 
 
18 
'The board of canvassers shall furnish all other registered parties copies of the 
19 
certificates of canvass at the expense of the requesting party. 
20 
 
21 
"(b) The certificates of canvass of votes for president, vice president and senators, 
22 
parties, organizations or coalition participating under the party-list system shall be 
23 
produced by the city boards of canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative 
24 


'*> 
 
 
districts, by provincial boards of canvassers and by district boards of canvassers in the 
1 
Metro Manila area, and other highly urbanized areas and distributed as follows: 
2 
 
3 
"(1) The first copy shall be sent to Congress, directed to the President of the Senate 
4 
for use in the canvass of election results for 
5 
president and vice-president; 
6 
"(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission for use in the canvass of the 
7 
election results for senators; 
8 
"(3) The third copy shall be kept the chairman of the board; and 
9 
"(4) The fourth copy shall be given to the citizens' arm designated by the 
10 
Commission to conduct an unofficial count. It shall be the duty of the citizens' arm to 
11 
furnish independent candidates copies of the certificates of canvass at the expense of the 
12 
requesting party. 
13 
"(5) The fifth copy to Congress, directed to the President of the Senate; 
14 
"(6) The sixth copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvassing 
15 
center; 
16 
"(7) The seventh and eighth copies to the dominant majority and minority parties; 
17 
AND  
18 
[(-8) -The ninth-and tenth-copies to-two accreditedmajor national-parties 
19 
representing the-majority and-minority, excluding-the dominant -majority and-minority 
20 
parties, to-be-determined-by-the Commissionon the-basis of the-criteria-provided-in 
21 
Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7166; 
22 
 
23 


'*> 
 
 
"(10)] (8) The [eleventh-tothirteenth] NINTH TO TWELFTH copies to broadcast 
1 
media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating 
2 
the copies to the widest extent possible]. 
3 
[(-10) The fourteenth-copyto -another citizens'- arm-or-in-theabsence-thereof to-a 
4 
nonpartisan -group-or-organization -enlisted-bythe Commission -pursuant to -Section 
5 
52(k)-of Batas-Pambansa-Blg. 881. Such -citizens' arm or nonpartisan-group or 
6 
organization may usethe copy-of election return for-the conduct of citizens' quick-counts 
7 
atthe local-or national levels.] 
8 
 
9 
'The board of canvassers shall furnish all other registered parties copies of the 
10 
certificate of canvass at the expense of the requesting party. 
11 
 
12 
"(c) The certificates of canvass printed AND COMPLETED by the provincial, 
13 
district, city or municipal boards of canvassers shall be signed and thumb marked by the 
14 
chairman and members of the board and the principal watchers, if available. Thereafter, 
15 
it shall be sealed and placed inside an envelope which shall likewise be properly sealed. 
16 
 
17 
"In all instances, where the Board of Canvassers has the duty to furnish registered 
18 
political parties with copies of the certificate of canvass, the pertinent election returns shall 
19 
be attached thereto, where appropriate." 
20 
 
21 
"Immediately after the sixth copy and its supporting statement of votes are printed 
22 
AND COMPLETED, the chairman of the board of canvassers shall announce the posting 
23 
of said prints AND COMPLETED COPY on a wall within the premises of the canvassing 
24 
center, which must be sufficiently lighted and accessible to the public. Any person may 
25 
view or capture an image of the Certificates of Canvass or the supporting statement of 
26 


'*> 
 
 
votes by means of any data capturing device such as, but not limited to, cameras at any 
1 
time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following the posting. After such period, the 
2 
chairman of the board of canvassers shall detach the [election-return] CERTIFICATES 
3 
OF CANVASS from the wall and keep the same in his custody to be produced as may be 
4 
requested by any voter for image or data capturing or for any lawful purpose as may be 
5 
ordered by competent authority." 
 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 17. Section 27 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
8 
to read as follows: 
9 
 
10 
"SEC. [27] 28. National Board of Canvassers for Senators and Party-List 
11 
Representatives. - The chairman and members of the Commission on Election sitting en 
12 
banc, shall compose the national board of canvassers for senators and party-list 
13 
representatives. It shall canvass the results by consolidating the certificates of canvass 
14 
electronically transmitted UNDER THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THE 
15 
TRANSMITTED CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS UNDER THEMANUAL COUNTING 
16 
SYSTEM. Thereafter, the national board shall proclaim the winning candidates for 
17 
senators and party-list representatives." 
18 
 
19 
SEC. 18. Section 28 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby amended 
20 
to read as follows: 
21 
 
22 
"SEC. [28] 29. Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for President and 
23 
Vice-President - The Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session shall 
24 
compose the national board of canvassers for president and vice-president. The certificates 
25 
of canvass for president and vice-president duly certified by the board of canvassers of 
26 


'*> 
 
 
each province or city, shall be electronically transmitted, IN THE CASE OF THE 
1 
AUTOMATED SYSTEM, AND MANUALLY DELIVERED, IN THE CASE OF 
2 
THE MANUAL COUNTING SYSTEM, to the Congress, directed to the president of 
3 
the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the President of the Senate shall, 
4 
not later than thirty (30) days after the day of the election, open all the certificates in the 
5 
presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session and the 
6 
Congress upon determination of the authenticity and the due execution thereof in the 
7 
manner provided by law, canvass all the results for president and vice-president and 
8 
thereafter, proclaim the winning candidates." 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 19. Section 29 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, is hereby deleted. 
11 
 
12 
SEC. 20. Communication Channels for Electronic Transmission. -Electronic 
13 
transmission which is defined under R.A. No. 9369 as conveying data in electronic form 
14 
from one location to another shall be guided by the following: all electronic transmission 
15 
of the election returns, certificates of canvass and its supporting statements, and other 
16 
related documents shall utilize secure transmission channels with the following minimum-
17 
security objectives: 
18 
 
19 
(1) Strong authentication - each entity in the communications channel must prove 
20 
its identity to the other by demonstrating knowledge of a key associated with the entity 
21 
without revealing the key itself during the entire protocol; 
22 
(2) Mutual entity authentication; 
23 
(3) Mutual entity authentication; 
24 
(4) Data integrity; 
25 
(5) Non-reputation of origin; 
26 


'*> 
 
 
(6) Anti-replay - an election return or certificate of canvass once processed, cannot 
1 
be resent to be reprocessed at a later time. In case of re-transmission, the Board of 
2 
Canvassers should authenticate themselves to the receiving computer, and authorize the 
3 
non-processing of the previous transmission/s to receive the new transmission. Both 
4 
election returns or certificates of canvass or any election result shall be kept in the system 
5 
for record-keeping; and 
6 
(7) Auditability of transmission post-election - all records of transmission saved 
7 
on all the servers shall be stored and copies furnished the Joint Congressional Oversight 
8 
Committee on the Automated Election System (JCOC-AES) and Department of 
9 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in its original entirety. The 
10 
Commission shall digitally sign said copies and certify under oath as to its authenticity and 
11 
integrity. 
 
12 
 
13 
The Commission is hereby authorized to procure the necessary equipment, 
14 
facilities, and services for putting up the electronic transmission system in order to 
15 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
16 
. Electronic transmission of the election returns and such other related documents 
17 
from the precinct level shall be forwarded to the Commission and to the national broadcast 
18 
or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission 
19 
The aggregator for the purpose of transmission should not be the same as the 
20 
supplier of the machines used for the automated election system. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 21. Election Offenses under this Act. - In addition to the violations of the 
23 
pertinent provisions of this Act, the following shall also constitute election offenses: 
24 
(a) Any person who removes the election return that is posted on the wall, whether 
25 
within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, or defaces 
26 


'*> 
 
 
the same in any manner; 
1 
(b) Any person who simulates an actual election return, or a print or digital copy 
2 
thereof; 
3 
(c) Any person who simulates the certification in a print of an election return; 
4 
(d) The chairman or any member of the board of election inspectors who, during 
5 
the prescribe period of posting, removes the election return from the wall on which it had 
6 
been posted other than for the purpose of immediately transferring it to a more suitable 
7 
place; 
8 
(e) The chairman or any member of the board of election inspectors who signs or 
9 
authenticates a print of the election return outside of the polling place; 
10 
(f) The chairman or any member of the board of election inspectors who signs or 
11 
authenticates a print which bears an image different from the election return produced after 
12 
counting and posted the same on the wall; 
13 
(g) Any person who remove the certificate of canvass posted on the wall, whether 
14 
within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, or defaces the same in any 
15 
manner; 
16 
(h) Any person who simulates an actual certificate of canvass of statement 
17 
of votes, or a print or digital copy thereof; 
18 
 
19 
(i) Any person who simulates the certification of a certificate of canvass or 
20 
statement of votes; 
21 
(j) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who, during the 
22 
prescribed period of posting, removes the certificate of canvass or its supporting statement 
23 
of votes from the wall on which they have been posted other than for the purpose of 
24 
immediately transferring them to a more suitable place;  
25 


'*> 
 
 
(k)The chairman of any member of the board of canvassers who sign or authenticates a 
1 
print of the certificate of canvass or its supporting statement of votes outside of the polling 
2 
place: and 
3 
 
 (i) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who sign or 
4 
authenticate a print that bears an image different from the certificate of canvass or 
5 
statement of votes produced after counting and posted on the wall. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 22. Appropriations. -Such amounts as may be necessary to implement this 
8 
Act shall be included in the budget of the Commission in the next succeeding General 
9 
Appropriations Act. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 23. Separability Clause. - Should any portion of this Act be declared 
12 
unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
13 
effective. 
 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 24. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions 
16 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, 
17 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
18 
 
19 
SEC. 25. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
20 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
21