: &. 
,,”_ 
S.B. No 
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Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to provide the enabling law for the implementation of the 
provision on local sectoral representation as provided for under Republic Act, No. 7160 
otherwise knows as the “Local Government Code of 1991”. 
The Constitution encourages non-governmental, community-based or sectoral 
organizations that promote the welfare of the nation (Article 11, Section 23). It also 
respects the role of independent people’s organizations to enable the people to pursue 
and protect, within the democratic framework, their legitimate and collective interests 
and aspirations through peaceful, and lawful means. Consistent with these State 
policies, Article X, Section 9 provides that legislative bodies of local governments shall 
have sectoral representation as may be prescribed by law, which essentially provides a 
venue for community-based organizations to participate in formal local governance 
processes. 
Local sectoral representation is an important step towards advancing the 
decentralization in the Philippines. Decentralization, among others, seeks to bring the 
government closer to the people, make it more responsive to local needs, and harness 
the participation of grassroots communities in public policymaking. Participation of 
local sectoral groups in the local legislative bodies will help ensure that the interests of 
the marginalized sectors are articulated and allow them to contribute in making 
decisions that directly affect their social, political and economic concerns. 
Section 41, Par. C’of R.A. No. 7160 sought to pursue the Constitutional 
provisions on local sectoral representation. However, fifteen’years since R.A. No. 7160s 
enactment, this important provision remains unimplemented because it requires an 
enabling law for the same to be implemented. This bill addresses the need for an 
enabling law to allow brohder representation and participation of community-based 
and people’s organizations in local governance. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is sought 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIl'PINES 
) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
S E N A T E  
2 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER AND DATE OF ELECTION OF SECTORAL 
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LOCALS SANGGUNIANS 
Be if enncted by the Senate and fke House of Representntive of the Philippines in 
Congress nssernbled: 
SECTION. 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to uphold the 
right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at 
all levels of social, political and economic decisions making. 
SECTION. 2. Definitions of terms. - As used in this Act: 
(a) Workers refer to industrial workers or peasants; 
(b) Sectoral Organizations refers to a group of citizens or coalitions of group of 
citizen who share similar physical attributes or characteristics, profession, 
employment, interests or concern; and 
(c) Commission refers to the Commission on Elections. 
SECTION. 3. Election of Sectoral Representatives. - There shall be three (3) 
sectoral representatives in the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
Sangguniang Panlalawigan who shall be elected pursuant to this Act: one (1) from the 
women sector, one (1) from the workers, and one (1) from any of the following sectors: 
the urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, disabled persons, or any other sector 
as may be determined by the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod 
concerned within ninety (90) days prior to the holding of the next local elections. As 
part of their requirements in the filing of candidacy, said representatives have to submit 
certification that they belong to a bonafide sector organization. For this purpose sector 
organization it defined as any organization with a membership of not less than 50 
registered voters from the urban poor, indigenous cultural communities,: disabled 
persons or any other sector. 
SECTION. 4. Date of Election. - The first election for the sectoral representatives 
in the Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Panlungsod shall be held simultaneously 
with the local elections on the second Monday of May 2010, thirty (30) days thereafter, 
the first election for the sectoral representatives in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall 
be held. 
The succeeding elections for the sectoral representatives in the Sangguniang 
Bayan and Sangguniang Panlungsod shall be held simultaneously with the local 


elections. Thirty (30) days thereafter, the succeeding elections for sectoral 
representatives in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall be held. 
SECTION. 5. Registration of Sectoral Organization. - Any sector organization 
with a membership of not less than fifty (50) registered voter may file with the 
Commission a petition verified by its President or Secretary stating its desire to 
participate in the election of sectoral representatives, attaching thereto its constitution, 
by-laws, program of government, list of officers, certificate or accreditation by a 
government agency, if any and other relevant information as the Commission may 
require. 
The Commission shall post the petition in the office of the election officer and in 
the bulletin board of each city or municipal hall. 
The Commission shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition within 
fifteen (15) days from the date it was submitted for the decision but in no case not later 
than one hundred eighty (180) days before election. 
The Municipal or city chapters of registered provincial, regional or nationwide 
sectoral organizations shall be deemed registered provided, that, the local chapters shall 
notify and submit a proof of chapter affiliation and registration of such provincial, 
regional or nationwide sectoral organization to the City or Municipal Election Officer. 
SECTION. 6. Manifestation to Participation in the Election. - Any registered 
sectoral organization may file with the Commission, not later than ninety (90) days 
before every election, a manifestation of its desire to participate in the election. 
SECTION. 7. Removal or Cancellation of Registration. - The Commission may 
motu propio or upon verified complaint of any interested party, remove or cancel, after 
due notice and hearing, the registration of any sectoral organization on any of the 
following grounds: 
(a) It is a religious sect or denomination, organization or association organized 
for religious purposes; 
(b) It advocates violence or unlawful means to seek it goals; 
(c) It is a foreign organization; 
(d) It is receiving support from any foreign government, foreign political party, 
foundation, organization, whether directly or through any of its officers or 
members or indirectly through any of its officers or members or indirectly 
through third parties for partisan election purposes; 
(e) It violates or fails to comply with law, rules and regulations relating to 
elections; 
(f) It declares untruthful statements in its petition; or 
(g) It has ceased to exist for at least one (1) year. 
SECTION. 8. Certified List of Certified Registered Sectoral Organization - The 
Commission shall, not later than sixty (60) days before an election, prepare a certified 
list of sectoral organization which have manifested their desire to participate in the 
election sectoral representatives in the local Sanggunian and distribute copies thereof to 
all precincts for posting in the polling places on election day. 
SECTION. 9. Nomination of an Official Sectoral Representative - Each 
registered Sectoral organization shall be entitled to nominate only candidate for a city 


or municipality; provided, that, the sectoral organization concerned is registered with 
the Commission one hundred eighty (180) days before the day of election except for the 
purpose of the May 2004 elections. 
SECTION. 10. Qualifications - No person may be elected as sectoral 
representative unless he is: 
(a) A citizen of the Philippines; 
(b) A registered voter in the city or municipality where he intends to be elected; 
(c) A resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of 
(d) Able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect; 
(e) At least twenty-three (23) years of age on election day in the case of sectoral 
representative 
in the 
Sangguniang Panlalawigan 
or 
Sangguniang 
Panlungsod; eighteen (18) years of age in the case of Sangguniang bqyan; and 
the election; 
(f) A member of a registered sectoral organization. 
SECTION. 11. Disqualifications. - The following are disqualified as a candidate 
for sectoral representative; 
(a) Those sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude 
or for an offense punishable by one (1) year or more imprisonment, within 
two (2) years after serving sentence; 
(b) Those removed from office as a result of an administrative case; 
(c) Those convicted by final judgment for violating oath of allegiance to the 
Republic of the Philippines; 
(d) Those with dual allegiance; 
(e) Fugitives from justice in a criminal or non political case here or abroad; 
(f) Permanent resident in a foreign country or those who have acquired the right 
to reside abroad and continue to avail of said right after January 1,1992; or 
(g) Insane persons declared as such by a competent authority unless 
subsequently declare by competent authority such person is no longer insane. 
SECTION. 12. Certificate of Candidacy. - In addition to section 73 of the 
Omnibus Election Code, no certificate of candidacy shall be accepted or giver due 
course without a certificate of nomination. 
SECTION. 13. Filing of Certificate of Candidacy. - The certificate of candidacy 
for sectoral representative shall be filled with the City or Municipal Election Officer not 
Iater than sixty (60) days before the day of election by the head of the sectoral 
organization or by the nominance or by their duly authorized representatives. 
SECTION. 14. Substitute of Candidate in case of Death Disqualification or 
Withdrawal. - If, after the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy, a candidate 
dies withdraw or is disqualified for any cause, only a person belonging to, and certified 
by the same sectoral candidate who died, withdrew or was disqualified. The certificate 
of candidacy for the office affected may be filed in accordance with the preceding 
section not later than midnight of the day of election. 
SECTION. 15. Disqualification Case. - Petitions for disqualification of 
candidates shall be filed not later than seven 97) days from the last day of filling for 
certificates of candidacy. The courts shall give priority to cases of disqualification of 
candidates for sectoral representatives by reason of violation of Section 68 of the 


Omnibus Election Code. As amended, and Section 11 of this Act, to the end that final 
judgment shall rendered not later than ten (10) days before the day of election. 
SECTION. 16. Manner of Voting. - Every voter is entitled to one vote for a 
candidate of only one sector he wants represented in the Sangguniang Bayan o 
Sangguniang Panlungsod. 
The duly elected sectoral representative in the Sangguniang Bayan or 
Sangguniang Panlungsod within the province, except those from the Sangguniang 
Panlungsod of independent component cities and highly urbanized cities, shall elect 
from among 
Panlalawigan. 
municinalities. 
- .  
themselves their sectoral representatives in the Sangguniang 
Provided, that, the third sector, though varying in different cities or 
,, shall constitute one sector likewise electing from among themselves the 
third sector representative to the Sanguniang Panlalawigan. Provided, further, that the 
election of sectoral representatives to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall be conducted 
under the supervision of the department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). 
SECTION. 17. Vacamy. - If a permanent vacancy occurs in the seats reserved for 
sectoral representatives in the Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Panlungsod, the 
Sangguniang concerned shall notify not later than seven (7) days the existence of such 
vacancy. Thereafter, the local chief executive shall, not later than fifteen (15) days from 
said certification, appoint a qualified person nominated by the winning sectoral 
organization to fill the vacancy. 
If a vacancy occurs in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, an election shall be held in 
the manner prescribed in the preceding section seven (7) days after the assumption to 
the office of the appointed sectoral representative in the local sanggunian concerned. 
The appointed sectoral representativ’e in the Sangguniang bayan and 
Sangguniang Panlungsod and the newly elected sectoral representative in the 
Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall serve only the unexpired term of their predecessors 
SECTION. 18. Term of Office. - The term of office of sectoral representatives 
shall be co-extensive with the term of the regularly elected members of their tespective 
sanggunians. 
SECTION. 19. Designation of Other Dates for Certain Pre-Election Acts. - if it 
shall no longer be reasonably possible to observe the periods and dates prescribed by 
law for certain pre-election acts, the Commission shall fix other periods and dates in 
order to ensure the accomplishment of election activities so voters shall not be deprived 
of their right to suffrage. 
SECTION. 20. Applicability. - The pertinent of Republic Act No. 7160. Also 
known. as the Local Government Code of 1991 and Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 as 
amended, also known as the Omnibus Election Code, and other elections laws 
consistent herewith, shall apply. 
SECTION. 21. Rules and Regulations. - The Commission shall. Within fifteen 
(15) days after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations necessary to 
carry out the purpose of this Act and shall consult its accredited citizens’ arms and 
registered sectoral organizations for this purpose. 


SECTlON. 22. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION. 23. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION. 24. Effectivity Clause. - This->Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
APPROVED,