EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No.
636
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tl)r fei’ frria ip
•19 
JUL 22 
A9 ^ 6
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILIlhtAN.i ...
AN ACT
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH 
SCHOOL CURRICULA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 3(2), Article XIV of the Constitution provides that all educational institutions 
"shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, 
appreciation of the role of natio7ial heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the 
rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character 
and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and 
technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency."
There is a need to institute political and electoral reforms to ensure the broadest and 
most effective participation of Filipino citizens in the political and electoral processes. 
One of these key reforms is to integrate voter education in the curricula of junior and 
senior high school students to develop politically mature youth who are conversant with 
the processes and to ultimately prepare them to actively and maturely participate in 
nation building.
This bill aims to empower the youth by integrating voter education in the junior and 
senior high school curricula to deepen their understanding of the political and electoral 
processes and lay the foundation for revitalizing Philippine democracy.
The approval of this bill is, hence, earnestly sought.
FRAN Cfb'Nv PANG ILIN AN


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No, 636
^  
O lin t  o( tl)c A rtrp ta ip
•19 
JUL 22 
A 9 -06
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINidtM/ e r*. 
/
AN ACT
INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH 
SCHOOL CURRICULA
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 "Compulsory Voter
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Education Act of 2019."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to enlighten citizens on
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their right to vote and to inculcate in them the duty to preserve the integrity of the
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electoral process tlirough the educational system.
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SEC, 3, Definition of Voter Education. - As used in this Act, "Voter education" means
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dissemination of information, materials and programs designed to inform citizens about
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the specifics and mechanics of the voting process. It includes providing information on
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the right to suffrage, its importance, and the proper exercise thereof, as well as
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information on who is eligible to vote; where and how to register; how electors can check
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the voter lists to ensure they have been duly included; what type of elections are being
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held; where, when and how to vote; who the candidates are; and how to file complaints.
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SEC. 4. Integration of Voter Education in the Junior and Senior High School
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Curricula. - Voter Education shall be integrated by the Department of Education (DepEd)
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in the junior and senior high school curricula, effective at the start of the school year
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immediately following one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The Commission on
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Elections (COMELEC) shall assist DepEd in preparing teachers during the one-year
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transition period by conducting seminars and trainings on the electoral system and
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process. COMELEC shall certify that the teacher, after attending such seminars and
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trainings, is qualified to teach topics relating to the electoral system and process.
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SEC. 5. Voter Education Syllabus. -
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A. Voter education. - The main syllabus shall include, but not limited to, the
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following thematic areas:
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1. Suffrage. - This area introduces to students the right to vote accorded
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by the Constitution, and other rights enabling citizens to participate in
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the conduct of public affairs;
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2. Electoral system and process. - This area deals with the general
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principles underlying the present electoral system, and legislation
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regulating all the phases of election namely, pre-election, election
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proper, and post-election. It discusses the proper conduct of elections
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including registration, casting of ballots, and counting of votes;
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3. Educated voting. - This area focuses on the attitude and behavior a voter
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must adopt to ensure fair, free, and honest elections. It emphasizes the
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importance of participating in elections in a manner that shall stimulate
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and strengthen democracy.
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B. Supplementary topics. - This curriculum should have additional topics and
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studies on the political system of the country, the contextual background of
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elections, current political, social, and economic issues affecting the elections,
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and the possible solutions to address them.
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C. Other subject matters. - Other areas of voter education may be included in the
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syllabus.
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SEC. 6. Implementing Agency. - The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized
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and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the provisions of this Act. The
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Secretary of Education shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
promulgate the rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry 
out and enforce the provisions of this Act.
SEC, 7. Educational Materials. - It shall be obligatory on all schools offering 
secondary education to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the 
textbooks, primers, and leaflets on voter education to be issued by the DepEd. The DepEd 
shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of 
the school.
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full
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force and effect.
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, and
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rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
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accordingly.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approi’ed,