EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E
O C T ‘ 7  
P4:02
S. B. Nol 104
Introduced by Sen. Im ee R. Marcos
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR 
CITIZENS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN ALL ELECTIONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Suffrage is a natural and inherent right of every citizen, it is both a privilege 
and an obligation. Under Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, suffrage may be 
exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law. Further, 
the State must ensure that senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are 
able to exercise their right to political participation without discrimination or 
restrictions.
Senior citizens and PWDs play a vital role in nation-building, the state must 
impose measures to ensure that their special conditions is not a hindrance in the 
exercise of their right to participate in national and local elections. In 2012, Republic 
Act No. 10366 was enacted authorizing the Commission on Elections to establish 
Accessible Polling Places (APPs). This would guarantee that senior citizens and PWDs 
are able to exercise their right to political participation.
Based on a 2019 data issued by the Commission on Elections, there are 61.8 
million registered voters wherein 8,076,306 are senior citizens and 342,300 are PWDs. 
However, only 211,427 senior citizens and 30,936 PWDs indicated that they would 
vote in APPs, while 7,864,879 senior citizens and 311,364 PWDs voted in the negative. 
It was also reported that one of the problems encountered by senior citizens and 
PWDs at the APPs was that people who needed special assistance were not 
immediately identified and assisted by the poll workers. Thus, it is imperative that a 
system be established to make voting accessible and convenient for senior citizens 
and PWDs.


This bill proposes to provide senior citizens and PWDs the option to vote earlier 
than the date set for the elections. Through this, senior citizens and PWDs are ensured 
to be properly assisted so they may easily and properly cast their votes.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
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INIEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E
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OQT-7 ?/::0Z
S. B. No. JJ.04
Introduced by Sen. Im ee R. Marcos
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR 
CITIZENS AND PERSONS W ITH DISABILITIES IN  ALL ELECTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f die Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Declaration o f Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy o f the
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State to make voting accessible for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs)
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by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the election.
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SEC. 2. Early Voting. — For national and local elections, there shall be early
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voting where senior citizens and PWDs qualified to vote early may choose to cast their
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ballot for a period of not less than two (2) days within thirty (30) calendar days before
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election day at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections
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(COMELEC).
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For this purpose, accessible establishments shall have sufficient disability
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support services, located at the ground floor of designated election offices or strategic
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areas at every city or municipality all over the country.
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SEC. 3. Registration. — There shall be a nationwide registration of senior
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citizens and PWDs who may wish to avail of their early voting privileges to qualify
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them for early voting. Only those who are not registered under this Act shall vote on
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Election Day.
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SEC. 4. 
Obligations o f the COMELEC. 
To 
ensure 
the 
smooth
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implementation of this Act, the COMELEC shall:
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(a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;


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(b) 
In coordination with local government units, the National Council on 
Disability Affairs, the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office or, in case of its 
unavailability, the designated Focal Person for PWDs at the local government unit 
concerned, the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the 
Departments of Education, Health, Interior and Local Government, and Social Welfare 
and Development, shall design a registration system that shall allow senior citizens 
and PWDs to register and opt for early voting in order to improve their voting 
experience in national and local elections;
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(c) 
Ensure the full implementation of Republic Act No. 10366, entitled "An Act 
Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible 
Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens", such that 
polling places are safe, highly accessible and fitted with the necessary communication, 
visual and physical aids;
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(d) 
Safeguard the sanctity and secrecy of votes of Senior Citizens and Persons 
with Disabilities (PWD);
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(e) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting by qualified senior
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citizens and PWDs.
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SEC. 5. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to fund early voting by 
qualified senior citizens and PWDs in national and local elections shall be included in 
the annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 6. Applicability o f Other Laws. — The provisions of Batas Pambansa
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Big. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled "An Act
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Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms,
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Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes"; and other election laws
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not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate the early voting by qualified
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senior citizens and PWDs.
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SEC. 7. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days
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from the approval of this Act, the COMELEC shall, in consultation with other relevant
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government and nongovernment agencies, promulgate the rules and regulations
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necessary to implement this Act.
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SEC. 8. S epa rab ility Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall remain
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in full force and effect.
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SEC. 9. R epealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 10. E ffactivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,