Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) include those who have long-term
physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with
various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on
an equal basis with others1.
Along with the elderly, PWDs are vulnerable because of the multiple
barriers they face on a daily basis. Simply surviving is already a feat, thus,
even just the thought of being able to live lives they can find reason to value
can feel like a luxury. This learned helplessness further discourages members
of these two vulnerable groups from participating in public and civic affairs. We
therefore have an obligation to introduce legislation to assist the elderly and
the disabled and to remove the barriers preventing them from effectively and
reasonably
participating
at
all
levels
of
social,
political
and
economic
decision-making.2
The Congress was mandated to provide a system for securing the secrecy
and sanctity of the ballot. Thus, it would also be compulsory to design a
procedure for the disabled to vote without the assistance of other persons.3
This bill seeks to grant PWDs and senior citizens the privilege to cast their
votes
at
an
earlier date at accessible establishments designated by the
Commission on Elections to ensure that they are able to exercise their
constitutionally granted right to vote.
There is no right that better embodies the concept of democracy and
people’s sovereignty than one’s right to suffrage. It is our duty to protect this
3 Article V of the 1987 Constitution
2 Article X and XIII of the 1987 Constitution
1 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities
September 12, 2022
12:31 pm
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right and remove the barriers that prevent qualified citizens of the Philippines
from its effective exercise.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS AND
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities
(PWDs) by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the
elections.
SEC. 2. Early Voting. – For national and local elections, there shall be
early voting where qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their
ballot at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) within seven (7) working days before the date set for the elections.
SEC. 3. Registration. – There shall be a nationwide registration for senior
citizens and PWDs to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those
who are not registered under this Act shall vote on Election Day.
SEC.
4.
Obligations
of
the
COMELEC.
–
To
ensure
the
effective
implementation of this Act, the COMELEC shall:
(a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;
(b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government
units, the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on
Human Rights, the Department of Health and the Department of Interior
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and Local Government, that allows senior citizens and PWDs to register
and opt for early voting;
(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and
PWDs, and properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and
physical aids, as mandated under 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”; and
(d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified
senior citizens and PWDs.
SEC 5. Appropriations. – The initial amount for the implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the
COMELEC. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual
General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. – The provisions of Batas Pambansa
Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled, “An
Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral
Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes”; and
other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate early
voting for qualified senior citizens and PWDs.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days
from its effectivity, the Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations
for the implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
SEC 9. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, acts, presidential decrees,
executive orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules, and regulations
or parts thereof, which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of
this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.


Approved,