LPI

[3 * RECEIVED
PS oa f | 2019

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _89

Introduced by Hon. Robert Ace S. Barbers

AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 9 AND SECTION 27 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8189
OR THE VOTER’S REGISTRATION ACT OF 1996

Our Constitution and election laws provide a residency requirement of at least
‘six months preceding the election. However, it seems that the people are making a
mockery of this requirement as the COMELEC has no way of knowing whether the
registrants are legitimate residents of the place where they propose to vote.

It is now a rampant practice in our country before the election period for people
to register anew or transfer their registration to a new place even if they are unqualified
in terms of residency requirements for voter's registration. They simply have to present
their identification cards as proof of their identity just to qualify in their registration. This
has been the one of the sources of flying voters in the country.

This bill seeks to amend Section 9 of Republic Act. No. 8189 or Voter's
Registration Act of 1996 by requiring the presentation not only proof of identity but also
proof of residence for the purpose of voter's registration to prevent the problem of
perennial flying voters. This will strengthen and protect the sanctity of our right to
suffrage and the integrity of our election system.

Furthermore, this bill seeks to amend Section 27 of the same Act by removing
from the list the provision on disenfranchising registered voters who failed to vote in
the two (2) succeeding regular elections.

The intention of the people who registered to vote is really to
to suffrage. Their failure to vote maybe unintentional on
circumstances beyond their control. Consideration should be gen to them especially

exercise their right



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _69

Introduced by Hon. Robert Ace S. Barbers

AN ACT AMENDING SECTION § AND SECTION 27 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8189
OR THE VOTER’S REGISTRATION ACT OF 1996

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8189 or the Voters Registration Act
of 1996 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 9. Who may Register. - All citizens of the Philippines not
otherwise disqualified by law who are at least eighteen (18) years of
and who shail have resided in the Philippines for at least one (1)
year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six
(6) months immediately preceding the election, may register as a
voter. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE
ALLOWED TO REGISTER WITHOUT PRESENTING ANY VALID
PROOF OF RESIDENCE.

AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM VALID PROOF OF

RESIDENCE SHALL REFER TO:

A. TAX DECLARATION OR RECEIPT OF PAYMENT OF REAL
PROPERTY TAX, OR A CERTIFICATION FROM THE
LANDOWNER OR LESSOR OF RESIDENTIAL UNIT,
APARTMENT, CONDOMINIUM, DORMITORY OR SIMILAR
DWELLING UNITS WHERE HE/SHE IS RESIDING AT THE
TIME OF REGISTRATION;

B. A RECENT HOUSEHOLD UTILITY BILL UNDER HIS/HER
NAME, WHICH INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, GAS, ELECTRIC,
WATER, MOBILE OR TELEPHONE, CABLE, INTERNET OR
CREDIT CARD BILL; AND

C. AFFIDAVIT OF AT LEAST TWO WITNESSES WHO ARE
RESIDENTS OF THE PLACE WHERE HE/SHE PROPOSES TO.
VOTE, THAT HE/SHE IS A RESIDENT OF THE PLACE;

XO”
SECTION 2. Section 27 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 27. Deactivation of Registration. -


XXX

Id.) Any person who did not vote in the two (2) successive preceding
regular elections as shown by their voting records. For this purpose,
regular elections do not include the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
elections]

XXX"

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, orders, issuances, circulars, rules
and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.