Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
       EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The voting system in the Philippines requires voters to line up and wait for 
their turn to cast their votes. While senior citizens and persons with disabilities are 
provided with a priority queue, it still requires them to go outside and line up, 
sometimes in the sweltering heat, to cast a vote for their future. Moreover, with an 
ongoing pandemic, it also increases their risk for exposure to COVID-positive 
individuals which could cause significant damage to their health and safety. 
This bill proposes a system in which they can cast their vote within seven (7) 
working days before the election date. Voting shall be done in safe and accessible 
polling precincts properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and 
physical aids. This allows them to vote at their most convenient time and avoid long 
lines to greatly reduce their health risks.  
This bill was first filed by Representatives Suansing (E.), Suansing (H.), and 
Aglipay n the 18th Congress. This bill is a copy of the Third Reading Copy that was 
transmitted to the Senate in the 18th Congress.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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 onElection Day. 
SECTION 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;
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(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 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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.