SE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

HOUSE

SCERVEB
. ce 22 AUG 2016
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE. ) bs
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_) Ne

First Regular Session )

House of Representatives

House Bill No. 322

Introduced by Congressman GUS S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Elections are costly and deeply divisive exercises in our country. The
recently concluded 2016 National and Local Elections is proof positive of this
fact. Firstly, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was allocated, and
presumably spent the amount of 15.6 Billion Pesos to conduct Automated
Elections for national and local offices last May. Moreover, the coming of age of
social media also made this last election a force which, divided the country, with
supporters of candidates taking to their social media accounts with a fervor not
as yet seen, and which resulted in heated discussions and divisions, even within
the basic social unit of the family.

It is also worth considering that there are genuine and concerted moves to
initiate changes to our Constitution. If these initiatives succeed, there will again
be the need to conduct electoral exercises in this regard.

Given the need to consolidate people’s sentiments after a fractious
election, especially in the light of the many challenges being addressed by the
newly installed government of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and considering
as well the attendant costs to holding as scheduled, the Barangay Elections later
this year in October as provided for by Republic Act No. 9340, considering
likewise, the possibility of the need to conduct a referendum due to ongoing
positive moves to amend our Constitution, and considering finally the challenges
to be faced by our Public School Teachers and other election workers, who must
again face a grueling manual election so soon after completing their invaluable
service last May 9, 2016, then the postponement of the Barangay elections
scheduled to be held on October 2016 to coincide with the 2019 midterm
elections, would not be out of place.

It is for this reason that the timely approval of fly sought.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

House of Representatives

House Bill No._ 38225

Introduced by Congressman GUS S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
TO POSTPONE THE CONDUCT OF
‘THE 2016 BARANGAY ELECTIONS
AND TO RESET THE SAME TO COINCIDE WITH
THE 2019 MIDTERM ELECTIONS
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 1 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9340 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. 1. Date of Election.- The Barangay Elections to be held on October 10,
2016 is hereby postponed and reset to May 6, 2019, to coincide with the 2019
midterm elections.”

SECTION 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9340 is likewise amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 2. Assumption of Office.- The term of office of Barangay officials under
this Act shall commence on June 30, 2019, following their election.”

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Commission on
Elections shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary
to implement this Act.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees or issuances,
executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules or
regulations contrarty to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are
hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. In the event that any provision of this Act
is declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be
affected by such declaration.


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SECTION 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after its complete
publication in the Official gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,