FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, _ 9654

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Elections in the Philippines are always costly exercises, both for the
candidate and the government. In the May 2010 national elections, the
Commission on Elections entered into a contract for the automation of the
counting of the votes for the amount of P7.2 Billion, just for the PCOS
machines alone.

With regard to the cost for the 2010 Barangay elections, the
government spent around P3.6 Billion. And for a country whose budget deficit
was estimated by the President to reach a record high of P349 billion by the
end of the year, P3.6 billion was too high a price to spend on barangay
elections. For the 2013 elections, excluding the SK and barangay elections,
the COMELEC is eyeing a budget of P15 to P20 billion.

It would therefore be a safe bet to state that amount spent for the 2010
Barangay elections would increase for the upcoming 2013 Barangay
Elections, which amount could be better spent if it would be used for other
government projects like construction of bridges, roads and other
infrastructure projects and even the constructions of school buildings.

Also, it is of common knowledge that elections, whether national, local
or barangay, prove to be divisive among the populace specially coming from
the heels of the very divisive May 10, 2010 National and local elections.
Candidates and their supporters try to destroy their opponents by using any
means necessary just to be able to secure victory. As proof of the division and
problems caused by the past barangay elections, the COMELEC investigated
the interruption of the elections and is just about to come out with the results
of said investigation to determine who would be held liable for the late delivery
of ballot and election returns which caused the delay of the conduct of
elections in several polling centers nationwide. Also, many election
documents were left behind by the shipping companies tapped by the poll
body because of packaging delays at the National Printing Office in Quezon
City.

During these trying times for our country, division is the last thing that
we need. As what President Noynoy Aquino mentioned in his inaugural
speech, “You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation is about to


end. This is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the cross
we will lift it, no matter how heavy it is”.

Furthermore, the three year term of barangay officials is too short a
time for the unity and stability in barangay leadership and affairs. Further, the
three year term is not enough to ensure that the programs of the barangay are
carried out properly specially considering the fact that it cannot be denied that
the last year of the term is basically used for campaigning. A two year
extension would therefore be in order. An additional two years would ensure
more stability in the barangay level and that the programs initiated by the
current leaders would come to fruition.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought

.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

wma Mee JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, 3654
T
RESETTING THE 2013 BARANGAY ELECTIONS TO THE LAST MONDAY
OF OCTOBER 2015.

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

SECTION 1. The 2013 Barangay elections scheduled to be held on October,
2013 is hereby postponed and reset to the last Monday of October, 2015.

SEC. 2. The Commission on Elections shall promulgate the Implementing
rules and regulations necessary for this Act.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
and rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after its complete
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,