Republic of the Philippines ¢
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 03 SEP 2014"
Quezon City | Geer

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 495 3

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitutions provides that, “Suffrage may be
exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at
least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one
year and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at least six months immediately
preceding the election, No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be
imposed on the exercise of suffrage.”

The right to suffrage is the essence of our democracy. As a means to increase participation
by citizens who are otherwise prevented to vote, the country has enacted absentee voting
laws. Presently, there are laws that allow absentee voting for Filipinos overseas, media
practitioners, armed forces and police force. However, these still leave another group
disenfranchised due to age-related conditions during elections.

Senior citizens have a significant role to play and contribution to make in the
transformation of our country towards a more just, fair and humane society. Our elderly
have the treasure of wisdom, knowledge, values and experience that they can share with
us, most especially with the younger generation of Filipinos. As such, it is important to
ensure that their voices will be heard and their votes will be counted during election:
However, some of them may not be able to vote as they are stationed away from their
residences on election days either to seek treatment or due to elderly health issues and
conditions among other reasons.

Hence, this bill provides for means for senior citizens stationed away from their residences
on election days to vote on national elections in the precincts nearest to them subject to
reasonable regulations by the Commission on Election.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

(tn
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4 District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

4953

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

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

SECTION. 1, Declaration of Policy. ~The state shall ensure the free exercise of the right of
suffrage by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law.

SEC. 2. Local Absentee Voting for Senior Citizens, - ‘The Commission on Elections shalll extend
the right to vote under the local absentee voting system provided under existing laws and
executive orders to all senior citizens in the country who are duly registered voters and
who, on election day, may not be able to vote due to age-related conditions. Provided, That
they shall be allowed to vote only for the positions of President, Vice President, Senators
and Party-List Representative.

SEC, 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Commission on Elections shall, within
thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations which shall include a system of accreditation and verification of the senior
citizens who are qualified to avail of local absentee voting.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The initial funding of this Act shall be charged against the current
year's appropriations or from any available savings of the Commission on Elections.
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause, - If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause, - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, resolutions, rules
and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at

least two (2 newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,