EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
o( ll)c ST. ■' f  '-rj’
S E N A T E
'19 JIL 15 A9 -00
Senate Bill No.
421
RECEIVED B\-
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
CREATING A STATE SUBSIDY FUND, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Citizen participation is the critical foundation upon which democracy is built. In 
order to cultivate citizen participation, Philippine election laws have created a political 
party system which seeks to enable citizens to engage and reconnect with the 
institutions and processes of democracy. 
People who have the same ideologies, 
advocacies, and positions on issues may use political parties in order to elect candidates 
who share their ideologies, advocacies, and positions on issues.
However, despite a century of party politics, political parties still continue to be 
personality-based, anchored on clientelistic, parochial, and personal inducements rather 
than on issues, ideologies, and party platforms. Politicians join political parties more 
for convenience than shared beliefs, which are necessary to unify various leaders in the 
pursuit of certain political objectives. No clear ideological lines separate our political 
parties from one another. In this connection, the Philippine political party system is 
perceived to be weak and ineffectual.
This bill seeks to strengthen the political party system in the Philippines by: (a) 
making campaign finance more transparent; (b) providing state subsidy to political 
parties; (c) prohibiting political turncoatism; and (d) strengthening citizen-parties 
linkages. The establishment of strong political party system will promote democratic 
accountability, contribute to the formation of government, and forge legislative 
majorities. To this end, the proposed measure also seeks to build meaningful political 
identities, policy-based platforms, and agenda; internal democratic structures; a reliable 
core of supporters and leaders; and the ability to raise funds to support party activities.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
FRANCl!^. PANGILINAN


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
of tiif Sr- v n 'i. r
*19 
JUL 15 
A 9 :0 0
Senate Bill No,
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
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AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
CREATING A STATE SUBSIDY FUND, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Political Party System
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Act."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
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institutionalize and strengthen political parties as pillars of the country's democratic 
system. Towards this end, the State shall:
(a) institute reforms in campaign finance to promote accountability and
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transparency and reduce opportunities for graft and corruption;
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(b) foster the development of strong political parties through financial subsidies
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for party development and campaign expenditures;
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(c) promote party loyalty, discipline and adherence to ideological principles,
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platforms, and programs;
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(d) institute measures to make political parties viable instruments of development
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and good governance; and
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(e) encourage and support continuing voters' education through the political
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parties.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
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mean:


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(a) "Accredited National Political Party" refers to a national political party qualified 
to receive subsidy for party development and campaign purposes, accredited for this 
purpose by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) based on the criteria provided 
under this Act;
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(b) "Candidate" refers to any person aspiring for or seeking an elective public
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office, by himself or duly nominated by an accredited political party, aggroupment or
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coalition of parties, and who has filed a certificate of candidacy with the COMELEC;
(c) "Campaign Contribution" refers to any form of donation to any candidate,
political party, aggroupment or coalition thereof. 
It includes any gift, donation,
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subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money or anything of value, or those arising
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from a contract, pledge, or agreement to contribute, made for the purpose of influencing
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the results of the elections, but shall not include services rendered without
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compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or all of their time in behalf of a
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candidate or political party. 
It also includes the. use of office space, facilities,
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equipment, office supplies, and other materials and fixtures voluntarily donated by
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other persons, or allowed their use for free, the monetary value of which shall be
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assessed based on market rates prevailing in a particular area.
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(d) "Campaign Expenditure" refers to any type of expense incurred, regardless of
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source, amount, and purpose, that relates, directly or indirectly, to the conduct of an
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electoral campaign. It includes all payments of money or anything of value, or a
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contract, promise or agreement to spend, for the purpose of influencing the results of
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the election. It also includes the use of office space and facilities personally owned by
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the candidate, the monetary value of the use of which shall be assessed based on market
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rates prevailing in a particular area.
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(e) "Disclosure Requirement" refers to the duty of all candidates and political
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parties, aggroupment, or coalitions thereof to reveal the details of campaign
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contributions received by them, and the expenditures made on account thereof. For


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accredited national political parties, it includes expenditures and destinations of party
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development and campaign monies given to them as their share in the State Subsidy
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Fund established under this Act.
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(f) "Donor" refers to any person, not prohibited by law, who contributes money, 
property or any other form of material contribution to a candidate, political party,
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aggroupment, or coalition thereof.
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(g) "Donee" refers to any candidate or political party duly accredited with
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COMELEC, to whom money, property, or any other form of contribution is made.
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(h) "National Political Party" refers to a political party duly registered with the
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COMELEC, whose constituency is effectively spread across the geographical territory of
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all or a majority of the administrative regions of the Philippines, pursuing or advocating
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a particular ideology, platform of government, values, principles and policies for the
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general conduct of government and which, as the most immediate means of securing
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their adoption and implementation, regularly nominates and supports its members as
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candidates for public office.
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(i) "Political Opportunism" refers to any act of a party member constituting
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disloyalty to a party, or regular non-adherence to the party's ideological principles,
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platforms, and programs, as determined by the party in accordance with its constitution
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and by-laws.
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(j) "Political Turncoatism" refers to the change of political party affiliation by any
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candidate, whether or not elected, one (1) year prior to the next election and one (1) year
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after the immediately preceding election. Political turncoatism shall not apply in any of
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the following instances:
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(1) change in party affiliation before the effectivity of this Act;
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(2) abolition, merger, or coalition of political parties where a candidate is a
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registered member thereof;


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(3) expulsion in writing of a registered member from his/her political party: 
Provided, That the cause for such does not constitute political opportunism.
(k) "State Subsidy Fund" refers to the fund established under this Act for party 
development and campaign activities of accredited national political parties.
NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTY/CANDIDATES 
SEC. 4. Registration as a National Political Party. - Any organized group of
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persons seeking registration as a national political party may file with the COMELEC a
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verified petition attaching thereto its constitution and by-laws, platform, principles,
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policies and general program of government, a verified list of its national officials,
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members of the executive board, or its equivalent, and the heads of its regional,
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provincial, and city chapters, armual statement of accounts, and such other relevant
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information as may be required by the COMELEC.
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The COMELEC shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition within ten
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(10) days from the date it is submitted for decision. National Political Parties already
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registered as such with the COMELEC prior to the effectivity of this Act are not
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required to register anew.
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SEC. 5. Policy Agenda and Program of Governance. - National Political Parties are
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mandated to craft a clear policy agenda and program of governance consistent with
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their party philosophy and ideals. The members of the National Political Party shall
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endeavor to act in accordance with the defined party platform and pursue programs to
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fulfil party commitments.
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SEC. 6. Party Ethics. - Accredited National Political Parties, as provided for in
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Section 21 of this Act, shall institute internal control mechanisms to promote
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accountability and transparency within the party. Accredited National Political Parties
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shall likewise develop and enforce an internal code of conduct and ethical standards
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that will guide party members in upholding the values and standards of public life, and
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towards this end shall formulate and implement disciplinary procedures for party


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members: Provided, That said program for internal controls, ethical standards, and
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disciplinary procedures shall be duly submitted to the COMELEC and made available 
to the public.
SEC. 7. Selection of Candidates. - The selection process for candidates of National
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Political Parties shall be democratized through the adoption of a process that is fair,
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open, and transparent, and which promotes participation of choice from the members
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of the party. Towards this end, every National Political Party is mandated to formulate
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a merit system on nomination and selection of candidates who must be members of the
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party. Every National Political Party shall submit to the COMELEC its rules governing
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the merit system on nomination and selection of candidates not later than one hundred
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eighty (180) days before the Election Day following the effectivity of this Act.
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Any aggrieved member of an Accredited National Party may file a verified
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complaint to its Grievance and Arbitration Committee not later than ten (10) days after
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the party convention, for violation of the rules governing the merit system on the
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nomination and selection of candidates. 
Every National Political Party may hold
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conventions or meetings to nominate their official candidates not earlier than fifteen
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(15) days before the start of the election period and shall submit to the COMELEC not
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later than the start of the election period the names of the officials of the party
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authorized to nominate their official candidates.
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No political party shall nominate more candidates than the number of persons
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required to be voted for in an elective position nor shall any candidate be allowed to
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accept nominations from more than one registered political party, except in cases of
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aggroupment or coalitions thereof. Nominations made in violation hereof shall be
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denied due course by the COMELEC and the candidates concerned shall be considered
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independent candidates. The nominations of candidates of political parties shall be
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filed not later than the last day for filing of the certificates of candidacy as determined
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by the COMELEC.


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SEC. 8. Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance. - The certificate of nomination 
and acceptance shall state that the person issuing the nomination is the duly authorized 
representative of the political party, as provided for in its constitution and by-laws, that 
the person named therein is the official candidate of the party for the elective position 
stated, and that he has accepted said nomination. The certificate of nomination and 
acceptance shall be subscribed under oath by the duly authorized representative of the 
political party.
POLITICAL TURNCOATISM
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SEC. 9. Changing Political Party Affiliation. - Any member of a National Political
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Party who changes party affiliation after being nominated by the party shall be deemed
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to have committed political turncoatism.
SEC. 10. Penalties for Political Turncoatism. - Political Turncoats shall be:
(a) disqualified from running under any political party, aggroupment or coalition
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thereof, for any elective position in the next succeeding election immediately following
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the act of changing political party affiliation;
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(b) prohibited from assuming any executive or administrative position in his/her
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new political party; and
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(c) directed to refund any and all amounts he/she received from his/her political
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party, plus a fifty percent (50%) surcharge thereon.
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SEC. 11. Petition for Disqualification. - Any citizen of voting age, or any
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candidate, political party, aggroupment or coalition thereof, may file with the
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COMELEC, upon the filing of the certificate of candidacy and before proclamation, a
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petition to disqualify a candidate on the ground of political turncoatism, as defined in
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this Act.
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SEC. 12. Disqualification of a National Political Party. - Any National Political
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Party that accommodates a political turncoat in its fold shall result in its immediate
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disqualification from availing of the benefits of the State Subsidy Fund. 
Such


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disqualification shall continue until such time that the political turncoat shall be
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removed from the paty or after showing to COMELEC facts to the contrary.
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CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND AUTHORIZED EXPENSES
SEC. 13. Campaign Contributions; Who May Contribute. - Persons not prohibited 
by law may contribute to any National Political Party.
SEC. 14. Limits on Campaign Contributions. - Contributions to any candidate or
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political party shall be limited to the following maximum amounts:
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(a) Up to Five Million Pesos (P5,000/000.00) from a natural person allowed to make
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contributions under existing laws.
(b) Up to Five Hundred Million Pesos (P500,000,000.00) from a juridical person
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allowed to make contributions under existing laws.
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Provided, That the COMELEC, in consultation with the appropriate government
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agencies, shall adjust these maximum amounts based on the Consumer Price Index
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every three (3) years following the effectivity of this Act.
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Any contribution, whether in cash or in kind, to any candidate or political party
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for campaign purposes, duly reported to the COMELEC, shall be exempt from donor's
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tax.
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SEC. 15. Campaign Contributions to Party; How Made; Reportorial Requirement.
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- Contributions to political parties shall be deposited by the contributor to the account
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of the party with any reputable bank accredited by COMELEC. The accredited banks
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shall issue a corresponding receipt to the contributor on the amount deposited, and
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shall submit to the COMELEC, annually and within six (6) months prior to the
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campaign period but not later than fifteen (15) days before the day of the election, a
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statement of account of every political party with deposits. The COMELEC shall cause
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the publication of the account of all political parties in any newspaper of general
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circulation within a reasonable time as determined by COMELEC.


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Failure of any bar\k to comply with the reportorial requirement in this section shall 
be a ground for penalty under existing banking laws.
SEC. 16. Authorized Expenses of National Political Parties. - The amount that a 
National Political Party may spend for every election campaign shall be Twenty Pesos 
(P20.00) for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where 
it has official candidates. COMELEC shall adjust the authorized amount based of the 
Consumer Price Index every three (3) years following the effectivity of this Act.
STATE SUBSIDY FUND
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SEC. 17. Establishment of State Subsidy Fund. - There is hereby established a
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State Subsidy Fund, which shall be used to augment the operating funds of the
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Accredited National Political Parties. The State Subsidy Fund shall be used directly and
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exclusively for party development activities and campaign expenditures.
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SEC. 18. Allowable Party Development Activities. - Due to the vital role played
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by the National Political Parties in the country's political development, and in order to
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promote professionalism and accountability among members of the parties, the
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following party development activities shall be allowed to be funded out of the State
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Subsidy Fund:
(a) Party administration, recruitment, and civic education;
(b) Research and policy development;
(c) Education and training of members;
(d) Institution building and constituent outreach program; and
(e) Other reasonable logistical and operational expenses that are essential in
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strengthening the party.
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SEC. 19. Allowable Campaign Expenditures. - The Accredited National Political
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Parties are authorized to use the subsidy given to them only for the following campaign
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activities:


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(a) Operating expenses of the party, which may include hiring of personnel, 
professional secretariat, setting up of headquarters, and other relevant electoral 
expenditures;
(b) Travelling expenses of the candidates and support personnel in the course of 
the campaign, and for personal expenses incident thereto;
(c) Information dissemination and advocacy campaigns of the political party;
(d) Production and distribution of electoral paraphernalia and other propaganda 
materials; and
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Other expenditures under Section 102 of the Omnibus Election Code.
SEC. 20. Exemptiotu - National Political Parties shall be exempt from the coverage
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of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act in their use of monies
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from the State Subsidy Fund. In lieu thereof, the Commission on Audit (COA) and the
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Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with COMELEC and
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the Accredited National Political Parties, are hereby mandated to draw an alternative
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mechanism that shall govern the use of the State Subsidy Fund by the National Political
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Parties.
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SEC. 21. Accreditation. - A National Political Party eligible in accordance with
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Section 22 hereof, and which desires to be entitled to the rights and privileges as
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recipient of the subsidy provided under this Act, may apply for accreditation by the
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COMELEC, under such rules and regulations as the COMELEC shall prescribe
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consistent with the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 22. Criteria for Eligibility. - The COMELEC shall accredit National Political
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Parties eligible to receive subsidy from the State Subsidy Fund, based on the following
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general criteria:
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(a) Constitution and by-laws as a national political party seeking registration;
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Platform or program of government; List of all its officers and members (national,
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regional, provincial, city/municipal); Articles of Incorporation, by-laws, and Certificate


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of Registration issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, if registered
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therewith;
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(b) 
Political representation, consisting of the incumbent president, vice president, 
members of congress, governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang 
panlalawigan, city mayors, vice mayors, members of the sangguniang bayan, municipal
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mayors, vice mayors, and members of the sangguniang bayan;
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(c) Organizational strength and mobilization capability, which may include the
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identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized
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chapters; the number of political chapters and organizations nationwide; the number of
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active and permanent members of the party; the number of incumbent elective officials
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belonging to them ninety (90) days before the date of the elections; and sworn proof of
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existence in areas where the organization is claiming representation;
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(d) Performance and track record of the party, which may include the established
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record of the parties that now composed them, taking into account, among other things,
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the number of years of existence of the party, their showing in the past elections as well
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as the ability of the party to field a slate of candidates from the municipal level to the
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position of senator in the immediately preceding national elections;
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(e) Coalition agreement, if any, and the detailed list of affiliates comprising the
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coalition, including the signed coalition agreement;
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(f) Membership and participation of women in the national political party; and 
(g) Other information required by COMELEC.
SEC. 23. Effects of Accreditation. - A duly accredited National Political Party shall
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be entitled to the rights and privileges accorded under this Act. 
Likewise, the
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accredited national political party shall be subject to the regulations set forth in this Act
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and its implementing rules and regulations as prescribed by COMELEC.
SEC. 24. Distribution of the Fund. - The total amount of State Subsidy Fund
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released annually shall be distributed as follows:
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(a) Ten percent (10%) of the fund shall accrue to the COMELEC, to be used
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exclusively for monitoring purposes and the conduct of information dissemination 
campaigns and voters' education;
(b) Thirty percent (30%) of the fund shall be proportionately and ratably 
distributed to accredited national political parties represented in the Senate based on
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the number of number of seats obtained in the most recent general elections;
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(c) Thirty percent (30%) of the fund shall be proportionately and ratably
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distributed to accredited national political parties represented in the House of
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Representatives based on the number of seats obtained in the most recent general
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elections; and
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(d) Thirty percent (30%) of the fund shall be proportionately and ratably
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distributed to accredited national political parties based on the number of seats
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obtained in local elective positions for governor, members of the sangguniang
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panlalawigan, city mayor, city vice mayor, members of the sangguniang panglungsod,
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municipal mayor, municipal vice-mayor, and members of the sangguniang bayan in the
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most recent general elections.
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Provided, That notwithstanding the above percentages, all National Political Parties
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shall, upon accreditation by COMELEC, be automatically entitled to subsidy from the
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State Subsidy Fund, the uniform amount for all the accredited parties of which shall be
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determined by COMELEC: Provided further, That COMELEC shall determine whether
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Accredited National Political Parties shall continue to be entitled to subsidy based on
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their performance in the general elections next following their accreditation by
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COMELEC: Provided, finally. That the Accredited National Political Parties shall submit
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to COMELEC the requirements of eligibility under Section 22 of this Act immediately
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after each general election to assist COMELEC in determining their qualifications as
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recipients of the State Subsidy Fund.
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SEC. 25. Schedule of Releases from the Fund. - For purposes of this Act, all 
releases from the State Subsidy Fund during a non-election year shall be used 
exclusively for party development activities. Funds released during an election year 
shall be divided as follows: seventy five percent (75%) shall be used for campaign 
expenditures and twenty five percent (25%) for party development activities. The 
COMELEC shall inform the Accredited National Political Parties of the schedule of
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releases as well as the amount of the subsidy allocated at the start of every fiscal year.
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SEC. 26. Management of the Subsidy. - The Accredited National Political Parties
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availing of the subsidy shall maintain separate financial accounts for the funds used to
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finance campaign activities and party development, respectively.
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Every Accredited National Political Party shall submit to the COMELEC a detailed
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program of activities as well as a breakdown of expenditures drawn from the State
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Subsidy Fund by the end of December of every fiscal year. No Accredited National
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Political Party shall be allowed to use the subsidy for purposes other than those
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indicated in this Act.
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SEC. 27. Audit of the Fund. - COA shall examine the financial reports of the
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Accredited National Political Parties on their use of the State Subsidy Fund. Campaign
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contributions to any Accredited National Political Party shall be accounted for
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separately under a different set of books of account, which shall be open to inspection
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by COA.
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SEC. 28. Full Disclosure. - The officials of every Accredited National Political
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Party shall submit a sworn statement of their assets and liabilities to COMELEC which
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shall be made available to the public. All Accredited National Political Parties and their
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candidates shall also be required to make a public disclosure of all contributions as well
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as expenditures incurred for the use of the State Subsidy Fund.
Disclosures shall be made through the official website of the COMELEC and in a
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newspaper of general circulation.
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SEC. 29. Other Reports. - The following shall be reported by the Accredited
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National Political Parties and their candidates:
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(a) The amount of contribution, the date of receipt by the bank, and the full name
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and exact address of the person from whom the contribution was received;
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(b) A full report of expenditures and receipts incurred during the campaign,
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including those which were drawn from the State Subsidy Fund, if any;
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(c) Post-election disclosure statements, as required under existing laws, which
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must be submitted to the COMELEC within thirty (30) days after Election Day.
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Submissions made thirty (30) days after the deadline provided by law will be
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considered late and subject to a fine in such amounts as may be determined by the
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COMELEC; and
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(d) Detailed breakdown of expenditures for party development activities charged
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against the State Subsidy Fund. The financial report covering the party development
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activities shall be submitted annually, at the end of every fiscal year. The subsidy for
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the succeeding year will not be released without the submission of the said report
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covering the preceding year.
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These reports are required of every Accredited National Political Party and its
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candidates, regardless of the results of the elections.
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SEC. 30. Failure to Comply with Disclosure and Reporting Requirements. -
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Failure of the Accredited National Political Party to comply with the provisions of this
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Act will result in the disqualification from receiving its share in the State Subsidy Fund,
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which shall revert to the general funds of the Government, and forfeiture of all the
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rights and privileges to which it would have been entitled under this Act.
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SEC. 31. Performance Monitoring and Reporting System. - The COMELEC and
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the COA shall jointly design and implement, in consultation with political parties,
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aggroupment or coalitions thereof, accredited citizens' arms, the private sector and non-
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governmental organizations, and government agencies, an integrated political party
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development and campaign subsidy performance monitoring and reporting system.
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The performance monitoring and reporting system shall identify, define and 
operationalize a system of performance indicators and measures for party development 
and campaign subsidy deployment.
COMELEC and COA shall, based on the results of the system, publish and 
disseminate annual reports on the development of political parties that have received
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subsidies and on the distribution, use, and results of the campaign subsidies provided
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to political parties.
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SEC. 32. Publication and Dissemination of the Political Party Development and
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Campaign Subsidy Performance Reports. - The political party development and
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campaign subsidy performance reports shall be submitted to both houses of Congress
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not later than June 30 of every year, and shall be made available to the public via the
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internet and mass media as a guide for the citizenry in evaluating political parties for
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the purpose of participating in their program of activities, and in supporting, affiliating
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with, or joining them.
SEC. 33. Punishable Acts. - The following acts shall be punishable:
(a) Misuse of funds received by the National Political Parties both from the State
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Subsidy Fund and from campaign contributions;
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(b) The giving of campaign contributions which go beyond the allowable limits set
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under this Act and other existing laws;
(c) Inability to account for all incoming contributions from whatever source;
(d) Failure to submit pre-election as well as post-election disclosure statements to
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the COMELEC. Any submission past the late submission period set in Section 29(c) will
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be deemed as a failure to submit, hence, punishable under this Act; and
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(e) False reporting or any misrepresentation in the financial statement reports.
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SEC. 34. Penalties. -
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(a) Any candidate or official of any National Political Party who violates Section 
33(a), (c), and (e) of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
years but not more than twelve (12) years, or a fine ranging from Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,000.00) to Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or both. He shall, likewise, 
be disqualified to hold public office. Any National Political Party that violates Section 
33(a), (c), and (e) of this Act shall pay a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (PI00,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (P1,000.000.00);
(b) Any donor and done who violate Section 33(b) of this Act shall both be 
punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) 
years, or a fine ranging from Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) to Five 
Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00), or both;
(c) Any National Political Party that fails to comply with any of the documentary 
requirements set forth in this Act shall be subject to the administrative sanctions by the 
COMELEC, which shall include disqualification from receiving state subsidy, 
temporary or permanent cancellation of the party's registration, as well as payment of 
fines consistent with existing laws and regulations.
SEC. 35. Appropriations. - The amount of Three Hundred Fifty Million Pesos 
(P350,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated out of the funds of the National Treasury, 
effectively immediately upon the approval of this Act. Every year thereafter, there shall 
be appropriated the amount of Three Hundred Fifty Million Pesos (P350,000,000.00). 
All such amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act shall go to the State Subsidy Fund, 
which shall be administered by COMELEC.
COMELEC and the DBM shall promulgate guidelines to facilitate the release of the 
funds to every Accredited National Political Party.
SEC. 36. Lead Agency. - The COMELEC shall administer and enforce the 
provisions of this Act and for this purpose, a Political Party Affairs and Campaign 
Finance Department is hereby created in the COMELEC, subject to civil service rules
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and regulations, which shall monitor and regulate political affairs and campaign 
finance, including but not limited to the accreditation of national political parties for 
purposes of availment of the State Subsidy Fund.
SEC. 37. Applicability. - The provisions of Batas Pambansa Big. 881, otherwise 
known as the "Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines", as amended, and other 
election laws not inconsistent with this Act shall apply suppletorily.
SEC. 38. Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall promulgate the necessary
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rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 39. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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SEC. 40. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, and
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rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
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accordingly.
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SEC. 41. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Ojficial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approved,
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