NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE
S. No. 1642
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23 JAN “9 P4I42
Rb'CEIVLO BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10366, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO ESTABLISH 
PRECINCTS ASSIGNED TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES EXCLUSIVELY 
FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article V of the Constitution provides that suffrage may be exercised by all 
citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law. The same also instructs 
Congress to provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot, and 
to design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without the 
assistance of other persons.
Toward this end. Republic Act 10366 was enacted in 2013 which authorized 
the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to establish precincts assigned to accessible 
polling places exclusively for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens. 
The said law ensures that PWDs and senior citizens are able to exercise their right to 
political participation without discrimination or restrictions.
Even with the existence of this law, many senior citizens were still 
disenfranchised come Election Day. In the 2019 elections, only three percent (3%) 
or 200,000 of the eight million senior citizen registered voters actually voted. The 
unfortunate low turnout for the sector underscores the importance and the urgency 
to strengthen the law ensuring accessibility of our polling places.


This proposed measure seeks to update RA 10366 with clearer language 
regarding the necessary infrastructure, additional features, and special venues of 
precincts in order to order to address the mobility, convenience and general 
accessibility concerns of our most vulnerable sectors. Ultimately, this legislation aims 
to protect every voter's constitutional right to suffrage and to promote a more 
inclusive participation in the important democratic exercise.
This bill was already approved on Third and Final Reading by the House of 
Representatives during the Eighteenth Congress. Hence, the passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought.
JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
s. No. 1R42
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23 JAH-9 P4-42
RECEIVED BT:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10366, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO ESTABLISH 
PRECINCTS ASSIGNED TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES EXCLUSIVELY 
FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 2 (j) of Republic Act No. 10366 is hereby amended to read
2 
as follows:
3 
"Sec. 2. X X X
4 
"X X X
5 
"(j) Accessible polling place refers to the venue where the Board
6 
of Election Inspectors (BEIs) conducts election-related proceedings and
7 
where the voters cast their votes. The accessible polling place shall be
8 
located at the ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building,
9 
SHALL BE READILY ACCESSIBLE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION,
10 
and [is] SHALL BE free of any physical barriers and provided with
11 
necessary INFRASTRUCTURE AND services, including assistive
12 
devices^], RAMPS, RAILINGS, SIDEWALKS, ADEQUATE
13 
LIGHTING, VENTILATION AND OTHER FEATURES FOR PERSONS
14 
WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS."
15 
Sec. 2. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 10366 is hereby amended to read as
16 
follows:


1 
"Sec. 9. [Gfeation of] Precincts for Persons with Disabilities and
2 
Senior Citizens. - The Commission is hereby authorized to [establish]
3 
DESIGNATE precincts [of a nonterritorial nature,-exclusivcly-fer] IN
4 
ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF
5 
persons with disabilities and senior citizens, [who in their rcgistratloF>
6 
feeer-ds-manifest their intent to avail of their right to a separate precinct
7 
under this section. Pursuant- hereto-the-Commission shall establish-at
8 
least one (1) such precinct, assigned to accessible polling places for
9 
every voting-center.] SUCH AS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TOWN HALLS
10 
OR PLAZAS, CIVIC CENTERS, COMMUNITY CENTERS OR OTHER
11 
SIMILARLY DESIGNATED SPECIAL VENUES OR AREAS, AND
12 
PREFERABLY THOSE DESIGNED WITH SPECIAL FEATURES, TO
13 
ENSURE THEIR SAFETY AND COMFORT. Such precincts shall be
14 
provided with assistive devices PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
15 
SECTION 2 (J) OF THIS ACT as well as the services of experts in
16 
assisting persons with disabilities."
17 
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from its
18 
effectivity, the Commission, in consultation with other 
relevant government
19 
agencies, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations, shall
20 
promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.
21 
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
22 
unconstitutional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to be in
23 
full force and effect.
24 
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders or regulations or part
25 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
26 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
27 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of
28 
general circulation.
Approved,