Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10393 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE KHYMER ADAN T. OLASO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proposed bill, entitled the "Prohibition of Appointive Officials from Running for 
Elective Positions Act," seeks to address a significant loophole in the Philippines' 
electoral system. Appointive officials, who are appointed to their positions by the 
President or other appointing authorities, often wield considerable influence and 
power within their respective spheres of governance. However, this influence can be 
easily exploited for personal political gain, as appointive officials may seek to 
transition directly from their appointed roles to elective positions, leveraging their 
incumbency and resources for electoral advantage. 
This bill aims to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process by imposing a three-
year prohibition on appointive officials from running for any elective position 
immediately preceding the expiry date of their appointment or resignation. By 
instituting this cooling-off period, the legislation intends to mitigate the risk of 
conflicts of interest, abuse of power, and undue influence in the electoral arena.  
The rationale behind this prohibition is multifaceted. Firstly, it aims to promote 
fairness and equal opportunity in elections by preventing incumbents from 
leveraging their positions for personal political gain. Secondly, it seeks to uphold the 
principles of transparency and accountability in governance, ensuring that 
appointive officials serve the public interest rather than their own political ambitions. 
Additionally, the bill aims to foster a level playing field for all candidates, free from 
the advantages conferred by incumbency and access to government resources. 
Furthermore, the proposed legislation aligns with the broader objectives of 
strengthening democratic institutions and promoting good governance in the 
Philippines. By discouraging the seamless transition from appointed positions to 
elective offices, the bill aims to foster a more dynamic and competitive political 
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landscape, where individuals are elected based on merit, platforms, and public trust 
rather than incumbency advantages. 
In conclusion, the "Prohibition of Appointive Officials from Running for Elective 
Positions Act" represents a crucial step towards enhancing the integrity, fairness, and 
accountability of the Philippines' electoral system. By imposing a reasonable 
cooling-off period for appointive officials, the bill aims to uphold the fundamental 
principles of democracy and ensure that electoral contests are conducted in a manner 
that reflects the genuine will of the people. 
KHYMER ADAN T. OLASO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10393 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE KHYMER ADAN T. OLASO 
AN ACT PROHIBITING APPOINTIVE OFFICIALS FROM RUNNING 
FOR ELECTIVE POSITIONS ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title 
This Act shall be known as the "Prohibition of Appointive Officials from Running 
for Elective Positions Act." 
SECTION 2. Prohibition 
No appointive official shall be eligible to run for any elective position within three 
(3) years immediately preceding the expiry date of their appointment or resignation.
SECTION 3. Definition 
For the purposes of this Act: 
a) "Appointive official" refers to an individual holding a position in government that
is filled through appointment by the President or any appointing authority.
b) "Elective position" refers to any public office in the Philippines for which
candidates are elected by popular vote.


 
SECTION 4. Exceptions 
This prohibition shall not apply to appointive officials who have resigned from their 
positions at least three (3) years prior to the date of the election in which they intend 
to participate as a candidate for an elective position. 
SECTION 5. Coordination 
The Office of the President (OP) shall furnish COMELEC, with respect to its 
appointees, any written communication or documents necessary to accomplish the 
objectives set forth herein, as well as, aid the latter with whatever requirements found 
to be indispensable for carrying out the provisions, likewise stated herein. 
SECTION 6. Penalties 
a) Any appointive official found violating the provisions of this Act shall be 
disqualified from running for the elective position they seek, and their candidacy 
shall be declared null and void. 
b) Any appointive official who willfully violates the provisions of this Act shall be 
subject to appropriate administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions as provided by 
existing laws. 
SECTION 7. Implementation 
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall promulgate rules and regulations 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from 
its effectivity. 
SECTION  8. Effectivity 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause 
All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly 


SECTION 10. Separability Clause 
If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining 
provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 11. Appropriations 
Funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the General 
Appropriations Act. 
Approved,