Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no8473

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
AMENDING BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, SECTION 97, ON
CONDUCTING FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES

The Constitution, Article II, Section 27, mandates the State to maintain honesty and
integrity in the public service. This is designed to prevent government officers and
employees from using their office for personal aggrandizement.

Government offices and premises, as long as their establishment and maintenance are
paid out of public funds, should be devoted entirely to the performance of public service.
Hence, the use thereof, during the election period up to the election day, in order to solicit
any contribution or to raise funds for political purposes, should be prohibited.

This bill seeks to declare it unlawful for any person seeking public office to use
government offices and premises in any manner that will promote his/ her election.

Lyford

LUIS RAYM' MLRAY” ILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.8473

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
AMENDING BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, SECTION 97, ON
CONDUCTING FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 97 of Batas Pambansa Big. 881 as amended, is further amended to
read as follows:

“Sec. 97. Prohibited raising of funds:

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to hold dances, lotteries, cockfights, boxing bouts,
bingo, beauty contests, entertainment, or cinematographic, theatrical or other
performances for the purpose of raising funds for an election campaign or for the support
of any candidate from the commencement of the election period up to and including
election day; or for any person or organization whether civic or religious, directly or
indirectly, to solicit and/ or accept from any candidate for public office, or from his
campaign manager, agent or representative, or any person acting in their behalf, any gift,
food, transportation, contribution, or donation in cash or in kind from the commencement
of the election period up to and including election day; Provided, That normal and
customary religious stipends, tithes, or collections on Sundays and/ or other designated
collection days are excluded from this prohibition; and

(8) It shall be unlawful for any person seeking public office whether local, regional or
national to solicit or receive any contribution, monetary and/ or in kind, OR CONDUCT
ANY FUND RAISING ACTIVITY FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES, in any government office
or premises, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO NATIONAL,
REGIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR
CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS, any military or police camp, installation or office AND


THE LIKE, AS LONG AS THE MAINTENANCE OF SAID OFFICES OR PREMISES ARE
PAID OUT OF PUBLIC FUNDS. THIS PROHIBITION SHALL APPLY BEFORE AND
DURING ELECTION PERIOD UP TO ELECTION DAY ITSELF.”

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the laws or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general publication.

Approved,