Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__2349

Introduced by: HON. RUBEN B. ECLEO, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since time immemorial, barangay elections in the country have always been
considered to be a non-partisan political activity. However, in so many past elections,
our experience has shown that the said elections cannot be totally insulated from the
undue influence of partisan politics. For which reason, as an electoral exercise, there
had always been political wrangling from opposing camps which caused divisiveness
even among close family members. Worse, it sometimes triggers instances of violence
among political leaders and supporters,

Only two (2) months ago, the Filipino people had just exercised their political
duty to choose their leaders in the first ever automated national and local elections in the
country last May 10, 2010. Again, after barely five (5) months from such elections, we
will be holding another election, the synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan
elections in such a short period of time.

It is also imperative to cite the earlier pronouncement of His Excellency President
Benigno Simeon C. Aquino Ill that the government is in dire need of funds to finance
priority projects that will have direct impact upon the people, particularly the poor.
According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the cost of holding the
synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections scheduled to be held on
the last Monday of October 2010 is estimated to reach Three Billion Pesos (P3 Billion).

It is therefore the foremost objective of this piece of legislation to reset the
scheduled barangay and kabataan elections this October to the last Monday of October
2012. This will not only generate savings for the government but most importantly, it will
allow the electorates to take a longer breathing space that will calm down the political
landscape for the great benefit of the Filipino people.

The foregoing reasons warrant the immediate approval of this bill.

HON(RUBEN B. ECLEO, JR.
Representative
Lone District, Dinagat Islands


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
23
HOUSE BILL No. __ 2849

Introduced by: HON. RUBEN B. ECLEO, JR.

AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT No. 9164, AS AMENDED,
RESETTING THE BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN
ELECTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended, is hereby
further amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 1. Date of Election. - There shall be
synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections which
shall be held on THE LAST MONDAY OF OCTOBER 2012 [July
15, 2002]. Subsequent synchronized barangay and sangguniang
kabataan elections shall be held on the last Monday of October
[2007] and every three years (3) years thereafter.”

SEC. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended, is hereby
further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 4. Assumption of Office. — The term of office of the
barangay and sangguniang kabataan officials elected [under this
Act shall commence on August 15, 2002, next following their
elections. The term of office of the barangay and sangguniang
kabataan officials elected] in the October 2012 [2007] election and
subsequent elections shall commence at noon of November 30
next following their election.”

SEC. 3. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9164, as amended,
regarding the hold over capacity of all incumbent barangay and
sangguniang kabataan officials shall remain in force and effect.


SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the appropriations of the
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) under the General Appropriations
Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

The funds mentioned above may be augmented by an amount not
exceeding ten percent (10%) of the sangguniang kabataan funds
reserved pursuant to Section 532 (c) of Republic Act No. 7160 as
amended, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The COMELEC
‘shall issue the rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
and rules an regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or
provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or
provisions hereof shall not be affected and thereby remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,