FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senat~ Bill No. _...:::5...:::1::...:8~ 
10 
JUL -7 A9 ~1:5 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Suffrage is the most powerful means by which the sovereign will is 
expressed by the people. It is through the ballot that such will finds its more 
concrete manifestation. 
Yet in modern Philippine pOlitical history, unscrupulous parties particularly 
those whose intention is to perpetuate themselves in power, by devious schemes 
and designs, violate the sanctity of the ballot. 
This bill provides for extra safeguards in the custody and distribution of 
said ballots prior to an electoral exercise. 
Premises considered, the; early passage of this measure is earnestly 
sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
518 
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10 JlIL -7 A9 :15 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 186 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS 
AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 186 of Batas Pambansa Big. 881, otherwise known 
as the Election Code of the Philippines, as amended, is hereby amended to read 
as: 
"SEC, 186. Distribution of official ballots and election returns.- [The 
official ballots and the election returns shall be distributed by the 
Commission to each city and municipality at the rate of one and one-fifth 
(1 1/5) ballots for every voter registered in each polling place; and for 
election returns, at the rate of one set each for every polling place.) 
THE COMMISSION SHALL DISTRIBUTE TO EACH CITY AND 
MUNICIPALITY THE OFFICIAL BALLOTS AT THE RATE OF ONE (1) 
BALLOT FOR EVERY REGISTERED VOTER AND AN ADDITIONAL 
TEN (10) BALLOTS PER PRECINCT, AND ELECTION RETURNS AT 
THE RATE OF ONE (1) SET FOR EVERY PRECINCT. 
The provincial, city OR municipal treasurer, OR SUCH OTHER 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WHO MAY BE TASKED WITH THE DUTY OF 
STORING AND DISTRIBUTING ELECTION FORMS AND MATERIALS, 
SHALL [respectively) keep a record of the quantity and serial numbers of 
official ballots and election returns [furnished the various) ALLOCATED 
TO THE RESPECTIVE provinces, cities and municipalities and [polling 
places) PRECINCTS. [,as the case may be, legible copies of which) 
COPIES OF SUCH record shall be furnished the COMMISSION AND THE 
duly authorized [provincial, city, or municipal) representatives of the [ruling 
party and the dominant opposition party, and the Commission immediately 
after the distribution is made of such official ballots and election returns.) 
ACCREDITED 
POLITICAL 
PARTIES, 
ORGANIZATIONS, 
OR 
COALITIONS WHICH FIELDED CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTION 
IMMEDIATELY UPON DISTRIBUTION BUT NOT LATER THAN THE 
DAY AFTER THE ELECTION. THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE 
THE ISSUANCE OF OFFICIAL DELIVERY RECEIPTS FOR THE 


OFFICIAL BALLOTS, ELECTION RETURNS AND OTHER ELECTION 
FORMS AND PARAPHERNALIA. 
[The Commission shall prescribe the use of official delivery receipts 
to be signed by the election registrar and the chairman of the board of 
canvassers upon receipt of the election returns.] 
No official ballots or election returns shall be delivered to the board 
of election inspectors earlier than the first hour of election day [;]. 
[Provided, however, that] the Commission [. after written notice to the 
registered political parties and the candidates,] may, for justifiable 
reasons, AND AFTER NOTICE TO THE CANDIDATES AND THE 
ACCREDITED 
POLITICAL 
PARTIES, 
ORGANIZATIONS 
AND 
COALITIONS FIELDING CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTION, authorize the 
delivery of [said] official ballots and election returns to the board of 
[election] inspectors [of any particular polling place] at an earlier date." 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, issuances, orders, rules 
and regulations or any part thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby amended, 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,