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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3659
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PEDRO P. ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes to schedule the elections of regular national and local elections earlier
in select areas nationwide that are considered election hot spots for the past three (3)
national elections. Historically, these areas have been monitored closely by the
Commission on Elections and have been under the watch list of the Philippine National
Police during election period.

‘The rationale for holding of early elections is to provide ample time for the Commission
on Elections to conduct violence-free, honest and credible elections in these areas.

The period of fifteen (15) days would suffice for the Comelec to perform its mandate and
provide the general public the outcome of the elections. It is also necessary that the
election calendar be adjusted to give the candidates and the political parties to prepare
for their respective campaign activities.

The Provincial Board of Canvassers is mandated to canvass the votes of all candidates
but shall only proclaim the elected Member of the House of Representatives, provincial
officials, city officials and municipal officials.

There shall be no substitution allowed in the Board of Canvassers unless approved by
the Commission on Elections on emergency situations. In case the person holding the
position is on an acting capacity or as officer in-charge only, he or she shall be appointed
by the Commission to serve until the electoral period ends.

‘The present electoral laws, rules and regulations are still in effect and of suppletory
nature as far as they are not inconsistent with this Act.

The main aim of this proposed measure is to uphold the vote of every voter and not
disenfranchised the voters due to allege rampant election fraud and also to minimize if
not totally diminish electoral violence in these areas.

‘This is a significant step towards realizing our goal for clean, honest, credible and
peaceful elections in our country.

‘The early passage of this Act is earnestly sought.

D-

= [UALDO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3659

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PEDRO P, ROMUALDO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY HOLDING OF REGULAR NATIONAL AND LOCAL
4 TIONS IN SELECTED PROVINCES, CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Date of election and campaign periods. — For regular elections of
every three (3) years for national and local officials except for barangay elections and
elections of the President and Vice-President every six (6) years, the Commission on
Elections shall provide an early calendar of three (3) weeks for the campaign period of
national and local candidates in selected provinces, cities and municipalities
nationwide.

The campaign periods for all positions shall still be the same and the Commission
may exclude the day before and the day of the election itself, including Holy days in the
election calendar in selected provinces, cities and municipalities in the country that are
identified for the past three (3) national elections as election hot spots prior to the
age of this Act.

. Obligation to register and vote. - The Commission shall schedule an
early registration of qualified voters and disseminate this information in coordination
with the Regional, Provincial and Municipal Election Officers in these selected areas.

SEC. 3. Failure of election. — If, on account of force majeure, violence and
terrorism, fraud, or other analogous causes the election in any polling place has not
been held on the date earlier fixed, or had been suspended before the voting and during
the preparation and the transmission of the election returns or in the canvass thereof,
such election results in a failure to elect, or in any of such cases the failure or suspension
of election would affect the result of the election, the Commission shall, on the basis of
verified petition by any interested person and after due notice and hearing, call for the
holding or continuation of the election not held, suspended, or which resulted in a
failure to elect on a date reasonably close to the date of the election not held, suspended
or which resulted in a failure to elect but not later than fifteen (15) days after the
cessation of the cause of such postponement or suspension of the election or failure to
elect.

SEC 4, Place of canvass of votes and proclamation. ~ The Provincial Board of
Canvassers in these selected areas shall canvass the election returns for the President,
Vice-President, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives and for all
elective provincial, city or municipal officials.

Upon completion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass for
President, Vice-President, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives and


elective provincial and municipal officials. Thereafter, it shall proclaim the elected
member of the House of Representatives, provincial, city or municipal officials.

‘The Commission for purposes of transparency and consistent with existing laws
on automation elections utilize the same facility in conducting this special elections in
selected areas nationwide.

SEC. 5. Composition of Board of Canvassers. ~ There shall be a Provincial, City
or Municipal Board of Canvassers in these areas composed of the following:
Provincial Board of Canvassers
1.) Chairman — Provincial Election Supervisor
2.) Vice - Chairman — Provineial Fiscal
3.) Memiber ~Provincial Schools Superintendent of the Department of Education.

City Board of Canvassers
1.) Chairman — City Election Registrar
2.) Vice Chairman — City Fiscal
3.) Member — City Schools Superintendent of the Department of Education

Municipal Board of Canvassers
L) Chairman — Municipal Election Registrar;
2.) Vice Chairman ~ District Schools Supervisor; and
3.) Member ~ Municipal Treasurer

The Commission shall not allow any substitution of the members of the Board unless on
emergency situations and in the absence of a regular seating official, the next in rank or
officer-in-charge shall be appointed to serve until the election period ends.

SEC. 6. Relationship with candidates and other members. - The chairman and
the members of the board of canvassers shall not be related within the fourth civil
degree of consanguinity or affinity to any of the candidates whose votes will be
canvassed by said board, or to any member of the same board.

SEC. 7. Separability clause. — If for any reason any section or provision of this
Act, or any portion thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion to
any person group or circumstance be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the
vemainder thereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing clause. — All other election laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby modified, amended or repealed.

SEC. 9. Implementing rules and regulations. — The Commission shall draft the
implementing rules and regulations to implement this Act in consultation with the
majority ruling party and dominant opposition party.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in two (2)
major daily newspapers of national circulation and in one (1) local newspaper in all the
provinces of the Autonomous Regions of Muslim Mindanao.

Approved.