Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1525

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah ‘Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH
IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitutions provides that, “Suffrage may
be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who
are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at
least one year and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at least six months
immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive
requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage”

The right to suffrage is the essence of our democracy. As a means to increase
participation by citizens who are otherwise prevented from voting, the country has
enacted absentee voting laws. Presently, there are laws that allow absentee voting for
nos overseas, media practitioners, armed forces and police force. However, these
still leave another group disenfranchised due to the performance of their function
during elections.

Human resources for health (HRHs) or those who are engaged in health and
health-related work play a significant role in society by promoting health and
preventing and curing disease. As such, it is important to ensure that their voices will
be heard and their votes will be counted during elections. However, some of them may
not be able to vote as they are stationed away from their residences on election days to
deliver essential health services, attend to medical emergencies, and save lives.
Qualified HRHs—such as doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals—should be
allowed to vote early during elections because of the nature of their work. Their
schedules are often demanding, unpredictable, and include long shifts, night duties, or
emergency calls, which may fall on election day. Early voting gives them the flexibility
to cast their votes without conflicting with their responsibilities to patients, especially
during times when their presence in hospitals and clinics is critical.

Allowing early voting also helps ensure that these professionals, who play a
vital role in national well-being, are not disenfranchised due to their commitment to
public service. Giving them the opportunity to vote early recognizes their sacrifices
and supports their right to participate in shaping the policies and leaders that directly
impact the healthcare sector and the public they serve.


Hence, this bill provides for means for HRHs stationed away from their
residences on election days to vote on national elections in the precincts nearest to
them subject to reasonable regulations by the Commission on Election.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

b—D>. ]
Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1523

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH
IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to make voting convenient for human resources for health (HRHs) by giving them the
option to vote earlier than the date set for the elections.

SEC. 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be early voting
where qualified HRHs may choose to cast their ballot at accessible establishments
designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within seven (7) working days
before the date set for the elections. For purposes of this Act, HRHs refer to all persons
who are engaged in health and health-related work, and all persons employed in all
hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health units, barangay
health stations, clinics and other health-related establishments owned and operated by
the Government or its political subdivisions with original charters and shall include
medical, allied health professional, administrative and support personnel employed
regardless of their employment status who physically report to the frontlines during
the day of the election.

SEC. 3. Registration. - There shall be a nationwide registration for HRHs to
qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under
this Act shall vote on Election Day.

SEC. 4. Obligations of the COMELEC. - To ensure the effective implementation of
this Act, the COMELEC shall:

(a) Keep a record of HRHs who are registered voters;

(b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units,
the Department of Health, and the Department of Interior and Local
Government, that allows HRHs to register and opt for early voting;

(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to HRHs; and

(a) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for HRHs.


SEC 5. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter,
the funding of which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas Pambansa Big. 881
or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled, “An Act Providing for
Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing
Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes’; and other election laws not
inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate early voting for qualified senior
citizens.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from its
effectivity, the Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SEC 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,