FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 524 
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JUL -7 A 9 :1i 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Since its enactment, Batas Pambansa Big. 881, otherwise known as the 
Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, has undergone several amendments 
and revisions. 
Despite the best efforts by the past Congress to keep this law at pace with 
modern electoral practices, there are still a number of provisions that need to be 
modified accordingly so as to make the fundamental election law of the land 
respond to the radical challenges and demands of modern times. 
This proposed measure specifically seeks to amend Section 10 of the said 
statute, along with the inclusion of several subparagraphs in order to 
methodically specify and identify concerned agencies responsible in providing 
the funding required for the condL)ct of various electoral exercises in our country. 
With the passage of this proposed bill, it is expected that the processing 
and releasing of the necessary funds incidental to defraying the cost of elections 
be easily facilitated, thereby, ensuring the conduct of a speedy and efficient 
electoral exercise. 
In view of this, immediate passage of this proposed legislation is, thus, 
earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 524 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
. ANACT 
AMENDING SECTION 10 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 10 of Batas Pambansa Big. 881, otherwise known as 
the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
"SEC. 10. Election Expenses. -
(A) [Except in 
barangay elections] such expenses as may be necessary 
and reasonable in connection with the HOLDING OF 
elections, referenda, plebiscites, RECALL and other similar 
ELECTORAL exercises shall be paid by the Commission, 
EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE PROVIDED UNDER THIS 
ACT. The Commission may direct that in the CASE OF 
provinces, cities or municipalities, the election expenses 
chargeable to the Commission be advanced by the province, 
city or municipality concerned subject to reimbursement by 
the Commission upon presentation of the proper bill. 
(B) ALL BALLOT BOXES, ELECTION FORMS, 
SUPPLIES AND PARAPHERNALIA SHALL BE PROVIDED 
BY THE COMMISSION AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE 
PROVINCIAL AND CITY TREASURER AT THE EXPENSE 
OF THE COMMISSION. 
THE PROVINCIAL TREASURER SHALL, AT THE 
EXPENSE 
OF 
THE 
PROVINCE, 
PROVIDE 
THE 
NECESSARY FACILITIES FOR THEIR DELIVERY TO THE 
MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE PROVINCE. THE CITY 
AND 
MUNICIPAL 
TREASURERS 
SHALL, 
AT 
THE 
EXPENSE OF THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY. PROVIDE 
THE NCESSARY TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THE 
BOARDS OF ELECTION INSPECTORS AND THEIR 
BALLOT BOXES, ELECTION FORMS, SUPPLIES AND 
PARAPHERNALIA TO AND FROM THEIR ASSIGNED 
POLLING PLACES. 


(C) 
LIGHTING 
FACILITIES 
IN 
THE 
POLLING 
PLACES AND IN PLACES WHERE THE COUNTING OF 
VOTES OR THE CANVASSING OF ELECTION RETURNS 
ARE CONDUCTED SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE 
MUNICIPALITY, CITY OR PROVINCE CONCERNED AT 
ITS EXPENSE. 
(D) 
OVERTIME 
SERVICES 
RENDERED 
IN 
CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTIONS SHALL BE PAID 
BY THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AT THE 
SAME RATE AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONNEL OF THE 
COMMISSION. 
(E) POLL REQUIREMENTS OF THE MILITARY AND 
POLICE 
CONTINGENTS 
ASSIGNED 
TO 
ELECTION. 
DUTIES SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE ARMED FORCES 
OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE, RESPECTIVELY. 
(F) 
GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES 
CONCERNED 
SHALL INCLUDE IN THEIR ANNUAL OR SPECIAL 
APPROPRIATIONS 
THE 
AMOUNT 
NECESSARY TO 
COVER THEIR RESPECTIVE EXPENSES FOR THE NEXT 
SUCCEEDING ELECTION. 
(G) IN CASE A MUNICIPALITY CANNOT AFFORD 
TO 
PROVIDE AT 
ITS 
EXPENSE THE 
FACILITIES 
MENTIONED 
ABOVE, 
THE 
EXPENSES 
RELATIVE 
THERETO SHALL BE ADVANCED BY THE PROVINCE 
AND SAID MUNICIPALITY SHALL REIMBURSE THE 
SAME UPON REPRESENTATION OF THE PROPER BILL 
AND AS SOON AS IT IS FINANCIALLY IN A POSITION TO 
DO SO. 
(H) 
ANY 
CLAIM 
FOR 
ANY 
EXPENDITURE 
INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTION AND 
PAYABLE 
BY THE 
COMMISSION WITHIN 
SIX (6) 
MONTHS AFTER THE LAPSE OF THE SAID PERIOD, 
SAID CLAIM SI7ALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN 
WAIVED AND ANY ACTION FOR THE COLLECTION 
THEREOF 
SHALL 
BE 
DEEMED 
TO 
HAVE 
BEEN 
PRESCRIBED. 
(I) Funds needed by the Commission [to defray the 
expenses] for the holding of [regular and special] elections, 
referenda, plebiscites, RECALL AND OTHER SIMILAR 
ELECTORAL EXERCISES shall be provided in the regular 
appropriations of the Commission which, upon request, shall 
immediately be released to the Commission. In case of 
deficiency, the amount so provided shall be augmented form 
the [special activities] CONTINGENT fund[s] in the General 
Appropriations Act and from those specifically appropriated 
for the purpose in special laws." 


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SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, presidential 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 after fifteen 
(15) days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,