Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INTEGRATION OF VOTER 
EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“Unfold, oh timid flower! 
Lift up your radiant brow, 
This day, Youth of my native strand! 
Your abounding talents show 
Resplendently and grand, 
Fair hope of my Motherland!” 
- Jose Rizal, “To the Filipino Youth”
This bill mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to integrate voter education 
in the Junior and Senior High School curricula in order to provide a fair and impartial 
venue for discussion of the Philippine electoral process to young citizens as they prepare 
to exercise their constitutional right to vote. 
The electoral process being a catalyst for peaceful and democratic change in the political, 
social, historical, and economic structures of the country, it is essential that students in 
Junior and Senior High Schools are educated properly about the importance of elections, 
plebiscites, or referendums outside the partisan advocacies of competing political parties 
and candidates during election periods. By providing the youth with sufficient 
knowledge about the nuances and importance of elections to their future, it is hoped 
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that the proposed High School Voter Education Act will empower the youth to exercise 
their right to vote responsibly.  
In view of the foregoing, ug sa ngalan sa Serbisyong Tinuoray, the early passage of this 
bill is earnestly sought.  
 
 
 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INTEGRATION OF VOTER 
EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “High School Voter 
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Education Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to enlighten young citizens 
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on their right to vote and to inculcate in them the duty to participate 
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responsibly and preserve the integrity of the electoral process as a vital 
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indicator of the economic, social, and political development and maturity of a 
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nation. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Voter Education. – As used in this Act, “Voter Education” 
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means dissemination of information, materials, and programs designed to 
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inform citizens about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process.  It 
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includes providing information on the history and struggle of our forefathers 
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to exercise the right to suffrage; its importance in the growth and maturity of 
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a nation; the proper exercise thereof, as well as information on voter eligibility,  
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qualification and registration of voters, verification of voters list; rationale and 
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type of elections being held; where, when, and how to vote; participation in 
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elections as candidates; and how to seek redress for grievances and to report 
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violations of election laws. 
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SEC. 4. Integration of Voter Education in the Junior and Senior High School 
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Curricula. – The Department of Education (DepEd) is hereby mandated to 
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integrate Voter Education in the junior and senior high school curricula, to be 
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formulated with assistance from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).  
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Concerned teachers of the DepEd shall undergo trainings, to be conducted by 
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the COMELEC and other election experts, on the legal and technical aspects 
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of the electoral system and process.   
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SEC. 5. Voter Education Syllabus. –  
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A. Voter education. – The main syllabus shall include the following thematic 
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areas: 
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a.  Suffrage. – This area introduces to students on the right to vote 
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accorded by the Constitution and other rights enabling citizens 
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to participate in the conduct of public affairs; and 
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b.  Electoral system and process. – This area deals with the general 
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principles underlying the present electoral system, and legislation 
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regulating all the phases of the election.  It discusses the proper 
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conduct of elections including registration, casting of ballots, and 
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counting of votes. 
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B. Educated voting. – This area focuses on the attitude and behavior a voter 
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must adopt to ensure fair, free, and honest elections.  It emphasizes the 
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importance of participating in elections in a manner that shall promote 
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and strengthen democracy. 
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C. Supplementary topics. – This curriculum should have additional topics 
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and studies on the political system of the country, the contextual 
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background of elections, current political, social, and economic issues 
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affecting the elections, and the possible solution to address them. 
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D. Other subject matters. – Other areas of voter education maybe included 
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in the syllabus. 
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SEC. 6. Educational Materials. – All schools offering secondary education are hereby 
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mandated to acquire an adequate number of copies of textbooks, primers, and 
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leaflets on voter education to be issued or approved by the DepEd.  The DepEd 
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shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the 
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normal volume of enrollment of the schools. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. –  The DepEd, in consultation with the 
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COMELEC, shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
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promulgate the rules and regulations to carry out and enforce the provisions 
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of this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Non-impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to 
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diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or made available to 
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disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under existing laws. 
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – Should any part of this Act be declared 
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unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions of this Act shall continue to be in 
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effect and subsisting. 
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – The provisions of other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
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rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, 
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or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the 
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Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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