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Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3384

Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This representation joins the nationwide call for the postponement of the December 5,
2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9164
as amended, to the second Monday of May in 2024.

Elections postponement in this extraordinary time spans the globe. From February 2020
to February 2022, at least 80 countries and territories across the globe have decided to postpone
national and subnational elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.!

‘The Philippines had recently concluded the 2022 Presidential elections — considered its
most expensive clections in history.? In an effort to “COVID-proof” the elections, the
‘Commission on Elections (COMELEC) dedicated a substantial amount to prevent the spread
of the virus as millions of voters cast their votes. More than Php| billion was allocated for the
purchase of items labeled as “COVID-19 supplies.” face masks, alcohol, plastic acetates, and

antigen tests for election officers who attended training.

" hups://wow.idea.int/news-media/multimedia-reports/global-overview-covid-19-impact-clections
2 butps://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/cost-covid-19-proofing-2022-elections-philippines-peij-repory


With the upcoming elections, the country is again facing the enormously difficult task
of balancing individual liberties, public health concerns, and economic considerations. This,
along all other challenges that are increasing in scope,the country remains in the throes of the
pandemic.

With the passage of the bill, the government is expected to generate savings of
approximately Php 8 billion — a significant amount for a cash-strapped government. This
representation believes that the budget could be realigned for economic stimulus and COVID-
19 response programs for the benefit of the entire nation. The prudent and judicial allocation
of public funds to support the efficient delivery of quality services to the Filipino people is
primordial now more than ever.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

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HONMUJIV S. HATAMAN
Representative

Lone District of Basilan


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

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3384

Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan

AN ACT POSTPONING THE DECEMBER 2022 BARANGAY AND
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS TO THE SECOND MONDAY OF MAY
2024, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164, AS AMENDED

BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10632, REPUBLIC ACT NO.
10656, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10923, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10952 AND REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 11462, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section | of Republic Act No. 9164 as amended, is hereby further
amended as follows:
“SECTION 1. Date of Elections. - There shall be a synchronized barangay and

sangguniang kabataan clections, which shall be held on July 15, 2002

bsequent
synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be held on the last
Monday of October 2007 and every three (3) years thereafter: Provided, That the
barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections on the second Monday of May 2020 shall
be postponed to the second Monday of May 2024. Subsequent synchronized barangay
and sangguniang kabataan elections shall be held on the second Monday of May 2027

and every three (3) years thereafter.”


SEC. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9164 as amended, is hereby further amended to
read as follows:

“SEC. 4. Assumption of Office. ~The term of office of the barangay and sangguniang

kabataan officials elected under this Act shall commence at noon of June 30 next

following their election: Provided, however, That the term of office of the barangay and
sangguniang kabataan officials elected in the May 13, 2024 elections and subsequently
thereafter, shall commence at noon of July | next following their elections.”

SEC. 3. Hold-over. ~ Until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified,
all incumbent barangay officials and sangguniang kabataan officials shall remain in office,
unless sooner removed or suspended for cause: Provided, That barangay and sangguniang
kabataan officials who are ex-officio members of the sangguniang bayan, sangguniang
panlungsod, or sangguniang panlalawigan, as the case may be, shall continue to serve until the
next barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections.

SEC. 4. Appropriations, ~ The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be taken from the appropriations of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) under the
General Appropriations Act and/or supplementary appropriations thereafter.

SEC. 5. 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. 6. Separability Clause. ~ If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be held

invalid or unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full

force and effect.



SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately following the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,