Republic of the Philippines //
House of Representatives.’ >
Quezon City, Metro Manila: ta
Nineteenth Congress |\**
First Regular Ses ean

HOUSE BILL NO. LOK

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Introduced by Rep. Anthony R.T. Golez Jr. MD, MBAH

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Abraham Lincoln stated that: “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” The right
to suffrage is so important that it has its own article in our Constitution, However, the
various reports showing rampant vote-buying in the recent elections have diminished
the significance of the right to suffrage.

The Consitution also declared it as a policy of the State to “maintain honesty and
integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft aid
corruption.” The said policy cannot be fully coneretized when vote-buying during
elections will continue and be tolerated, by both citizens and public officials. As such,
this representation deems it proper to classify vote-buying as a heinous crime,
punishable by reclusion perpetua.

This representation believes that elections is the most important ingredient in
nation-building, therefore, the sanctity of the Filipino vote must be ensured. It is about
time for the People to stop turning a blind eye on vote-buying. Vote-buying during
elections should be rejected with extreme repugnance. The current law and penalty
against vote-buying is clearly not enough to deter vote-buying.

The passage of a special penal law declaring vote-buying as a heinous crime
will send a strong message to the electorate, and the would-be elected officials, that
Filipinos have had enough of vote-buying during elections.

It is respectful
buying a heinous ¢

prayed that the approval of the proposed law declaring vote-
me, punishable by reclusion perpetua, be immediately made.

HON. ANTHONY Z}R. MD, MBAH

Matasakit at Bayanihan Party List


Republic of the Philippines:
Abuse of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1703

Introduced by Rep. Anthony R.T. Golez Jr. MD, MBAH

AN ACT DEFINING AND DECLARING VOTE-BUYING AS A HEINOUS
CRIME, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

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

assembled:

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as “Vote-Buwing isa Heinows Crime

Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. The State declares that the sanctity of the
Filipino vote is of atmost importance. The State will exercise no tolerance with acts
that will diminish the sanctity of the Filipino vote. ‘The State hereby declares and
defines vote-buying asa heinous crime.

Section 3. Definition of Terms:

a.

b.

d.

Vote-Buying ~ shall refer to giving and offering money or anything of
value, including the promise of employment in any office, and granting
of a public or private contract, in exchange for votes during elections

Vote-Selling ~ shall refer to soliciting money or anything of value,
including asking for employment in any office and receiving benefit in
a public or private contract, in exchange for votes during elections.

Buyer - shall refer to a person running for public office who gives or
offers anything of value, including the promise of employment in any
office, and granting of a public or private contract, in exchange for votes
during elections.

Seller - shall refer to a person who accepts money or anything, of value,
including the promise of employment in any office, and granting of a
public or private contract, in exchange for his or her vote in an election.

Solicitor - shall refer to a person who gives or offers money or
anything of value, including the promise of emplyment in any office,


and the granting of a public or private contract, in exchange for voting
the candidate he or she is endorsing in an election.

f. Political Party - shall refer to a national, regional, local political party
registered with the Commission on Elections. It shall also refer to a
partylist.

g. Political Group ~ shall refer to an organization, association, or any group
composed of individuals who promote an individual or a political party
to be voted in an election.

Section 4. Vote-Buying and Related Offenses

a.

Giving and offering money or anything of value, including the promise of
employment in any office, and granting of a public or private contract, in
exchange for votes during elections by a buyer or political party.

Giving or offering money or anything of value, including the promise of
employment in any office, and the granting of a public or private contract,
in exchange for voting the candidate he or she is endorsing in an election by
a solicitor, political party, or political organization.

Accepting money or anything of value, including the promise of
employment in any office, and granting of a public or private contract, in
exchange for his or her vote for a candidate or candidates in an election.

Section 5. Jurisdiction of Vote-Buying Offenses. The Regional Trial Courts shall
have jurisdiction over vote-buying offenses

Section 6. Prosecution of Vote-Buying Offenses. The prosecution of vote-buying
offenses shall take precedence over all other cases and must be disposed with urgency.
The chairman, president, head, or leader of a political party or political organization

shall be presumed to be part of the acts punishable under th

act. Within ninety (90)

days after the effectivity of this Act, the Supreme Court, in coordination with the
Commission on Elections and Department of Justice, shal! formulate a special set of
rules for the swift and proper prosecution of offenses hereunder.

Section 7. Penal Provisions.

a.

The penalty of imprisonment for twenty (20) years to forty (40) years, fine
of not less than five million pesos (P5,000,000.00), and perpetual
disqualification from holding public office shall be imposed upon any
person convicted under Section 4(a) of this Act.

The penalty of imprisonment for twelve (12) years to twenty (20) years, fine
of not less than three million pesos (P3,000,000.00), and perpetual
disqualification from holding public office shall be imposed upon any
person convicted under Section 4(b) of this Act.


©.

d.

Section 8. Separability Claus.
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provision
in full force and effect.

‘The penalty of imprisonment for one (1) year to six (6) years, fine of not less
than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), and perpetual
disqualification from holding public office shall be imposed upon any
person convicted under Section 4(c) of this Act.

All persons under this Act shall no longer be allowed to be a member or
part of a political party or partylist registering or seeking accreditation from
the Commission on Elections and/or Securities Exchange Commission

If any provision of this Act shall be held
ot otherwise affected shall remain

Section 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, exccutive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof, as are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,