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TWENTIETH CONGRESS \ BY suey
First Regular Session K eS)

House But No, 1522

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

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS 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
Filipinos overseas, media practitioners, armed forces and police force. However, these
still leave another group disenfranchised due to age-related conditions during
elections.

Senior citizens have a significant role to play and contribution to make in the
transformation of our country towards a more just, fair and humane society. Our
elderly has the treasure of wisdom, knowledge, values and experience that they can
share with us, most especially with the younger generation of Filipinos. 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 either to seek treatment or due to elderly
health issues and conditions among other reasons.

Hence, this bill provides for means for senior citizens 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.

iicah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon

Keith



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 1522

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

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS 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 senior citizens 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 senior citizens 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.

SEC. 3. Registration. - There shall be a nationwide registration for senior
citizens 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 senior citizens who are registered voters;

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

(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and
properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids,
as mandated under Republic Act No. 1036 entitled, ‘An Act Authorizing the
Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible
Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens”;
and

(d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified
senior citizens.


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,