Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

206
HOUSE BILLNO.

Introduced by Representative JAKE VINCENT S. VILLA

EXPLANATORYNOTE
Article X, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides, to wit:

The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are
the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. There shall be
autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as hereinafter
provided

The Barangay is the most basic and fundamental political subdivision within the structure
of Philippine government. Barangays are the grassroots of government development. They
are the first responders in terms of basic government administration. As such, Barangays
deserveoutmost consideration in theterms of improving and strengthening our laws, rules
and procedures pertaining to the local government system.

‘The postponement of the upcoming synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan
(“SK”) elections is warranted because this will give the Commission on Elections
(“COMELEC”) ample time to prepare for said elections, It bears emphasis that two
members of the COMELEC will retire on February 2020 or close to the scheduled local
elections.'Moreover, the postponementof the local elections will enable incumbent
Barangay and SK officials to effectively continue their projects and programs in
accordance with the developments in the current Administration.

foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought

" Philippine Star Website, https:/Avww philstar.com/headlines/20 19/0S/26/1920975/next-comelec-
baraneay-polls



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ist

Introduced by Representative JAKE VINCENT S. VILLA

AN ACT
POSTPONING THE MAY 2020 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN
ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164, AS
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9340, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10656,
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10923, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10952, 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 by Republic Act No. 9340,
Republic Act No. 10656, Republic Act No. 10923 Republic Act No. 10952, is hereby
further amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 1. Date of Election. - There shall be synchronized barangay and
sangguniang Kabataan elections, which shall be held on July 15, 2002
Subsequent 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 2022. Subsequent synchronized barangay and sangguniang kabataan
elections shall be held on the second Monday of May 2022 and every three
(3) years thereafter.”

SECTION 2. Hold Over. - Until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified, or until the President, through the Executive Secretary, shall appoint officers-in-
charge for the barangay, all incumbent barangay officials shall remain in office, unless
sooner removed or suspended for cause: Provided, that barangay officials who are ex
officio members of the sangguniang bayan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang
panlalawigan, as the case may be shall continue to serve as such members in the
sanggunian concerned until the next barangay election. The Liga ng mga Barangay at the
municipal, city, and provincial levels shall, within thirty (30) days after the next barangay
election, conduct elections for ex officio positions in the sanggunians under the
supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government


SECTION 3. Ban of Government Projects. - The construction or maintenance of
barangay-funded roads and bridges shall be prohibited for a period of ten (10) days
immediately preceding the date of election, the provisions _of Section 261, paragraphs (v)
and (w), of the Omnibus Election Code to the contrary notwithstanding.

SECTION 4. Prohibition on Appointments of Government Officials. - The appointment or
hiring of new employees, creation of new position, promotion, or giving of salary
increases, remuneration or privileges in the barangay shall be prohibited for a period of ten
(10) days immediately preceding the election, the provisions of Section 261, paragraph
(g), of the Omnibus Election Code to the contrary notwithstanding

SECTION 5. Use of Appropriations. - The amount of Six billion ninety million three
hundred twenty-four thousand three-hundred twenty-five pesos and sixteen centavos
(PHP6,090,324,325.16) shall be considered as continuing appropriations and shall be used
exclusively for the conduct of the barangay and sangguniang kabataan registration and
elections in May 2022.

SECTION 6. Use of Sangguniang Kabataan Fund. - Until the new sangguniang kabataan
officials shall have been duly elected and qualified, the sangguniang barangay shall not
use the sangguniang kabataanfund except for youth development and empowerment
Programs as provided in Republic Act No, 10742, otherwise known as "The Sangguniang
Kabataan Reform Act of 2015"

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - ‘The COMELEC shall, within thirty
(30) days after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate such rules and regulations necessary
to implement this Act.

SECTION 8 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.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion ot provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,