TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No._________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was was approved by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
Many states in America now allow early voting, in which ballots are cast prior to 
Election Day. The primary argument in favor of early voting is that it increases turnout by 
making it easier to vote.  
In addition to the statistical evidence, early voting is advocated by voting rights groups 
whose primary concern is making voting as convenient as possible for voters, because it gives 
them significantly more time to complete their ballots or go to the polls.  
Some election administrators also prefer early voting because it allows them more time to 
process ballots, relieves some of the strain on voting systems that occurs on Election Day, 
cuts down long lines, and reduces the number of poll workers needed.  
This bill seeks to provide for early voting in the Philippines for the national and local 
elections.  In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 3, 2025
1:25 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No._________ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS, PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITIES, LAWYERS, AND HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH IN NATIONAL AND 
LOCAL ELECTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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, persons with disabilities (PWDs), lawyers, and human 
resources for health by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the elections. 
SEC. 2. Early Voting. – In consideration of their respective physical and health conditions, 
senior citizens and PWDs shall be allowed to vote early in national and local elections. 
Similarly, in consideration of the necessity of providing professional services and ensuring the 
health and safety of the populace during election day, lawyers and human resources for 
health, respectively, shall be allowed to vote early in national and local elections. 
For the purposes of this Act, the term “human resources for health” shall refer to those 
who are engaged in health and health-related work, and all persons employed in all hospitals, 
sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health units, barangay health stations, clinics 
and other health-related establishments owned and operated by the Government or its political 
subdivisions with original charters and include medical, allied health professional, 
administrative and support personnel employed regardless of their employment status who 
physically report to the frontlines during the day of the election. 
SEC. 3. Registration. – There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens, PWDs, 
lawyers, and human resources for health 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 Commission on Elections. – To ensure the effective 
implementation of this Act, the Commission on Elections shall: 
(a) Keep a record of senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health who are
registered voters;
(b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the National
Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the Office of the Bar Confidant
of the Supreme Court, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Department of Health, and
the Department of the Interior and Local Government for senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and
human resources for health in order to facilitate their early voting;
(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs, and
properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids, as mandated under
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Republic Act No. 10366 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, 
PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health. 
 
SEC. 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the available appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, such 
amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Applicability of Other Laws. – The provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 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, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for 
health. 
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from its effectivity, 
the Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations for the effective 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,