TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 AUG-7 P4 -16
SENATE
S.B. No. 1124
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 185 OF THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE, AS 
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7904, BY ABOLISHING THE PRINTING 
OF THE VOTERS INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION SHEET
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It has been three decades since Republic Act No. 7904 was signed into law 
on February 23, 1995. Among others, it required the Commission on Elections 
(COMELEC) to furnish every registered voter an unfilled official sample ballot, voter 
information sheet C'VIIS"), and a list of all registered candidates. While the intention 
of the law is certainly good, the advancement of technology renders the task of 
printing and distributing the sample ballots and voter information sheets a costly 
and unnecessary process.
There is information that the printing and distribution of the VIIS cost Php 
6.90 per registered voter. With the number of registered voters likely to exceed 70 
million in the coming years, the total cost of the VIIS and sample ballot distribution 
will be more than half a billion pesos in the next elections.
There are also serious questions on the effectiveness of the distribution 
process of these documents, with many voters complaining that they have never 
received the VIIS or official sample ballots despite having participated in several 
elections already. Finally, it must also be emphasized that the imposition of having 
to deliver the VIIS to each and every registered voter further taxes the already 
hectic work schedule and tight deadlines of COMELEC during election preparations.
Therefore, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
tmarcos/^


/'tfiri' Cl11
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 AUG-7 P4:16
SENATE
S.B. No. 1124
RFCc, J'
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 185 OF THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE, AS AMENDED 
BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7904, BY ABOLISHING THE PRINTING OF THE 
VOTERS INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION SHEET
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Section 185 of the Omnibus Election Code, as amended, is hereby
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further amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 185. Official Sample Ballots. - The Commission shall provide the [board
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of election inspectors} ELECTORAL BOARD with official sample ballots at the
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rate of thirty (30) ballots per polling place. The official sample ballots shall be
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printed on colored paper, in all respects like the official ballots but nearing
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instead the words "Official Sample Ballot" to be shown to the public and used in
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demonstrating how to fill out and fold the official ballots properly. No name of
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any actual candidate shall be written on the spaces for voting on the sample
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official ballots provided by the Commission, nor shall they be used for voting.
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At least thirty (30) days before an election, it shall be the duty of the Commission
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on Elections to [furnish every registered voter through registered mail with
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return card, personal service with corresponding receipt to be signed by the
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voter or any person who knows the voter, or any other practicable means with
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an unfilled official sample ballot, voter information sheet,] PUBLICIZE THE
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UNFILLED OFFICIAL SAMPLE BALLOT, AS WELL AS, A SET OF
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SIMPLIFIED INSTRUCTIONS AS TO THE CASTING OF VOTES,
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THROUGH BROADCAST, DIGITAL, ELECTRONIC, OR ONLINE MEDIA,
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AS WELL AS POSTING THE SAME INFORMATION AT CONSPICUOUS
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PUBLIC AREAS IN EVERY BARANGAY DURING THE NATIONAL AND
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LOCAL ELECTIONS AND BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN


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ELECTIONS, and a list of all registered [national, provincial and city] candidates 
to be voted in the said elections.
[The-iftformation sheet shall include the voter's name> address, the precinct and
the place where he is registered, and simplified instructions as to the casting -of
votes.] The names of the candidates shall be listed in alphabetical order under 
their respective party affiliation, IF ANY [and a one line statement not to exceed 
three-(3) words of their occupation or profession:]: Provided, however, That in 
the [printing] POSTING of the names of the candidates for national offices, the 
alphabetical order shall be democratized SUCH THAT NAMES OF 
CANDIDATES ARE SHOWN IN EQUAL PROMINENCE, [so-that the-tisted 
names shall be made in three (3) columns: the first coliimn shall commence with
the letter- A and end-with the letter Z; the second column shall -eemmenee-with
the letters 'I—Z' and thereafter—'A-HLand the third-eolumn shall commence
with the letters 'Q - Z' and thcreafter-'A -P'-These information may be contained
in a single sheet or booklet fer-m, and-the- number and location-of the voters'
polling place shall be prominently indicated therein.] Persons nominated under 
the party-list system SHALL likewise be included in the abovementioned list."
SEC. 2. The information to be publicized or posted under Section 1 of this Act 
shall be in any of the official languages of the Republic of the Philippines or in the 
dialect understood by a majority of the voters in the region where the information is 
directed.
SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - Should any part of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the other parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,