Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Persons With Disabilities and Senior Citizens should be given equal, if not
more attention, because elections are precisely about citizens exercising their power
as sovereigns; no citizen must be left behind, especially those who do not start at
equal footing. No portion of the population must be denied access to democratic and
electoral processes.
However, it will be extra difficult especially for those from the sectors that are
more vulnerable to disenfranchisement because of their unique circumstances. These
sectors include those of persons with disabilities (PWDs), older persons or senior
citizens.
This bill seeks to address complaints from the elderly and PWDs about
difficult access to voting precincts that are usually set up in schools, which are
designated as voting centers. For example, some voting precincts are located on the
higher floors of school buildings, which are sometimes not PWD- or senior
citizen-friendly. Moreover, voting centers also tend to become crowded, which the
elderly and PWDs find too inconvenient especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
Representative, 4Ps Partylist
September 1, 2022
4:42 pm
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR
CITIZENS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 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 and persons with disabilities
(PWDs) by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the
election.
SECTION 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be
early voting where senior citizens and PWDs qualified to vote early mav
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 election.
SEC. 3. Registration. - There shall be a nationwide registration for senior
citizens and PWDs who may wish to avail of their early voting privileges to
qualify them for early voting. Those who are not registered under this Act
shall vote on Election Day.
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SEC.
4.
Obligations
of
the
COMELEC.
-
To
ensure
the
smooth
implementation of this Act, the COMELEC shall;
(a)
Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered
voters;
(b)
In coordination with local government units, the National
Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the
Department of Health and the Department of Interior and Local
Government, design a registration system that shall allow senior
citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early voting in order to
improve their voting experience in national and local elections:
(c)
Ensure the full implementation of 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" such that polling places are safe,
highly accessible and fitted with the necessary communication, visual
and physical aids; and
(d)
Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting by
qualified senior citizens and PWDs.
SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to fund early voting by
qualified senior citizens and PWDs in national and local elections 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 the
early voting by qualified senior citizens and PWDs.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
the approval of this Act, the COMELEC shall, in consultation with other
relevant government and nongovernment agencies, promulgate the rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.


SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) davs after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.