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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Hon. WILTER YAP PALMA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 8436 was passed into law in 1997 which mandates the 
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to utilize an Automated Election System so 
long as it will protect and safeguard the sanctity of the ballot and ensure an honest 
election. Consequently, Republic Act No. 9369 was then introduced which enabled 
the COMELEC to conduct a fully automated election. In fact, the Automated 
Election System even debuted back in 2010 and is still the primary system that is 
used to date. 
Upon the implementation of the Automated Election System, the general 
public had high hopes for the fully automated election system as it was expected 
that the automation in the electoral process would facilitate credibility and 
orderliness within the Filipino Electorate. However, upon its incipience this was not 
the case. While the full automation was lauded for its ability for lesser human 
intervention and the speed by which it delivers the results to the public, there were 
still massive problems that have still accosted the Filipino People. In fact, there 
have been cases where various “glitches” were encountered involving the 
electronic transmission of canvass results, malfunctioning machines which resulted 
to the people not being able to vote, damaged SD cards which have greatly delayed 
the voting process, and even the use of challenging ballot markers. 
As such, this bill aims to introduce a Hybrid Election System which aims to 
ensure a credible election system where every vote shall be counted thus fostering 
transparency and credibility in the counting, canvassing and transmission of votes. 
October 13, 2022
11:09 am
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By embracing a system where in the voting and counting at the precinct level will 
be done manually while the transmission and canvassing are automated, this shall 
finally dispel all of the doubts of the general public and shall reflect, without any 
doubt, the true will of the people. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passing of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
WILTER YAP PALMA 
Representative 
1st District, Zamboanga Sibugay 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Philippines 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by HON. WILTER YAP PALMA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF HYBRID NATIONAL, LOCAL, AND 
BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (BARMM) 
ELECTIONS, THROUGH MANUAL VOTING AND COUNTING AT THE PRECINCT 
LEVEL, AND AUTOMATED TRANSMISSION AND CANVASSING, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Hybrid Election Act”. 
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SEC. 2. Coverage. – The coverage of the provisions of this Act shall be 
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applicable to the conduct of the elections in May 2025 and all national, local, and 
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Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections 
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thereafter. 
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SEC. 3.  Official Ballot. – (a) Ballots for national, local, and Bangsamoro 
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Autonomous Region elections, whether regular or special, plebiscites, initiatives, 
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referenda, and recall elections shall be paper-based, uniform sized, and shall be 
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prescribed by the Commission, taking into account environmental considerations, 
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with a reasonable minimum paper size and, as far as practicable, using only 
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recycled paper. They shall be printed in black ink on security paper with distinctive, 
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clear, and legible watermarks that will readily distinguish it from ordinary paper. 
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Each ballot shall bear a serial number and a bar code, which can be scanned for the 
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purpose of projecting the digital image of the ballot and for its authentication. It 
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shall bear at the top middle portion thereof the Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of the 
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Philippines, the word “Official Ballot”, the name of the City or Municipality and 
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Province in which the election is to be held, and the date of the election. 
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(b) The official ballot shall be serially numbered and shall be delivered to, and 
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correspond to specific precincts or cluster of precincts, as the case may be, which 
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shall have corresponding and exclusive ballot identification numbers separate from 
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the serial number of the individual ballots. For purposes of transparency, the ballot 
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identification numbers and the serial number of the ballots corresponding to each 
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precinct or cluster of precincts, as the case may be, shall be available for viewing 
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by the interested parties on the Commission’s Official Website at least five (5) days 
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before the elections. 
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(c) A digital image of a sample official ballot may be available for viewing and 
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downloading from the Commission’s website, minus the security features, and 
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actual bar codes for authentication. 
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(d) The official ballot must be constructed to present the names of all 
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candidates for national positions and party-list choices in the front of the official 
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ballot while the names of all candidates for local positions shall presented in the 
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back page of the official ballot. 
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(e) The official ballot shall contain the titles of the positions to be filled 
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and/or the positions to be voted upon in an initiative, referendum, or plebiscite. 
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Under each position to be filled, the names of candidates shall be arranged 
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alphabetically by surname and uniformly indicated using the same type size. The 
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maiden or married name shall be listed in the official ballot, as preferred by the 
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female candidate. Under each proposition to be voted upon, the choices should be 
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uniformly indicated using the same font and size. Opposite the name of the 
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candidate or the proposition to be voted upon, as the case may be, shall be an oval 
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on which the voter would shade to register a vote for such candidate or 
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proposition. 
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(f) The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, the Commission is hereby 
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authorized to prescribe a different form of official ballot on the same watermarked 
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security paper to facilitate voting by persons with disabilities and by persons who 
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are unable to read or write only. The Commission should use or adopt the latest 
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technological and electronic devises in connection therewith, as to enable such 
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voters to confirm that the accompanying person truly adhered to the voter’s choice 
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of candidates. 
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SEC. 4. Printing of Official Ballots. – The printing of the Official Ballots shall 
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be done by the National Printing Office using the printing machines they own, and 
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shall not be contracted out or outsourced to any private or public person, entity, 
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or agency. To prevent the use of fake ballots, the Commission shall ensure that the 
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necessary safeguards, such as, but not limited to, Bar Codes, Holograms, Color 
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Shifting Ink, Microprinting, are provided on the ballot. 
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Any violation of this Section shall constitute a prima facie evidence of 
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electoral sabotage and a conspiracy to commit massive electoral fraud. 
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SEC. 5. Manner of counting of votes for the Manual System. – The counting 
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of votes for the manual system shall be made in the following manner: the board 
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of election inspectors shall arrange the ballots and form separate piles of one 
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hundred ballots each. The chairman of the Board shall take ballots of the first pile 
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one by one and read the names of candidates voted for and the offices for which 
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they were voted in the order in which they appear thereon, assuming such a 
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position as to enable all of the watchers to read such names. The chairman shall 
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sign and affix his right hand thumbmark at the back of the ballot immediately after 
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it is counted. The poll clerk, and the third member, respectively, shall record on the 
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election returns and the tally board/sheet each vote as the names voted for each 
67 
office are read. 
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Each vote shall be recorded by a vertical line, except every fifth vote which 
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shall be recorded by a diagonal line crossing the previous four vertical lines. One 
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party member shall see to it that the chairman reads the vote as written on the 
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ballot, and the other shall check the recording of the votes on the tally board/sheet 
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and the election returns seeing to it that the same are correctly accomplished. After 
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finishing the first pile of ballots, the board of election inspectors shall determine 
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the total number of votes recorded for each candidate, the sum being noted on the 
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tally board/sheet and on the election returns. Thereafter, the same procedure shall 
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be followed with the second pile of ballots and so on successively. After all the 
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ballots have been read, the board of election inspectors shall sum up the totals 
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recorded for each candidate, and the aggregate sum shall be recorded both on the 
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tally board/sheet and on the election returns. It shall then place the counted ballots 
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in an envelope provided for the purpose, which shall be closed signed and 
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deposited in the compartment for valid ballots. The tally board/sheet as 
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accomplished and certified by the board of election inspectors shall not be changed 
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or destroyed but shall be kept in the compartment for valid ballots as prescribed 
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by Section 210 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881. 
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The returns shall also show the date of the election, the polling place, the 
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barangay and the city or municipality in which it was held, the total number of 
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ballots found in the compartment for valid ballots, the total number of valid ballots 
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withdrawn from the compartment for spoiled ballots which were erroneously 
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placed therein, the total number of excess ballots, the total number of marked or 
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void ballots, and the total number of votes obtained by each candidate, writing out 
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the said number in words and figures and, at the end thereof, the BEIs shall certify 
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that the contents are correct. The returns for national positions and party-list shall 
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be accomplished in a single sheet of paper, but if this is not possible, additional 
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sheets may be used which shall be prepared in the same manner as the first sheet 
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and likewise certified by the BEIs.  
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The Commission shall take steps so that the entries on the first copy of the 
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election returns are clearly reproduced on the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth 
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copies thereof, and for the purpose of the Commission shall use a special kind of 
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paper. 
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SEC. 6. Counting of Votes to the Public. – As soon as the voting is finished, 
102 
the BEIs shall publicly count in the polling place the votes cast and ascertain the 
103 
results. The board may rearrange the physical set up of the polling place for the 
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counting or perform any other activity with respect to the transition from vote 
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counting. However, it may do so only in the presence of the watchers and within 
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close view of the public. At all times, the ballot boxes and all election documents 
107 
and paraphernalia shall be within close view of the watchers and the public. 
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The BEIs shall not adjourn or postpone or delay the count until it has been 
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fully completed, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. 
110 
 
The Commission, in the interest of free, orderly, and honest election, may 
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authorize the BEIs to count the votes and to accomplish the election return and 
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other forms prescribed under this Act and other election laws in any other place 
113 
within a public building in the same municipality or city on account of imminent 
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danger of widespread violence or similar causes of comparable magnitude: 
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Provided, that the transfer shall be recommended in writing by the BEIs by 
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unanimous vote and endorsed in writing by the majority of watchers present: 
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Provided further, that the said public building shall not be located within the 
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perimeter of or inside a military or police camp, reservation, headquarters, 
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detachment or field office nor within the premises of a prison or detention bureau 
120 
or any law enforcement or investigation agency. 
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Any violation of this section, or any of its pertinent portions, shall constitute 
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an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 
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881.  
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125 
 
SEC. 7. Digital Election Returns. – Simultaneous to the counting of the votes 
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and the filling out the election returns, there shall be an independent technician 
127 
who shall enter the votes, as they are counted, into a digital spread sheet. This shall 
128 
serve as the Digital Election Return in a laptop provided for the purpose. The spread 
129 
sheet shall also be projected on a screen while the entries are recorded in real time 
130 
for the watchers to validate and the public to see. 
131 
 
The Digital Election Return shall be equipped with such encryption and 
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programs to ensure that the technician, or any person cannot make alternations in 
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any of the entries therein, or the results of the counting, in case of discrepancy with 
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the manual election return as provided in this Act. Likewise, the laptop shall be 
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configured to confine its operation only for this purpose and to transmit the results 
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of the counting to a secure server as hereinafter prescribed. 
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Immediately upon the accomplishment of the manual election returns for 
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national positions, the poll clerk shall announce the posting of the second copy of 
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the election returns on a wall with sufficient lighting within the premises of the 
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polling place or counting center. He shall then proceed to do the same in the 
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presence of other members of the Board, the watchers and those present in the 
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polling place or counting/canvassing center. Without delay and, when feasible, he 
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shall secure an image of the election returns using a secured data-capturing device 
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and immediately thereafter, while in the premises of the polling place or counting 
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center, directly print thirty (30) copies of the manual election return. 
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Likewise, the independent technician, without turning off the projected 
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results on the screen, shall print out one copy of the digital election return as filled 
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out, and the members of the board and the poll watchers shall be asked to 
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authenticate the same by comparing the results as printed in the second copy of 
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the manual election return as posted and announced. Should the results of the 
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digital election be found to be the same as that of the manual, the members of the 
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board and the poll watchers shall affix their signatures and thumb prints in the 
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spaces provided and the same shall be placed in the compartment for valid ballots 
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in the ballot box. 
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Should there be any discrepancy between the digital and the manual election 
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returns of at least two percent (2%) of the total number of votes cast between the 
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results of the automated and manual systems for any position, an automatic 
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recount shall be undertaken for that position only. Should there be any further 
159 
discrepancy after the recount, the manual election return shall prevail.  For 
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purposes of electronic transmission, the Chairman, the poll clerk and the third 
161 
member shall encode their digital signatures into the laptop to allow the necessary 
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corrections in the digital election return to conform with the results as reflected in 
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the manual election return. The erroneous digital return shall be torn by half 
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lengthwise and placed inside the compartment for spoiled ballots inside the ballot 
165 
box. 
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Thereafter, the technician shall print another copy of the digital election 
167 
return and shall allow the board and the poll watchers to scrutinize and 
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authenticate the same as prescribed above. When there is no discrepancy in the 
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results, the board and the poll watchers shall affix their signatures and thumb 
170 
prints, and the correct digital election return shall be placed in the compartment 
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for valid ballots inside the box.  
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Finally, the board shall again enter their respective digital signatures to write-
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protect the memory card containing the digital election return and the image of 
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the manual election return, and authorize the electronic transmission of the results 
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to the various secure servers as prescribed herein. 
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Once the printouts for the image of the manual election return have been 
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generated, the poll clerk shall call the other members of the board to authenticate 
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each printed copy by closely comparing the same with the election return posted 
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on the wall in the presence of the watchers and within view of the public. If the 
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Board finds each printed copy a faithful reproduction of the election return, all 
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members thereof shall annotate and sign a certification to that effect on the 
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bottom front of the print. 
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Each certified printed copy shall be placed in an envelope and distributed as 
184 
herein provided. Designated recipients of the certified printed copies may receive 
185 
their copies at the polling place or counting center. 
186 
 
Immediately upon the accomplishment of the election returns for local 
187 
position, the second copy of the same shall be posted on a wall with sufficient 
188 
lighting within the premises of the polling place. 
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The digital election return shall be printed out and authenticated as 
190 
prescribed above for the national positions.  
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The other copies of election return for both national and local position shall 
192 
be sealed in the presence of the watchers and the public, and placed in the proper 
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envelope, which shall likewise be sealed and distributed as herein provided. 
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Any election return with a separately printed serial number or which bears a 
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different serial number from that assigned to a particular polling place shall not be 
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canvassed and shall be declared as spurious and fake and shall be a ground for a 
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pre-proclamation controversy. This is to be determined by the Board of Canvassers 
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prior to its canvassing on the basis of the certification of the provincial, city or 
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municipal treasurer as to the serial number of the election return assigned to said 
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voting precinct, unless the Commission shall order in writing for its canvassing, 
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stating the reason for the variance in serial numbers.  
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If the signatures and/or thumbmarks of the members of the Board of 
203 
Election Inspectors (BEIs) or some of them as required in this provision are missing 
204 
in the election returns, the Board of Canvassers may summon the members of the 
205 
BEI concerned to complete the returns. 
206 
 
The citizen’s arm is mandated to present for perusal its copy of the election 
207 
return to the board of election canvassers upon the request of any interested 
208 
candidate. 
209 
 
Any violation of this section or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an 
210 
election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 
211 
881. 
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SEC. 8. Number of Copies of Election Returns and their Distribution. – The BEIs 
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shall prepare in handwriting the election returns in their respective polling place, 
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in the number of copies herein provided and in the form to be prescribed and 
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provided by the Commission. 
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The copies of the election returns shall be distributed by the chairman of the 
217 
Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) as follows: 
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(a) In the election of president, vice-president, senators and members of the 
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House of Representatives including the party-list representatives: 
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(1) The digital election return shall be electronically transmitted to secure 
221 
servers and the first copy of the manual election return, as digitally 
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captured and printed, shall be delivered to the city or municipal Board of 
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Canvassers immediately after the closing of the polls; 
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(2) The second copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the polling 
225 
place; 
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(3) The third copy, to congress, directed to the Senate President; 
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(4) The fourth copy, to the Commission; 
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(5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the 
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Commission in accordance with law; 
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(6) The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the 
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Commission in accordance with law; 
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(7) The seventh copy, to a citizens’ arm authorized by the Commission to 
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conduct an unofficial count: Provided, however, that the accreditation of 
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the citizens’ arm shall be subject to the provision of Section 52(k) of Batas 
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Pambansa Blg. 881; and 
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(8) The eighth copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot 
237 
box for valid ballots; 
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(b) In the election of local officials; 
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(1) The digital election return shall be electronically transmitted to the secure 
240 
servers and the first copy of the manual election return, as digitally-
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captured and printed, shall be delivered to city or municipal Board of 
242 
Canvassers immediately after the closing of the polls; 
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(2) The second copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the polling 
244 
place; 
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(3) The third copy, to the Commission; 
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(4) The fourth copy, to the Provincial Board of Canvassers; 
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(5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the 
248 
Commission in accordance with law; 
249 
(6) The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the 
250 
Commission in accordance with law;  
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(7) The seventh copy, to a citizens’ arm authorized by the Commission to 
252 
conduct an unofficial count: Provided, however, that the accreditation of 
253 
the citizens’ arm shall be subject to the provision of Section 52(k) of Batas 
254 
Pambansa Blg. 881; and 
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(8) The eighth copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot 
256 
box for valid ballots; 
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The copy of the election return posted on the wall shall be open for public 
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viewing at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. Any 
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person may view or capture an image of the election return by means of any data-
260 
capturing device such as, but not limited to cameras at any time of the day for forty-
261 
eight (48) hours following its posting. After the prescribed period for posting, the 
262 
chairman of the Board shall collect the posted election returns and keep the same 
263 
in his custody to be produced for image or data capturing as may be requested by 
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any voter or any lawful purpose as may be ordered by competent authority. 
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Except for those copies that are required to be delivered, copies of the 
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election returns may be claimed at the polling place. Any unclaimed copy shall be 
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brought by the chairman of the BEIs to the canvassing center where the recipients 
268 
or their representatives may claim them. Copies still unclaimed at the canvassing 
269 
center shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the BEI, who shall 
270 
produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered be a competent 
271 
authority. 
272 
SEC. 9.  Mandatory use of Tally Boards/Sheets and Projector. – The use of  
273 
tally boards/sheets and a projected real time input of results in the digital election 
274 
return for the purpose of tallying votes at the precinct level is mandatory as 
275 
provided above. The tally board and projected inputs should be made visible to the 
276 
public at all times.  
277 
 
SEC. 10. Canvassing by Provincial, City, District and Municipal Board of 
278 
Canvassers. –  
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(a) The city or municipal Board of Canvassers shall canvass the electronically 
280 
transmitted election returns for the President, Vice-President, Senators, 
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Party-List Representatives, Members of the House of Representatives, 
282 
elective provincial officials, and elective city or municipal officials, as the 
283 
case may be, by consolidating the electronically transmitted results or the 
284 
results contained in the data storage devices used in the printing of the 
285 
election returns under the automated system and the election returns 
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under the manual counting system. Upon completion of the canvass, the 
287 
board shall produce the certificate of the canvass of votes for President, 
288 
Vice-President, Senators, Party-List Representatives, Members of the 
289 
House of Representatives, and elective provincial officials, and thereafter, 
290 
proclaim the elected city or municipal officials, as the case may be. 
291 
(b) The City Board of Canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative 
292 
districts shall canvass the electronically transmitted election returns for 
293 
President, 
Vice-President, 
Senators, 
Party-List 
Representatives,  
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Members of the House of Representatives, and elective city officials by 
295 
consolidating the electronically transmitted results or the results 
296 
contained in the data storage devices used in the printing of the election 
297 
returns under the automated system and the election returns under the 
298 
manual counting system. Upon completion of the canvass, the board shall 
299 
produce the certificate of the canvass of votes for President, Vice-
300 
President, Senators, Party-List Representatives, Members of the House of 
301 
Representatives, and thereafter, proclaim the elected members of the 
302 
House of Representatives for such district or districts and city officials. 
303 
(c) The Provincial Board of Canvassers shall canvass the electronically 
304 
transmitted certificate of canvass for President, Vice-President, Senators, 
305 
Party-List Representatives, Members of the House of Representatives, 
306 
and elective provincial officials by consolidating the results electronically 
307 
transmitted from the city/municipal consolidating centers or the results 
308 
contained in the data storage devices under the automated system and 
309 
certificate of canvass under the manual counting system submitted by the 
310 
Board of Canvassers of the municipalities and component cities. Upon 
311 
completion of the canvass, the board shall produce the certificate of the 
312 
canvass of votes for President, Vice-President, Senators, Party-List 
313 
Representatives, Members of the House of Representatives, and elective 
314 
provincial officials, and thereafter, proclaim the elected members of the 
315 
House of Representatives and the provincial officials. 
316 
In conducting the canvass of election returns or certificates of canvass, as the 
317 
case may be, the Board of Canvassers in a Municipality, City, District or Province 
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shall project each election return or certificate of canvass on a wall from which its 
319 
contents shall be read in order that those present in the canvassing center may 
320 
follow the progress of the canvassing process from beginning to end. The 
321 
Commission may utilize the appropriate equipment to facilitate the projection. 
322 
Immediately after the certificate of canvass for national positions is 
323 
accomplished, the chairman of the Board of Canvassers shall announce the posting 
324 
of the second copy thereof and its supporting statement of votes on a wall with 
325 
sufficient lighting within the premises of the canvassing center. He shall then 
326 
proceed to do the same in the present in the canvassing center. Without delay, and 
327 
when feasible, he shall capture the images of the certificate of canvass and 
328 
supporting statements of votes using a secured data-capturing device and 
329 
thereafter, while in the premises of the canvassing center, immediately print the 
330 
data so captured in thirty (30) copies. The Board of Canvassers shall then 
331 
authenticate each printed copy, in the presence of watchers and within public view, 
332 
by closely comparing the same with the certificate of canvass or statement of votes, 
333 
as the case may be, posted on of the wall. If the board finds each printed copy a 
334 
faithful reproduction of the certificate of canvass or statement of votes, all 
335 
members thereof shall annotate and sign a certification to that effect on the 
336 
bottom front of the printed copy and affix their thumbprints in the boxes provided 
337 
therefor. 
338 
 
Each certified printed copy shall be placed in an envelope and distributed as 
339 
herein provided. Designated recipients of the certified printed copies may receive 
340 
their copies at the canvassing center. 
341 
 
The Chairman of the Board of Canvassers shall transmit the digital files with 
342 
digital encryptions for security reasons of the certificate of canvass and its 
343 
supporting statement of votes using a secured transmission device with 
344 
authentication features to the secured tabulation system of the Commission and 
345 
to the systems of the other designated recipients as herein provided. 
346 
 
Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any of the recipients 
347 
of the print or digital copies of the certificate of canvass and the supporting 
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statement of votes may conduct an unofficial consolidation of votes and may 
349 
announce the result thereof to the public. 
350 
 
Any violation of this section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an 
351 
election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 
352 
881. 
353 
 
SEC. 11. Number of Copies of Certificates of Canvass and their Distribution. – 
354 
(a) The certificates of canvass of votes under the automated system and under the 
355 
manual counting systems, respectively, for President, Vice-President, Senators, 
356 
Members of the House of Representatives, parties, organization or coalitions 
357 
participating under the party-list system, elective regional officials, elective 
358 
provincial officials shall be prepared in seven copies by the city or municipal Board 
359 
of Canvassers and distributed as follows: 
360 
(1) The first copy shall be delivered to the Provincial Board of Canvassers for 
361 
use in the canvass election results for President, Vice-President, Senators, 
362 
Party-List Representatives and Members of the House of Representatives 
363 
and elective provincial officials; 
364 
(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission; 
365 
(3) The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the 
366 
canvassing center; 
367 
(4) The fourth copy shall be kept by the chairman of the Board; 
368 
(5) The fifth copy shall be given to the citizens’ arm designated by the 
369 
Commission to conduct a media-based unofficial count, and 
370 
(6) The sixth and seventh copies shall be given to the representatives of two 
371 
of the six major political parties in accordance with the voluntary 
372 
agreement of the parties. If no such agreement is reached, the 
373 
Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies of the 
374 
certificate of the canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 
375 
26 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881. The parties receiving the certificate shall 
376 
have obligation to furnish the other parties with authentic copies thereof 
377 
with the least possible delay. 
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(b) The certificates of canvass for President, Vice-President, Senators, 
379 
Parties, Organizations or Coalitions participating under the party-list system and 
380 
elective regional officials shall be prepared in seven (7) copies by the City Boards of 
381 
Canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative districts, by provincial 
382 
Boards of Canvassers in the Metro Manila Area, and distributed as follows: 
383 
(1) The first copy shall be sent to the Congress directed to the President of 
384 
the Senate for use in canvass of election results for President and Vice-
385 
President; 
386 
(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission for use in the canvass 
387 
of the election results for Senators; 
388 
(3) The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the 
389 
canvassing center; 
390 
(4) The fourth copy shall be kept by the Chairman of the Board; 
391 
(5) The fifth copy shall be given the citizens’ arm designated by the 
392 
Commission to conduct a media-based unofficial count; and 
393 
(6) The sixth and seventh copies shall be given to the representatives of two 
394 
of the six major political parties. If no such agreement is reached, the 
395 
Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies of the 
396 
certificate of canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of RA 
397 
7166. The parties receiving the certificates shall have the obligation to 
398 
furnish the other parties with authentic copies thereof with the least possible 
399 
delay. 
400 
The certificate of canvass posted on the wall shall be open for the public 
401 
viewing at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. Any 
402 
person may view or capture an image of the certificate of canvass. After the 
403 
prescribed period for posting, the chairman of the Board of Canvassers shall collect 
404 
the posted certificate of canvass and keep the same in his custody to be produced 
405 
for image or date capturing as may be requested by any voter or for any lawful 
406 
purpose as may be ordered by competent authority.  
407 


17 
 
Except for those copies that are required to be delivered, copies of 
408 
certificates of canvass may be claimed at the canvassing center. Any unclaimed 
409 
copy shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the Board of 
410 
Canvassers, who shall produce them requested by the recipient or when ordered 
411 
by competent authority. 
412 
The thirty (30) certified printed copies of the election return for national 
413 
positions shall be distributed as follows: 
414 
(a) The first fourteen (14) copies shall be given to the fourteen (14) 
415 
accredited major national parties in accordance with a voluntary 
416 
agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the 
417 
Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the 
418 
basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of Republic Act 7166; 
419 
(b) The next three copies shall be given to the three (3) accredited major local 
420 
parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such 
421 
agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall 
422 
receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of 
423 
Republic Act 7166; 
424 
(c) The next five copies shall be given to national broadcast or print media 
425 
entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission for the 
426 
purpose of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; 
427 
(d) The next two copies shall be given to local broadcast or print media 
428 
entities as may be equitable determined by the Commission for the 
429 
purpose of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; 
430 
(e) The next four copies to major citizens’ arms, including the accredited 
431 
citizens’ arms and other non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by 
432 
the Commission pursuant to Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881; 
433 
(f) The next copy to be placed inside the compartment of the ballot box for 
434 
valid ballots; and 
435 
(g) The last copy to the Provincial Board of Canvassers 
436 
The certified printed copies may be claimed at the polling place. Any 
437 
unclaimed copy shall be brought by the chairman of the Board of Election 
438 


18 
 
Inspectors (BEIs) to the canvassing center where the recipients or representatives 
439 
may claim them. Copies still unclaimed at the canvassing center shall be placed in 
440 
the custody of the chairman of the Board, who shall produce them when requested 
441 
by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority. Any provision of law 
442 
to the contrary notwithstanding, any of the recipients of the print or digital copies 
443 
of the election return may conduct an unofficial consolidation of votes and may 
444 
announce the result to the public. The Commission shall post its digital files in its 
445 
website for the public to view or download at any time of the day. The Commission 
446 
shall maintain the files for at least three years from the date of posting. Any 
447 
violation of this section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense 
448 
and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881.  
449 
SEC. 12. National Board of Canvassers for Senators and Senators and Party-
450 
List Representatives. – The Chairman and the Members of the Commission on 
451 
Election sitting en banc, shall compose the national board of canvassers for 
452 
senators and party-list representatives. It shall canvass the results by consolidating 
453 
the certificates of canvass electronically transmitted under the automated system 
454 
and the transmitted certificates of canvass under the manual counting system. 
455 
Thereafter, the national board shall proclaim the winning candidates for senators 
456 
and party-list representatives. 
457 
SEC. 13. Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for President and Vice-
458 
President. – The Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session 
459 
shall compose the national board of canvassers for President and Vice-President. 
460 
The certificates of canvass for President and Vice-President duly certified by the 
461 
board of canvassers of each province or city, shall be electronically transmitted for 
462 
the automated system and manually delivered for the manual counting system, to 
463 
the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the 
464 
certificates of canvass, the President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty (30) 
465 
days after the day of the election, open all of the certificates in the presence of the 
466 
Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session and the Congress 
467 
upon determination of the authenticity and due execution thereof in the manner 
468 
provided by law, canvass all the results for President and Vice-President and 
469 
thereafter, proclaim the winning candidates. 
470 


19 
 
SEC. 14. Communication Channels for Electronic Transmissions. – Electronic 
471 
transmission which is defined under R.A. 9369 as conveying data in electronic form 
472 
from one location to another shall be guided by the following: all electronic 
473 
transmissions of the election returns, certificates of canvass and other related 
474 
documents shall utilize secure transmission channels as recommended by the 
475 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the 
476 
Department 
of 
Science 
and 
Technology 
(DOST) 
and 
the 
National 
477 
Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to ensure the authenticity and integrity of 
478 
transmission. The Commission is hereby authorized to procure the necessary 
479 
equipment, facilities and services for putting up the electronic transmission system 
480 
of votes in order to effectively implement the provisions of this Act: Provided, that 
481 
the Commission shall observe, in the process of procurement of the necessary 
482 
equipment, facilities and services shall be pertinent to the provisions of R.A. 9184. 
483 
Electronic transmission of the election returns and other such supporting 
484 
documents thereof at the precinct level shall be forwarded to the Commission 
485 
office and to the national broadcast or print media entities as may equitably be 
486 
determined by the Commission. 
487 
SEC. 15. Election Offenses under this Act. – The following persons shall be 
488 
guilty of an election offense and shall be punished in accordance with Section 264 
489 
of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 and other election laws:  
490 
(a) Any person who removes the election return that is posted on the wall, 
491 
whether within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, 
492 
or defaces the same in any manner; 
493 
(b) Any person who simulates an actual election return, or a print or digital 
494 
copy thereof; 
495 
(c) Any person who simulates the certification in a print of an election return; 
496 
(d) The chairman or any member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) 
497 
who, during the prescribed period of posting, removes the election return 
498 
from the wall on which it had been posted other than for the purpose of 
499 
immediately transferring it to a more suitable place; 
500 


20 
 
(e) The chairman or any member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) 
501 
who signs or authenticates a printed form of the election return outside 
502 
of the polling place; 
503 
(f) Any person who removes the certificate of canvass posted on the wall, 
504 
whether within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, 
505 
or defaces the same in any manner; 
506 
(g) Any person who simulates an actual certificate of canvass or statement 
507 
of votes, or a print or digital copy thereof; 
508 
(h) Any person who simulates the certification of a certificate of canvass or 
509 
statement of votes; 
510 
(i) The chairman or any member of the Board of Canvassers who, during the 
511 
prescribed period of posting, removes the certificate of canvass or its 
512 
supporting statement of votes from the wall on which they have been 
513 
posted other than for the purpose of immediately transferring them to a 
514 
more suitable place; 
515 
(j) The chairman of any member of the board of canvassers who signs or 
516 
authenticates a print of the certificate of canvass or its supporting 
517 
statement of votes outside of the polling place; and 
518 
(k) The chairman or any member of the Board of Canvassers who signs or 
519 
authenticates a print which bears an image different from the certificate 
520 
of canvass or statement of votes produced after counting and posted on 
521 
the wall. 
522 
 
523 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of 
524 
this act shall be included in the budget of the Commission on Elections under the 
525 
General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its 
526 
effective implementation shall be included in the subsequent General 
527 
Appropriations Act. 
528 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. – Should any portion of this Act be declared 
529 
unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain 
530 
valid and effective. 
531 


21 
 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances or 
532 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
533 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
534 
SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
535 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
536 
 
537 
Approved,  
538 
 
539 
 
 
540 
 
 
541 
 
 
542 
 
543 
 
544 


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