SIXTEENTH 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__1343

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since the birth of the Filipino Nation, it has always been the firm desire of the sovereign
Filipino people to work toward the establishment of a just, free, progressive and democratic
constitutional order. For the fulfillment of such firm desire, the Filipino people have in the past
tasked two (2) constitutional conventions and one (1) constitutional commission with proposing
a new charter truly reflective of the ideals and aspirations of the Filipino people.

Thus, on July 10, 1934, election of delegates to a constitutional convention pursuant to
the Philippine Independence Act of 1934 (Tydings-McDuffie Law of 1934) was held resulting in
the election of 202 delegates. The 1934 Convention opened its session on July 30, 1934. After
deliberations of a little over seven (7) months, the convention voted and approved on February
8, 1935 the final draft of the proposed new Constitution. Submitted to the U.S. President
pursuant to specific provision in the Tydings-McDuffie Act, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
approved the Constitution on March 23, 1935. In a plebiscite held on May 14, 1936, the Filipino
people ratified by an overwhelming majority of all the votes cast by the electorate what became
known as the 1935 Constitution of the Philippines

Subsequently, seeing the need to attune the Constitution to the changing needs and
political realities of the time, Congress passed Resolution No. 2 on March 18, 1967, which was
amended by Resolution No. 4 adopted on June 17, 1969, calling a convention to propose
amendments to the Constitution of the Philippines. Said Resolution No. 2, as amended, was
implemented by Republic Act No. 6132 approved on August 24, 1970, pursuant to the
provisions of which three hundred twenty six (326) delegates - with a prescribed maximum
campaign expenditure of not exceeding thirty two thousand pesos (P32,000.00) per candidate -
were elected on November 10 1970. The 1971 Convention opened its session on June 1, 1971
After deliberations lasting eighteen (18) months with each delegate entitled to a per diem of one
hundred pesos (P100.00) for every day of attendance in the Convention or any of its
committees and to the necessary traveling expenses to and from his residence when attending
the sessions of the Convention or of its committees and twelve million pesos (P12,000,000.00)
appropriated budget for the operating expenses of said convention plus seventeen million pesos
(P17,000,000.00) appropriated budget for the holding of the election of delegates to the said
convention — with the supervening issuance by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos of
Proclamation No. 1081 placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law — the convention voted
and approved on November 29, 1972 the final draft of the proposed new Constitution.
Submitted by then President Marcos to a plebiscite during the period comprised between
January 10 and January 15, 1973 by the so-called Citizens’ Assemblies, the President Marcos
issued Proclamation No. 1102 dated January 17, 1973 announcing the ratification by the Filipino
people by an overwhelming majority of the votes cast by the members of all the Citizens’


Assemblies throughout the Philippines what became known as the 1973 Constitution. The
Supreme Court, in the case of Javelliana vs. Executive Secretary (No. L-36142, March 31,
1973) which assailed the validity of the ratification of the 1973 Constitution, declared “no further
judicial obstacle to the new Constitution being considered in forced and effect” in the absence of
“not enough votes to declare that the new Constitution is not in force”.

Finally, following the successful people power revolution in 1986 and the promulgation of
Proclamation No. 3 by then President Corazon C. Aquino instituting the Freedom Constitution
under a revolutionary government and creating under Article V thereof a constitutional
commission tasked with proposing a new charter, then President Corazon C. Aquino
subsequently promulgated Proclamation No. 9 dated April 23, 1986 instituting the law governing
the Constitutional Commission of 1986. Forty eight (48) national, regional and sectoral
representatives were appointed by then President Aquino to the commission. The 1986
Commission opened its session on June 2, 1986 and after deliberations of a little over four (4)
months with each commissioner entitled to a per diem of five hundred pesos (P500.00) for
every day of attendance in the Commission or any of its committees and to the necessary
traveling expenses to and from his residence when attending the sessions of the Commission or
of its committees in addition to an amount for the office and staff expenses of its members and
twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) appropriated budget for the operating expenses of said
convention, the Commission voted and approved on October 12, 1986 the final draft of the
proposed new constitution. In a plebiscite held on February 2, 1987, the Filipino people ratified
by an overwhelming majority of all the votes cast by the electorate what became known as the
1987 Constitution of the Philippines.

The Constitution as the fundamental law of the land must be adaptive to present
situations in order for it to truly represent the nation and enhance the well-being of its people.
With this in mind, it is worthy to note that our 1987 Constitution contains provisions that have
been out dated and are in need of amendments to make them conform to the present situation
and make the Philippines globally competitive. Many different business organizations and
research groups have identified provisions in the 1987 Constitution that need to be amended to
address the needs of the citizenry in times where change is very vital. These amendments
include both economic and political amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

The country's high unemployment rate is a clear and compelling reason to ease the
economic restrictions in the Constitution especially now that the country has had good growth,
low inflation and good credit ratings. Also, we have one of the lowest, if not the lowest foreign
direct investments in Southeast Asia and we could be overtaken by Cambodia and Myanmar if
we do not act and remain paralyzed by unfounded fears on amending the Constitution. We need
an investment revolution if we want true and inclusive growth.

Now is the perfect time to push for a Constitutional Convention given that the
businessmen and the people have full trust and confidence in President Benigno S. Aquino IIL
The people can see the President as someone who will pursue Charter change without any
political agenda. In the light of expanding global demands and the present economic and
political realities, there is a most urgent need to address economic and political areas which
have been widely recognized as prime sources of the nation’s difficulties. Thus, the
Constitutional Convention created under this Act shall propose amendments to the 1987
Constitution including, but not limited to:


A. Economic Amendments

a.

The lifting of all nationality requirements in the exploration and utilization of all
natural resources, all areas of investments, all public utilities, all educational
institutions, all fields of mass media and advertising;

The provisions on ownership of land which shall remain exclusively to Filipinos
until distribution of farms lots to qualified farmers/beneficiaries under the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program is completed.

B. Political Amendments

a.

b.
c.
4.

e

f

Shift from the unitary system of government to a federal system;

Shift from presidential to a parliamentary form of government;

Shift from bicameral to a unicameral legislature;

Restoration of a Board of Election Inspectors with a teacher as Chairman and
two members from both the majority and minority parties;

Appointment of magistrates to the judiciary by the Judicial and Bar Council
subject to confirmation by the Parliament's commission on appointments.
Amending the term of Members of Parliament and local officials to four (4)
years without term limits;

One of the modes provided in the 1987 Constitution for amending it is the calling for a
Constitutional Convention which is the most democratic and most transparent.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

Vp

RUFUS B. ROI EZ

MAXIMO B. IGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH 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__1343

AN ACT
CALLING FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO REVISE THE 1987 CONSTITUTION,
PROVIDING FOR PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION THEREIN AND OTHER DETAILS
RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO AND THE HOLDING OF THE
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Section 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as "The Constitutional Convention
Act of 2013”.

Section 2. Composition of the Convention; Qualifications of Delegates - The
Constitutional Convention shall be composed of Two Hundred and Thirty Four (234) delegates
representing the Two Hundred and Thirty Four Legislative Districts of the Philippines as certified
by the House of Representatives and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

Each delegate shall have the same qualifications as those required of Members of the
House of Representatives

Section 3. Election of Delegates - The election of delegates to the Constitutional
Convention by the qualified electors of each district shall be held on the fourth Tuesday in
October, two thousand and thirteen (October 22, 2013) in synchronization with the barangay
and sangguniang kabataan elections.

Section 4. Persons Holding Office - Any person holding a public office or position,
whether elective or appointive, including members of the armed forces and officers and
employees of corporations or enterprises owned and/or controlled by the government, shall be
considered resigned upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy: Provided, That any
government official who resigns in order to run for delegate and who does not yet qualify for
retirement under existing laws, may, if elected, add to his length of service in the government
the period from the filing of his certificate of candidacy until the final adjournment of the
Constitutional Convention

Section 5. Disqualification to Run — Any person elected as delegate to the Constitutional
Convention shall not be qualified: a) to run for any public office in any election or to assume any
appointive office or position in any branch of the Government including government owned or
controlled corporations while the Constitutional Convention is in session, b) to run for office in
the first local and first national elections to be held after the ratification of the new Constitution or
amendments thereto, or c) to be appointed to any office or position in any branch of the
Government including government owned or controlled corporations during the period of one
year after the final adjournment of the Constitutional Convention


Section 6. Provisions Goveming the Election of Delegates - (1) The registration of
voters, voting, counting of votes, canvass and proclamation of winning candidates, protests and
all other related matters in the election of delegates shall be governed by the provisions of the
Batas Pambansa Big 881 (Omnibus Election Code), all other relevant election statutes and
Commission on Elections resolutions, except as herein otherwise provided.

(2) The election period for election of delegates shall commence forty five (45) days
before the day of election and shall end fifteen (15) days thereafter, or from September 12, 2013.
until November 12, 2013

(3)The campaign period shall be thirty (30) days before the day of election, or from
September 28, 2013 until October 26, 2013.

(4)The filing of certificates of candidacy shall be from September 9, 2013 until
September 11, 2013,

(6) The certificate of candidacy for delegates to the Constitutional Convention
representing legislative districts in the provinces shall be filed with the provincial election
supervisor of the province concerned. Those for legislative districts in the National Capital
Region shall be filed with the regional election director of said region and those for legislative
districts in cities outside the National Capital Region which comprise one or more legislative
districts shall be filed with the city election registrar concerned. The certificate of candidacy shall
be in such form as prescribed by the Commission on Elections, The candidate may include a
concise statement, not exceeding one hundred words, of the principal constitutional reforms,
programs or policies he proposes to advocate if elected to the Convention

(6) The aggregate amount that a candidate may spend for election campaign shall be
Ten Pesos (P10.00) for every voter currently registered in the constituency where he filed his
certificate of candidacy.

(7) Every candidate shall, within fifteen (15) days after the day of the election, file in
triplicate with offices of the Commission on Elections where he filed his certificate of candidacy
the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the
election in such forms as the Commission on Elections may prescribe. No person elected as
delegate shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement of contributions
and expenditures herein required. Failure of any candidate, whether winning or losing, to file the
required statement in connection with electoral contributions and expenditures shall constitute
an administrative offense for which the offender shall be liable to pay an administrative fine of
Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00) payable within ten (10) days from receipt of notice of such
failure; otherwise, it shall be enforceable by a writ of execution issued by Commission on
Elections against the properties of the offender.

Section 7. Conduct of Elections - The election of delegates shall be non-partisan and
shall be conducted in an expeditious and inexpensive manner. No candidate for delegate to the
Convention shall represent or allow himself to be represented as a candidate of any political
party or any other organization, and no political party, political group, political committee, civic,
religious, professional, or other organization or organized group of whatever nature shall
intervene in the nomination of any such candidate or in the filing of his certificate of candidacy or
give aid or support, directly or indirectly, material or otherwise, favorable to or against his
campaign for election: Provided, That this provision shall not apply to the members of the family
of a candidate within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, nor to the personal
campaign staff of the candidate, which shall not be more than one for every ten precincts in his
district: Provided, however, That without prejudice to any liability that may be incurred, no permit
to hold a public meeting shall be denied on the ground that the provisions of this paragraph may
or will be violated: Provided, further, That nothing contained herein shall be construed to impair
or abridge the freedom of civic, political, religious, professionals, trade organization or organized

5


groups of whatever nature to disseminate information about, or arouse public interest in, the
forthcoming Constitutional Convention or to advocate constitutional reforms, programs, policies,
or proposals for amendment of the present Constitution, and no prohibition contained herein
shall limit or curtail the right of their members, as long as they act individually, to support or
oppose any candidate for delegate to the Constitutional Convention: Provided, finally, that no
head of any executive department, bureau or office, official or officer nominated or appointed by
the President of the Philippines, head or appointing officer of any government-owned or
controlled corporation, shall intervene in the nomination of any such candidate, or in the filing of
his certificate of candidacy or give aid or support, directly or indirectly, material or otherwise, in
favor of or against his campaign for election

Section 8. Prohibited Acts — The following acts are prohibited in the election of
delegates during the periods herein provided, to wit

a) During the election period (September 12, 2013 — November 12, 2013)

a. Issuance of appointments, promotions, creation of new positions, or giving of
salary increases in government offices, agencies or instrumentalities as provided
under Section 261 (g) of BP 881;

b. Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct as provided
under Section 5 of Rep. Act. 8189;

c. Illegal release of prisoners as provided under Section 261 (n) of BP 881;

d. Raising of funds, thru dances, lotteries, cockfights, etc. as provided under
Section 97 of BP 881

e. Carrying of firearms/deadly weapons, including wearing of uniforms, insignias,
etc. as provided under Section 261 (p),(q) and (s) of BP 881;

f Organizing or maintaining reaction/strike forces or similar forces as provided
under Section 261 (u) of BP 881;

g. Transfer and detail of officers and employees in the civil service including public
school teachers as provided under Section 261 (h) of BP 881;

h. Suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer as
provided under Section 261 (x) of BP 881;

i. Use of security personnel of bodyguards by candidates whether or not such
bodyguards are regular members of officers of the Philippine National Police
(PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or other government law
enforcement agency as provided under Section 261 (f) of BP 881, as amended
Section 33 of Republic Act 7166.

b) During the campaign period (September 28, 2013 - October 26, 2013)

a. Removing, destroying, obliterating, defacing, tampering or preventing distribution
of lawful election propaganda as provided under Section 83 of BP 881;

b. Making any donation or gift in cash or in kind, etc. as provided under Section 104
of BP 881;

¢. Use of armored/land/water/air craft as provided under Section 261 (r) of BP 881;

d. Appointing or using special policemen, special/confidential agents or the like as
provided under Section 261 (m) of BP 881,

e. Construction maintenance of provincial, city, municipal or barangay-funded,
roads and bridges as provided under Section 3 of Republic Act 6679;

©) During eve of election (October 27, 2013)
a. Campaigning as provided under Section 3 of BP 881;


b. Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor, ete. as
provided under Section 261 (dd). (1) of BP 881

©. Giving, accepting, free transportation, food, drinks and things of value as
provided under Section 89 of BP 881;

4) During election day (October 28, 2013)

a. Vote buying and vote selling as provided under Section 261 (a) of BP 881;

b. Voting more than once or in substitution of another as provided under Section
261 (2), (2) and (3) of BP 881;

©. Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or
any political party within the polling place or within thirty (30) meters thereof as
provided under Section 261 (cc), (6) of BP 881

d. Opening of booths or stalls for the sale, etc., of wares, merchandise or
refreshments within thirty (30) meters radius from the polling place as provided
under Section 261 (dd), (2) of BP 881

e. Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or similar sports as provided
under Section 261 (dd), (3) of BP 881;

f, Campaigning as provided under Section 3 of BP 881;

g. Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor, etc. as
provided under Section 261 (dd), (1) of BP 881;

h. Giving, accepting, free transportation, food, drinks and things of value as
provided under Section 89 of BP 881

All other acts prohibited during regular or special elections under existin;
likewise prohibited during the election of delegates insofar as applicable in addi
supplementing the foregoing prohibited acts

laws are
n to and

Section 9. Vacancy in the Position of Delegate - Whenever a vacancy occurs in the
position of Delegate, the Commission on Elections, upon due certification of the existence of
such vacancy and recommendation by the Convention, shall immediately call a special election
to fill the vacancy, which election shall be held within thirty days from the date of said call
Should the vacancy occur before the start of the convention, the Commission on Elections, after
verification of the said vacancy, shall call and hold a special election as above provided

Section 10. Regulation of Election Propaganda — The following provisions shall govern
election propaganda in the election provided for in this Act:

(1) The Commission on Elections shall construct at least one billboard which shall
be known as Comelec billboard as centrally as possible in every city, municipality, municipal
district, and barrio of sufficient population density. Such billboard shall be of sufficient size and
permanency to allow each candidate in the district adequate space therein to announce his
candidacy with such design and with such brief statement of his qualifications and/or views on
constitutional reforms as the candidate may desire, subject to space limitations which shall be
allocated by lottery by the Commission equally and impartially among the candidates of the
district

(2) The franchises of all radio broadcasting and television stations are hereby
amended so as to require each such station to furnish to the Commission on Elections, free of
charge, during the period of the campaign, at least one but not more than two hours of prime
time at least once each week, but not oftener than every other day, which the limits herein set,
how much time is required and shall allocate the Comelec time by lottery equally and impartially
among the candidates in the districts within the area of coverage of said radio broadcasting and
television stations.


(3) Outside Comelec billboards and Comelec time, any candidate or other person
may produce or distribute, or cause to be produced or distributed, for the purpose of furthering
or opposing the candidacy of any person, only the following forms of election propaganda: a)
pamphlets, leaflets, cards or other written or printed material of a size not more than eight and
one-half inches in width by fourteen inches in length, containing the candidate's picture,
activities, special qualifications or his views on the issues of Constitutional Reform or other data
relevant to his candidacy and b) handwritten or printed letters, urging voters to vote for or
against any particular candidate

(4) It shall be unlawful for any candidate to avail of the franking privilege, and for any
official of the government to use or extend such privilege, for the purpose of furthering or
opposing the candidacy of any person as delegate to the Constitutional Convention

(5) All other forms of propaganda are prohibited. Accordingly, outside of Comelec
billboards, it shall be unlawful to erect, attach, float or display any billboard, streamer, tinplate
poster, balloon and the like, of whatever size, shape, form or kind, advertising the name of any
candidate; and it shall likewise be unlawful to purchase, produce, request or distribute sample
ballots, or electoral propaganda gadgets such as pens, lighters, fans (of whatever nature),
flashlights, athletic goods or material, wallets, bandanas, shirts, hats, matches, cigarette, and
the like, whether of domestic or foreign origin. Any prohibited election propaganda, propaganda
gadgets or advertising may be confiscated or torn down by the Comelec Supervisor upon
authority of the Commission on Elections. In no case, however, shall election supervisors or
registrars be assigned to a district or districts where they are related to any candidate within the
fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. Similarly, apart from Comelec time, it shall be
unlawful for any radio broadcasting or television station, moviehouse or theater to show, to
display or to give any advertising or propaganda to any candidate; nor may any candidate
appear on any interview or program, unless all other candidates in the district are also invited to
appear.

(6) The Commission on Elections shall endeavor to obtain free space from
newspapers, magazines and periodicals which shall be known as Comelec Space, and shall
allocate this space equally and impartially among all candidates within the areas in which the
newspapers are circulated. Outside of said Comelec space, it shall be unlawful to print or
publish, or cause to be printed or published, any advertisement, paid comment or paid article in
furtherance of or in opposition to the candidacy of any person for delegate, or mentioning the
name of any candidate and the fact of his candidacy, unless all the names of all other
candidates in the district in which the candidate mentioned is running are also mentioned with
equal prominence.

(7) All candidates and all other persons making or receiving expenditures,
contributions or donations which in their totality exceed fifty pesos, in order to further or oppose
the candidacy of any candidate, shall file a statement of all such expenditures and contributions
made or received on such dates and with such details as the Commission on Elections shall
prescribe by rules.

(8) _Nothing in this section shall preclude news coverage by the mass media of
significant and newsworthy events, views, public meetings or rallies involving any candidate in
any news program, newsreel, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical: Provided, That it shall
be unlawful for any radio broadcasting and television station to schedule any program or permit
any sponsor to manifestly favor or oppose any candidate by unduly referring to him or including
him in its programs or newscast.


Section 14. Organization of the Convention. (1) The Chairman of the Commission on
Elections shall take charge of all arrangements for the convening of the Constitutional
Convention.

(2)The opening session of the convention shall be held in the plenary hall of the
Philippine International Convention Center on January 6, 2014 at ten o'clock in the morning

(3) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
jointly preside at its opening session. The election of a President and presiding officer from
among its members shall be the first order of business. The Convention shall be deemed
organized upon the election and qualification of a President and presiding officer.

(4) A majority of all its members shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller
number may meet, adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members in
such manners and under such penalties as the convention may provide.

(5) The Convention shall be the sole judge of the election, returns and qualifications of
its members and it may organize as it may see fit. The Convention may determine the rules of
its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two-
thirds of all its Members, expel a Member

(6) The plenary sessions of the Convention shall be public and duly recorded. It may in
its discretion hold its session in any place in the Philippines. The Convention shall conduct
public hearings to ensure that Filipino people will have adequate participation in the formulation
of a new Constitution or amendments to and revisions of the 1987 Constitution.

(7) The Philippine International Convention Center building and premises are hereby
made available for use of the Convention. All government entities, agencies and
instrumentalities, including the Senate and House of Representatives, shall place at the
disposal of the Convention such personnel, premises and furniture thereof as can, in their
judgment, be spared without detriment to the public service, without cost, refund or additional
Pay.

Section 12. Parliamentary Immunity. The laws relative to parliamentary immunity of the
Members of Congress shall be applicable to the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, and
the penalties imposed in Articles one hundred forty-three, one hundred forty-four and one
hundred forty-five of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, for offenses defined therein against
the Congress of the Philippines, its committees or subcommittees, or its Members shall likewise
apply if such offenses are committed against the Constitutional Convention, its committees or
subcommittees, or the delegates thereto.

Section 13. Per diems — Each delegate shall be entitled to a per diem of Two Thousand
Five Hundred Pesos (P2,500.00) for everyday of attendance in the Convention or any of its
Committees and to necessary traveling expenses to and from his residence when attending the
sessions of the Convention or of its Committees. The Convention may determine the amount for
the office and staff expenses of its Members.

Section 14. Powers of the Commission on Elections - The Commission on Election
shall, in addition to the powers and functions conferred upon it by the Constitution, BP Bilang
881 and other relevant election laws, have the following powers:

(a) To promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act within
fifteen days after its approval

(b) To require all law-enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government to
act as deputies for the purpose of insuring a free, orderly and honest election; and

(c) To execute it s decisions, directives, orders and instructions on any matter affecting
the conduct of the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention; and, in the
implementation thereof, the same decisions, directives, orders and instructions shall have

8


precedence over those emanating from any other authority except the Supreme Court, and
those issued in habeas corpus proceedings

Section 15. Completion and Ratification - The Constitutional Convention created under
this Act shall perform its duties from January 6, 2014 and shall endeavor to complete its work on
or before July 6, 2014 and, thereafter present to the President the proposed new Constitution or
amendments to and revisions of the 1987 Constitution. The President shall fix the date of the
plebiscite for the ratification or rejection of the proposed new Constitution or amendments to and
revisions of the 1987 Constitution which shall not be earlier than sixty (60) days nor later than
ninety (90) days after the approval by the Convention of such proposed new Constitution or
amendments to and revisions of the 1987 Constitution

Section 16. Appropriation - There is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the
National Treasury not otherwise appropriated: a) the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Million Pesos
(P250,000,000.00) for the holding of the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention
which shall upon request be made immediately available to the Commission of Elections only
for purposes of this Act, and b) the sum of Five Hundred Million Pesos (P500,000,000.00) for
the operational expenses of the Constitutional Convention. The Convention shall not be subject
to the rules and regulations of the Department of Budget on allocations and release of funds;
however, it shall account for and report on its expenses to the Commission on Audit at the
termination of its work

Section 17. Penalty Clause — A violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be
considered a serious election offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one
year and one day but not more than five years. The offender shall be further sentenced to suffer
disqualfications to hold any public office and deprivation of the rights of suffrage for not less
than one year but not more than nine years; and, if he is a foreigner, he shall be deported
immediately after service of his prison term. Should the violation be committed by a political
party or any organized group hereinbefore prohibited, the individuals who induced, ordered,
directly participated, or indispensably cooperated in the commission of the same shall be
equally liable, and shall suffer the penalties herein provided.

Section 18. Separability Clause - If for any reason any section or provision of this Act,
or any portion thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion to any person
group or circumstance, is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the
application of such provision to other persons, group or circumstances shall not be affected by
such declaration

Section 19. Repealing Clause — All laws, rules, regulations, or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly for purposes of
the election of delegates as herein provided

Section 20. Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,

10