RA 8189 Section 9. Who may Register.

All citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law who are at least eighteen (18) years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one (1) year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six ( ) !onths i!!ediately preceding the election, !ay register as a voter" Any person who te!porarily resides in another city, !unicipality or country solely by reason of his occupation, profession, e!ploy!ent in private or public service, educational activities, wor# in the !ilitary or naval reservations within the Philippines, service in the Ar!ed $orces of the Philippines, the %ational Police $orces, or confine!ent or detention in govern!ent institutions in accordance with law, shall not be dee!ed to have lost his original residence"

(3-4,5,3)" (b) Biometrics refers to the quantitative analysis that provides a positive identification of an individual such as voice, photograph, fingerprint, signature, iris and6or such other identifiable features" (c) Data Capture $achine %DC$& is the device which captures the bio!etrics of an individual" (d) Validation is the process of ta#ing the bio!etrics of registered voters whose bio!etrics have not yet been captured" (e) Deactivation refers to the re!oval of the registration record of the registered voter fro! the corresponding precinct boo# of voters for failure to co!ply with the validation process as required by this Act"

Any person, who, on the day of registration !ay not have (f) Reactivation refers to the reinstate!ent of a reached the required age or period of residence but, who, on the deactivated voter" day of the election shall possess such qualifications, !ay Section 3. Who Shall Submit for Validation. " 7egistered voters register as a voter" whose bio!etrics have not been captured shall sub!it Section 11. Disqualification. &he following shall be disqualified the!selves for validation" fro! registering' Section $. Who Shall Conduct the Validation. 2 &he 3ity or a) Any person who has been sentenced by final 4unicipal ,lection -fficer shall conduct the validation" (udg!ent to suffer i!prison!ent of not less than one (1) year, such disability not having been re!oved by plenary Section %. Commencement of Validation. " &he 3o!!ission pardon or a!nesty' Provided, however, &hat any person shall conduct validation beginning 8uly 1, ./19, consistent with disqualified to vote under this paragraph shall the continuing registration under 7epublic Act %o" 8180" auto!atically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration Section 6. ublication and 'otice Requirement. 2 &he of five ()) years after service of sentence* 3o!!ission shall cause the publication of the co!!ence!ent b) Any person who has been ad(udged by final (udg!ent of the validation in two (.) newspapers of general circulation" by a co!petent court or tribunal of having co!!itted any &he 3ity or 4unicipal ,lection -fficer shall serve individual cri!e involving disloyalty to the duly constituted written notices by registered !ail with return card to the voters govern!ent such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the concerned at their latest address in the voter:s registration firear!s laws or any cri!e against national security, record and post the list of the voters concerned in the city or unless restored to his full civil and political rights in !unicipal bulletin board and in the local 3-4,5,3 office" accordance with law' Provided, &hat he shall Section 7. Deactivation. " ;oters who fail to sub!it for validation auto!atically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration on or before the last day of filing of application for registration for of five ()) years after service of sentence* and purposes of the 4ay ./1 elections shall be deactivated c) +nsane or inco!petent persons declared as such by pursuant to this Act" co!petent authority unless subsequently declared by Section 8. Reactivation. " &hose deactivated under the proper authority that such person is no longer insane or preceding section !ay apply for reactivation after the 4ay ./1 inco!petent" elections following the procedure provided in 1ection .8 of Section 8. System of Continuing Registration of Voters. &he 7epublic Act %o" 8180" personal filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the ,lection -fficer during regular office hours" %o registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (1./) days before a regular election and ninety (0/) days before a special election" Section 9. Database Security. 2 &he database generated by bio!etric registration shall be secured by the 3o!!ission and shall not be used, under any circu!stance, for any purpose other than for electoral exercises" Section 10. $andatory Biometrics Registration. " &he 3o!!ission shall i!ple!ent a !andatory bio!etrics registration syste! for new voters"

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10367

Section 11. rohibited (cts. 2 &he following shall be election offenses punishable under 1ections . 9 and . < of =atas Pa!bansa =ilang 881, as a!ended, otherwise #nown as the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of >-!nibus ,lection 3ode>' the hilippines in Congress assembled! (a) Any person who shall prohibit, i!pede, obstruct or AN ACT PROVIDING OR !ANDATOR" BIO!ETRICS VOTER REGISTRATION Section 1. Declaration of olicy. " +t is the policy of the 1tate to establish a clean, co!plete, per!anent and updated list of voters through the adoption of bio!etric technology" Section #. Definition of #erms. 2 As used in this Act' (a) Commission refers to the 3o!!ission on ,lections prevent a registered voter or a new voter fro! sub!itting his or her bio!etrics for capture through the use of force, inti!idation or !onetary consideration* and (b) Any public official or person who, under the guise of i!ple!enting this Act, shall un(ustifiably and without due process, cause the deactivation or reactivation of any

registered voter" Section 1#. Rules and Regulations. 2 &he 3o!!ission shall, within sixty ( /) days after the effectivity of this Act, pro!ulgate the i!ple!enting rules and regulations"1?wphi1 Section 13. Separability Clause. " +f any part of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions hereof shall re!ain valid and effective" Section 1$. Repealing Clause. " All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or !odified accordingly" Section 1%. )ffectivity Clause. 2 &his Act shall ta#e effect fifteen (1)) days after its publication in at least two (.) newspapers of general circulation"

exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed" (h) Satellite registration refers to registration conducted by an ,lection -fficer in established satellite offices located in a public place within his or her area of (urisdiction" +t accepts application for registration, transfer or transfer with reactivation, reactivation of registration records, change or correction of entries and validation of registration fro! all registrants or voters residing within the ,lection -fficer:s territorial (urisdiction" (i) Special registration refers to registration conducted in established satellite offices by a special registration tea! designated by the 3o!!ission" +t exclusively caters to first ti!e person with disability and senior citizen registrants residing outside the area of (urisdiction of the regular ,lection -fficer conducting the satellite registration" (() (ccessible polling place refers to the venue where the =oard of ,lection +nspectors (=,+s) conducts election@ related proceedings and where the voters cast their votes" &he accessible polling place shall he located at the ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building, and is free of any physical barriers and provided with necessary services, including assistive devices" Section 3. 1ection Right to articipation in )lectoral rocesses. " &he 1tate shall guarantee the political rights of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, in line with the concept of universal design, by' (a) ,nsuring that voting procedures, facilities and !aterials are appropriate, accessible, and easy to understand and use* (b) Protecting the right of persons with disabilities and senior citizens to vote by secret ballot in elections without inti!idation, facilitating the use of assistive and new technologies where appropriate* and (c) Auaranteeing the free expression, in the exercise of the right of suffrage, of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice"

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10366 AN ACT AUT&ORI'ING T&E CO!!ISSION ON ELECTIONS TO ESTABLIS& PRECINCTS ASSIGNED TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES E(CLUSIVEL" OR PERSONS )IT& DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITI'ENS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the hilippines in Congress assembled! Section 1. 1ection Declaration of olicy. " &he 1tate shall ensure that persons with disabilities and senior citizens are able to exercise their right to political participation without discri!ination or restrictions" &owards this end, the 1tate shall design syste!s and procedures that will enable persons with disabilities and senior citizens to register and vote by the!selves" Section #. 1ection Definition of #erms. " As used in this Act, the ter!' (a) Commission refers to the 3o!!ission on ,lections" (b) ersons *ith Disabilities refer to qualified voters who have long@ter! physical, !ental, intellectual or sensory i!pair!ents which in interaction with various barriers !ay hinder their full and effective participation in the electoral processes on an equal basis with others" (c) Senior Citi+ens refer to qualified voters who are sixty ( /) years or older"

Section $. 1ection Duty of the Commission to Render (d) )lectoral rocesses refer to election@related activities (ssistance to ersons *ith Disabilities and Senior Citi+ens. 2 +t and proceedings including registration, candidacy, shall be the duty of the 3o!!ission to render appropriate ca!paign, voter education and casting of vote" assistance to persons with disabilities and senior citizens in (e) (ssistance refers to any support or aid that !ay be coordination with govern!ent agencies and civil society extended to persons with disabilities and senior citizens organizations" for the! to !eaningfully and effectively participate in the Section %. 1ection Record of ersons *ith Disabilities and electoral processes" Senior Citi+ens. " &he 3o!!ission shall #eep an updated (f) Discrimination on the basis of disability !eans any record of persons with disabilities and senior citizens who are distinction, exclusion or restriction on the basis of registered as voters, which indicates the types of disability and disability which has the effect of i!pairing or nullifying the assistance they need, to assist it in deter!ining policy the recognition, en(oy!ent, or exercise, on an equal directions for !ore inclusive and accessible electoral processes" basis with others, of all hu!an rights and funda!ental &he record shall be !ade accessible to concerned govern!ent freedo!s, including denial of reasonable offices, accredited citizens: ar!s, civil society !onitoring groups and other organizations which pro!ote the rights of the persons acco!!odation" with disabilities and senior citizens, sub(ect to specific guidelines (g) ,niversal design !eans the design of products, the 3o!!ission !ay pro!ulgate to protect the privacy of the environ!ents, progra!s and services, to be usable by individuals concerned" all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design but shall not Section 6. 1ection Registration and ,pdating of Records. 2 +n designing the for!s, the 3o!!ission !ust ensure that persons

with disabilities and senior citizens applying for registration, under oath to fill out the ballot strictly in accordance with the reactivation, transfer, or correction of entry indicate the type(s) of instructions of the voter and not to reveal the contents of the disability, as well as the for!(s) of assistance needed" ballot prepared by hi! or her, and shall prepare the ballot for the voter inside the voting booth" ,xcept for the !e!bers of the Persons with disabilities and senior citizens who have previously =,+s, no assistor can assist for !ore than three (9) ti!es" Any registered but have not indicated the type of disability, or who violation of this provision shall constitute an election offense !ay have developed or !anifested such disability after having punishable under 1ection . . of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode" been registered, shall be allowed, during the periods to file applications for registration, to update their registration records, Section 1#. 1ection Sensitivity #raining rogram. 2 &he and to indicate the type of disability as well as the for! of 3o!!ission, in coordination with the %ational 3ouncil on assistance they need during election day" &he 3o!!ission !ay Bisability Affairs (%3BA), the 3o!!ission on Cu!an 7ights design registration for!s specifically for persons with disabilities (3C7), and person with disability and senior citizen and senior citizens, or issue supple!ental for!s for the said organizations, shall organize, design, and i!ple!ent sensitivity purpose, and provide for procedures to be followed by those who trainings to persons perfor!ing electoral duties, including the need to update their registration records" 3o!!ission field officers, !e!bers of the =,+s, and accredited citizens: ar!s to fa!iliarize the! with the needs of the persons Section 7. 1ection (ssistance in the (ccomplishment of with disabilities and senior citizens" (pplication -orm. 2 A person with disability or senior citizen who cannot by hi!self or herself acco!plish an application for Section 13. 1ection /nformation $aterials. " &he 3o!!ission registration, by reason of illiteracy or physical disability, shall be shall ensure that infor!ation !aterials relating to the electoral assisted by the ,lection -fficer in the preparation of his or her processes are appropriate and accessible to persons with application for!, or by any !e!ber of an accredited citizens: disabilities and senior citizens" ar!, or by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth Section 1$. 1ection (ppropriations. 2 &he initial funding of this civil degree, or if he or she has none present, by any person of Act shall be charged against, the current year:s appropriations or his or her confidence who belongs to the sa!e household" fro! any available savings of the 3o!!ission" &hereafter, such Section 8. 1ection Satellite and Special Registration. " &he a!ount as !ay be necessary for the continued i!ple!entation 3o!!ission, in coordination with national govern!ent agencies of this Act shall he included in the annual Aeneral Appropriations and local govern!ent units, person with disability and senior Act" citizen organizations, and other cause@oriented groups, shall Section 1%. 1ection /mplementing Rules and Regulations. conduct satellite and6or special registration for persons with " Dithin sixty ( /) days fro! the effectivity of this Act, the disabilities and senior citizens in accessible places" 3o!!ission shall pro!ulgate the i!ple!enting rules and Section 9. 1ection Creation of recincts for ersons *ith regulations" Disabilities and Senior Citi+ens. 2 &he 3o!!ission is hereby Section 16. 1ection Separability Clause. " 1hould any provision authorized to establish precincts of a nonterritorial nature, of this Act he declared invalid or unconstitutional, the validity or exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens who constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be affected in their registration records !anifest their intent to avail of their thereby" right to a separate precinct under this section" Pursuant hereto, the 3o!!ission shall establish at least one (1) such precinct, Section 17. 1ection Repealing Clause. 2 All laws, presidential assigned to accessible polling places, for every voting center" decrees, executive orders, resolutions, rules and regulations or 1uch precincts shall be provided with assistive devices as well parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this as the services of experts in assisting persons with disabilities" Act are hereby repealed, a!ended or !odified accordingly" Section 10. 1ection Ballot Design. " +n designing the ballot, the Section 18. 1ection )ffectivity Clause. 2 &his Act shall ta#e 3o!!ission shall ensure reasonable acco!!odation to persons effect on 8uly 1, ./19, after its publication in two (.) newspapers with disabilities and senior citizens to enable the! to acco!plish of general circulation" the ballots by the!selves" Section 11. 1ection (ssistance in the (ccomplishment of the Ballot. 2 A person with disability or senior citizen who is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by hi!self or herself !ay be assisted in the preparation of his or her ballot by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the sa!e household, or by any !e!ber of the =,ls" $or this purpose, the person who usually assists the person with disability or senior citizen, such as a personal assistant, a caregiver or a nurse shall be considered a !e!ber of his or her household' rovided. &hat no voter shall be allowed to have an assistor on the basis of illiteracy or physical disability unless it is so indicated in his or her registration record" %evertheless, if the physical inability to prepare the ballot is !anifest, obvious, or visible, said voter shall be allowed to be assisted in acco!plishing the ballot by a qualified assistor, even if not stated or indicated in the registration record' rovided. further. &hat the assistor !ust be of voting age" Re*+,-ic Act No. 7166 No.e/,e0 #61 1991

AN ACT PROVIDING OR S"NC&RONI'ED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND OR ELECTORAL RE OR!S1 AUT&ORI'ING APPROPRIATIONS T&ERE OR1 AND OR OT&ER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the hilippines in Congress assembled!' Section 1. Statement of olicy. @ +t is the policy of the 1tate to synchronize elections so that there shall be si!ultaneous regular elections for national and local officials once every three (9) years"

Section #. Date of )lections. @ +n accordance with the policy hereinbefore stated, there shall be an election for President, ;ice@President, twenty@four (.<) 1enators, all elective 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives, and all elective provincial, city &he assistor shall hind hi!self or herself in a for!al docu!ent and !unicipal officials on the second 4onday of 4ay, 100."

&hereafter, the President and ;ice@President shall be elected on the sa!e day every six ( ) years* while the 1enators, elective 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and all elective provincial, city and !unicipal officials shall be elected on the sa!e day every three (9) years, except that with respect to 1enators, only twelve (1.) shall be elected" Section 3. )lection of $embers of anlala*igan. Sanggunian anlungsod Bayan. @ &he elective !e!bers of Panlalawigan, 1angguniang Panlungsod =ayan shall be elected as follows' the and the and Sangguniang Sangguniang 1angguniang 1angguniang

and the calling of special elections as provided in 1ections ), and F of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode shall be decided by the 3o!!ission sitting en banc by a !a(ority vote of its !e!bers" &he causes for the declaration of a failure of election !ay occur before or after the casting of votes or on the day of the election" +n case a per!anent vacancy shall occur in the 1enate or Couse of 7epresentatives at least one (1) year before the expiration of the ter!, the 3o!!ission shall call and hold a special election to fill the vacancy not earlier than sixty ( /) days nor longer than ninety (0/) days after the occurrence of the vacancy" Cowever, in case of such vacancy in the 1enate, the special election shall be held si!ultaneously with the succeeding regular election" Section %. )lection and Campaign eriod. @ Gnless otherwise fixed by the 3o!!ission, the election period for the 4ay 11, 100. regular elections shall co!!ence ninety (0/) days before the day of the election and shall end thirty (9/) days thereafter" &he ca!paign periods are hereby fixed as follows' (a) $or President, ;ice@President and 1enators, ninety (0/) days before the day of the election* and (b) $or 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and elective provincial, city and !unicipal officials, forty@five (<)) days before the day of the election"

Cowever, in the preparation of the election calendar, the 3o!!ission !ay exclude the day before the day of the election (b) $or provinces with only one (1) legislative district, the itself, 4aundy &hursday and Aood $riday" 3o!!ission shall divide the! into two (.) districts for Any election ca!paign or partisan political activity for or against purposes of electing the !e!bers of the 1angguniang any candidate outside of the ca!paign period herein provided is Panlalawigan, as nearly as practicable according to the prohibited and shall be considered as an election offense nu!ber of inhabitants, each district co!prising a punishable under 1ection . 9 and . < of the -!nibus ,lection co!pact, contiguous and ad(acent territory, and the 3ode" nu!ber of seats of elective !e!bers of their respective sanggunian shall be equitably apportioned between the Section 6. 'omination and Selection of 0fficial Candidates. @ %o districts in accordance with the i!!ediately preceding political convention or !eeting for the no!ination or selection of the official candidates of any political party or organization or paragraph* political groups or coalition thereof shall be held earlier than the (c) &he nu!ber and election of elective !e!bers of the following periods' 1angguniang Panlungsod and 1angguniang =ayan in (a) $or President, ;ice@President and 1enators, one the 4etro 4anila Area, 3ity of 3ebu, 3ity of Bavao and hundred sixty@five (1 )) days before the day of the any other city with two (.) or !ore legislative districts election* and shall continue to be governed by the provisions of 1ections . and 9 of 7epublic Act %o" 9 ' Provided, (b) $or 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and &hat, the 4unicipalities of 4alabon, %avotas, 1an 8uan, elective provincial, city or !unicipal officials, seventy@five 4andaluyong, 4untinlupa, 5as PiEas and &aguig shall (F)) days before the day of the election" have twelve (1.) councilors, and Pateros, ten (1/)' Provided, further, &hat, the 3o!!ission shall divide Section 7. -iling of Certificates of Candidacy. @ &he certificate of each of the !unicipalities in 4etro 4anila Area into two candidacy of any person running for the office of President, ;ice@ (.) districts by barangay for purposes of representation President, 1enator, 4e!ber of the Couse of 7epresentatives or in the 1angguniang =ayan as nearly as practicable any elective provincial, city or !unicipal official shall be filed in according to the nu!ber of inhabitants, each co!prising five ()) legible copies with the offices of the 3o!!ission specified hereunder not later than the day before the date legally a co!pact, contiguous and ad(acent territory* and fixed for the beginning of his ca!paign period" (d) $or purposes of the regular elections on 4ay 11, (a) &he certificate of candidacy for President, ;ice@ 100., elective !e!bers of the 1angguniang Panlungsod President and 1enators shall be filed with the !ain office and 1angguniang =ayan shall be elected a large in of the 3o!!ission in 4anila* accordance with existing laws" Cowever, beginning with the regular elections in 100), they shall be elected by (b) &he certificate of candidacy for the 4e!bers of the district" Couse of 7epresentatives shall be filed with the provincial election supervisor of the province concerned" &he 3o!!ission shall pro!ulgate rules and regulations to &hose for legislative districts in the %ational 3apital effective provide for the election of sectoral representatives in 7egion shall be filed with the regional election director of the i!ple!entation of the 5ocal Aovern!ent 3ode" said region and those for legislative districts in cities Section $. ostponement. -ailure of )lection and Special outside the %ational 3apital 7egion which co!prise one )lections. @ &he postpone!ent, declaration of failure of election or !ore legislative districts shall be filed with the city

(a) $or provinces with two (.) or !ore legislative districts, the elective !e!bers of the 1angguniang Panlalawigan shall be elected by legislative districts" $or this purpose, the nu!ber of seats shall be apportioned equitably' Provided, &hat, if equal division is not possible, the re!aining !e!ber or !e!bers shall be elected in the district or districts with the greater nu!ber of population or, if they be the sa!e, with the greater nu!ber of voters' Provided further, &hat, if a legislative district includes a city that does not vote in the election of provincial officials, the 3o!!ission on ,lections, hereinafter referred to as the 3o!!ission, shall allocate the nu!ber of seats a!ong the districts in proportion to the population of the constituencies voting for the 1angguniang Panlalawigan*

Section 11. Voting Booth. @ Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, there shall be in each polling place at least ten (c) &he certificate of candidacy for provincial offices shall (1/) voting booths of such size, specifications and !aterials as be filed with the provincial supervisor concerned* and the 3o!!ission !ay provide to enable the voters to fill out their (d) &he certificate of candidacy for city or !unicipal ballots secretly" offices shall be filed with the city or !unicipal election Section 1#. (bsentee Voting. @ Absentee voting as provided for registrar concerned" in ,xecutive -rder %o" 1)F dated 4arch 9/, 108F shall apply to Dhenever practicable, the na!es of registered candidates for the elections for President, ;ice@President and 1enators only local positions shall be printed in the election returns' Provided, and shall be li!ited to !e!bers of the Ar!ed $orces of the &hat, if a candidate has been disqualified or declared a nuisance Philippines and the Philippine %ational Police and other candidate, it shall be the duty of the 3o!!ission to instruct govern!ent officers and e!ployees who are duly registered without delay the appropriate election officials to delete the na!e voters and who, on election day, !ay te!porarily be assigned in connection with the perfor!ance of election duties to place of said candidate as printed in the election return" where they are not registered voters" &he certificate of candidacy shall be filed by the candidate personally or by his duly authorized representative" %o certificate Section 13. (uthori+ed )2penses of Candidates and olitical arties. @ &he agree!ent a!ount that a candidate or registered of candidacy shall be filed or accepted by !ail, telegra! or political party !ay spend for election ca!paign shall be as facsi!ile" follows' Section 8. recincts and their )stablishment. @ Any provision of (a) $or candidates" @ &en pesos (P1/"//) for President law to the contrary notwithstanding, where it is not practicable to and ;ice@President* and for other candidates &hree divide the precinct by territory, the 3o!!ission !ay ad(ust or Pesos (P9"//) for every voter currently registered in the split the precinct by assigning the registered voters therein constituency where he filed his certificate of candidacy' alphabetically and equitably a!ong the ad(usted or split Provided, &hat a candidate without any political party precincts' Provided, &hat, the polling places of said precincts and without support fro! any political party !ay be shall be in the sa!e building or pre!ises" allowed to spend $ive Pesos (P)"//) for every such Section 9. Registration of Voters. @ &here shall be a registration voter* and of voters on the fifteenth 1aturday before the day of the election (b) $or political parties" @ $ive pesos (P)"//) for every for voters who will reach the age of eighteen (18) years on or voter currently registered in the constituency or before the day of the election or for those who are qualified but constituencies where it has official candidates" not registered in the list of voters" Cowever, the 3o!!ission !ay designate an additional date of registration in certain areas Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding any to ensure that voters therein are not deprived of their right of contribution in cash or in #ind to any candidate or political party suffrage" or coalition of parties for ca!paign purposes, duly reported to =efore ad(ourning on registration day, the board of election the 3o!!ission shall not be sub(ect to the pay!ent of any gift inspectors shall close the list of voters by affixing their signatures tax" in the space i!!ediately after the last na!e* nu!ber Section 1$. Statement of Contributions and )2penditures! )ffect consecutively the na!es of the voters listed therein and of -ailure to -ile Statement. @ ,very candidate and treasurer of authenticate the list of voters by affixing their signatures on each the political party shall, within thirty (9/) days after the day of the and every page thereof" election, file in duplicate with the offices of the 3o!!ission the &he board of election inspectors shall post, on the wall outside full, true and ite!ized state!ent of all contributions and the roo! where the registration was conducted, the list of voters expenditures in connection with the election" in each precinct beginning on the first wor#ing day after %o person elected to any public offices shall enter upon the registration day until election day" $ailure to post said list shall duties of his office until he has filed the state!ent of constitute an election offense punishable under 1ection . 9 and contributions and expenditures herein required" . < of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode" &he sa!e prohibition shall apply if the political party which Dhen there is a significant nu!ber of inclusions, exclusions and no!inated the winning candidate fails to file the state!ent corrections in the list of voters in a precinct, the 3o!!ission required herein within the period prescribed by this Act" shall direct the board of election inspectors concerned to !eet on the eighth 1aturday i!!ediately preceding the day of the ,xcept candidates for elective barangay office, failure to file the election for the purpose of !a#ing such inclusions and state!ents or reports in connection with electoral contributions corrections as !ay be or !ay have been ordered by the courts, and expenditures are required herein shall constitute an stating opposite every na!e so corrected, added or cancelled, ad!inistrative offense for which the offenders shall be liable to the date of the order and the court which issued the sa!e* pay an ad!inistrative fine ranging fro! -ne thousand pesos otherwise, the board shall not !eet but such inclusions, (P1,///"//) to &hirty thousand pesos (P9/,///"//), in the exclusions and corrections, if any, shall be !ade in the list of discretion of the 3o!!ission" voters before the voting starts on election day" &he fine shall be paid within thirty (9/) days fro! receipt of Section 10. (nnulment of the 1ist of Voters. @ Any boo# of voters notice of such failure* otherwise, it shall be enforceable by a writ the preparation of which has been affected with fraud, bribery, of execution issued by the 3o!!ission against the properties of forgery, i!personation, inti!idation, force or any other si!ilar the offender" irregularity or which is statistically i!probable !ay be annulled, +t shall be the duty of every city or !unicipal election registrar to after due notice of a verified co!plaint' Provided, &hat, no order, advise in writing, by personal delivery or registered !ail, within ruling or decision annulling a boo# of voters shall be executed five ()) days fro! the date of election all candidates residing in within sixty ( /) days before an election"

election registrar concerned*

his (urisdiction to co!ply with their obligation to file their questions affecting the co!position or proceedings of the board state!ents of contributions and expenditures" !ay appeal the !atter to the 3o!!ission within three (9) days fro! a ruling thereon" &he 3o!!ission shall su!!arily decided $or the co!!ission of a second or subsequent offense under the case within five ()) days fro! the filing thereof" this section, the ad!inistrative fine shall be fro! &wo thousand pesos (P.,///"//) to 1ixty thousand pesos (P /,///"//), in the Section #0. rocedure in Disposition of Contested )lection discretion of the 3o!!ission" +n addition, the offender shall be Returns. @ sub(ect to perpetual disqualification to hold public office" (a) Any candidate, political party or coalition of political Section 1%. re3proclamation Cases 'ot (llo*ed in )lections parties contesting the inclusion or exclusion in the for resident Vice3 resident. Senator. and $ember of the House canvass of any election returns on any of the grounds of Representatives. @ $or purposes of the elections for President, authorized under Article II or 1ections .9<, .9) and ;ice@President, 1enator and 4e!ber of the Couse of .9 of Article I+I of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode shall 7epresentatives, no pre@procla!ation cases shall be allowed on sub!it their oral ob(ection to the chair!an of the board !atters relating to the preparation, trans!ission, receipt, custody of canvassers at the ti!e the questioned return is and appreciation of the election returns or the certificates of presented for inclusion in the canvass" 1uch ob(ection canvass, as the case !ay be" Cowever, this does not preclude shall be recorded in the !inutes of the canvass" the authority of the appropriate canvassing body motu propio or (b) Gpon receipts of any such ob(ection, the board of upon written co!plaint of an interested person to correct canvassers shall auto!atically defer the canvass of the !anifest errors in the certificate of canvass or election returns contested returns and shall proceed to canvass the before it" returns which are not contested by any party" Huestions affecting the co!position or proceedings of the board (c) 1i!ultaneous with the oral ob(ection, the ob(ecting of canvassers !ay be initiated in the board or directly with the party shall also enter his ob(ection in the for! for written 3o!!ission in accordance with 1ection 10 hereof" ob(ections to be prescribed by the 3o!!ission" Dithin Any ob(ection on the election returns before the city or !unicipal twenty@four (.<) hours fro! and after the presentation of board of canvassers, or on the !unicipal certificates of canvass such an ob(ection, the ob(ecting party shall sub!it the before the provincial board of canvassers or district boards of evidence in support of the ob(ection, which shall be canvassers in 4etro 4anila Area, shall be specifically noticed in attached to the for! for written ob(ections" Dithin the the !inutes of their respective proceedings" sa!e period of twenty@four (.<) hours after presentation of the ob(ection, any party !ay file a written and verified Section 16. re3proclamation Cases /nvolving rovincial. City opposition to the ob(ection in the for! also to be and $unicipal 0ffices. @ Pre@procla!ation cases involving prescribed by the 3o!!ission, attaching thereto provincial, city and !unicipal offices shall be allowed and shall supporting evidence, if any" &he board shall not entertain be governed by 1ections 1F, 18, 10, ./, .1 and .. hereof" any ob(ection or opposition unless reduced to writing in the prescribed for!s" All pre@procla!ation cases pending before the 3o!!ission shall be dee!ed ter!inated at the beginning of the ter! of the office &he evidence attached to the ob(ection or opposition, involved and the rulings of the boards of canvassers concerned sub!itted by the parties, shall be i!!ediately and shall be dee!ed affir!ed, without pre(udice to the filing of a for!ally ad!itted into the records of the board by the regular election protest by the aggrieved party" Cowever, chair!an affixing his signature at the bac# of each every proceedings !ay continue when on the basis of the evidence page thereof" thus far presented, the 3o!!ission deter!ined that the petition appears !eritorious and accordingly issues an order for the (d) Gpon receipt of the evidence, the board shall #eep up proceeding to continue or when an appropriate order has been the contested returns, consider the written ob(ections issued by the 1upre!e 3ourt in a petition for certiorari" thereto and opposition, if any, and su!!arily and i!!ediately rules thereon" &he board shall enter its Section 17. re3proclamation Controversies! Ho* ruling on the prescribed for! and authenticate the sa!e Commenced. @ Huestions affecting the co!position or by the signatures of its !e!bers" proceedings of the board of canvassers !ay be initiated in the board or directly with the 3o!!ission" Cowever, !atters raised (e) Any part adversely affected by the ruling of the board under 1ections .99, .9<, .9) and .9 of the -!nibus ,lection shall i!!ediately infor! the board if he intends to 3ode in relation to the preparation, trans!ission, receipt, appeal said ruling" &he board shall enter said infor!ation custody and appreciation of the election returns, and the in the !inutes of the canvass, set aside the returns and certificates of canvass shall be brought in the first instance proceed to consider the other returns" before the board of canvassers only" (f) After all the uncontested returns have been Section 18. Summary Disposition of re3proclamation canvassed and the contested return ruled upon by it, the Controversies. @ All pre@procla!ation controversies on election board shall suspend the canvass" Dithin forty@eight (<8) returns or certificates of canvass shall, on the basis of the hours, therefro!, any party adversely affected by the records and evidence elevated to it by the board of canvassers, ruling !ay file with the board a written and verified notice be disposed of su!!arily by the 3o!!ission within seven (F) of appeal* and within an unextendible period of five ()) days fro! receipt thereof" +ts decisions shall be executory after days thereafter an appeal !ay be ta#en to the the lapse of seven (F) days for receipts by the losing party of the 3o!!ission" decision of the 3o!!ission" (g) +!!ediately upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the Section 19. Consented Composition or roceedings of the board shall !a#e an appropriate report to the Board! eriod to (ppeal! Decision by the Commission. @ Parties 3o!!ission, elevating therewith the co!plete records adversely affected by a ruling of the board of canvassers on and evidence sub!itted in the canvass, and furnishing

the parties with copies of the report" (h) -n the basis of the record and evidence elevate to it by the board, the 3o!!ission shall decide su!!arily the appeal within seven (F) days fro! receipt of said record and evidence" Any appeal brought before the 3o!!ission on the ruling of the board, without the acco!plished for!s and the evidence appended thereto, shall be su!!arily dis!issed"

Arabic is of general use shall have each of the titles of the offices to be voted for printed in Arabic in addition to and i!!ediately below the ,nglish title" (e) %otwithstanding the preceding provisions, the 3o!!ission is hereby authorized to prescribe a different for! of official ballot on the sa!e water!ar#ed security paper to facilitate voting by illiterate voter only and to use or adopt the latest technological and electronic devices in connection therewith as provided under 1ection ).(i) of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode"

&he decision of the 3o!!ission shall be executory after the lapse of seven (F) days fro! receipts thereof by the losing party" Section #$. Signature of Chairman at the Bac4 of )very Ballot. @ +n every case before delivering an official ballot to the voter, the (i) &he board of canvassers shall not proclai! any chair!an of the board of election inspectors shall, in the candidate as winner unless authorized by the presence of the voter, affix his signature at the bac# thereof" 3o!!ission after the latter has ruled on the ob(ect $ailure to so authenticate shall be noted in the !inutes of the brought to it on appeal by the losing party" Any board of election inspectors and shall constitute an election procla!ation !ade in violation hereof shall be void ab offense punishable under 1ection . 9 and . < of the -!nibus initio, unless the contested returns will not adversely ,lection 3ode" affect the results of the election" Section #%. $anner of Counting Votes. @ +n addition to the Section #1. artial roclamation. @ %otwithstanding the require!ent in the fourth paragraph of 1ection 1. of 7epublic pendency of any pre@procla!ation controversy, the 3o!!ission Act %o" < ad 1ection .1/ of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode, in !ay su!!arily order the procla!ation of other winning reading the individual official ballots during the counting, the candidates whose election will not be affected by the outco!e of chair!an, the poll cler# and the third !e!ber shall assu!e such the controversy" positions as to provide the watchers and the !e!bers of the Section ##. )lection Contests for $unicipal 0ffices. @ All election public as !ay be conveniently acco!!odated in the polling contests involving !unicipal offices filed with the 7egional &rial place, an uni!peded view of the ballot being read by the 3ourt shall be decided expeditiously" &he decision !ay be chair!an, of the election return and the tally board being appealed to the 3o!!ission within five ()) days fro! si!ultaneously acco!plished by the poll cler# and the third pro!ulgation or receipt of a copy thereof by the aggrieved party" !e!ber respectively, without touching any of these election &he 3o!!ission shall decide the appeal within sixty ( /) days docu!ents" &he table shall be cleared of all unnecessary writing after it is sub!itted for decision, but not later than six ( ) !onths paraphernalia" Any violation of this require!ent shall constitute after the filing of the appeal, which decision shall be final, an election offense punishable under 1ections . 9 and . < of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode" unappealable and executory" Section #3. 0fficials Ballots. @ (a) =allots for national and local elections, regular or special, plebiscites and referenda, shall be of unifor! size and shall be prescribed by the 3o!!ission" &hey shall be printed in blac# in# on which security paper with distinctive, clear and legible water!ar#s that will readily distinguish it fro! ordinary paper" ,ach ballot shall be in the shape of a strip with stub and detachable coupon containing the serial nu!ber of the ballot, and a space for the thu!b!ar# of the voter on the detachable coupon" +t shall bear at the top of the voter on the detachable coupon" +t shall bear at the top of the !iddle portion thereof the coat@of@ar!s of the 7epublic of the Philippines, the word >-fficial =allot,> the na!e of the city or the !unicipality and province in which the election is to be held, the date of the election, and the following notice in ,nglish' >$ill out this ballot secretly inside the voting booth" Bo not put any distinct !ar# on any part of this ballot"> (b) &he official ballot shall also contain the na!es of all the officer to be voted for in the election, allowing opposite the na!e of each office, sufficient space of spaces with horizontal lines where the voter !ay write the na!e or na!es of individual candidates voted for by hi!" Section #6. 0fficial Watchers. @ ,very registered political party or coalition of political parties, and every candidate shall each be entitled to one watcher in every polling place and canvassing center' Provided, &hat, candidates for the 1angguniang Panlalawigan, 1angguniang Panlungsod, or 1angguniang =ayan belonging to the sa!e slate or tic#et shall collectively be entitled to only one watcher" &here shall also be recognized six ( ) principal watchers, representing the six ( ) accredited !a(or political parties, who shall be designated by the 3o!!ission upon no!ination of the said parties" &hese political parties shall be deter!ined by the 3o!!ission upon notice and hearing on the basis of the following circu!stances' (a) &he established record of the said parties, coalition of groups that now co!posed the!, ta#ing into account, a!ong other things, their showing in past elections* (b) &he nu!ber of incu!bent elective officials belonging to the! ninety (0/) days before the date of election* (c) &heir identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized6chapters* (d) &he ability to fill a co!plete slate of candidates fro! the !unicipal level to the position of President* and (e) -ther analogous circu!stances that !ay deter!ine their relative organizations and strengths"

(c) &here shall not be anything printed or written on the bac# of the ballot except as provided in 1ection .< of Section #7. 'umber of Copies of )lection Returns and their this Act" Distribution. @ &he board of election inspectors shall prepare in handwriting the election returns in their respective polling places, (d) -fficial ballot for cities and !unicipalities where

in the nu!ber of copies herein provided and in the for! to be prescribed and provided by the 3o!!ission" &he copies of the election returns shall be distributed as follows' (a) +n the election of President, ;ice@President, 1enators and 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives' (1) &he first copy shall be delivered to the city or !unicipal board of canvassers*

returns, sealed and unopened" 1aid copy !ay be opened only during the canvass upon order of the board of canvassers for purposes of co!parison with other copies of the returns whose authenticity is in question* and ( ) &he sixth copy shall be deposited inside the co!part!ent of the ballot box for valid ballots"

Section #8. Canvassing by rovincial City. District and (.) &he second copy to the 3ongress, directed to $unicipal Board of Canvassers. @ the President of the 1enate* (a) &he city or !unicipal board of canvassers shall canvass the election returns of President, ;ice@ (9) &he third copy, to the 3o!!ission* President, 1enator and 4e!bers of the Couse of (<) &he fourth copy, to the provincial board of 7epresentatives and for elective provincial and city or canvassers* !unicipal officials" Gpon co!pletion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass for President, ()) &he fifth copy, to be #nown as advance ;ice@President, 1enators and 4e!bers of the Couse of election returns, shall be delivered to the city or 7epresentatives and elective provincial officials and !unicipal treasurer who, in the presence of the thereafter, proclai! the elected city or !unicipal officials, election registrar or his authorized as the case !ay be" representative, shall i!!ediately and publicly open the sa!e and post the votes therein in an (b) &he city board of canvassers of cities co!prising one election tally board sufficiently large to enable or !ore legislative districts shall canvass the election the public to read the!, built on the public place returns for President, ;ice@President, 1enators, preferably within the i!!ediate vicinity of the city 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and elective hall or !unicipal building" city officials" Gpon co!pletion of the canvass, the board ( ) &he sixth copy shall be given to the city or !unicipal trial court (udge or in his absence to any official who !ay be designated by the 3o!!ission" &he city or !unicipal trial court (udge or the official designated by the 3o!!ission shall #eep his copies of the election returns, sealed and unopened" 1aid copy !ay be opened only during the canvass upon order of the board of canvassers for purposes of co!parison with other copies of the returns whose authenticity is in question* and (F) &he seventh copy shall be deposited inside the co!part!ent of the ballot box for valid ballots* and (b) +n the election of local officials' (1) &he first copy shall be delivered to the city or !unicipal board of canvassers* (.) &he second copy, to the 3o!!ission* (9) &he third copy, to the provincial board of canvassers* (<) &he fourth copy, to be #nown as advance election returns, shall be delivered to the city or !unicipal treasurer who, in the presence of the election registrar or his authorized representative, shall i!!ediately and publicly open the sa!e and post the votes therein in an election tally board sufficiently large to enable the public to read the!, built on a public place preferably within the i!!ediate vicinity of the city hall or !unicipal building* ()) &he fifth copy shall be given to the city or !unicipal trial court (udge or in his absence, to any official who !ay be designated by the 3o!!ission" &he city or !unicipal trial court (udge or the official designated by the 3o!!ission shall #eep his copies of the election shall prepare the certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@President, and 1enators and thereafter, proclai! the elected 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and city officials" (c) (1) +n the 4etro 4anila Area each !unicipality co!prising a legislative district shall have a district board of canvassers which shall canvass the election returns for President, ;ice@President, 1enators, 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and elective !unicipal officials" Gpon co!pletion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@President, and 1enators and thereafter, proclai! the elected 4e!ber of the Couse of 7epresentatives and !unicipal officials" (.) ,ach co!ponent !unicipal in a legislative district in the 4etro 4anila Area shall have a !unicipal board of canvassers which shall canvass the election returns for President, ;ice@ President, 1enators, 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and elective !unicipal officials" Gpon co!pletion of the canvass, each shall prepare the certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@President, 1enators and 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and thereafter, proclai! the elected !unicipal officials" (9) &he district board of canvassers of each legislative district co!prising two (.) !unicipalities in the 4etro 4anila Area shall canvass the certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@President, 1enators and 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives sub!itted by the !unicipal board of canvassers of the co!ponent !unicipalities" Gpon co!pletion of the canvass, it shall prepare a certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@President and 1enators and thereafter, proclai! the elected 4e!ber of the Couse of 7epresentatives in the legislative district"

(d) &he provincial board of canvassers shall canvass the certificates of canvass for President, ;ice@President, 1enators and 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and elective provincial officials as well as plebiscite results, if any plebiscite is conducted si!ultaneously with the sa!e election, as sub!itted by the board of canvassers of !unicipalities and co!ponent cities" Gpon co!pletion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@President and 1enators and thereafter, proclai! the elected 4e!ber of the Couse of 7epresentatives and provincial officials as well as the plebiscite results, if any" Section #9. 'umber of Copies of Certificates of Canvass and their Distribution. @ (a) &he certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@ President, 1enators and 4e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives and elective provincial officials shall be prepared in seven (F) copies by the city or !unicipal board of canvassers and distributed as follows'

(<) &he fourth copy shall be given to the citizens ar! designated by the 3o!!ission to conduct a !edia@based unofficial count* and ()) &he fifth, sixth and seventh copies of the certificate of canvass shall be given to any three (9) of the six ( ) accredited !a(or political parties in accordance with the voluntary agree!ent of the parties" +f no such agree!ent is reached, the 3o!!ission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies of the certificate of canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in 1ection . hereof" &he parties receiving the certificates shall have the obligation to furnish the other parties with authentic copies thereof with the least possible delay" (c) &he certificate of canvass prepared by the city of !unicipal boards of canvassers shall each be supported by a state!ent of votes by precinct, signed and thu!b!ar#ed by the chair!an and !e!bers of the board, and the principal watchers if available" &hereafter, it shall be sealed and placed inside an envelope which shall li#ewise be properly sealed"

(1) &he first copy shall be delivered to the provincial board of canvassers for use in the canvass of election results for President, ;ice@ President, 1enators and 4e!bers of the Couse +n the 4etro 4anila Area, the certificates of canvass prepared by of 7epresentatives and elective provincial a district board of canvassers of a legislative district co!prising officials* one (1) !unicipality shall be supported by a state!ent of votes by precinct" &he certificate of canvass prepared by a district (.) &he second copy shall be sent to the board of canvassers of a legislative district co!prising two (.) 3o!!ission* !unicipalities shall be supported by a state!ent of votes by (9) &he third copy shall be #ept by the chair!an !unicipality" of the board* &he certificate of canvass prepared by the provincial board of (<) &he fourth copy shall be given to the citizens canvassers shall be supported by a state!ent of votes by ar! designated by the 3o!!ission to conduct a !unicipality, and the original copy thereof for the 3ongress shall, in addition, be supported by state!ent of votes by precinct as !edia@based unofficial count* and sub!itted to the provincial board of canvassers by the city or ()) &he fifth, sixth and seventh copies shall be !unicipal boards of canvassers" &he sa!e require!ent shall given to the representatives of three (9) of the apply in the case of the certificate of canvass of a district board six ( ) !a(or political parties in accordance with of canvassers of a legislative district co!prising two (.) the voluntary agree!ent of the parties" +f no !unicipalities in 4etro 4anila Area" such agree!ent is reached, the 3o!!ission shall decide which parties shall receive the Section 30. Congress as the 'ational Board of Canvassers for copies of the certificate of canvass on the basis the )lection of resident and Vice3 resident! Determination of of the criteria provided in 1ection . hereof" &he (uthenticity and Due )2ecution of Certificates of Canvass. @ parties receiving the certificates shall have the 3ongress shall deter!ine the authenticity and due execution of obligation to furnish the other parties with the certificate of canvass for President and ;ice@President as authentic copies thereof with the least possible acco!plished and trans!itted to it by the local boards of canvassers, on a showing that' (1) each certificate of canvass delay" was executed, signed and thu!b!ar#ed by the chair!an and (b) &he certificate of canvass for President, ;ice@ !e!bers of the board of canvassers and trans!itted or caused President, 1enators shall be prepared in seven (F) to be trans!itted to 3ongress by the!* (.) each certificate of copies by the city boards of canvassers of cities canvass contains the na!es of all of the candidates for co!prising one or !ore legislative districts, by provincial President and ;ice@President and their corresponding votes in boards of canvassers and by district boards of words and in figures* and (9) there exists no discrepancy in other canvassers in the 4etro 4anila Area, and distributed as authentic copies of the certificate of canvass or discrepancy in follows' the votes of any candidate in words and figures in the certificate" (1) &he first copy shall be sent to the 3ongress, Dhen the certificate of canvass, duly certified by the board of directed to the President of the 1enate for use in canvassers of each province, city or district, appears to be the canvass of election results for President and inco!plete, the 1enate President shall require the board of ;ice@President* canvassers concerned to trans!it by personal delivery, the (.) &he second copy shall be sent to the election returns fro! polling places that were not included in the 3o!!ission for use in the canvass of the certificate of canvass and supporting state!ents" 1aid election returns shall be sub!itted by personal delivery within two (.) election results for 1enators* days fro! receipt of notice" (9) &he third copy shall be #ept by the chair!an Dhen it appears that any certificate of canvass or supporting of the board*

state!ent of votes by precinct bears erasures or alterations which !ay cast doubt as to the veracity of the nu!ber of votes stated therein and !ay affect the result of the election, upon request of the Presidential or ;ice@Presidential candidate concerned or his party, 3ongress shall, for the sole purpose of verifying the actual nu!ber of votes cast for President and ;ice@ President, count the votes as they appear in the copies of the election returns sub!itted to it" Section 31. er Diems of )lection /nspectors and 0ther 0fficials. @ &he !e!bers of the board of election inspectors shall be paid a per die! of &wo hundred pesos (P.//"//) each for services on registration and revision days and $our hundred pesos (P<//"//) each on the day of the election" Provincial, city and !unicipal treasurers, ad!inistrators and supervisors of the Bepart!ent of ,ducation, 3ulture and 1ports assigned by the 3o!!ission to perfor! election duty shall receive a per die! of $our hundred pesos (P<//"//) each on election day" 1aid per die! shall be paid by the cashier or other finance officer of the Bepart!ent of ,ducation, 3ulture and 1ports or of the 3o!!ission within fifteen (1)) days after registration, revision and election days, respectively" &here being funds actually available, any delay in said pay!ents to any of the above !entioned personnel without (ustifiable reason shall constitute an election offense and all officials and other personnel responsible therefor, directly or indirectly, shall be liable under 1ections . 9 and . < of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode"

authority to engage the services of security personnel has been granted shall cease to exist of for any other valid cause, the 3o!!ission shall revo#e the said authority" Section 3$. Disposition of -irearms. @ &he firear!s of other deadly weapon found in the possession of person prosecuted for the election offense shall be disposed of according to existing laws" Section 3%. Rules and Regulations. @ &he 3o!!ission shall issue rules and regulations to i!ple!ent this Act" 1aid rules shall be published in at least two (.) national newspapers of general circulation" Section 36. 5overning 1a*s. @ &he elections provided herein and all subsequent elections and plebiscite shall be governed by this Act, by the provisions of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode, 7epublic Act %o" < and other election laws not inconsistent herewith" Section 37. (ppropriation. @ &he a!ount of -ne billion pesos (P1,///,///,///"//) is hereby appropriated out of any savings or unexpected balance in the %ational &reasury not otherwise appropriated to cover the costs of holding the 4ay 11, 100. elections" Cereafter, the a!ounts necessary to fund subsequent elections shall be included in the Aeneral Appropriations Act for the corresponding fiscal year" Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, and for purposes of the 4ay 11, 100. elections only, the chair!an and !e!bers of the board of election inspectors shall each be paid a per die! of $our hundred pesos (P<//"//) on election day" &he 3o!!ission !ay provide hazard pay, when warranted, incentive and !erit awards to !e!bers of the boards of election inspectors, board of canvassers and personnel of the 3o!!ission and its deputized agencies"

Section 3#. Who $ay Bear -irearms. @ Buring the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firear!s or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, par#, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the sa!e, unless authorized in writing by the 3o!!ission" &he issuance of firear!s licenses shall be Section 38. Separability Clause. @ +f any provisions or party of suspended during the election period" this Act is declared unconstitutional such declaration of -nly regular !e!bers or officers of the Philippine %ational unconstitutionality will not affect the other provisions of this Act" Police, the Ar!ed $orces of the Philippines and other enforce!ent agencies of the Aovern!ent who are duly Section 39. (mending and Repealing Clause. @ 1ection 1/F, deputized in writing by the 3o!!ission for election duty !ay be 1/8 and .<) of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode are hereby repealed" authorized to carry and possess firear!s during the election 5i#ewise, the inclusion in 1ection . . of the -!nibus ,lection period' Provided, &hat, when in the possession of firear!s, the 3ode of the violations of 1ections 1/), 1/ , 1/F, 1/8, 1/0, 11/, deputized law enforce!ent officer !ust be' (a) in full unifor! 111 and 11. as a!ong election offenses is also hereby repealed" showing clearly and legibly his na!e, ran# and serial nu!ber &his repeal shall have retroactive effect" which shall re!ain visible at all ti!es* and (b) in the actual =atas Pa!bansa =lg" 881, 7epublic Act %o" < , ,xecutive perfor!ance of his election duty in the specific area designated -rder %os" 1<< and 1)F and all other laws, orders, decrees, by the 3o!!ission" rules and regulations or other issuances, or any part thereof, Section 33. Security ersonnel and Bodyguards. @ Buring the inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby a!ended election period, no candidate for public office, including or repealed accordingly" incu!bent public officers see#ing election to any public office, shall e!ploy, avail hi!self of or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards, whether or not such bodyguards are regular !e!bers or officers of the Philippine %ational Police, the Ar!ed $orces of the Philippines or other law enforce!ent agency of the Aovern!ent' Provided, &hat, when circu!stances warrant, including but not li!ited to threats to life and security of a candidate, he !ay be assigned by the 3o!!ission, upon due application, regular !e!bers of the Philippine %ational Police, the Ar!ed $orces of the Philippines or other law enforce!ent agency who shall provide hi! security for the duration of the election period" &he officers assigned for security duty to a candidate shall be sub(ect to the sa!e require!ent as to wearing of unifor!s prescribed in the i!!ediately preceding section unless exe!pted in writing by the 3o!!ission" Section $0. )ffectivity Clause. @ &his Act shall ta#e effect upon its publication in full in at least two (.) national newspapers of general circulation" Approved' %ove!ber . , 1001

Re*+,-ic Act No. 9189

e,0+203 131 #003

AN ACT PROVIDING OR A S"STE! O OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING B" 4UALI IED CITI'ENS O T&E P&ILIPPINES ABROAD1 APPROPRIATING UNDS T&ERE OR1 AND OR OT&ER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of +f at any ti!e during the election period, the ground for which the the hilippines in Congress assembled'

Section 1. 1hort &itle" 2 &his Act shall be #nown as >&he -verseas Absentee ;oting Act of .//9"> Sec. #. Beclaration of Policy" 2 +t is the pri!e duty of the 1tate to provide a syste! of honest and orderly overseas absentee voting that upholds the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot" &owards this end, the 1tate ensures equal opportunity to all qualified citizens of the Philippines abroad in the exercise of this funda!ental right" Sec. 3. Befinition of &er!s" 2 $or purposes of this Act' a" >Absentee ;oting> refers to the process by which qualified citizens of the Philippines abroad exercise their right to vote* b" >3o!!ission> refers to the 3o!!ission on ,lections*

<" An i!!igrant or a per!anent resident who is recognized as such in the host country, unless he6she executes, upon registration, an affidavit prepared for the purpose by the 3o!!ission declaring that he6she shall resu!e actual physical per!anent residence in the Philippines not later than three (9) years fro! approval of his6her registration under this Act" 1uch affidavit shall also state that he6she has not applied for citizenship in another country" $ailure to return shall be the cause for the re!oval of the na!e of the i!!igrant or per!anent resident fro! the %ational 7egistry of Absentee ;oters and his6her per!anent disqualification to vote in absentia" )" Any citizen of the Philippines abroad previously declared insane or inco!petent by co!petent authority in the Philippines or abroad, as verified by the Philippine e!bassies, consulates or foreign service establish!ents concerned, unless such co!petent authority subsequently certifies that such person is no longer insane or inco!petent"

c" >3ertified 5ist of -verseas Absentee ;oters> refers to the list of registered overseas absentee voters whose applications to vote in absentia have been approved by the 3o!!ission, said list to be prepared by the 3o!!ittee on Absentee ;oting of the 3o!!ission, on a country@by@country basis" &his list shall be approved by Sec. 6. Personal -verseas Absentee 7egistration" 2 7egistration the 3o!!ission in an en banc resolution* as an overseas absentee voter shall be done in person" d" >Bay of ,lection> refers to the actual date of elections Hualified citizens of the Philippines abroad who failed to register in the Philippines* under 7epublic Act %o" 8180, otherwise #nown as the >&he e" >%ational 7egistry of Absentee ;oters> refers to the consolidated list prepared, approved and !aintained by the 3o!!ission, of overseas absentee voters whose applications for registration as absentee voters, including those registered voters who have applied to be certified as absentee voters, have been approved by the ,lection 7egistered =oard* f" >-verseas Absentee ;oter> refers to a citizen of the Philippines who is qualified to register and vote under this Act, not otherwise disqualified by law, who is abroad on the day of elections" Sec. $. 3overage" 2 All citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of elections, !ay vote for president, vice@ president, senators and party@list representatives" Sec. %. Bisqualifications" 2 &he following shall be disqualified fro! voting under this Act'

;oters 7egistration Act of 100 >, !ay personally apply for registration with the ,lection 7egistration =oard of the city or !unicipality where they were do!iciled i!!ediately prior to their departure fro! the Philippines, or with the representative of the 3o!!ission at the Philippine e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service establish!ents that have (urisdiction over the locality where they te!porarily reside" 1ub(ect to the specific guidelines herein provided, the 3o!!ission is hereby authorized to prescribe additional procedures for overseas absentee registration pursuant to the provisions of 7epublic Act %o" 8180, whenever applicable, ta#ing into strict consideration the ti!e zones and the various periods and processes herein provided for the proper i!ple!entation of this Act" &he e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service establish!ents shall trans!it within ()) days fro! receipt the acco!plished registration for!s to the 3o!!ission, after which the 3o!!ission shall coordinate with the ,lection -fficer of the city or !unicipality of the applicant:s stated residence for verification, hearing and annotation in the per!anent list of voters"

1" &hose who have lost their $ilipino citizenship in All applications for the 4ay, .//< elections shall be filed with the accordance with Philippine laws* 3o!!ission not later than two hundred eighty (.8/) calendar ." &hose who have expressly renounced their Philippine days before the day of elections" $or succeeding elections, the citizenship and who have pledged allegiance to a foreign 3o!!ission shall provide for the period within which applications to register !ust be filed" country* 9" &hose who have co!!itted and are convicted in a +n the case of seafarers, the 3o!!ission shall provide a special final (udg!ent by a court or tribunal of an offense !echanis! for the ti!e and !anner of personal registration punishable by i!prison!ent of not less than one (1) ta#ing into consideration the nature of their wor#" year, including those who have co!!itted and been "1" Gpon receipt of the application for registration, the found guilty of Bisloyalty as defined under Article 19F of ,lection -fficer shall i!!ediately set the application for the 7evised Penal 3ode, such disability not having been hearing, the notice of which shall be posted in a re!oved by plenary pardon or a!nesty* Provided, conspicuous place in the pre!ises of the city or however, &hat any person disqualified to vote under this !unicipal building of the applicant:s stated residence for subsection shall auto!atically acquire the right to vote at least one (1) wee# before the date of the hearing" &he upon expiration of five ()) years after service of ,lection -fficer shall i!!ediately furnish a copy of the sentence* Provided, further, &hat the 3o!!ission !ay application to the designated representatives of political ta#e cognizance of final (udg!ents issued by foreign parties and other accredited groups" courts or tribunals only on the basis of reciprocity and "." +f no verified ob(ection to the application is filed, the sub(ect to the for!alities and processes prescribed by ,lection -fficer shall i!!ediately forward the application the 7ules of 3ourt on execution of (udg!ents*

to the ,lection 7egistration =oard, which shall decide on processes, sub(ect to li!itations i!posed by law" the application within one (1) wee# fro! the date of Sec. 8. 7equire!ents for 7egistration" 2 ,very $ilipino registrant hearing without waiting for the quarterly !eeting of the shall be required to furnish the following docu!ents' =oard" &he applicant shall be notified of the approval or disapproval of his6her application by registered !ail" a" A valid Philippine passport" +n the absence of a valid passport, a certification of the Bepart!ent of $oreign "9" +n the event that an ob(ection to the application is Affairs that it has reviewed the appropriate docu!ents filed prior to or on the date of hearing, the ,lection sub!itted by the applicant and found the! sufficient to -fficer shall notify the applicant of said ob(ection by warrant the issuance of a passport, or that the applicant registered !ail, enclosing therein copies of affidavits or is a holder of a valid passport but is unable to produce docu!ents sub!itted in support of the ob(ection filed the sa!e for a valid reason* with the said ,lection -fficer, if any" &he applicant shall have the right to file his counter@affidavit by registered b" Acco!plished registration for! prescribed by the !ail, clearly stating therein facts and defenses sworn 3o!!ission containing the following !andatory before any officer in the host country authorized to infor!ation' ad!inister oaths" i" 5ast #nown residence of the applicant in the "<" &he application shall be approved or disapproved Philippines before leaving for abroad* based on the !erits of the ob(ection, counter@affidavit ii" Address of applicant abroad, or forwarding and docu!ents sub!itted by the party ob(ecting and address in the case of seafarers* those of the applicant" iii" Dhere voting by !ail is allowed, the ") A 3ertificate of 7egistration as an overseas absentee applicant:s !ailing address outside the voter shall be issued by the 3o!!ission to all applicants Philippines where the ballot for absentee voters whose applications have been approved, including those will be sent, in proper cases* and* certified as registered voters" &he 3o!!ission shall include the approved applications in the %ational 7egistry of Absentee ;oters" " " +f the application has been approved, any interested party !ay file a petition for exclusion not later than two hundred ten (.1/) days before the day of elections with the proper !unicipal or !etropolitan trial court" &he petition shall be decided within fifteen (1)) days after its filing on the basis of the docu!ents sub!itted in connection therewith" 1hould the court fail to render a decision within the prescribed period, the ruling of the ,lection 7egistration =oard shall be considered affir!ed" "F" +f the application has been disapproved, the applicant or his authorized representative shall, within a period of five ()) days fro! receipt of the notice of disapproval, have the right to file a petition for inclusion with the proper !unicipal or !etropolitan trial court" &he petition shall be decided within five ()) days after its filing on the basis of docu!ents sub!itted in connection therewith" Hualified citizens of the Philippines abroad, who have previously registered as voters pursuant to 7epublic Act %o" 8180 shall apply for certification as absentee voters and for inclusion in the %ational 7egistry of -verseas Absentee ;oters, with a corresponding annotation in the 3ertified ;oters: 5ist" Sec. 7. 1yste! of 3ontinuing 7egistration" 2 &he 3o!!ission shall ensure that the benefits of the syste! of continuing registration are extended to qualified overseas absentee voters" &owards this end, the 3o!!ission shall opti!ize the use of existing facilities, personnel and !echanis!s of the various govern!ent agencies for purposes of data gathering, data validation, infor!ation disse!ination and facilitation of the registration process" Pre@departure progra!s, services and !echanis!s offered and ad!inistered by the Bepart!ent of $oreign Affairs, Bepart!ent of 5abor and ,!ploy!ent, Philippine -verseas ,!ploy!ent Ad!inistration, -verseas Dor#ers: Delfare Ad!inistration, 3o!!ission on $ilipinos -verseas and other appropriate agencies of the govern!ent shall be utilized for purposes of supporting the overseas absentee registration and voting iv" %a!e and address of applicant:s authorized representative in the Philippines for purposes of 1ection "F and 1ection 1. hereof" c" +n the case of i!!igrants and per!anent residents not otherwise disqualified to vote under this Act, an affidavit declaring the intention to resu!e actual physical per!anent residence in the Philippines not later than three (9) years after approval of his6her registration as an overseas absentee voter under this Act" 1uch affidavit shall also state that he6she has not applied for citizenship in another country" &he 3o!!ission !ay also require additional data to facilitate registration and recording" %o infor!ation other than those necessary to establish the identity and qualification of the applicant shall be required" Sec. 9. %ational 7egistry of -verseas Absentee ;oters" 2 &he 3o!!ission shall !aintain a %ational 7egistry of -verseas Absentee ;oters" Approved applications of overseas absentee registrants shall also be included in the per!anent list of voters of the city or !unicipality where the registrant is do!iciled, with the corresponding annotation that such person has been registered or will be voting as an overseas absentee voter" &he registry shall also include those registered under 7epublic Act %o" 8180 and who have been issued certifications as overseas absentee voters" &he entries in the %ational 7egistry of -verseas Absentee ;oters and the annotations as overseas absentee voters in the 3ertified ;oters: 5ist shall be per!anent, and cannot be cancelled or a!ended except in any of the following cases' 0"1" Dhen the overseas absentee voter files a letter under oath addressed to the 3o!!ission that he6she wishes to be re!oved fro! the 7egistry of -verseas Absentee ;oters, or that his6her na!e be transferred to the regular registry of voters* or, 0"." Dhen an overseas absentee voter:s na!e was ordered re!oved by the 3o!!ission fro! the 7egistry of -verseas Absentee ;oters for his6her failure to exercise his6her right to vote under this Act for two (.) consecutive national elections"

Sec. 10. %otice of 7egistration and ,lection" 2 &he 3o!!ission shall, through the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service establish!ents, cause the publication in a newspaper of general circulation of the place, date and ti!e of the holding of a regular or special national election and the require!ents for the participation of qualified citizens of the Philippines abroad, at least six ( ) !onths before the date set for the filing of applications for registration" &he 3o!!ission shall deter!ine the countries where publication shall be !ade, and the frequency thereof, ta#ing into consideration the nu!ber of overseas $ilipinos present in such countries" 5i#ewise, the 3o!!ission and the Bepart!ent of $oreign Affairs shall post the sa!e in their respective websites" Sec. 11. Procedure for Application to ;ote in Absentia" 2 11"1" ,very qualified citizen of the Philippines abroad whose application for registration has been approved, including those previously registered under 7epublic Act %o" 8180, shall, in every national election, file with the officer of the e!bassy, consulate or other foreign service establish!ent authorized by the 3o!!ission, a sworn written application to vote in a for! prescribed by the 3o!!ission" &he authorized officer of such e!bassy, consulate or other foreign service establish!ent shall trans!it to the 3o!!ission the said application to vote within five ()) days fro! receipt thereof" &he application for! shall be acco!plished in triplicate and sub!itted together with the photocopy of his6her overseas absentee voter certificate of registration" 11"." ,very application to vote in absentia !ay be done personally at, or by !ail to, the e!bassy, consulate or foreign service establish!ent, which has (urisdiction over the country where he6she has indicated his6her address for purposes of the elections"

such a!ounts as !ay be fixed by the 3o!!ission, the candidates, political parties, accredited citizens: ar!s, interested persons and all e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service establish!ents shall be furnished copies thereof" Sec. 1$. Printing and &rans!ittal of =allots, ;oting +nstructions, ,lection $or!s and Paraphernalia" 2 1<"1" &he 3o!!ission shall cause the printing of ballots for overseas absentee voters, voting instructions, and election for!s in such nu!ber as !ay be necessary, but in no case shall it exceed the total nu!ber of approved applications" 1ecurity !ar#ings shall be used in the printing of ballots for overseas absentee voters" 1<"." &he 3o!!ission shall present to the authorized representatives of the Bepart!ent of $oreign Affairs and the accredited !a(or political parties the ballots for overseas absentee voters, voting instructions, election for!s and other election paraphernalia for scrutiny and inspection prior to their trans!ittal to the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service establish!ents concerned" 1<"9" &he 3o!!ission shall, not later than seventy@five (F)) days before the day of elections, trans!it by special pouch to the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service establish!ents, the exact nu!ber of ballots for overseas absentee voters corresponding to the nu!ber of approved applications, along with such !aterials and election paraphernalia necessary to ensure the secrecy and integrity of the election" 1<"<" &he authorized representatives of accredited !a(or political parties shall have the right to be present in all phases of printing, trans!ittal, and casting of ballots abroad" Gnclai!ed ballots properly !ar#ed as such, shall be cancelled and shipped to the 3o!!ission by the least costly !ethod"

11"9" 3onsular and diplo!atic services rendered in connection with the overseas absentee voting processes Sec. 1%. 7egulation on 3a!paigning Abroad" 2 &he use of shall be !ade available at no cost to the overseas ca!paign !aterials, as well as the li!its on ca!paign spending absentee voter" shall be governed by the laws and regulations applicable in the Sec. 1#. ;erification and Approval of Application to ;ote" 2 All Philippines" applications shall be acted upon by the 3o!!ission upon Sec. 16. 3asting and 1ub!ission of =allots" 2 receipt thereof, but in no case later than one hundred fifty (1)/) days before the day of elections" +n the event of disapproval of 1 "1" Gpon receipt by the designated officer of the the application, the voter or his authorized representative !ay e!bassy, consulate and other foreign service file a 4otion for 7econsideration with the 3o!!ission establish!ents of the ballots for overseas absentee personally, or by registered !ail, within ten (1/) days fro! voters, voting instructions, election for!s and other receipt of the notice of disapproval" &he 3o!!ission shall act paraphernalia, he6she shall !a#e the! available on the within five ()) days fro! receipt of such 4otion for pre!ises to the qualified overseas absentee voters in 7econsideration and shall i!!ediately notify the voter of its their respective (urisdictions during the thirty (9/) days decision" &he decision of the 3o!!ission shall be final and before the day of elections when overseas absentee executory" voters !ay cast their vote" +!!ediately upon receiving it, the overseas absentee voter !ust fill@out his6her ballot &he 3o!!ission shall issue an overseas absentee voter personally, in secret, without leaving the pre!ises of the identification card to those whose applications to vote have been e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service approved" establish!ents concerned" Sec. 13. Preparation and Posting of 3ertified 5ist of -verseas 1 "." &he overseas absentee voter shall personally Absentee ;oters" 2 &he 3o!!ission shall prepare the 3ertified acco!plish his6her ballot at the e!bassy, consulate or 5ist of -verseas Absentee ;oters within one hundred twenty other foreign service establish!ent that has (urisdiction (1./) days before every election, and furnish within the sa!e over the country where he6she te!porarily resides or at period copies thereof to the appropriate e!bassies, consulates any polling place designated and accredited by the and other foreign service establish!ents, which shall post the 3o!!ission" sa!e in their bulletin boards within ten (1/) days fro! receipt thereof" 1 "9" &he overseas absentee voter shall cast his ballot, upon presentation of the absentee voter identification 1ub(ect to reasonable regulation and the pay!ent of fees in card issued by the 3o!!ission, within thirty (9/) days

before the day of elections" +n the case of seafarers, they Sec. 17. ;oting by 4ail" 2 shall cast their ballots anyti!e within sixty ( /) days 1F"1" $or the 4ay, .//< elections, the 3o!!ission shall before the day of elections as prescribed in the authorize voting by !ail in not !ore than three (9) +!ple!enting 7ules and Auidelines" countries, sub(ect to the approval of the 3ongressional 1 "<" All acco!plished ballots received shall be placed -versight 3o!!ittee" ;oting by !ail !ay be allowed in unopened inside sealed containers and #ept in a secure countries that satisfy the following conditions' place designated by the 3o!!ission" a" Dhere the !ailing syste! is fairly well@ 1 ")" &he e!bassies, consulates and other foreign developed and secure to prevent the occasion of service establish!ents concerned shall #eep a co!plete fraud* record of the ballots for overseas absentee voters, b" Dhere there exists a technically established specifically indicating the nu!ber of ballots they actually identification syste! that would preclude !ultiple received, and in cases where voting by !ail is allowed or proxy voting* and, under 1ection 1F hereof, the na!es and addresses of the voters to who! these ballots were sent, including c" Dhere the syste! of reception and custody of proof of receipt thereof" +n addition, the e!bassies, !ailed ballots in the e!bassies, consulates and consulates and other foreign service establish!ents other foreign service establish!ents concerned shall sub!it a for!al report to the 3o!!ission and the are adequate and well@secured" 8oint 3ongressional -versight 3o!!ittee created under &hereafter, voting by !ail in any country shall be allowed this Act within thirty (9/) days fro! the day of elections" only upon review and approval of the 8oint 1uch report shall contain data on the nu!ber of ballots 3ongressional -versight 3o!!ittee" cast and received by the offices, the nu!ber of invalid and unclai!ed ballots and other pertinent data" 1F"." &he overseas absentee voters shall send his6her acco!plished ballot to the corresponding e!bassy, 1 " " &he overseas absentee voter shall be instructed consular or other foreign service establish!ent that has that his6her ballot shall not be counted if it is not inside (urisdiction over the country where he6she te!porarily the special envelope furnished hi!6her when it is cast" resides" Ce61he shall be entitled to cast his6her ballot at 1 "F" =allots not clai!ed by the overseas absentee any ti!e upon his6her receipt thereof, provided that the voters at the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign sa!e +s received before the close of voting on the day of service establish!ents, in case of personal voting, and elections" &he overseas absentee voter shall be ballots returned to the e!bassies, consulates and other instructed that his6her ballot shall not be counted if not foreign service establish!ents concerned, in the case of trans!itted in the special envelope furnished hi!6her" voting by !ail, shall be cancelled and shipped to the 1F"9" -nly !ailed ballots received by the Philippine 3o!!ission by the least costly !ethod within six ( ) e!bassy, consulate and other foreign service !onths fro! the day of elections" establish!ents before the close of voting on the day of 1 "8" -nly ballots cast, and !ailed ballots received by elections shall be counted in accordance with 1ection 18 the Philippine e!bassies, consulates and other foreign hereof" All envelopes containing the ballots received by service establish!ents concerned in accordance with the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service 1ection 1F hereof before the close of voting on the day establish!ents after the prescribed period shall not be of elections shall be counted in accordance with 1ection opened, and shall be cancelled and disposed of 18 hereof" All envelopes containing the ballots received appropriately, with a corresponding report thereon by the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service sub!itted to the 3o!!ission not later than thirty (9/) establish!ents after the prescribed period shall not be days fro! the day of elections" opened, and shall be cancelled and shipped to the 3o!!ission by the least costly !ethod within six ( ) Sec. 18. -n@1ite 3ounting and 3anvassing" 2 !onths fro! the day of elections" 18"1" &he counting and canvassing of votes shall be conducted on site in the country where the votes were 1 "0" A 1pecial =allot 7eception and 3ustody Aroup actually cast" &he opening of the specially@!ar#ed co!posed of three (9) !e!bers shall be constituted by envelopes containing the ballots and the counting and the 3o!!ission fro! a!ong the staff of the e!bassies, canvassing of votes shall be conducted within the consulates and other foreign service establish!ents pre!ises of the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign concerned, including their attached agencies, and service establish!ents or in such other places as !ay citizens of the Philippines abroad, who will be deputized be designated by the 3o!!ission pursuant to the to receive ballots and ta#e custody of the sa!e +!ple!enting 7ules and 7egulations" &he 3o!!ission preparatory to their trans!ittal to the 1pecial =oards of shall ensure that the start of counting in all polling places ,lection +nspectors" abroad shall be synchronized with the start of counting in 1 "1/" Buring this phase of the election process, the the Philippines" authorized representatives of the political parties, 18"." $or these purposes, the 3o!!ission shall candidates, and accredited citizens: ar!s of the constitute as !any 1pecial =oards of ,lection +nspectors 3o!!ission shall be notified in writing thereof and shall as !ay be necessary to conduct and supervise the have the right to witness the proceedings" counting of votes as provided in 1ection 18". hereof" 1 "11" &he 3o!!ission shall study the use of electronic &he 1pecial =oards of ,lection +nspectors to be !ail, +nternet, or other secured networ#s in the casting of constituted herein shall be co!posed of a 3hair!an and votes, and sub!it a report thereon to the 8oint two (.) !e!bers, one (1) of who! shall be designated 3ongressional -versight 3o!!ittee" as poll cler#" &he a!bassador or consul@general, or any

career public officer posted abroad designated by the 3o!!ission, as the case !ay be, shall act as the chair!an* in the absence of other govern!ent officers, the two (.) other !e!bers shall be citizens of the Philippines who are qualified to vote under this act and deputized by the 3o!!ission not later than sixty ( /) days before the day of elections" All resolutions of the 1pecial =oard of ,lection +nspectors on issues brought before it during the conduct of its proceedings shall be valid only when they carry the approval of the chair!an"

tally of national votes" $or purposes of this Act, the returns of every election for president and vice@president prepared by the 1pecial =oard of 3anvassers shall be dee!ed a certificate of canvass of a city or province" 18"F" Dhere feasible, the counting and canvassing of votes shall be auto!ated" &owards this end, the 3o!!ission is hereby authorized to borrow, rent, lease or acquire auto!ated voting !achines for purposes of canvassing and counting of votes pursuant to the provisions of this Act, and in accordance with the +!ple!enting 7ules and 7egulations pro!ulgated by the 3o!!ission"

+!!ediately upon the co!pletion of the counting, the 1pecial =oards of ,lection +nspectors shall trans!it via facsi!ile and6or electronic !ail the results to the Sec. 19. Authority of the 3o!!ission to Pro!ulgate 7ules" 2 3o!!ission in 4anila and the accredited !a(or political &he 3o!!ission shall issue the necessary rules and regulations parties" to effectively i!ple!ent the provisions of this Act within sixty ( /) 18"9" -nly ballots cast on, or received by the e!bassies, days fro! the effectivity of this Act" &he +!ple!enting 7ules and consulates and other foreign service establish!ents 7egulations shall be sub!itted to the 8oint 3ongressional before the close of voting on the day of elections shall be -versight 3o!!ittee created by virtue of this Act for prior included in the counting of votes" &hose received approval" afterwards shall not be counted" +n the for!ulation of the rules and regulations, the 3o!!ission 18"<" A 1pecial =oard of 3anvassers co!posed of a shall coordinate with the Bepart!ent of $oreign Affairs, lawyer preferably of the 3o!!ission as chair!an, a Bepart!ent of 5abor and ,!ploy!ent, Philippine -verseas and senior career officer fro! any of the govern!ent ,!ploy!ent Ad!inistration, -verseas Dor#ers: Delfare agencies !aintaining a post abroad and, in the absence Ad!inistration and the 3o!!ission on $ilipinos -verseas" %on@ of another govern!ent officer, a citizen of the Philippines govern!ent organizations and accredited $ilipino organizations qualified to vote under this Act deputized by the or associations abroad shall be consulted" 3o!!ission, as vice@chair!an and !e!ber@secretary, Sec. #0. +nfor!ation 3a!paign" 2 &he 3o!!ission, in respectively, shall be constituted to canvass the election coordination with agencies concerned, shall underta#e an returns sub!itted to it by the 1pecial =oards of ,lection infor!ation ca!paign to educate the public on the !anner of +nspectors" +!!ediately upon the co!pletion of the absentee voting for qualified overseas absentee voters" +t !ay canvass, the chair!an of the 1pecial =oard of require the support and assistance of the Bepart!ent of $oreign 3anvassers shall trans!it via facsi!ile, electronic !ail, Affairs, through the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign or any other !eans of trans!ission equally safe and service establish!ents, Bepart!ent of 5abor and e!ploy!ent, reliable the 3ertificates of 3anvass and the 1tate!ents Bepart!ent of &ransportation and 3o!!unications, Philippine of ;otes to the 3o!!ission, and shall cause to preserve Postal 3orporation, Philippine -verseas ,!ploy!ent the sa!e i!!ediately after the conclusion of the Ad!inistration, -verseas Dor#ers: Delfare Ad!inistration and canvass, and !a#e it available upon instructions of the the 3o!!ission on $ilipinos -verseas" &he 3o!!ission !ay 3o!!ission" &he 1pecial =oard of 3anvassers shall deputize $ilipino organizations6associations overseas for the also furnish the accredited !a(or political parties and sa!e purpose' Provided, &hat any such deputized accredited citizens: ar!s with copies thereof via organization6association shall be prohibited fro! participating in facsi!ile, electronic !ail and any other !eans of the elections by ca!paigning for or fielding candidates* trans!ission equally safe, secure and reliable" Provided, further, &hat if any such deputized &he 3ertificates of 3anvass and the acco!panying organization6association is discovered to have a !e!ber who is 1tate!ents of ;otes as trans!itted via facsi!ile, not a qualified overseas absentee voter as herein defined, such electronic !ail and any other !eans of trans!ission deputized organization6association shall be banned fro! equally safe, secure and reliable shall be the pri!ary participating in any !anner, and at any stage, in the Philippine basis for the national canvass" political process abroad" 18")" &he canvass of votes shall not cause the delay of the procla!ation of a winning candidate if the outco!e of the election will not be affected by the results thereof" %otwithstanding the foregoing, the 3o!!ission is e!powered to order the procla!ation of winning candidates despite the fact that the scheduled election has not ta#en place in a particular country or countries, if the holding of elections therein has been rendered i!possible by events, factors and circu!stances peculiar to such country or countries, and which events, factors and circu!stances are beyond the control or influence of the 3o!!ission" 1uch infor!ation ca!paign shall educate the $ilipino public, within and outside the Philippines, on the rights of overseas absentee voters, absentee voting processes and other related concerns" +nfor!ation !aterials shall be developed by the 3o!!ission for distribution, through the said govern!ent agencies and private organizations" %o govern!ent agency or accredited private organizations shall prepare, print, distribute or post in websites any infor!ation !aterial without the prior approval of the 3o!!ission"

Sec. #1. Access to -fficial 7ecords and Bocu!ents" 2 1ub(ect to the pertinent provisions of this Act, any person shall have the right to access and6or copy at his expense all registration 18" " +n the preparation of the final tally of votes on the records, voters lists and other official records and docu!ents, results of the national elections, the 3o!!ission shall sub(ect to reasonable regulations as !ay be i!posed by the ensure that the votes canvassed by each and every 3o!!ission" country shall be reflected as a separate ite! fro! the

Sec. ##. Assistance fro! Aovern!ent Agencies" 2 All govern!ent officers, particularly fro! the Bepart!ent of $oreign Affairs, Bepart!ent of 5abor and ,!ploy!ent, Bepart!ent of &ransportation and 3o!!unications, Philippine Postal 3orporation, Philippine -verseas ,!ploy!ent Ad!inistration, -verseas Dor#ers: Delfare Ad!inistration, 3o!!ission on $ilipinos -verseas and other govern!ent offices concerned with the welfare of the $ilipinos overseas shall, to the extent co!patible with their pri!ary responsibilities, assist the 3o!!ission in carrying out the provisions of this Act" All such agencies or officers thereof shall ta#e reasonable !easures to expedite all election activities, which the 3o!!ission shall require of the!" Dhen necessary, the 3o!!ission !ay send supervisory tea!s headed by career officers to assist the e!bassies, consulates and other foreign service establish!ent concerned"

his6her appoint!ent* .<" " $or any public officer or e!ployee who shall cause the preparation, printing, distribution of infor!ation !aterial, or post the sa!e in websites without the prior approval of the 3o!!ission* .<"F" $or any public officer or e!ployee to cause the transfer, pro!otion, extension, recall of any !e!ber of the foreign service corps, including !e!bers of the attached agencies, or otherwise cause the !ove!ent of any such !e!ber fro! his current post or position one (1) year before and three (9) !onths after the day of elections, without securing the prior approval of the 3o!!ission* .<"8" $or any person who, after being deputized by the 3o!!ission to underta#e activities in connection with the i!ple!entation of this Act, shall ca!paign for or assist, in whatever !anner, candidates in the elections*

Sec. #3. 1ecurity 4easures to 1afeguard the 1ecrecy and 1anctity of =allots" 2 At all stages of the electoral process, the 3o!!ission shall ensure that the secrecy and integrity of the .<"0" $or any person who is not a citizen of the ballots are preserved" &he 3o!!ittee on Absentee ;oting of the Philippines to participate, by word or deed, directly or 3o!!ission shall be responsible for ensuring the secrecy and indirectly through qualified organizations6associations, in sanctity of the absentee voting process" +n the interest of any !anner and at any stage of the Philippine political transparency, all necessary and practicable !easures shall be process abroad, including participation in the ca!paign adopted to allow representation of the candidates, accredited and elections" !a(or political parties, accredited citizens: ar!s and non@ govern!ent organizations to assist, and intervene in appropriate &he provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding, cases, in all stages of the electoral exercise and to prevent any and with due regard to the Principle of Bouble 3ri!inality, the and all for!s of fraud and coercion" prohibited acts described in this section are electoral offenses %o officer or !e!ber of the foreign service corps, including and punishable in the Philippines" those belonging to attached agencies shall be transferred, pro!oted, extended, recalled or otherwise !oved fro! his current post or position one (1) year before and three (9) !onths after the day of elections, except upon the approval of the 3o!!ission" Sec. #$. Prohibited Acts" 2 +n addition to the prohibited acts provided by law, it shall be unlawful' &he penalties i!posed under 1ection . < of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode, as a!ended, shall be i!posed on any person found guilty of co!!itting any of the prohibited acts as defined in this section' Provided, &hat the penalty of prision !ayor in its !ini!u! period shall be i!posed upon any person found guilty of 1ection .<"9 hereof without the benefit of the operation of the +ndeter!inate 1entence 5aw" +f the offender is a public officer or a candidate, the penalty shall be prision !ayor in its !axi!u! period" +n addition, the offender shall be sentenced to suffer perpetual disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right to vote"

.<"1" $or any officer or e!ployee of the Philippine govern!ent to influence or atte!pt to influence any person covered by this Act to vote, or not to vote, for a particular candidate" %othing in this Act shall be dee!ed to prohibit free discussion regarding politics or +!!igrants and per!anent residents who do not resu!e residence in the Philippines as stipulated in their affidavit under candidates for public office" 1ection )(d) within three (9) years after approval of his6her .<"." $or any person to deprive any person of any right registration under this Act and yet vote in the next elections secured in this Act, or to give false infor!ation as to contrary to the said section, shall be penalized by i!prison!ent his6her na!e, address, or period of residence for the of not less than one (1) year, and shall be dee!ed disqualified purposes of establishing his6her eligibility or ineligibility as provided in 1ection )(c) of this Act" Cis6her passport shall be to register or vote under this Act* or to conspire with sta!ped >not allowed to vote>" another person for the purpose of encouraging the giving of false infor!ation in order to establish the eligibility or Sec. #%. 8oint 3ongressional -versight 3o!!ittee" 2 A 8oint ineligibility of any individual to register or vote under this 3ongressional -versight 3o!!ittee is hereby created, Act* or, to pay, or offer to pay, or to accept pay!ent co!posed of the 3hair!an of the 1enate 3o!!ittee on 3onstitutional A!end!ents, 7evision of 3odes and 5aws, and either for application to vote in absentia or for voting* seven (F) other 1enators designated by the 1enate President, .<"9" $or any person to ta!per with the ballot, the !ail and the 3hair!an of the Couse 3o!!ittee on 1uffrage and containing the ballots for overseas absentee voters, the ,lectoral 7efor!s, and seven (F) other 4e!bers of the Couse of election returns, including the destruction, !utilation and 7epresentatives designated by the 1pea#er of the Couse of !anipulation thereof* 7epresentatives' Provided, &hat, of the seven (F) !e!bers to be designated by each Couse of 3ongress, four (<) should co!e .<"<" $or any person to steal, destroy, conceal, !utilate fro! the !a(ority and the re!aining three (9) fro! the !inority" or alter any record, docu!ent or paper as required for purposes of this Act* &he 8oint 3ongressional -versight 3o!!ittee shall have the power to !onitor and evaluate the i!ple!entation of this Act" +t .<")" $or any deputized agent to refuse without shall review, revise, a!end and approve the +!ple!enting 7ules (ustifiable ground, to serve or continue serving, or to and 7egulations pro!ulgated by the 3o!!ission" co!ply with his6her sworn duties after acceptance of

Sec. #6. Applicability of -ther ,lection 5aws" 2 &he pertinent provisions of the -!nibus ,lection 3ode, as a!ended, and other election laws, which are not in conflict with the provisions of this Act shall re!ain in full force and shall have suppletory application to this Act" Sec. #7. ,nforce!ent and Ad!inistration by the 3o!!ission" 2 &he 3o!!ission shall, for the purpose of ensuring honest, orderly, peaceful and free elections abroad, have exclusive charge of the enforce!ent, ad!inistration and i!ple!entation of this Act" Sec. #8. 4andatory 7eview" 2 3ongress shall co!plete a !andatory review of this Act within two (.) years following the 4ay, .//< elections for the purpose of a!ending it to expand or restrict its coverage, scope and application, as well as i!prove its procedures and institute !easures and safeguards, ta#ing into account the experience of the previous election, technological advances and structural political changes"

for the positions of President, ;ice President, 1enators and Party@5ist 7epresentative" 1ection 9" +!ple!enting 7ules and 7egulations" &he 3o!!ission on ,lections shall, within thirty (9/) days fro! the effectivity of this Act, pro!ulgate the i!ple!enting rules and regulations which shall include a syste! of accreditation and verification of the !e!bers of !edia, !edia practitioners, the technical and support staff, who are qualified to avail of local absentee voting" 1ection <" Appropriations" &he initial funding of this Act shall be charged against the current yearKs appropriations or fro! any available savings of the 3o!!ission on ,lections" &hereafter, such a!ount as !ay be necessary for the continued i!ple!entation of this Act shall be included in the annual Aeneral Appropriations Act"

1ection )" 1eparability 3lause" +f any part or provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions Sec. #9. Appropriations" 2 &he a!ount necessary to carry out hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full the provisions of this Act shall be provided in a supple!ental force and effect" budget or included in the Aeneral Appropriations Act of the year 1ection " 7epealing 3lause" All laws, presidential decrees, of its enact!ent into law" &hereafter, the expenses for its executive orders, resolutions, rules and regulations, other continued i!ple!entation shall be included in the subsequent issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the Aeneral Appropriations Act" provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or !odified Sec. 30. 1eparability 3lause" 2 +f any part or provision of this Act accordingly" shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions 1ection F" ,ffectivity" &his Act shall ta#e effect fifteen (1)) days hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full following its publication in at least two (.) newspapers of general force and effect" circulation"cralaw Sec. 31. 7epealing 3lause" 2 All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or !odified accordingly" REPUBLIC ACT No. 79$1 Sec. 3#. ,ffectivity" 2 &his Act shall ta#e effect fifteen (1)) days AN ACT PROVIDING OR T&E ELECTION O PART"5LIST following its publication in three (9) newspapers of general REPRESENTATIVES T&ROUG& T&E PART"5LIST S"STE!1 circulation" AND APPROPRIATING UNDS T&ERE OR 7epublic of the Philippines 3-%A7,11 -$ &C, PC+5+PP+%,1 4etro 4anila Section 1. #itle. &his Act shall be #nown as the >Party@5ist 1yste! Act">

Section #. Declaration of part y. &he 1tate shall pro!ote proportional representation in the election of representatives to $ifteenth 3ongress the Couse of 7epresentatives through a party@list syste! of &hird 7egular 1ession registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof, which will enable $ilipino citizens belonging =egun and held in 4etro 4anila, on 4onday, the twenty@third to !arginalized and under@represented sectors, organizations day of 8uly, two thousand twelve" and parties, and who lac# well@defined political constituencies 7,PG=5+3 A3& %-" 1/98/ but who could contribute to the for!ulation and enact!ent of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to A% A3& P7-;+B+%A $-7 5-3A5 A=1,%&,, ;-&+%A $-7 beco!e !e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives" &owards this 4,B+A end, the 1tate shall develop and guarantee a full, free and open =e it enacted by the 1enate and Couse of 7epresentatives of party syste! in order to attain the broadcast possible representation of party, sectoral or group interests in the Couse the Philippines in 3ongress asse!bled' of 7epresentatives by enhancing their chances to co!pete for 1ection 1" Beclaration of Policy" &he 1tate shall ensure the free and win seats in the legislature, and shall provide the si!plest exercise of the right of suffrage by all citizens of the Philippines sche!e possible" not otherwise disqualified by law"JrJlJJ Section 3. Definition of #erms. (a) &he party@list syste! is a 1ection ." 5ocal Absentee ;oting for 4e!bers of 4edia" &he !echanis! of proportional representation in the election of 3o!!ission on ,lections shall extend the right to vote under the representatives to the Couse of 7epresentatives fro! national, local absentee voting syste! provided under existing laws and regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions executive orders to !e!bers of !edia, !edia practitioners, thereof registered with the 3o!!ission on ,lections including the technical and support staff, who are duly registered (3-4,5,3)" 3o!ponent parties or organizations of a coalition voters and who, on election day, !ay not be able to vote due to !ay participate independently provided the coalition of which the perfor!ance of their functions in covering and reporting on they for! part does not participate in the party@list syste!" the elections' Provided, &hat they shall be allowed to vote only

(b) A party !eans either a political party or a sectoral party or a coalition of parties" (c) A political party refers to an organized group of citizens advocating an ideology or platfor!, principles and policies for the general conduct of govern!ent and which, as the !ost i!!ediate !eans of securing their adoption, regularly no!inates and supports certain of its leaders and !e!bers as candidates for public office" +t is a national party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a !a(ority of the regions" +t is a regional party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a !a(ority of the cities and provinces co!prising the region"

(9) +t is a foreign party or organization* (<) +t is receiving support fro! any foreign govern!ent, foreign political party, foundation, organization, whether directly or through any of its officers or !e!bers or indirectly through third parties for partisan election purposes* ()) +t violates or fails to co!ply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections* ( ) +t declares untruthful state!ents in its petition* (F) +t has ceased to exist for at least one (1) year* or (8) +t fails to participate in the last two (.) preceding elections or fails to obtain at least two per centu! (.L) of the votes cast under the party@list syste! in the two (.) preceding elections for the constituency in which it has registered"

(d) A sectoral party refers to an organized group of citizens belonging to any of the sectors enu!erated in 1ection ) hereof whose principal advocacy pertains to Section 7. Certified 1ist of Registered arties. &he 3-4,5,3 the special interest and concerns of their sector, shall, not later than sixty ( /) days before election, prepare a (e) A sectoral organization refers to a group of citizens or certified list of national, regional, or sectoral parties, a coalition of groups of citizens who share si!ilar organizations or coalitions which have applied or who have physical attributes or characteristics, e!ploy!ent, !anifested their desire to participate under the party@list syste! interests or concerns" and distribute copies thereof to all precincts for posting in the polling places on election day" &he na!es of the part y@list (f) A coalition refers to an aggrupation of duly registered no!inees shall not be shown on the certified list" national, regional, sectoral parties or organizations for political and6or election purposes" Section 8. 'omination of arty31ist Representatives. ,ach registered party, organization or coalition shall sub!it to the Section $. $anifestation to articipate in the arty31ist 3-4,5,3 not later than forty@five (<)) days before the election System. Any party, organization, or coalition already registered a list of na!es, not less than five ()), fro! which party@list with the 3o!!ission need not register anew" Cowever, such representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required party, organization, or coalition shall file with the 3o!!ission, nu!ber of votes" not later than ninety (0/) days before the election, a !anifestation of its desire to participate in the party@list syste!" A person !ay be no!inated in one (1) list only" -nly persons who have given their consent in writing !ay be na!ed in the list" Section %. Registration. Any organized group of persons !ay &he list shall not include any candidate for any elective office or register as a party, organization or coalition for purposes of the a person who has lost his bid for an elective office in the party@list syste! by filing with the 3-4,5,3 not later than i!!ediately preceding election" %o change of na!es or ninety (0/) days before the election a petition verified by its alteration of the order of no!inees shall be allowed after the president or secretary stating its desire to participate in the party@ sa!e shall have been sub!itted to the 3-4,5,3 except in list syste! as a national, regional or sectoral party or cases where the no!inee dies, or withdraws in writing his organization or a coalition of such parties or organizations, no!ination, beco!es incapacitated in which case the na!e of attaching thereto its constitution, by@laws, platfor! or progra! of the substitute no!inee shall be placed last in the list" +ncu!bent govern!ent, list of officers, coalition agree!ent and other sectoral representatives in the Couse of 7epresentatives who relevant infor!ation as the 3-4,5,3 !ay require' Provided, are no!inated in the party@list syste! shall not be considered &hat the sectors shall include labor, peasant, fisherfol#, urban resigned" poor, indigenous cultural co!!unities, elderly, handicapped, wo!en, youth, veterans, overseas wor#ers, and professionals" Section 9. 7ualifications of arty31ist 'ominees. %o person shall be no!inated as party@list representative unless he is a &he 3-4,5,3 shall publish the petition in at least two (.) natural@born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, a national newspapers of general circulation" resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one &he 3-4,5,3 shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the (1)year i!!ediately preceding the day of the election, able to petition within fifteen (1)) days fro! the date it was sub!itted for read and write, a bona fide !e!ber of the party or organization decision but in no case not later than sixty ( /) days before which he see#s to represent for at least ninety (0/) days election" preceding the day of the election, and is at least twenty@five (.)) years of age on the day of the election" Section 6. Refusal and6or Cancellation of Registration. &he 3-4,5,3 !ay, !otu propio or upon verified co!plaint of any +n case of a no!inee of the youth sector, he !ust at least be interested party, refuse or cancel, after due notice and hearing, twenty@five (.)) but not !ore than thirty (9/) years of age on the the registration of any national, regional or sectoral party, day of the election" Any youth sectoral representative who organization or coalition on any of the following grounds' attains the age of thirty (9/) during his ter! shall be allowed to continue in office until the expiration of his ter!" (1) +t is a religious sect or deno!ination, organization or association, organized for religious purposes* Section 10. $anner of Voting. ,very voter shall be entitled to two (.) votes' the first is a vote for candidate for !e!ber of the (.) +t advocates violence or unlawful !eans to see# its Couse of 7epresentatives in his legislative district, and the goal* second, a vote for the party, organizations, or coalition he wants

represented in the house of 7epresentatives' Provided, &hat a vote cast for a party, sectoral organization, or coalition not entitled to be voted for shall not be counted' Provided, finally, &hat the first election under the party@list syste! shall be held in 4ay 1008"

filled by the next representative fro! the list of no!inees in the order sub!itted to the 3-4,5,3 by the sa!e party, organization, or coalition, who shall serve for the unexpired ter!" +f the list is exhausted, the party, organization coalition concerned shall sub!it additional no!inees"

&he 3-4,5,3 shall underta#e the necessary infor!ation Section 17. Rights of arty31ist Representatives. Party@5ist ca!paign for purposes of educating the electorate on the !atter 7epresentatives shall be entitled to the sa!e salaries and of the party@list syste!" e!olu!ents as regular !e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives" Section 11. 'umber of arty31ist Representatives. &he party@list representatives shall constitute twenty per centu! (./L) of the Section 18. Rules and Regulations. &he 3-4,5,3 shall total nu!ber of the !e!bers of the Couse of 7epresentatives pro!ulgate the necessary rules and regulations as !ay be including those under the party@list" necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act" $or purposes of the 4ay 1008 elections, the first five ()) !a(or political parties on the basis of party representation in the Couse of 7epresentatives at the start of the &enth 3ongress of the Philippines shall not be entitled to participate in the party@list syste!" Section 19. (ppropriations. &he a!ount necessary for the i!ple!entation of this Act shall be provided in the regular appropriations for the 3o!!ission on ,lections starting fiscal year 100 under the Aeneral Appropriations Act"

1tarting 100), the 3-4,5,3 is hereby authorized to utilize +n deter!ining the allocation of seats for the second vote, the savings and other available funds for purposes of its infor!ation following procedure shall be observed' ca!paign on the party@list syste!" (a) &he parties, organizations, and coalitions shall be Section #0. Separability Clause. +f any part of this Act is held ran#ed fro! the highest to the lowest based on the invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof nu!ber of votes they garnered during the elections" shall re!ain valid and effective" (b) &he parties, organizations, and coalitions receiving at least two percent (.L) of the total votes cast for the party@list syste! shall be entitled to one seat each' Provided, &hat those garnering !ore than two percent (.L) of the votes shall be entitled to additional seats in proportion to their total nu!ber of votes ' Provided, finally, &hat each party, organization, or coalition shall be entitled to not !ore than three (9) seats" Section 1#. rocedure in (llocating Seats for arty31ist Representatives. &he 3-4,5,3 shall tally all the votes for the parties, organizations, or coalitions on a nationwide basis, ran# the! according to the nu!ber of votes received and allocate party@list representatives proportionately according to the percentage of votes obtained by each party, organization, or coalition as against the total nationwide votes cast for the party@ list syste!" Section 13. Ho* arty31ist Representatives are Chosen. Party@ list representatives shall be proclai!ed by the 3-4,5,3 based on the list of na!es sub!itted by the respective parties, organizations, or coalitions to the 3-4,5,3 according to their ran#ing in said list" Section 1$. #erm of 0ffice. Party@list representatives shall be elected for a ter! of three (9) years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of 8une next following their election" %o party@list representatives shall serve for !ore than three (9) consecutive ter!s" ;oluntary renunciation of the office for any length of ti!e shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity his service for the full ter! for which he was elected" Section 1%. Change of (ffiliation8 )ffect. Any elected party@list representative who changes his political party or sectoral affiliation during his ter! of office shall forfeit his seat' Provided, &hat if he changes his political party or sectoral affiliation within six ( ) !onths before an election, he shall not be eligible for no!ination as party@list representative under his new party or organization" Section 16. Vacancy. +n case of vacancy in the seats reserved for party@list representatives, the vacancy shall be auto!atically Section #1. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed" Section ##. )ffectivity. &his Act shall ta#e effect fifteen (1)) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation" Approved, 4arch 9, 100)"