Abolishing the Printing of the Voters Information and Instruction Sheet

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

Otter ein TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG -7 P4:16 First Regular Session SENATE RIC S.B. No. 1124 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 185 OF THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7904, BY ABOLISHING THE PRINTING OF THE VOTERS INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION SHEET Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 185 of the Omnibus Election Code, as amended, is hereby

further amended to read as follows: "SEC. 185. Official Sample Ballots. - The Commission shall provide the [board of election inspectors] ELECTORAL BOARD with official sample ballots at the rate of thirty (30) ballots per polling place. The official sample ballots shall be printed on colored paper, in all respects like the official ballots but nearing instead the words "Official Sample Ballot" to be shown to the public and used in demonstrating how to fill out and fold the official ballots properly. No name of any actual candidate shall be written on the spaces for voting on the sample official ballots provided by the Commission, nor shall they be used for voting. At least thirty (30) days before an election, it shall be the duty of the Commission on Elections to [furnish every registered voter through registered mail with return card, personal service with corresponding receipt to be signed by the voter or any person who knows the voter, or any other practicable means with an unfilled official sample ballot, voter information sheet,] PUBLICIZE THE UNFILLED OFFICIAL SAMPLE BALLOT, AS WELL AS, A SET OF SIMPLIFIED INSTRUCTIONS AS TO THE CASTING OF VOTES, THROUGH BROADCAST, DIGITAL, ELECTRONIC, OR ONLINE MEDIA, AS WELL AS POSTING THE SAME INFORMATION AT CONSPICUOUS PUBLIC AREAS IN EVERY BARANGAY DURING THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN

ELECTIONS, and a list of all registered [national, provincial and city, candidates to be voted in the said elections. [The information sheet shall include the voter's name, address, the precinct and the place where he is registered, and simplified instructions as to the casting of votes.] The names of the candidates shall be listed in alphabetical order under their respective party affiliation, IF ANY [and a one line statement not to exceed three (3) words of their occupation or profession:]: Provided, however, That in the [printing] POSTING of the names of the candidates for national offices, the alphabetical order shall be democratized SUCH THAT NAMES OF CANDIDATES ARE SHOWN IN EQUAL PROMINENCE. [so that the listed names shall be made in three (3) columns: the first column shall commence with the letter A and end with the letter Z; the second column shall commence with the letters 'I - Z' and thereafter - 'A I' and the third column shall commence with the letters 'Q - Z' and thereafter 'A -P'. These information may be contained in a single sheet or booklet form, and the number and location of the voters' potting place shall be prominently indicated therein.] Persons nominated under the party-list system SHALL likewise be included in the abovementioned list."

SEC. 2. The information to be publicized or posted under Section 1 of this Act

shall be in any of the official languages of the Republic of the Philippines or in the dialect understood by a majority of the voters in the region where the information is directed.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - Should any part of this Act be declared

unconstitutional, the other parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions

thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,