Compulsory Voter Education Act of 2019

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 14 P2:56 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No._ 554 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees the right of suffrage under Article V, Section 1. However, while this right is constitutionally protected, its meaningful exercise requires that voters be adequately informed. This includes a sound understanding of the electoral system and processes, as well as responsible and educated voting, one that encourages thoughtful participation and helps uphold the principles of democracy. In the absence of a comprehensive voter education, the right to vote may remain legally intact but functionally impaired, leaving the electorate vulnerable to misinformation, apathy, and manipulation. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), millennials and Gen Z now account for 60.5 percent of the country's 68,431,965 registered voters for the 2025 midterm elections, totaling 41,412,361 individuals. This reflects a significant increase from the 2022 national elections, where they comprised 56 percent, or approximately 37 million, of the 65.7 million registered voters. This youth-driven electorate has enormous potential to shape the nation's future. But potential alone is not enough. The strength of our democracy lies not only in voter turnout but in the quality of participation. Informed voting helps ensure that public officials are held accountable and that government reflects the will of the people, not just their numbers, but their considered choices. Moreover, COMELEC projects that at least one million new voters are expected to participate in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in December 2025, many of whom are first-time voters. This highlights the urgent need for accessible and structured voter education, particularly among the youth.

By empowering citizens, starting with the youth, with knowledge and critical thinking skills, this measure fulfills the deeper spirit of the constitutional right to suffrage: that every Filipino not only has the right to vote, but also the capacity to choose wisely. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. реми JOEL VILLANUEVA

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 JUL 14 P2:56 First Regular Session SENATE RECE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INTEGRATING VOTER EDUCATION IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Compulsory

Voter Education Act of 2019. "

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy of the State to enlighten

citizens on their right to vote and to inculcate in them the duty to preserve the integrity of the electoral process through the educational system.

SEC. 3. Definition of Voter Education. - As used in this Act, "Voter

education" means dissemination of information, materials, and programs designed to inform citizens about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process. It includes providing information on the right to suffrage, its importance, and the proper exercise thereof, as well as the information on who is eligible to vote; where and how to register; how electors can check the voter lists to ensure they have been duly included; what type of elections are being held; where, when and how to vote; who the candidates are; and how to file complaints.

SEC. 4. Integration of Voter Education in the Junior and Senior High

School Curricula. - Voter Education shall be integrated by the Department of Education (DepEd) in the junior and senior high school curricula, effective at the

start of the school year immediately following one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall assist the DepEd in preparing teachers during the one-year transition period by conducting seminars and trainings on the electoral system and process. The COMELEC shall likewise certify that a teacher, after attending such seminars and training, is qualified to teach topics relating to the electoral system and process.

SEC. 5. Voter Education Syllabus. -

a) Voter education - The main syllabus shall include, but not be limited to, the following thematic areas: (1) Suffrage - This area introduces to students the right to vote accorded by the Constitution, and other rights enabling citizens to participate in the conduct of public affairs; (2) Electoral system and process - This area with the general principles underlying the present electoral system, and legislation regulating all the phases of election, namely, pre-election, election proper, and post- election. It discusses the proper conduct of elections including registration, casting of ballots, and counting of votes. (3) Educated voting - This area focuses on the attitude and behavior a voter must adopt to ensure fair, free, and honest elections. It emphasizes the importance of participating in elections in a manner that shall stimulate and strengthen democracy. Supplementary Topics - The syllabus shall have additional topics and studies on the political system of the country, the contextual background of elections, current political, social, and economic issues affecting the elections, and the possible solutions to address them. c) Other Subject Matters - Other areas of voter education may be included in the syllabus.

SEC. 6. Implementing Agency. - The Secretary of Education is hereby

authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the provisions of this Act. The Department of Education shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Educational Materials, - It shall be obligatory on all schools

offering secondary education to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the textbooks, primers, and leaflets on voter education to be issued by the DepEd. The DepEd shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid

or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act, is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,