TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 16 P4:11 First Regular Session RECEIV.D B! SENATE S. No. 623 Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF EARLIER VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, this right to suffrage is a fundamental and inviolable expression of the people's sovereign will, a means by which citizens participate in the electoral process and help shape the direction of national and local governance. However, the ultimate realization of this right requires that voting be not only constitutionally permitted but also physically and practically accessible to all eligible citizens regardless of age or physical condition. While the Constitution provides for our right to vote, it also compels the State to take positive measures to ensure that no citizen is effectively disenfranchised by reason of age, disability, or temporary physical limitations. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), there are approximately 12 million registered senior citizens and around 530,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) nationwide who were qualified to vote in the recently held 2025 national and
local elections.* However, only about 4.8 million voters from these vulnerable sectors were able to cast their votes during the early voting hours. They still encounter difficulties due to mobility problems and this results to most of them giving up their right to vote altogether. While the COMELEC has made strides in accommodating vulnerable sectors during elections, challenges persist. Physical limitations, health-related concerns, and mobility constraints often prevent many senior citizens and PWDs from fully participating in regular voting activities. Pregnant women, especially those in advanced stages, face similar difficulties. This bill seeks to establish a system that will allow early voting for qualified senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), enabling them to cast their ballots in accessible and secure voting centers designated by the COMELEC within five working days prior to the official election day. To ensure the integrity and orderly implementation of this system, a dedicated nationwide registration process shall be instituted to identify and verify those who are eligible to avail of the early voting privilege. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LÁWRENCE "BONG" T. GO 1 https://www.inquirer.net/441364/early-voting-for-seniors-pwds-pregnant-moms-begins/ 2 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2072460/dswd-cites-snags-and-gains-in-voting-process-for-seniors-pwds
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL 16 P4:11 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED EY S. No. 6777 Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF EARLIER VOTING FOR QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Early Voting Days for
Senior Citizens, Pregnant Women and PWDs Act of 2025."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
5 make voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) by 6 giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the election.
Sec. 3. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be early voting
where qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their ballot at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within five (5) working days before the date set for the elections.
Sec. 4. Registration. -There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens
and PWDs to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under this Act shall vote on Election Day.
Sec. 5. Obligations of the COMELEC. -To ensure the effective implementation
2 of this Act, the COMELEC shall: a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters; b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, that allows senior citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early voting; c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs, 9 and properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids, as mandated under Republic Act No. 10366 entitled, "An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Pieces Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens"; and shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations. d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior citizens and PWDs.
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act
19 shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the COMELEC. 20 Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual General 21 Appropriations Act.
Sec. 7. Applicability of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881
or the Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled, "An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes"; and other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate early voting for qualified senior citizens and PWDs. Sec, 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from its effectivity, the Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, any part or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 10. Repeating Clause. - Ail laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,