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BATASPAMBANSABLG.881

OMNIBUSELECTIONCODEOFTHEPHILIPPINES

ARTICLEI
GENERALPROVISIONS

Section1.Title.ThisActshallbeknownandcitedasthe"OmnibusElectionCodeofthePhilippines."

Section2.Applicability. This Code shall govern all election of public officers and, to the extent appropriate, all
referendaandplebiscites.

Section 3. Election and campaign periods. Unless otherwise fixed in special cases by the Commission on
Elections,whichhereinaftershallbereferredtoastheCommission,theelectionperiodshallcommenceninetydays
beforethedayoftheelectionandshallendthirtydaysthereafter.

Theperiodofcampaignshallbeasfollows:

1.PresidentialandVicePresidentialElection90days

2.ElectionofMembersoftheBatasangPambansaandLocalElection45daysand

3.BarangayElection15days.

Thecampaignperiodsshallnotincludethedaybeforeandthedayoftheelection.

However,incaseofspecialelectionsunderArticleVIII,Section5,Subsection(2)oftheConstitution,thecampaign
periodshallbefortyfivedays.

Section4Obligationtoregisterandvote.Itshallbetheobligationofeverycitizenqualifiedtovotetoregisterand
casthisvote.

Section5Postponementofelection.Whenforanyseriouscausesuchasviolence,terrorism,lossordestruction
ofelectionparaphernaliaorrecords,forcemajeure,andotheranalogouscausesofsuchanaturethattheholdingof
a free, orderly and honest election should become impossible in any political subdivision, the Commission, motu
propriooruponaverifiedpetitionbyanyinterestedparty,andafterduenoticeandhearing,wherebyallinterested
parties are afforded equal opportunity to be heard, shall postpone the election therein to a date which should be
reasonablyclosetothedateoftheelectionnotheld,suspendedorwhichresultedinafailuretoelectbutnotlater
thanthirtydaysafterthecessationofthecauseforsuchpostponementorsuspensionoftheelectionorfailureto
elect.

Section6Failureofelection.If,onaccountofforcemajeure,violence,terrorism,fraud,orotheranalogouscauses
theelectioninanypollingplacehasnotbeenheldonthedatefixed,orhadbeensuspendedbeforethehourfixed
bylawfortheclosingofthevoting,orafterthevotingandduringthepreparationandthetransmissionoftheelection
returnsorinthecustodyorcanvassthereof,suchelectionresultsinafailuretoelect,andinanyofsuchcasesthe
failure or suspension of election would affect the result of the election, the Commission shall, on the basis of a
verifiedpetitionbyanyinterestedpartyandafterduenoticeandhearing,callfortheholdingorcontinuationofthe
election not held, suspended or which resulted in a failure to elect on a date reasonably close to the date of the
electionnotheld,suspendedorwhichresultedinafailuretoelectbutnotlaterthanthirtydaysafterthecessationof
thecauseofsuchpostponementorsuspensionoftheelectionorfailuretoelect.

Section7Callofspecialelection.

(1)IncaseavacancyarisesintheBatasangPambansaeighteenmonthsormorebeforearegularelection,
theCommissionshallcallaspecialelectiontobeheldwithinsixtydaysafterthevacancyoccurstoelectthe
Membertoservetheunexpiredterm.

(2)IncaseofthedissolutionoftheBatasangPambansa,thePresidentshallcallanelectionwhichshallnot
beheldearlierthanfortyfivenorlaterthansixtydaysfromthedateofsuchdissolution.
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The Commission shall send sufficient copies of its resolution for the holding of the election to its provincial
electionsupervisorsandelectionregistrarsfordissemination,whoshallpostcopiesthereofinatleastthree
conspicuousplacespreferablywherepublicmeetingsareheldineachcityormunicipalityaffected.

Section8ElectionCodetobeavailableinpollingplaces.AprintedcopyofthisCodeinEnglishorinthenational
languageshallbeprovidedandbemadeavailablebytheCommissionineverypollingplace,inorderthatitmaybe
readilyconsultedbyanypersoninneedthereofontheregistration,revisionandelectiondays.

Section9Officialmailandtelegramrelativetoelections.Papersconnectedwiththeelectionandrequiredbythis
Codetobesentbypublicofficersintheperformanceoftheirelectiondutiesshallbefreeofpostageandsentby
registered special delivery mail. Telegrams of the same nature shall likewise be transmitted free of charge by
governmenttelecommunicationsandsimilarfacilities.

ItshallbethedutyofthePostmasterGeneral,theDirectoroftheBureauofTelecommunications,andthemanagers
ofprivatetelecommunicationcompaniestotransmitimmediatelyandinpreferencetoallothercommunicationsor
telegramsmessagesreportingelectionresultsandsuchothermessagesorcommunicationswhichtheCommission
mayrequireormaybenecessarytoensurefree,honestandorderlyelections.

Section 10 Election expenses. Except in barangay elections, such expenses as may be necessary and
reasonableinconnectionwiththeelections,referenda,plebiscitesandothersimilarexercisesshallbepaidbythe
Commission. The Commission may direct that in the provinces, cities, or municipalities, the election expenses
chargeable to the Commission be advanced by the province, city or municipality concerned subject to
reimbursementbytheCommissionuponpresentationoftheproperbill.

FundsneededbytheCommissiontodefraytheexpensesfortheholdingofregularandspecialelections,referenda
and plebiscites shall be provided in the regular appropriations of the Commission which, upon request, shall
immediatelybereleasedtotheCommission.Incaseofdeficiency,theamountsoprovidedshallbeaugmentedfrom
thespecialactivitiesfundsinthegeneralappropriationsactandfromthosespecificallyappropriatedforthepurpose
inspeciallaws.

Section11Failuretoassumeoffice.Theofficeofanyofficialelectedwhofailsorrefusestotakehisoathofoffice
within six months from his proclamation shall be considered vacant, unless said failure is for a cause or causes
beyondhiscontrol.

Section12Disqualifications.Anypersonwhohasbeendeclaredbycompetentauthorityinsaneorincompetent,or
has been sentenced by final judgment for subversion, insurrection, rebellion or for any offense for which he has
been sentenced to a penalty of more than eighteen months or for a crime involving moral turpitude, shall be
disqualifiedtobeacandidateandtoholdanyoffice,unlesshehasbeengivenplenarypardonorgrantedamnesty.

This disqualifications to be a candidate herein provided shall be deemed removed upon the declaration by
competentauthoritythatsaidinsanityorincompetencehadbeenremovedoraftertheexpirationofaperiodoffive
yearsfromhisserviceofsentence,unlesswithinthesameperiodheagainbecomesdisqualified.

ARTICLEII
ELECTIONOFPRESIDENTANDVICEPRESIDENT

Section 13. Regular election for President and VicePresident. The regular election for President and Vice
PresidentofthePhilippinesshallbeheldonthefirstMondayofMayNineteenhundredeightyseven(1987)andon
the same day every six years thereafter. The Presidentelect and the VicePresidentelect shall assume office at
twelveo'clocknoononthethirtiethdayofJunenextfollowingtheelectionandshallendatnoonofthesamedate,
sixyearsthereafterwhenthetermofhissuccessorshallbegin.

Section 14 Special election for President and VicePresident. In case a vacancy occurs for the Office of the
PresidentandVicePresident,theBatasangPambansashall,atteno'clockinthemorningofthethirddayafterthe
vacancy occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call and within seven days enact a law
callingforaspecialelectiontoelectaPresidentandaVicePresidenttobeheldnotearlierthanfortyfivedaysnor
laterthansixtydaysfromthetimeofsuchcall.Thebillcallingsuchspecialelectionshallbedeemedcertifiedunder
paragraph(2),Section19,ArticleVIIIoftheConstitutionandshallbecomelawuponitsapprovalonthirdreadingby
theBatasangPambansa.Appropriationsforthespecialelectionshallbechargedagainstanycurrentappropriations
and shall be exempt from the requirements of paragraph (4), Section 16 of Article VIII of the Constitution. The
conveningoftheBatasangPambansacannotbesuspendednorthespecialelectionpostponed.Nospecialelection
shallbecalledifthevacancyoccurswithinseventydaysbeforethedateofthepresidentialelectionof1987.

Section15CanvassofvotesforPresidentandVicePresidentbytheprovincialorcityboardofcanvassers.The
provincial,city,ordistrictboardsofcanvassersinMetropolitanManila,asthecasemaybe,shallmeetnotlaterthan
sixo'clockintheeveningonelectiondaytocanvasstheelectionreturnsthatmayhavealreadybeenreceivedby
them,respectively.Itshallmeetcontinuouslyfromdaytodayuntilthecanvassiscompleted,butmayadjournonly
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forthepurposeofawaitingtheotherelectionreturns.Eachtimetheboardadjourns,itshallmakeatotalofallthe
votes cast for each candidate for President and for VicePresident, duly authenticated by the signatures and
thumbmarksofallthemembersoftheprovincial,cityordistrictboardofcanvassers,furnishingtheCommissionin
Manilabythefastestmeansofcommunicationacopythereof,andmakingavailablethedatacontainedthereinto
massmediaandotherinterestedparties.Uponthecompletionofthecanvass,theboardshallprepareacertificate
ofcanvassshowingthevotesreceivedbyeachcandidatefortheofficeofthePresidentandforVicePresident,duly
authenticated by the signatures and thumbmarks of all the members of the provincial, city or district board of
canvassers.Uponthecompletionofthecertificateofcanvass,theboardshallcertifyandtransmitthesaidcertificate
ofcanvasstotheSpeakeroftheBatasangPambansa.

The provincial, city and district boards of canvassers shall prepare the certificate of canvass for the election of
President and VicePresident, supported by a statement of votes by polling place, in quintuplicate by the use of
carbonpapersorsuchothermeansastheCommissionshallprescribetotheendthatallfivecopiesshallbelegibly
producedinonehandwriting.Thefivecopiesofthecertificateofcanvassmustbearthesignaturesandthumbmarks
ofallthemembersoftheboard.Uponthecompletionofthesecertificatesandstatements,theyshallbeenclosedin
envelopesfurnishedbytheCommissionandsealed,andimmediatelydistributedasfollows:theoriginalcopyshall
beenclosedandsealedintheenvelopedirectedtotheSpeakeranddeliveredtohimattheBatasangPambansaby
thefastestpossiblemeansthesecondcopyshalllikewisebeenclosedandsealedintheenvelopedirectedtothe
Commissionthethirdcopyshallberetainedbytheprovincialelectionsupervisor,inthecaseoftheprovincialboard
ofcanvassers,andbythecityelectionregistrar,inthecaseofthecityboardofcanvassersandonecopyeachto
theauthorizedrepresentativesoftherulingpartyandthedominantoppositionpoliticalparty.Failuretocomplywith
therequirementsofthissectionshallconstituteanelectionoffense.

Section16Counting of votes for President and VicePresident by the Batasang Pambansa. The certificates of
canvass,dulycertifiedbytheboardofcanvassersofeachprovince,cityordistrictinMetropolitanManilashallbe
transmitted to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa, who shall, not later than thirty days after the day of the
election,convenetheBatasangPambansainsessionandinitspresenceopenallthecertificatesofcanvass,and
thevotesshallthenbecounted.

Section 17 Correction of errors in certificate and supporting statement already transmitted to the Speaker. No
correctionoferrorsallegedlycommittedinthecertificateofcanvassandsupportingstatementalreadytransmittedto
theSpeakeroftheBatasangPambansashallbeallowed,subjecttotheprovisionsofthesucceedingsection.

Section18Preservationofballotboxes,theirkeys,anddispositionoftheircontents.Untilafterthecompletionby
theBatasangPambansaofthecanvassingofthevotesanduntilanuncontestedproclamationofthePresidentelect
andVicePresidentelectshallhavebeenobtained,theprovincial,cityordistrictboardofcanvassersunderthejoint
responsibility with the provincial, city or municipal treasurers shall provide for the safekeeping and storage of the
ballotboxesinasafeandclosedchambersecuredbyfourpadlocks:onetobeprovidedbythecorrespondingboard
chairman one by the provincial or city treasurer concerned and one each by the ruling party and the accredited
dominantoppositionpoliticalparty.

Section 19 When certificate of canvass is incomplete or bears erasures or alterations. When the certificate of
canvass, duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province, city or district in Metropolitan Manila and
transmittedtotheSpeakeroftheBatasangPambansa,asprovidedintheConstitution,appearstobeincomplete,
the Speaker shall require the board of canvassers concerned to transmit to his office, by personal delivery, the
electionreturnsfrompollingplacesthatwerenotincludedinthecertificateofcanvassandsupportingstatements.
SaidelectionreturnsshallbesubmittedbypersonaldeliverytotheSpeakerwithintwodaysfromreceiptofnotice.
Whenitappearsthatanycertificateofcanvassorsupportingstatementofvotesbypollingplacebearserasuresor
alterationswhichmaycastdoubtastotheveracityofthenumberofvotesstatedthereinandmayaffecttheresultof
theelection,theBatasangPambansauponrequestofthePresidentialorVicePresidentialcandidateconcernedor
his party shall, for the sole purpose of verifying the actual number of votes cast for President or VicePresident,
count the votes as they appear in the copies of the election returns for the Commission. For this purpose, the
SpeakershallrequiretheCommissiontodeliveritscopiesoftheelectionreturnstotheBatasangPambansa.

Section20ProclamationofthePresidentelectandVicePresidentelect.Uponthecompletionofthecanvassof
thevotesbytheBatasangPambansa,thepersonsobtainingthehighestnumberofvotesforPresidentandforVice
Presidentshallbedeclaredelectedbutincasetwoormoreshallhaveanequalandthehighestnumberofvotes,
oneofthemshallbechosenPresidentorVicePresident,asthecasemaybe,byamajorityvoteofalltheMembers
oftheBatasangPambansainsessionassembled.

IncasetherearecertificatesofcanvasswhichhavenotbeensubmittedtotheSpeakeroftheBatasangPambansa
on account of missing election returns, a proclamation may be made if the missing certificates will not affect the
resultsoftheelection.

Incasethecertificatesofcanvasswhichwerenotsubmittedonaccountofmissingelectionreturnswillaffectthe
results of the election, no proclamation shall be made. The Speaker shall immediately instruct the boards of
canvassersconcernedtoobtainthemissingelectionreturnsfromtheboardsofelectioninspectorsor,ifthereturns
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havebeenlostordestroyeduponpriorauthorityfromtheCommission,touseanyauthenticcopyofsaidelection
returnsforthepurposeofconductingthecanvass,andthereafterissuethecertificatesofcanvass.Thecertificates
ofcanvassshallbeimmediatelytransmittedtotheSpeakeroftheBatasangPambansa.

Proclamationshallbemadeonlyuponsubmissionofallcertificatesofcanvassorwhenthemissingcertificatesof
canvasswillnotaffecttheresultsoftheelection.

ARTICLEIII
ELECTIONOFMEMBERSOFTHEBATASANGPAMBANSA

Section21.RegularelectionofMembersoftheBatasangPambansa.TheregularelectionoftheMembersofthe
BatasangPambansashallbeheldonthesecondMondayofMay,Nineteenhundredandninety(1990)andonthe
samedayeverysixyearsthereafter.

Section22SpecialelectionforMembersoftheBatasangPambansa.IncaseavacancyarisesintheBatasang
Pambansa eighteen months or more before a regular election, the Commission shall call a special election to be
heldwithinsixtydaysafterthevacancyoccurstoelecttheMembertoservetheunexpiredterm.

TheBatasangPambansathroughadulyapprovedresolutionoranofficialcommunicationoftheSpeakerwhenitis
notinsessionshallcertifytotheCommissiontheexistenceofsaidvacancy.

Section23.Composition of the BatasangPambansa.TheBatasangPambansashallbecomposedofnotmore

thantwohundredMemberselectedfromthedifferentprovincesofthePhilippineswiththeircomponentcities,highly
urbanized cities and districts of Metropolitan Manila, those elected or selected from various sectors as provided
herein,andthosechosenbythePresidentfromthemembersoftheCabinet.

Section24.Apportionmentofrepresentatives.Untilanewapportionmentshallhavebeenmade,theMembersof
theBatasangPambansashallbeapportionedinaccordancewiththeOrdinanceappendedtotheConstitution,as
follows:

NationalCapitalRegion:

Manila,6
QuezonCity,4
Caloocan,2
Pasay,1
PasigandMarikina,2
LasPiasandParaaque,1
Makati,1
Malabon,NavotasandValenzuela,2
SanJuanandMandaluyong,1
Taguig,PaterosandMuntinglupa,1.

RegionI:

Abra,1
Benguet,1
IlocosNortewithLaoagCity,2
IlocosSur,2
LaUnion,2
MountainProvince,1
PangasinanwiththecitiesofDagupanandSanCarlos,6
BaguioCity,1.

RegionII:

Batanes,1
Cagayan,3
Ifugao,1
Isabela,3
KalingaApayao,1
NuevaVizcaya,1
Quirino,1.

RegionIII:

Bataan,1
Bulacan,4
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NuevaEcijawiththecitiesofCabanatuan,PalayanandSanJose,4
PampangawithAngelesCity,4
Tarlac,2
Zambales,1
OlongapoCity,1.

RegionIV:

Aurora,1
BatangaswiththecitiesofBatangasandLipa,4
CavitewiththecitiesofCavite,TagaytayandTreceMartires,3
LagunawithSanPabloCity,4
Marinduque,1
OccidentalMindoro,1
OrientalMindoro,2
PalawanwithPuertoPrincesaCity,1
QuezonwithLucenaCity,4
Rizal,2
Romblon,1.

RegionV:

AlbaywithLegaspiCity,3
CamarinesNorte,1
CamarinesSurwiththecitiesofIrigaandNaga,4
Catanduanes,1
Masbate,2
Sorsogon,2.

RegionVI:

Aklan,1
Antique,1
CapizwithRoxasCity
IloilowithIloiloCity,5
NegrosOccidentalwiththecitiesofBacolod,Bago,Cadiz,LaCarlota,SanCarlosandSilay,7.

RegionVII:

BoholwithTagbilaranCity,3
CebuwiththecitiesofDanao,LapuLapu,MandaueandToledo,6
NegrosOrientalwiththecitiesofBais,CanlaonandDumaguete,3
Siquijor,1
CebuCity,2.

RegionVIII:

LeytewiththecitiesofOrmocandTacloban,5
SouthernLeyte,1
EasternSamar,1
NorthernSamar,1
SamarwithCalbayogCity,2.

RegionIX:

Basilan,1
Sulu,1
TawiTawi,1
ZamboangadelNortewiththecitiesofDapitanandDipolog,2
ZamboangadelSurwithPagadianCity,3
ZamboangaCity,1.

RegionX:

AgusandelNortewithButuanCity,1
AgusandelSur,1
Bukidnon,2

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Camiguin,1
MisamisOccidentalwiththecitiesofOroquieta,OzamisandTangub,1
MisamisOrientalwithGingoogCity,2
SurigaodelNortewithSurigaoCity,1
CagayandeOroCity,1.

RegionXI:

SurigaodelSur,1
DavaodelNorte,3
DavaoOriental,1
DavaodelSur,2
SouthCotabatowithGeneralSantosCity,3
DavaoCity,2.

RegionXII:

LanaodelNorte,1
LanaodelSurwithMarawiCity,2
MaguindanaowithCotabatoCity,2
NorthCotabato,2
SultanKudarat,1
IliganCity,1.

Anyprovincethatmayhereafterbecreatedoranycomponentcitythatmayhereafterbedeclaredbyorpursuantto
lawasahighlyurbanizedcityshallbeentitledintheimmediatelyfollowingelectiontoatleastoneMemberorsuch
numberofMembersasitmaybeentitledtoonthebasisofthenumberoftheinhabitantsandonthesameuniform
and progressive ratio used in the last preceding apportionment. The number of Members apportioned to the
provinceoutofwhichthenewprovincewascreatedorwherethenewhighlyurbanizedcityisgeographicallylocated
shallbecorrespondinglyadjustedbytheCommission,butsuchadjustmentshallnotbemadewithinonehundred
twentydaysbeforetheelection.

Section 25. Voting by province and its component cities, by highly urbanized city or by district in Metropolitan
Manila. All candidates shall be voted at large by the registered voters of their respective constituencies. The
candidates corresponding to the number of Member or Members to be elected in a constituency who receive the
highestnumberofvotesshallbedeclaredelected.

Section26.Sectoralrepresentatives.ThereshallbethreesectorstoberepresentedintheBatasangPambansa,
namely: (1) youth (2) agricultural labor (3) industrial labor whose representatives shall be elected in the manner
hereinprovided.Eachsectorshallbeentitledtofourrepresentatives,twoofwhomshallcomefromLuzon,onefrom
Visayas, and one from Mindanao: Provided, That the youth sector shall be entitled to two additional sectoral
representativeswhoshallbeelectedfromanypartofthecountry.

Section27.Scopeofthesectors.Theagriculturallaborsectorcoversallpersonswhopersonallyandphysicallytill
the land as their principal occupation. It includes agricultural tenants and lessees, rural workers and farm
employees,ownercultivators,settlersandsmallfishermen.

Theindustriallaborsectorincludesallnonagriculturalworkersandemployees.

Theyouthsectorembracespersonsnotmorethantwentyfiveyearsofage.

Section28.Selectionofsectoralrepresentatives.Notlaterthantwentydaysaftertheelectionofprovincial,cityor
district representatives, the most representative and generally recognized organizations or aggroupments of
members of the agricultural labor, industrial labor, and youth sectors, as attested to by the Ministers of Agrarian
Reform and of Agriculture and Food, the Ministers of Labor and Employment, and the Ministers of Local
Government and of Education, Culture and Sports, respectively, shall, in accordance with the procedures of said
organizationsoraggroupmentsofmembersofthesector,submittothePresidenttheirrespectivenomineesforeach
slotallottedforeachsector.ThePresidentshallappointfromamongthenomineessubmittedbytheaforementioned
organizationsoraggroupmentstherepresentativesofeachsector.

In recognizing the most representative and generally recognized organizations or aggroupments, the Ministers of
Agrarian Reform and of Agriculture and Food, the Minister of Labor and Employment, and the Ministers of Local
GovernmentandEducation,CultureandSportsshallconsider:

(a)Theextentofmembershipandactivityoftheorganizationoraggroupmentwhichshouldbenational

(b)Theresponsivenessoftheorganizationoraggroupmenttothelegitimateaspirationsofitssector

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(c)Themilitancyandconsistencyoftheorganizationoraggroupmentinespousingthecauseandpromoting
thewelfareofthesectorconsistentwiththatofthewholecountry

(d)Theobservancebysuchorganizationoraggroupmentoftheruleoflawand

(e)Otheranalogousfactors.

The President of the Philippines shall, in writing, notify the SecretaryGeneral of the Batasang Pambansa of the
appointmentmadebyhimofanysectoralrepresentative.

Exceptashereinotherwiseprovided,sectoralrepresentativesshallhavethesamefunctions,responsibilities,rights,
privileges,qualificationsanddisqualificationsastherepresentativesfromtheprovincesandtheircomponentcities,
highlyurbanizedcitiesordistrictsofMetropolitanManila.

ARTICLEIV
ELECTIONOFLOCALOFFICIALS

Section 29. Regular elections of local officials. The election of provincial, city and municipal officials whose
positions are provided for by the Local Government Code shall be held throughout the Philippines in the manner
hereinprescribedonthefirstMondayofMay,Nineteenhundredandeightysixandonthesamedayeverysixyears
thereafter.

TheofficialselectedshallassumeofficeonthethirtiethdayofJunenextfollowingtheelectionandshallholdoffice
forsixyearsanduntiltheirsuccessorsshallhavebeenelectedandqualified.

All local incumbent officials whose tenure of office shall expire on March 23, 1986 shall hold office until June 30,
1986oruntiltheirsuccessorsshallhavebeenelectedandqualified:Provided,Thattheycannotbesuspendedor
removedwithoutjustcause.

Section 30. Component and highly urbanized cities. Unless their respective charters provide otherwise, the
electorateofcomponentcitiesshallbeentitledtovoteintheelectionforprovincialofficialsoftheprovinceofwhichit
isapart.

Theelectorateofhighlyurbanizedcitiesshallnotvoteintheelectionforprovincialofficialsoftheprovinceinwhichit
is located: Provided, however, That no component city shall be declared or be entitled to a highly urbanized city
statuswithinninetydayspriortoanyelection.

ARTICLEV
ELECTIONOFMEMBERSOFTHEREGIONALASSEMBLYOFTHEAUTONOMOUSREGIONS.

Section 31. The Sangguniang Pampook of the autonomous regions. Region IX and Region XII in southern
PhilippinesshalleachhaveaSangguniangPampooktobecomposedoftwentysevenmembersandshallinclude
seventeen representatives elected from the different provinces and cities of each region, and a sectoral
representative each from among the youth, agricultural workers, and nonagricultural workers (industrial labor) of
eachregiontobeselectedinthemannerhereinprovidedwhosequalificationsanddisqualificationsarethesameas
MembersoftheBatasangPambansa.

ThePresidentshallappointanadditionalsevenrepresentativesineachregionwheneverinhisjudgmentanyother
sectorisnotproperlyrepresentedintheSangguniangPampookasaresultoftheelections.

Section 32. Apportionment of members of the Sangguniang Pampook. The Members of the Sangguniang
PampookofRegionIXandofRegionXIIshallbeapportionedasfollows:

RegionIX:

Basilan,one(1)
Sulu,three(3)
TawiTawi,one(1)
ZamboangadelNorteincludingthecitiesofDipologandDapitan,four,(4)
andZamboangadelSur,includingtheCityofPagadian,six(6)
andZamboangaCity,two(2)

RegionXII:

LanaodelNorte,two(2)IliganCity,one(1)
LanaodelSurincludingtheCityofMarawi,four(4)
MaguindanaoincludingtheCityofCotabato,four(4)

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NorthCotabato,four(4)
andSultanKudarat,two(2).

Section 33. Election of members of Sangguniang Pampook. The candidates for the position of seventeen
representatives to the Sangguniang Pampook of Region IX and of Region XII shall be voted at large by the
registeredvotersofeachprovinceincludingthecitiesconcerned.

Thecandidatescorrespondingtothenumberofmemberormemberstobeelectedinaconstituencywhoreceive
thehighestnumberofvotesshallbedeclaredelected.

Section34.Selection of sectoral representatives. The President shall, within thirty days from the convening of
each Sangguniang Pampook, appoint the sectoral representatives on recommendation of the Sangguniang
Pampookandafterdueconsultationwiththerepresentativeandgenerallyrecognizedorganizationsoraggrupations
of members of the youth, agricultural workers and nonagricultural workers as attested by the Ministers of Local
Government and of Education, Culture and Sports (youth), Ministers of Agrarian Reform and of Agriculture and
Food(agriculturalworkers),andMinistersofLaborandEmployment(nonagriculturalorindustriallabor).

ThePresidentofthePhilippinesshallinwritingnotifytheSpeakeroftheSangguniangPampookofeachregionof
theappointmentmadebyhimofanysectoralrepresentative.

The sectoral representatives shall have the same functions, responsibilities, rights, privileges, qualifications and
disqualifications as the elective provincial representatives to the Sangguniang Pampook: Provided, however, That
no defeated candidate for member of the Sangguniang Pampook in the immediately preceding election shall be
appointedassectoralrepresentative.

Section35.Fillingofvacancy. Pending an election to fill a vacancy arising from any cause in the Sangguniang
Pampook, the vacancy shall be filled by the President, upon recommendation of the Sangguniang Pampook:
Provided,Thattheappointeeshallcomefromthesameprovinceorsectorofthememberbeingreplaced.

Section36.Termofoffice.ThepresentmembersoftheSangguniangPampookofeachofRegionIXandRegion
XII shall continue in office until June 30, 1986 or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified or
appointed and qualified in the case of sectoral members. They may not be removed or replaced except in
accordancewiththeinternalrulesofsaidassemblyorprovisionsofpertinentlaws.

The election of members of the Sangguniang Pampook of the two regions shall be held simultaneously with the
localelectionsof1986.ThoseelectedinsaidelectionsshallhaveatermoffouryearsstartingJune30,1986.

Those elected in the election of 1990 to be held simultaneously with the elections of Members of the Batasang
Pambansashallhaveatermofsixyears.

ARTICLEVI
ELECTIONOFBARANGAYOFFICIALS

Section37.Regularelectionofbarangayofficials.Theelectionforbarangayofficialsshallbeheldthroughoutthe
PhilippinesinthemannerprescribedonthesecondMondayofMayNineteenhundredandeightyeightandonthe
samedayeverysixyearsthereafter.

TheofficialselectedshallassumeofficeonthethirtiethdayofJunenextfollowingtheelectionandshallholdoffice
forsixyearsanduntiltheirsuccessorsshallhavebeenelectedandqualified.

Section 38. Conduct of elections. The barangay election shall be nonpartisan and shall be conducted in an
expeditiousandinexpensivemanner.

Nopersonwhofilesacertificateofcandidacyshallrepresentorallowhimselftoberepresentedasacandidateof
anypoliticalpartyoranyotherorganizationandnopoliticalparty,politicalgroup,politicalcommittee,civic,religious,
professional,orotherorganizationororganizedgroupofwhatevernatureshallinterveneinhisnominationorinthe
filingofhiscertificateofcandidacyorgiveaidorsupport,directlyorindirectly,materialorotherwisefavorabletoor
against his campaign for election: Provided, That this provision shall not apply to the members of the family of a
candidate within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity nor to the personal campaign staff of the
candidate which shall not be more than one for every one hundred registered voters in his barangay: Provided,
however, That without prejudice to any liability that may be incurred, no permit to hold a public meeting shall be
deniedonthegroundthattheprovisionsofthisparagraphmayorwillbeviolated.

Nothinginthissection,however,shallbeconstruedasinanymanneraffectingorconstitutinganimpairmentofthe
freedomofindividualstosupportoropposeanycandidateforanybarangayoffice.

Section39.CertificateofCandidacy.Nopersonshallbeelectedpunongbarangayorkagawadngsangguniang
barangay unless he files a sworn certificate of candidacy in triplicate on any day from the commencement of the
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electionperiodbutnotlaterthanthedaybeforethebeginningofthecampaignperiodinaformtobeprescribedby
theCommission.Thecandidateshallstatethebarangayofficeforwhichheisacandidate.

The certificate of candidacy shall be filed with the secretary of the sangguniang barangay who shall have the
ministerialdutytoreceivesaidcertificateofcandidacyandtoimmediatelyacknowledgereceiptthereof.

Incasethesecretaryrefusestoreceivethesame,orinthecaseofhisabsenceornonavailability,acandidatemay
filehiscertificatewiththeelectionregistrarofthecityormunicipalityconcerned.

The secretary of the sangguniang barangay or the election registrar, as the case may be, shall prepare a
consolidatedlistallthecandidatesandshallpostsaidlistinthebarangayhallandinotherconspicuousplacesin
thebarangayatleasttendaysbeforetheelection.

Anyelectiveorappointivemunicipal,city,provincialornationalofficialoremployee,orthoseinthecivilormilitary
service,includingthoseingovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporations,shallbeconsideredautomaticallyresigned
uponthefilingofcertificateofcandidacyforabarangayoffice.

Section40.BoardofElectionTellers.

(1)TheCommissionshallconstitutenotlaterthantendaysbeforetheelectionaboardofelectiontellersin
everybarangaypollingplace,tobecomposedofapublicelementaryschoolteacheraschairman,andtwo
members who are registered voters of the polling place concerned, but who are not incumbent barangay
officialsnorrelatedtoanycandidateforanypositioninthatbarangaywithinthefourthcivildegreeofaffinity
orconsanguinity.

Incasenopublicelementaryschoolteachersareavailable,theCommissionshalldesignateanyregistered
voter in the polling place who is not an incumbent barangay official nor related to any candidate for any
positioninthatbarangaywithinthefourthcivildegreeofaffinityorconsanguinity.

(2) The board of election tellers shall supervise and conduct the election in their respective polling places,
count the votes and thereafter prepare a report in triplicate on a form prescribed by the Commission. The
originalofthisreportshallbedeliveredimmediatelytothebarangayboardofcanvassers.Thesecondcopy
shall be delivered to the election registrar and the third copy shall be delivered to the secretary of the
sangguniangbarangaywhoshallkeepthesameonfile.

Section41.Registrationofvotersandlistofvoters. Not later than seven days before the election, the board of
election tellers shall meet in every barangay polling place to conduct the registration of barangay voters and to
prepare the list of voters. Any voter may challenge the qualification of any person seeking to register and said
challengeshallbeheardanddecidedonthesamedaybytheboardofelectiontellers.

Thefinallistofvotersshallbepostedinthepollingplacesatleasttwodaysbeforeelectionday.Theregistrationof
anyvotershallnotbetransferredwithoutwrittennoticeatleasttwodaysbeforethedateofelection.Notlaterthan
the day following the barangay election, the board of election tellers shall deliver the list of voters to the election
registrarforcustodyandsafekeeping.

Section42.Pollingplaces.(1)Thechairmanoftheboardofelectiontellersshalldesignatethepublicschoolor
any other public building within the barangay to be used as polling place in case the barangay has one election
precinct. (2) For barangays with two or more election precincts the chairman of the board of canvassers shall
designatethepublicschooloranyotherpublicbuildingtobeusedaspollingplace.

Incasethereisnopublicschoolorotherpublicbuildingthatcanbeusedaspollingplaces,otherappropriateprivate
buildings may be designated: Provided, That such buildings are not owned or occupied or possessed by any
incumbentelectivepublicofficialorcandidate,orhisrelativewithinthefourthcivildegreeofconsanguinityoraffinity.
Thepollingplaceshallbecentrallylocatedaspossible,alwaystakingintoconsiderationtheconvenienceandsafety
ofthevoters.

Section43.Official barangay ballots. The official barangay ballots shall be provided by the city or municipality
concernedofasizeandcolortobeprescribedbytheCommission.

Suchofficialballotsshall,beforetheyarehandedtothevoteratthepollingplace,beauthenticatedinthepresence
of the voter, by the authorized representatives of the candidates and the chairman and members of the board of
election tellers who shall affix their signatures at the back thereof. Any ballot which is not authenticated shall be
deemedspurious.

Section44.Ballotboxes.TheCommissionshallprovidetheballotboxesforeachbarangaypollingplace,buteach
candidatemaybepermittedtoprovideapadlockforsaidballotbox.

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Section45.Postponementorfailureofelection.Whenforanyseriouscausesuchasviolence,terrorism,lossor
destructionofelectionparaphernaliaorrecords,forcemajeure,andotheranalogouscausesofsuchnaturethatthe
holdingofafree,orderlyandhonestelectionshouldbecomeimpossibleinanybarangay,theCommission,upona
verified petition of an interested party and after due notice and hearing at which the interested parties are given
equalopportunitytobeheard,shallpostponetheelectionthereinforsuchtimeasitmaydeemnecessary.

If,onaccountofforcemajeure,violence,terrorism,fraudorotheranalogouscauses,theelectioninanybarangay
hasnotbeenheldonthedatehereinfixedorhasbeensuspendedbeforethehourfixedbylawfortheclosingofthe
votingthereinandsuchfailureorsuspensionofelectionwouldaffecttheresultoftheelection,theCommission,on
thebasisofaverifiedpetitionofaninterestedparty,andafterduenoticeandhearing,atwhichtheinterestedparties
aregivenequalopportunitytobeheardshallcallfortheholdingorcontinuationoftheelectionwithinthirtydaysafter
itshallhaveverifiedandfoundthatthecauseorcausesforwhichtheelectionhasbeenpostponedorsuspended
haveceasedtoexistoruponpetitionofatleastthirtypercentoftheregisteredvotersinthebarangayconcerned.

Whentheconditionsintheseareaswarrant,uponverificationbytheCommission,oruponpetitionofatleastthirty
percentoftheregisteredvotersinthebarangayconcerned,itshallordertheholdingofthebarangayelectionwhich
waspostponedorsuspended.

Section46.Barangayboardofcanvassers.

(1) The Commission shall constitute a board of canvassers at least seven days before the election in each
barangay,tobecomposedoftheseniorpublicelementaryschoolteacherinthebarangayaschairman,and
twootherpublicelementaryschoolteachers,asmembers.

Incasethenumberofpublicelementaryschoolteachersisinadequate,theCommissionshalldesignatethe
chairmanandmembersofthebarangayboardofcanvassersfromamongtheboardofelectiontellers.

(2)Thebarangayboardofcanvassersshallmeetimmediatelyinabuildingwhereapollingplaceisfoundand
which is most centrally located in the barangay and after canvassing the results from the various polling
placeswithinthebarangay,proclaimthewinners.Theboardofcanvassersshallaccomplishthecertificateof
proclamationintriplicateonaformtobeprescribedbytheCommission.Theoriginalofthecertificateshallbe
sent to the election registrar concerned, the second copy shall be delivered to the secretary of the
sangguniangbayanorsangguniangpanglunsod,asthecasemaybe,andthethirdcopyshallbekeptonfile
bythesecretaryofthesangguniangbarangay.

(3)Inabarangaywherethereisonlyonepollingplace,thebarangayboardofelectiontellersshallalsobe
thebarangayboardofcanvassers.

Section47.Activitiesduringthecampaignperiod.Duringthecampaignperiod,thepunongbarangayifheisnota
candidate,oranyresidentofthebarangaydesignatedbytheCommission,shallconvenethebarangayassemblyat
leastonceforthepurposeofallowingthecandidatestoappearatajointmeetingdulycalled,uponproperandwith
at least two days notice, to explain to the barangay voters their respective program of administration, their
qualifications,andotherinformationthatmayhelpenlightenvotersincastingtheirvotes.

Themembersofthebarangayassemblymaytakeupanddiscussothermattersrelativetotheelectionofbarangay
officials.

Section 48. Watchers. Candidates may appoint two watchers each, to serve alternately, in every polling place
within the barangay, who shall be furnished with a signed copy of the results of the election, in such form as the
Commissionmayprescribe,immediatelyafterthecompletionofthecanvass.

Section49.Inclusion and exclusion cases. Inclusion and exclusion cases which shall be decided not later than
seven before the date of the election shall be within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the municipal or
metropolitantrialcourt.Thenoticeofsuchdecisionshallbeservedtoallpartieswithintwentyfourhoursfollowing
itspromulgationandanypartyadverselyaffectedmayappealtherefromwithintwentyfourhourstotheregionaltrial
courtwhichshallfinallydecidethesamenotlaterthantwodaysbeforethedateoftheelection.

Section50.Funding.Localgovernmentsshallappropriatesuchfundstodefraysuchnecessaryandreasonable
expensesofthemembersoftheboardofelectiontellers,boardofcanvassersandtheprintingofelectionformsand
procurementofotherelectionparaphernalia,andtheinstallationofpollingbooths.

Section 51. Penalties. Violations of any provisions of this Article shall constitute prohibited acts and shall be
prosecutedandpenalizedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisCode.

ARTICLEVII
THECOMMISSIONONELECTIONS

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Section 52. Powers and functions of the Commission on Elections. In addition to the powers and functions
conferred upon it by the Constitution, the Commission shall have exclusive charge of the enforcement and
administration of all laws relative to the conduct of elections for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly and honest
elections,andshall:

(a) Exercise direct and immediate supervision and control over national and local officials or employees,
including members of any national or local law enforcement agency and instrumentality of the government
requiredbylawtoperformdutiesrelativetotheconductofelections.Inaddition,itmayauthorizeCMTcadets
eighteenyearsofageandabovetoactasitsdeputiesforthepurposeofenforcingitsorders.

The Commission may relieve any officer or employee referred to in the preceding paragraph from the
performanceofhisdutiesrelatingtoelectoralprocesseswhoviolatestheelectionlaworfailstocomplywith
its instructions, orders, decisions or rulings, and appoint his substitute. Upon recommendation of the
Commission, the corresponding proper authority shall suspend or remove from office any or all of such
officersoremployeeswhomay,afterdueprocess,befoundguiltyofsuchviolationorfailure.

(b)Duringtheperiodofthecampaignandendingthirtydaysthereafter,wheninanyareaofthecountrythere
arepersonscommittingactsofterrorismtoinfluencepeopletovotefororagainstanycandidateorpolitical
party,theCommissionshallhavethepowertoauthorizeanymemberormembersoftheArmedForcesofthe
Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Integrated National Police or any similar agency or
instrumentalityofthegovernment,exceptcivilianhomedefenseforces,toactasdeputiesforthepurposeof
ensuringtheholdingoffree,orderlyandhonestelections.

(c) Promulgate rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Code or other laws which the
Commissionisrequiredtoenforceandadminister,andrequirethepaymentoflegalfeesandcollectthesame
in payment of any business done in the Commission, at rates that it may provide and fix in its rules and
regulations.

Rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission to implement the provisions of this Code shall take
effectonthesixteenthdayafterpublicationintheOfficialGazetteorinatleastdailynewspapersofgeneral
circulation.OrdersanddirectivesissuedbytheCommissionpursuanttosaidrulesandregulationsshallbe
furnishedbypersonaldeliverytoaccreditedpoliticalpartieswithinfortyeighthoursofissuanceandshalltake
effectimmediatelyuponreceipt.

In case of conflict between rules, regulations, orders or directives of the Commission in the exercise of its
constitutional powers and those issued by any other administrative office or agency of the government
concerningthesamematterrelativetoelections,theformershallprevail.

(d)Summonthepartiestoacontroversypendingbeforeit,issuesubpoenaandsubpoenaducestecum,and
take testimony in any investigation or hearing before it, and delegate such power to any officer of the
Commission who shall be a member of the Philippine Bar. In case of failure of a witness to attend, the
Commission,uponproofofserviceofthesubpoenatosaidwitnesses,mayissueawarranttoarrestwitness
andbringhimbeforetheCommissionortheofficerbeforewhomhisattendanceisrequired.

AnycontroversysubmittedtotheCommissionshall,aftercompliancewiththerequirementsofdueprocess,
beimmediatelyheardanddecidedbyitwithinsixtydaysfromsubmissionthereof.Nodecisionorresolution
shall be rendered by the Commission either en banc or by division unless taken up in a formal session
properlyconvenedforthepurpose.

The Commission may, when necessary, avail of the assistance of any national or local law enforcement
agencyand/orinstrumentalityofthegovernmenttoexecuteunderitsdirectandimmediatesupervisionanyof
itsfinaldecisions,orders,instructionsorrulings.

(e)PunishcontemptsprovidedforintheRulesofCourtinthesameprocedureandwiththesamepenalties
provided therein. Any violation of any final and executory decision, order or ruling of the Commission shall
constitutecontemptthereof.

(f) Enforce and execute its decisions, directives, orders and instructions which shall have precedence over
those emanating from any other authority, except the Supreme Court and those issued in habeas corpus
proceedings.

(g)Prescribetheformstobeusedintheelection,plebisciteorreferendum.

(h) Procure any supplies, equipment, materials or services needed for the holding of the election by public
bidding: Provided, That, if it finds the requirements of public bidding impractical to observe, then by
negotiationsorsealedbids,andinbothcases,theaccreditedpartiesshallbedulynotified.

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(i) Prescribe the use or adoption of the latest technological and electronic devices, taking into account the
situationprevailingintheareaandthefundsavailableforthepurpose:Provided,ThattheCommissionshall
notify the authorized representatives of accredited political parties and candidates in areas affected by the
useoradoptionoftechnologicalandelectronicdevicesnotlessthanthirtydayspriortotheeffectivityofthe
useofsuchdevices.

(j) Carry out a continuing and systematic campaign through newspapers of general circulation, radios and
other media forms to educate the public and fully inform the electorate about election laws, procedures,
decisions, and other matters relative to the work and duties of the Commission and the necessity of clean,
free,orderlyandhonestelectoralprocesses.

(k) Enlist nonpartisan group or organizations of citizens from the civic, youth, professional, educational,
businessorlaborsectorsknownfortheirprobity,impartialityandintegritywiththemembershipandcapability
to undertake a coordinated operation and activity to assist it in the implementation of the provisions of this
Codeandtheresolutions,ordersandinstructionsoftheCommissionforthepurposeofensuringfree,orderly
andhonestelectionsinanyconstituency.

Such groups or organizations shall function under the direct and immediate control and supervision of the
Commissionandshallperformthefollowingspecificfunctionsandduties:

A.BeforeElectionDay:

1. Undertake an information campaign on salient features of this Code and help in the
dissemination of the orders, decisions and resolutions of the Commission relative to the
forthcomingelection.

2. Wage a registration drive in their respective areas so that all citizens of voting age, not
otherwisedisqualifiedbylawmayberegistered.

3. Help cleanse the list of voters of illegal registrants, conduct housetohouse canvass if
necessary,andtaketheappropriatelegalstepstowardsthisend.

4. Report to the Commission violations of the provisions of this Code on the conduct of the
politicalcampaign,electionpropagandaandelectoralexpenditures.

B.OnElectionDay:

1.Exhortallregisteredvotersintheirrespectiveareastogototheirpollingplacesandcasttheir
votes.

2.Nominateonewatcherforaccreditationineachpollingplaceandeachplaceofcanvasswho
shall have the same duties, functions and rights as the other watchers of political parties and
candidates. Members or units of any citizen group or organization so designated by the
Commission except its lone duly accredited watcher, shall not be allowed to enter any polling
placeexcepttovote,andshall,iftheysodesire,stayinanareaatleastfiftymetersawayfrom
thepollingplace.

3. Report to the peace authorities and other appropriate agencies all instances of terrorism,
intimidationofvoters,andothersimilarattemptstofrustratethefreeandorderlycastingofvotes.

4. Perform such other functions as may be entrusted to such group or organization by the
Commission.

The designation of any group or organization made in accordance herewith may be revoked by the
Commission upon notice and hearing whenever by its actuations such group or organization has shown
partiality to any political party or candidate, or has performed acts in excess or in contravention of the
functionsanddutieshereinprovidedandsuchotherswhichmaybegrantedbytheCommission.

(l)Conducthearingsoncontroversiespendingbeforeitinthecitiesorprovincesuponpropermotionofany
party, taking into consideration the materiality and number of witnesses to be presented, the situation
prevailingintheareaandthefundavailableforthepurpose.

(m) Fix other reasonable periods for certain preelection requirements in order that voters shall not be
deprivedoftheirrightofsuffrageandcertaingroupsofrightsgrantedtheminthisCode.

Unless indicated in this Code, the Commission is hereby authorized for fix the appropriate period for the
various prohibited acts enumerated herein, consistent with the requirements of free, orderly, and honest
elections.
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Section53.FieldofficesoftheCommission.TheCommissionshallhavethefollowingfieldoffices:

(1)RegionalElectionOffice,headedbytheRegionalElectionDirectorandassistedbytheAssistantRegional
DirectorandsuchothersubordinateofficersoremployeesastheCommissionmayappoint.

(2) Provincial Election Office, headed by the Provincial Election Supervisor and assisted by such other
subordinateofficersoremployeesastheCommissionmayappoint.

(3)City/MunicipalElectionOffice,headedbytheCity/MunicipalRegistrarwhoshallbeassistedbyanelection
clerkandsuchotheremployeesastheCommissionmayappoint.

TheCommissionmaydelegateitspowersandfunctionsorordertheimplementationorenforcementofitsorders,
rulings,ordecisionsthroughtheheadsofitsfieldoffices.

Section54.Qualifications.OnlymembersofthePhilippinesBarshallbeeligibleforappointmenttothepositionof
regionaldirector,assistantregionaldirector,provincialelectionsupervisorandelectionregistrar:Provided,however,
ThatiftherearenomembersofthePhilippineBaravailableforappointmentaselectionregistrar,exceptincities
and capital towns, graduates of duly recognized schools of law, liberal arts, education or business administration
whopossesstheappropriatecivilserviceeligibilitymaybeappointedtosaidposition.

Section 55. Office space. The local government concerned shall provide a suitable place for the office of the
provincialelectionsupervisorandhisstaffandtheelectionregistrarandhisstaff:Provided,Thatincaseoffailureof
the local government concerned to provide such suitable place, the provincial election supervisor or the election
registrar,asthecasemaybe,uponpriorauthorityoftheCommissionandnoticetothelocalgovernmentconcerned,
mayleaseanotherplaceforofficeandtherentalsthereofshallbechargeabletothefundsofthelocalgovernment
concerned.

Section56.Changes in the composition,distributionorassignmentoffieldoffices. The Commission may make

changes in the composition, distribution and assignment of field offices, as well as its personnel, whenever the
exigencies of the service and the interest of free, orderly, and honest election so require: Provided, That such
changesshallbeeffectiveandenforceableonlyforthedurationoftheelectionperiodconcernedandshallnotaffect
the tenure of office of the incumbents of positions affected and shall not constitute a demotion, either in rank or
salary, nor result in change of status: and Provided, further, That there shall be no changes in the composition,
distributionorassignmentwithinthirtydaysbeforeelection,exceptforcauseandafterduenoticeandhearing,and
thatinnocaseshallaregionalorassistantregionaldirectorbeassignedtoaregionaprovincialelectionsupervisor
toaprovinceoracityormunicipalelectionregistrartoacityormunicipality,whereheand/orhisspousearerelated
toanycandidatewithinthefourthcivildegreeofconsanguinityoraffinityasthecasemaybe.

Section57.Measures to ensure enforcement. For the effective enforcement of the provisions of this Code, the
Commissionisfurthervestedandchargedwiththefollowingpowers,dutiesandresponsibilities:

1.Toissuesearchwarrantsafterexaminationunderoathoraffirmationofthecomplainantandthewitnesses

2.Tostopanyillegalelectionactivity,orconfiscate,teardown,andstopanyunlawful,libelous,misleadingor
falseelectionpropaganda,afterduenoticeandhearing.

3.Toinquireintothefinancialrecordsofcandidatesandanyorganizationorgroupofpersons,motuproprio
oruponwrittenrepresentationforprobablecausebyanycandidateorgroupof

personsorqualifiedvoter,afterduenoticeandhearing.

For purposes of this section, the Commission may avail itself of the assistance of the Commission on Audit, the
Central Bank, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, the Integrated National Police of the Philippines, barangay officials, and other agencies of the
government.

Section 58. Disqualifications of members of the Commission. The chairman and members of the Commission
shallbesubjecttothecanonsofjudicialethicsinthedischargeoftheirfunctions.

Nochairmanorcommissionershallsitinanycaseinwhichhehasmanifestedbiasorprejudicefororagainstor
antagonismagainstanypartytheretoandinconnectiontherewith,orinanycaseinwhichhewouldbedisqualified
undertheRulesofCourt.Ifitbeclaimedthatthechairmanoracommissionerisdisqualifiedasaboveprovided,the
partyobjectingtohiscompetencymayfilehisobjectioninwritingwiththeCommissionstatingthegroundtherefor.
The official concerned shall continue to participate in the hearing or withdrawn therefrom in accordance with his
determinationofthequestionofhisdisqualification.Thedecisionshallforthwithbemadeinwritingandfiledwiththe
otherpapersofthecaseinaccordancewiththeRulesofCourt.Ifadisqualificationshouldresultinalackofquorum
intheCommissionsittingenbanc,thePresidingJusticeoftheIntermediateAppellateCourtshalldesignateajustice
ofsaidcourttositinsaidcaseforthepurposeofhearingandreachingadecisionthereon.
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Section59.Publicationofofficialballotsandelectionreturnsandprintingthereof.TheCommissionshallpublishat
leasttendaysbeforeanelectioninanewspaperofgeneralcirculationcertifieddataonthenumberofofficialballots
andelectionreturnsandthenamesandaddressesoftheprintersandthenumberprintedbyeach.

ARTICLEVIII
POLITICALPARTIES

Section60.Politicalparty."Politicalparty"or"party",whenusedinthisAct,meansanorganizedgroupofpersons
pursuingthesameideology,politicalideasorplatformsofgovernmentandincludesitsbranchesanddivisions.To
acquirejuridicalpersonality,qualityitforsubsequentaccreditation,andtoentitleittotherightsandprivilegesherein
grantedtopoliticalparties,apoliticalpartyshallfirstbedulyregisteredwiththeCommission.Anyregisteredpolitical
partythat,singlyorincoalitionwithothers,failstoobtainatleasttenpercentofthevotescastintheconstituencyin
whichitnominatedandsupportedacandidateorcandidatesintheelectionnextfollowingitsregistrationshall,after
noticeandhearingbedeemedtohaveforfeitedsuchstatusasaregisteredpoliticalpartyinsuchconstituency.

Section61.Registration. Any organized group of persons seeking registration as a national or regional political
party may file with the Commission a verified petition attaching thereto its constitution and bylaws, platform or
program of government and such other relevant information as may be required by the Commission. The
Commissionshall,afterduenoticeandhearing,resolvethepetitionwithintendaysfromthedateitissubmittedfor
decision.

Noreligioussectshallberegisteredasapoliticalpartyandnopoliticalpartywhichseekstoachieveitsgoalthrough
violenceshallbeentitledtoaccreditation.

Section62.Publicationofpetitionforregistrationoraccreditation.TheCommissionshallrequirepublicationofthe
petitionforregistrationoraccreditationinatleastthreenewspapersofgeneralcirculationandshall,afterduenotice
andhearing,resolvethepetitionwithinfifteendaysfromthedateitissubmittedfordecision.

ARTICLEIX
ELIGIBILITYOFCANDIDATESANDCERTIFICATEOFCANDIDACY

Section 63. Qualifications for President and VicePresident of the Philippines. No person may be elected
PresidentunlessheisanaturalborncitizenofthePhilippines,aregisteredvoter,abletoreadandwrite,atleast
forty years of age on the day of election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately
precedingsuchelection.

Section64.Qualifications for Members of the Batasang Pambansa. No person shall be elected Member of the
BatasangPambansaasprovincial,cityordistrictrepresentativeunlessheisanaturalborncitizenofthePhilippines
and,onthedayoftheelection,isatleasttwentyfiveyearsofage,abletoreadandwrite,aregisteredvoterinthe
constituencyinwhichheshallbeelected,andaresidentthereofforaperiodofnotlessthansixmonthsimmediately
precedingthedayoftheelection.

AsectoralrepresentativeshallbeanaturalborncitizenofthePhilippines,abletoreadandwrite,aresidentofthe
Philippines,abletoreadandwrite,aresidentofthePhilippinesforaperiodofnotlessthanoneyearimmediately
preceding the day of the election, a bona fide member of the sector he seeks to represent, and in the case of a
representativeoftheagriculturalorindustriallaborsector,shallbearegisteredvoter,andonthedayoftheelection
isatleasttwentyfiveyearsofage.

Theyouthsectoralrepresentativeshouldatleastbeeighteenandnotbemorethantwentyfiveyearsofageonthe
day of the election: Provided, however, That any youth sectoral representative who attains the age of twentyfive
yearsduringhistermshallbeentitledtocontinueinofficeuntiltheexpirationofhisterm.

Section65.Qualifications of elective local officials. The qualifications for elective provincial, city, municipal and
barangayofficialsshallbethoseprovidedforintheLocalGovernmentCode.

Section 66. Candidates holding appointive office or positions. Any person holding a public appointive office or
position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and officers and employees in
governmentownedorcontrolledcorporations,shallbeconsideredipsofactoresignedfromhisofficeuponthefiling
ofhiscertificateofcandidacy.

Section67.Candidatesholdingelectiveoffice.Anyelectiveofficial,whethernationalorlocal,runningforanyoffice
otherthantheonewhichheisholdinginapermanentcapacity,exceptforPresidentandVicePresident,shallbe
consideredipsofactoresignedfromhisofficeuponthefilingofhiscertificateofcandidacy.

Section68.Disqualifications.Anycandidatewho,inanactionorprotestinwhichheisapartyisdeclaredbyfinal
decision of a competent court guilty of, or found by the Commission of having (a) given money or other material
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consideration to influence, induce or corrupt the voters or public officials performing electoral functions (b)
committedactsofterrorismtoenhancehiscandidacy(c)spentinhiselectioncampaignanamountinexcessof
thatallowedbythisCode(d)solicited,receivedormadeanycontributionprohibitedunderSections89,95,96,97
and104or(e)violatedanyofSections80,83,85,86and261,paragraphsd,e,k,v,andcc,subparagraph6,shall
bedisqualifiedfromcontinuingasacandidate,orifhehasbeenelected,fromholdingtheoffice.Anypersonwhois
apermanentresidentoforanimmigranttoaforeigncountryshallnotbequalifiedtorunforanyelectiveofficeunder
this Code, unless said person has waived his status as permanent resident or immigrant of a foreign country in
accordancewiththeresidencerequirementprovidedforintheelectionlaws.

Section69.Nuisancecandidates.TheCommissionmaymotupropriooruponaverifiedpetitionofaninterested
party,refusetogiveduecoursetoorcancelacertificateofcandidacyifitisshownthatsaidcertificatehasbeen
filedtoputtheelectionprocessinmockeryordisreputeortocauseconfusionamongthevotersbythesimilarityof
the names of the registered candidates or by other circumstances or acts which clearly demonstrate that the
candidatehasnobonafideintentiontorunfortheofficeforwhichthecertificateofcandidacyhasbeenfiledand
thuspreventafaithfuldeterminationofthetruewilloftheelectorate.

Section70.Guestcandidacy.Apoliticalpartymaynominateand/orsupportcandidatesnotbelongingtoit.

Section72.Effectsofdisqualificationcasesandpriority.TheCommissionandthecourtsshallgive

prioritytocasesofdisqualificationbyreasonofviolationofthisActtotheendthatafinaldecisionshallberendered
notlaterthansevendaysbeforetheelectioninwhichthedisqualificationissought.

Anycandidatewhohasbeendeclaredbyfinaljudgmenttobedisqualifiedshallnotbevotedfor,andthevotescast
forhimshallnotbecounted.Nevertheless,ifforanyreason,acandidateisnotdeclaredbyfinaljudgmentbeforean
electiontobedisqualifiedandheisvotedforandreceivesthewinningnumberofvotesinsuchelection,hisviolation
oftheprovisionsoftheprecedingsectionsshallnotpreventhisproclamationandassumptiontooffice.

Section73. Certificate of candidacy. No person shall be eligible for any elective public office unless he files a
sworncertificateofcandidacywithintheperiodfixedherein.

Apersonwhohasfiledacertificateofcandidacymay,priortotheelection,withdrawthesamebysubmittingtothe
officeconcernedawrittendeclarationunderoath.

Nopersonshallbeeligibleformorethanoneofficetobefilledinthesameelection,andifhefileshiscertificateof
candidacyformorethanoneoffice,heshallnotbeeligibleforanyofthem.

However,beforetheexpirationoftheperiodforthefilingofcertificatesofcandidacy,thepersonwhowasfiledmore
thanonecertificateofcandidacymaydeclareunderoaththeofficeforwhichhedesirestobeeligibleandcancelthe
certificateofcandidacyfortheotherofficeoroffices.

Thefilingorwithdrawalofacertificateofcandidacyshallnotaffectwhatevercivil,criminaloradministrativeliabilities
whichacandidatemayhaveincurred.

Section74.Contentsofcertificateofcandidacy.Thecertificateofcandidacyshallstatethatthepersonfilingitis
announcing his candidacy for the office stated therein and that he is eligible for said office if for Member of the
BatasangPambansa,theprovince,includingitscomponentcities,highlyurbanizedcityordistrictorsectorwhichhe
seekstorepresentthepoliticalpartytowhichhebelongscivilstatushisdateofbirthresidencehispostoffice
addressforallelectionpurposeshisprofessionoroccupationthathewillsupportanddefendtheConstitutionof
the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto that he will obey the laws, legal orders, and
decrees promulgated by the duly constituted authorities that he is not a permanent resident or immigrant to a
foreign country that the obligation imposed by his oath is assumed voluntarily, without mental reservation or
purposeofevasionandthatthefactsstatedinthecertificateofcandidacyaretruetothebestofhisknowledge.

Unlessacandidatehasofficiallychangedhisnamethroughacourtapprovedproceeding,acertificateshalluseina
certificate of candidacy the name by which he has been baptized, or if has not been baptized in any church or
religion,thenameregisteredintheofficeofthelocalcivilregistraroranyothernameallowedundertheprovisions
of existing law or, in the case of a Muslim, his Hadji name after performing the prescribed religious pilgrimage:
Provided, That when there are two or more candidates for an office with the same name and surname, each
candidate, upon being made aware or such fact, shall state his paternal and maternal surname, except the
incumbent who may continue to use the name and surname stated in his certificate of candidacy when he was
elected. He may also include one nickname or stage name by which he is generally or popularly known in the
locality.

The person filing a certificate of candidacy shall also affix his latest photograph, passport size a statement in
duplicatecontaininghisbiodataandprogramofgovernmentnotexceedingonehundredwords,ifhesodesires.

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Section75.Filinganddistributionofcertificateofcandidacy.Thecertificateofcandidacyshallbefiledonanyday
from the commencement of the election period but not later than the day before the beginning of the campaign
period:Provided,ThatincasesofpostponementorfailureofelectionunderSections5and6hereof,noadditional
certificateofcandidacyshallbeacceptedexceptincasesofsubstitutionofcandidatesasprovidedunderSection77
hereof.

ThecertificatesofcandidacyforPresidentandVicePresidentofthePhilippinesshallbefiledintenlegiblecopies
with the Commission which shall order the printing of copies thereof for distribution to all polling places. The
certificates of candidacy for the other offices shall be filed in duplicate with the offices herein below mentioned,
together with a number of clearly legible copies equal to twice the number of polling places in the province, city,
district,municipalityorbarangay,asthecasemaybe:

(a) For representative in the Batasang Pambansa, with the Commission, the provincial election supervisor,
city election registrar in case of highly urbanized cities, or an officer designated by the Commission having
jurisdictionovertheprovince,cityorrepresentativedistrictwhoshallsendcopiesthereoftoallpollingplaces
intheprovince,cityordistrict

(b) For provincial offices, with the provincial election supervisor of the province concerned who shall send
copiesthereoftoallpollingplacesintheprovince

(c)Forcityandmunicipaloffices,withthecityormunicipalelectionregistrarwhoshallsendcopiesthereofto
allpollingplacesinthecityormunicipalityand

(d)Forpunongbarangayorkagawadngsangguniangbarangay,thecertificatesofcandidacyshallbefiledin
accordancewiththeprovisionsofSection39ofArticleVIofthisCode.

Thedulyauthorizedreceivingofficershallimmediatelysendtheoriginalcopyofallcertificatesofcandidacyreceived
byhimtotheCommission.

Section 76. Ministerial duty of receiving and acknowledging receipt. The Commission, provincial election
supervisor,electionregistrarorofficerdesignatedbytheCommissionortheboardofelectioninspectorsunderthe
succeedingsectionshallhavetheministerialdutytoreceiveandacknowledgereceiptofthecertificateofcandidacy.

Section77.Candidatesincaseofdeath,disqualificationorwithdrawalofanother.Ifafterthelastdayforthefiling
of certificates of candidacy, an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party dies, withdraws or is
disqualifiedforanycause,onlyapersonbelongingto,andcertifiedby,thesamepoliticalpartymayfileacertificate
ofcandidacytoreplacethecandidatewhodied,withdreworwasdisqualified.Thesubstitutecandidatenominated
by the political party concerned may file his certificate of candidacy for the office affected in accordance with the
preceding sections not later than midday of the day of the election. If the death, withdrawal or disqualification
shouldoccurbetweenthedaybeforetheelectionandmiddayofelectionday,saidcertificatemaybefiledwithany
boardofelectioninspectorsinthepoliticalsubdivisionwhereheisacandidate,or,inthecaseofcandidatestobe
votedforbytheentireelectorateofthecountry,withtheCommission.

Section78.Petitiontodenyduecoursetoorcancelacertificateofcandidacy.Averifiedpetitionseekingtodeny
due course or to cancel a certificate of candidacy may be filed by the person exclusively on the ground that any
materialrepresentationcontainedthereinasrequiredunderSection74hereofisfalse.Thepetitionmaybefiledat
any time not later than twentyfive days from the time of the filing of the certificate of candidacy and shall be
decided,afterduenoticeandhearing,notlaterthanfifteendaysbeforetheelection.

ARTICLEX
CAMPAIGNANDELECTIONPROPAGANDA

Section79.Definitions.AsusedinthisCode:

(a)Theterm"candidate"referstoanypersonaspiringfororseekinganelectivepublicoffice,whohasfileda
certificate of candidacy by himself or through an accredited political party, aggroupment, or coalition of
parties

(b) The term "election campaign" or "partisan political activity" refers to an act designed to promote the
electionordefeatofaparticularcandidateorcandidatestoapublicofficewhichshallinclude:

(1) Forming organizations, associations, clubs, committees or other groups of persons for the purpose of
solicitingvotesand/orundertakinganycampaignfororagainstacandidate

(2) Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar assemblies, for the
purposeofsolicitingvotesand/orundertakinganycampaignorpropagandafororagainstacandidate

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(3) Making speeches, announcements or commentaries, or holding interviews for or against the election of
anycandidateforpublicoffice

(4) Publishing or distributing campaign literature or materials designed to support or oppose the election of
anycandidateor

(5)Directlyorindirectlysolicitingvotes,pledgesorsupportfororagainstacandidate.

Theforegoingenumeratedactsifperformedforthepurposeofenhancingthechancesofaspirantsfornomination
forcandidacytoapublicofficebyapoliticalparty,aggroupment,orcoalitionofpartiesshallnotbeconsideredas
electioncampaignorpartisanelectionactivity.

Public expressions or opinions or discussions of probable issues in a forthcoming election or on attributes of or

criticismsagainstprobablecandidatesproposedtobenominatedinaforthcomingpoliticalpartyconventionshallnot
beconstruedaspartofanyelectioncampaignorpartisanpoliticalactivitycontemplatedunderthisArticle.

Section80.Election campaign or partisan political activity outside campaign period. It shall be unlawful for any
person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election
campaignorpartisanpoliticalactivityexceptduringthecampaignperiod:Provided,Thatpoliticalpartiesmayhold
politicalconventionsormeetingstonominatetheirofficialcandidateswithinthirtydaysbeforethecommencementof
thecampaignperiodandfortyfivedaysforPresidentialandVicePresidentialelection.

Section81.Interventionofforeigners.Itshallbeunlawfulforanyforeigner,whetherjudicialornaturalperson,to
aidanycandidateorpoliticalparty,directlyorindirectly,ortakepartinorinfluenceinanymanneranyelection,orto
contributeormakeanyexpenditureinconnectionwithanyelectioncampaignorpartisanpoliticalactivity.

Section82.Lawfulelectionpropaganda.Lawfulelectionpropagandashallinclude:

(a) Pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers or other written or printed materials of a size not more than
eightandonehalfinchesinwidthandfourteeninchesinlength

(b)Handwrittenorprintedlettersurgingvoterstovotefororagainstanyparticularcandidate

(c)Cloth,paperorcardboardposters,whetherframedorposted,withanareaexceedingtwofeetbythree
feet,exceptthat,atthesiteandontheoccasionofapublicmeetingorrally,orinannouncingtheholdingof
saidmeetingorrally,streamersnotexceedingthreefeetbyeightfeetinsize,shallbeallowed:Provided,That
saidstreamersmaynotbedisplayedexceptoneweekbeforethedateofthemeetingorrallyandthatitshall
beremovedwithinseventytwohoursaftersaidmeetingorrallyor

(d)AllotherformsofelectionpropagandanotprohibitedbythisCodeastheCommissionmayauthorizeafter
due notice to all interested parties and hearing where all the interested parties were given an equal
opportunitytobeheard:Provided,ThattheCommission'sauthorizationshallbepublishedintwonewspapers
ofgeneralcirculationthroughoutthenationforatleasttwicewithinoneweekaftertheauthorizationhasbeen
granted.

Section83.Removal,destructionordefacementoflawfulelectionpropagandaprohibited.Itshallbeunlawfulfor
anypersonduringthecampaignperiodtoremove,destroy,obliterate,orinanymannerdefaceortamperwith,or
preventthedistributionoflawfulelectionpropaganda.

Section84.Requirementsforpublishedorprintedelectionpropaganda.Anynewspaper,newsletter,newsweekly,
gazetteormagazineadvertising,posters,pamphlets,circulars,handbills,bumperstickers,streamers,simplelistof
candidatesoranypublishedorprintedpoliticalmatterfororagainstacandidateorgroupofcandidatestoanypublic
officeshallbearandbeidentifiedbythewords"paidforby"followedbythetrueandcorrectnameandaddressof
thepayorandbythewords"printedby"followedbythetrueandcorrectnameandaddressoftheprinter.

Section85.Prohibitedformsofelectionpropaganda.Itshallbeunlawful:

(a)Toprint,publish,postordistributeanyposter,pamphlet,circular,handbill,orprintedmatterurgingvoters
tovotefororagainstanycandidateunlesstheybearthenamesandaddressesoftheprinterandpayoras
requiredinSection84hereof

(b)Toerect,putup,makeuseof,attach,floatordisplayanybillboard,tinplateposter,balloonsandthelike,of
whateversize,shape,formorkind,advertisingfororagainstanycandidateorpoliticalparty

(c) To purchase, manufacture, request, distribute or accept electoral propaganda gadgets, such as pens,
lighters, fans of whatever nature, flashlights, athletic goods or materials, wallets, shirts, hats, bandanas,
matches, cigarettes and the like, except that campaign supporters accompanying a candidate shall be
allowedtowearhatsand/orshirtsorTshirtsadvertisingacandidate
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(d)Toshowordisplaypubliclyanyadvertisementorpropagandafororagainstanycandidatebymeansof
cinematography, audiovisual units or other screen projections except telecasts which may be allowed as
hereinafterprovidedand

(e) For any radio broadcasting or television station to sell or give free of charge air time for campaign and
otherpoliticalpurposesexceptasauthorizedinthisCodeundertherulesandregulationspromulgatedbythe
Commissionpursuantthereto.

Any prohibited election propaganda gadget or advertisement shall be stopped, confiscated or torn down by
therepresentativeoftheCommissionuponspecificauthorityoftheCommission.

Section86.Regulationofelectionpropagandathroughmassmedia.

(a)TheCommissionshallpromulgaterulesandregulationsregardingthesaleofairtimeforpartisanpolitical
purposes during the campaign period to insure the equal time as to duration and quality in available to all
candidatesforthesameofficeorpoliticalpartiesatthesameratesorgivenfreeofchargethatsuchratesare
reasonableandnothigherthanthosechargedotherbuyersorusersofairtimefornonpoliticalpurposesthat
the provisions of this Code regarding the limitation of expenditures by candidates and political parties and
contributions by private persons, entities and institutions are effectively enforced and to ensure that said
radiobroadcastingandtelevisionstationsshallnotundulyallowtheschedulingofanyprogramorpermitany
sponsortomanifestlyfavororopposeanycandidateorpoliticalpartybyundulyorrepeatedlyreferringtoor
includingsaidcandidateand/orpoliticalpartyinsuchprogramrespecting,however,inallinstancestheright
of said stations to broadcast accounts of significant or newsworthy events and views on matters of public
interest.

(b)Allcontractsforadvertisinginanynewspaper,magazine,periodicaloranyformofpublicationpromoting
or opposing the candidacy of any person for public office shall, before its implementation, be registered by
saidnewspaper,magazine,periodicalorpublicationwiththeCommission.Ineverycase,itshallbesignedby
thecandidateconcernedorbythedulyauthorizedrepresentativeofthepoliticalparty.

(c) No franchise or permit to operate a radio or television station shall be granted or issued, suspended or
cancelledduringtheelectionperiod.

Any radio or television stations, including that owned or controlled by the Government, shall give free of charge
equaltimeandprominencetoanaccreditedpoliticalpartyoritscandidatesifitgivesfreeofchargeairtimetoan
accreditedpoliticalpartyoritscandidatesforpoliticalpurposes.

Inallinstances,theCommissionshallsupervisetheuseandemploymentofpress,radioandtelevisionfacilitiesso
as to give candidates equal opportunities under equal circumstances to make known their qualifications and their
standonpublicissueswithinthelimitssetforthinthisCodeonelectionspending.

RulesandregulationspromulgatedbytheCommissionunderandbyauthorityofthissectionshalltakeeffectonthe
seventhdayaftertheirpublicationinatleasttwodailynewspapersofgeneralcirculation.Priortotheeffectivityof
saidrulesandregulations,nopoliticaladvertisementorpropagandafororagainstanycandidateorpoliticalparty
shallbepublishedorbroadcastthroughthemassmedia.

Violation of the rules and regulations of the Commission issued to implement this section shall be an election
offensepunishableunderSection264hereof.

Section87.Rallies,meetingsandotherpoliticalactivities.Subjecttotherequirementsoflocalordinancesonthe
issuance of permits, any political party supporting official candidates or any candidate individually or jointly with
otheraspirantsmayholdpeacefulpoliticalrallies,meetings,andothersimilaractivitiesduringthecampaignperiod:
Provided, That all applications for permits to hold meetings, rallies and other similar political activities, receipt of
whichmustbeacknowledgedinwritingandwhichapplicationshallbeimmediatelypostedinaconspicuousplacein
thecityormunicipalbuilding,shallbeacteduponinwritingbylocalauthoritiesconcernedwithinthreedaysafterthe
filingthereofandanyapplicationnotacteduponwithinsaidperiodshallbedeemedapproved:andProvided,further,
That denial of any application for said permit shall be appealable to the provincial election supervisor or to the
Commissionwhosedecisionshallbemadewithinfortyeighthoursandwhichshallbefinalandexecutory:Provided,
finally,Thatoneonlyjustifiablegroundfordenialisapriorwrittenapplicationbyanycandidateorpoliticalpartyfor
thesamepurposehasbeenapproved.

Section88.Publicrally.Anypoliticalpartyorcandidateshallnotifytheelectionregistrarconcernedofanypublic
rally said political party or candidate intends to organize and hold in the city or municipality, and within seven
workingdaysthereaftersubmittotheelectionregistrarastatementofexpensesincurredinconnectiontherewith.

Section89.Transportation,foodanddrinks.Itshallbeunlawfulforanycandidate,politicalparty,organization,or
anypersontogiveoraccept,freeofcharge,directlyorindirectly,transportation,foodordrinksorthingsofvalue

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during the five hours before and after a public meeting, on the day preceding the election, and on the day of the
electionortogiveorcontribute,directlyorindirectly,moneyorthingsofvalueforsuchpurpose.

Section90.Comelecspace.TheCommissionshallprocurespaceinatleastonenewspaperofgeneralcirculation
ineveryprovinceorcity:Provided,however,Thatintheabsenceofsaidnewspaper,publicationshallbedonein
any other magazine or periodical in said province or city, which shall be known as "Comelec Space" wherein
candidatescanannouncetheircandidacy.Saidspaceshallbeallocated,freeofcharge,equallyandimpartiallyby
theCommissionamongallcandidateswithintheareainwhichthenewspaperiscirculated.

Section91.Comelecposterarea.Wheneverpracticable,theCommissionshallalsodesignateandprovidefora
commonposterareinstrategicplacesineachtownwhereincandidatescanannounceandfurthertheircandidacy
through posters, said space to be likewise allocated free of charge, equally and impartially by the Commission
amongallthecandidatesconcerned.

Section 92. Comelec time. The Commission shall procure radio and television time to be known as "Comelec
Time"whichshallbeallocatedequallyandimpartiallyamongthecandidateswithintheareaofcoverageofallradio
and television stations. For this purpose, the franchise of all radio broadcasting and television station are hereby
amendedsoastoprovideradiotelevisiontime,freeofcharge,duringtheperiodofthecampaign.

Section 93. Comelec information bulletin. The Commission shall cause the printing, and supervise the
disseminationofbulletinstobeknownas"ComelecBulletin"whichshallbeofsuchsizeastoadequatelycontain
the picture, biodata and program of government of every candidate. Said bulletin shall be disseminated to the
votersordisplayedinsuchplacesastogivedueprominencethereto.Anycandidatemayreprintathisexpense,
any "Comelec Bulletin" upon prior authority of the Commission: Provided, That the printing of the names of the
differentcandidateswiththeirbiodatamustbeinalphabeticalorderirrespectiveofpartyaffiliation.

ARTICLEXI
ELECTORALCONTRIBUTIONSANDEXPENDITURES

Section94.Definitions.AsusedinthisArticle:

(a) The term "contribution" includes a gift, donation, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money or
anythingofvalue,oracontract,promiseoragreementtocontribute,whetherornotlegallyenforceable,made
for the purpose of influencing the results of the elections but shall not include services rendered without
compensationbyindividualsvolunteeringaportionoralloftheirtimeinbehalfofacandidateorpoliticalparty.
Itshallalsoincludetheuseoffacilitiesvoluntarilydonatedbyotherpersons,themoneyvalueofwhichcanbe
assessedbasedontheratesprevailinginthearea.

(b) The term "expenditure" includes the payment or delivery of money of anything of value, or a contract,
promise or agreement to make an expenditure, for the purpose of influencing the results of the election. It
shallalsoincludetheuseoffacilitiespersonallyownedbythecandidate,themoneyvalueoftheuseofwhich
canbeassessedbasedontheratesprevailinginthearea.

(c)Theterm"person"includesanindividual,partnership,committee,association,corporation,andanyother
organizationorgroupofpersons.

Section 95. Prohibited contributions. No contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made
directlyorindirectlybyanyofthefollowing:

(a)Publicorprivatefinancialinstitutions:Provided,however,Thatnothinghereinshallpreventthemakingof
any loan to a candidate or political party by any such public or private financial institutions legally in the
business of lending money, and that the loan is made in accordance with laws and regulations and in the
ordinarycourseofbusiness

(b) Natural and juridical persons operating a public utility or in possession of or exploiting any natural
resourcesofthenation

(c)Naturalandjuridicalpersonswhoholdcontractsorsubcontractstosupplythegovernmentoranyofits
divisions,subdivisionsorinstrumentalities,withgoodsorservicesortoperformconstructionorotherworks

(d) Natural and juridical persons who have been granted franchises, incentives, exemptions, allocations or
similarprivilegesorconcessionsbythegovernmentoranyofitsdivisions,subdivisionsorinstrumentalities,
includinggovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporations

(e) Natural and juridical persons who, within one year prior to the date of the election, have been granted
loansorotheraccommodationsinexcessofP100,000bythegovernmentoranyofitsdivisions,subdivisions
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orinstrumentalitiesincludinggovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporations

(f)EducationalinstitutionswhichhavereceivedgrantsofpublicfundsamountingtonolessthanP100,000.00

(g)OfficialsoremployeesintheCivilService,ormembersoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesand

(h)Foreignersandforeigncorporations.

It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or receive any contribution from any of the persons or entities
enumeratedherein.

Section96.Solicitingorreceivingcontributionsfromforeignsources.Itshallbeunlawfulforanyperson,including
apoliticalpartyorpublicorprivateentitytosolicitorreceive,directlyorindirectly,anyaidorcontributionofwhatever
form or nature from any foreign national, government or entity for the purposes of influencing the results of the
election.

Section97.Prohibited raising of funds. It shall be unlawful for any person to hold dances, lotteries, cockfights,
games,boxingbouts,bingo,beautycontests,entertainments,orcinematographic,theatricalorotherperformances
for the purpose of raising funds for an election campaign or for the support of any candidate from the
commencementoftheelectionperioduptoandincludingelectiondayorforanypersonororganization,whether
civic or religious, directly or indirectly, to solicit and/or accept from any candidate for public office, or from his
campaign manager, agent or representative, or any person acting in their behalf, any gift, food, transportation,
contribution or donation in cash or in kind from the commencement of the election period up to and including
electiondayProvided,Thatnormalandcustomaryreligiousstipends,tithes,orcollectionsonSundaysand/orother
designatedcollectiondays,areexcludedfromthisprohibition.

Section98.Truenameofcontributorrequired.Nopersonshallmakeanycontributioninanynameexcepthisown
nor shall any candidate or treasurer of a political party receive a contribution or enter or record the same in any
nameotherthanthatofthepersonbywhomitwasactuallymade.

Section99.Reportofcontributions.Everypersongivingcontributionstoanycandidate,treasureroftheparty,or
authorizedrepresentativeofsuchcandidateortreasurershall,notlaterthanthirtydaysafterthedayoftheelection,
file with the Commission a report under oath stating the amount of each contribution, the name of the candidate,
agentofthecandidateorpoliticalpartyreceivingthecontribution,andthedateofthecontribution.

Section100.Limitations upon expenses of candidates. No candidate shall spend for his election campaign an
aggregate amount exceeding one peso and fifty centavos for every voter currently registered in the constituency
wherehefiledhiscandidacy:Provided,Thattheexpenseshereinreferredtoshallincludethoseincurredorcaused
tobeincurredbythecandidate,whetherincashorinkind,includingtheuse,rentalorhireofland,wateroraircraft,
equipment, facilities, apparatus and paraphernalia used in the campaign: Provided, further, That where the land,
wateroraircraft,equipment,facilities,apparatusandparaphernaliausedisownedbythecandidate,hiscontributor
orsupporter,theCommissionisherebyempoweredtoassesstheamountcommensuratewiththeexpensesforthe
usethereof,basedontheprevailingratesinthelocalityandshallbeincludedinthetotalexpensesincurredbythe
candidate.

Section101.Limitations upon expenses of political parties. A duly accredited political party may spend for the
electionofitscandidatesintheconstituencyorconstituencieswhereithasofficialcandidatesanaggregateamount
notexceedingtheequivalentofonepesoandfiftycentavosforeveryvotercurrentlyregisteredtherein.Expenses
incurredbybranches,chapters,orcommitteesofsuchpoliticalpartyshallbeincludedinthecomputationofthetotal
expendituresofthepoliticalparty.

Expenses incurred by other political parties shall be considered as expenses of their respective individual
candidatesandsubjecttolimitationunderSection100ofthisCode.

Section102.Lawfulexpenditures.Tocarryouttheobjectivesoftheprecedingsections,nocandidateortreasurer
ofapoliticalpartyshall,directlyorindirectly,makeanyexpenditureexceptforthefollowingpurposes:

(a)Fortravellingexpensesofthecandidatesandcampaignpersonnelinthecourseofthecampaignandfor
personalexpensesincidentthereto

(b) For compensation of campaigners, clerks, stenographers, messengers, and other persons actually
employedinthecampaign

(c)Fortelegraphandtelephonetolls,postage,freightandexpressdeliverycharges

(d)Forstationery,printinganddistributionofprintedmattersrelativetocandidacy

(e)Foremploymentofwatchersatthepolls
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(f)Forrent,maintenanceandfurnishingofcampaignheadquarters,officeorplaceofmeetings

(g) For political meetings and rallies and the use of sound systems, lights and decorations during said
meetingsandrallies

(h)Fornewspaper,radio,televisionandotherpublicadvertisements

(i)Foremploymentofcounsel,thecostofwhichshallnotbetakenintoaccountindeterminingtheamountof
expenseswhichacandidateorpoliticalpartymayhaveincurredunderSection100and101hereof

(j) For copying and classifying list of voters, investigating and challenging the right to vote of persons
registered in the lists the costs of which shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of
expenseswhichacandidateorpoliticalpartymayhaveincurredunderSections100and101hereofor

(k) For printing sample ballots in such color, size and maximum number as may be authorized by the
Commission and the cost of such printing shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of
expenseswhichacandidateorpoliticalpartymayhaveincurredunderSections100and101hereof.

Section103.Personsauthorizedtoincurelectionexpenditures.Noperson,exceptthecandidate,thetreasurerof
apoliticalpartyoranypersonauthorizedbysuchcandidateortreasurer,shallmakeanyexpenditureinsupportofor
inoppositiontoanycandidateorpoliticalparty.Expendituresdulyauthorizedbythecandidateorthetreasurerofthe
partyshallbeconsideredasexpendituresofsuchcandidateorpoliticalparty.

Theauthoritytoincurexpendituresshallbeinwriting,copyofwhichshallbefurnishedtheCommissionsignedby
thecandidateorthetreasurerofthepartyandshowingtheexpendituressoauthorized,andshallstatethefullname
andexactaddressofthepersonsodesignated.

Section104.Prohibited donations by candidates, treasurers of parties or their agents. No candidate, his or her
spouseoranyrelativewithinthesecondcivildegreeofconsanguinityoraffinity,orhiscampaignmanager,agentor
representative shall during the campaign period, on the day before and on the day of the election, directly or
indirectly,makeanydonation,contributionorgiftincashorinkind,orundertakeorcontributetotheconstructionor
repair of roads, bridges, school buses, puericulture centers, medical clinics and hospitals, churches or chapels
cement pavements, or any structure for public use or for the use of any religious or civic organization: Provided,
That normal and customary religious dues or contributions, such as religious stipends, tithes or collections on
Sundaysorotherdesignatedcollectiondays,aswellasperiodicpaymentsforlegitimatescholarshipsestablished
andschoolcontributionshabituallymadebeforetheprohibitedperiod,areexcludedfromtheprohibition.

Thesameprohibitionappliestotreasurers,agentsorrepresentativesofanypoliticalparty.

Section105.Accounting by agents of candidate or treasurer. Every person receiving contributions or incurring

expendituresbyauthorityofthecandidateortreasurerofthepartyshall,ondemandbythecandidateortreasurerof
thepartyandinanyeventwithinfivedaysafterreceivingsuchcontributionorincurringsuchexpenditure,renderto
the candidate or the treasurer of the party concerned, a detailed account thereof with proper vouchers or official
receipts.

Section106.Recordsofcontributionsandexpenditures.

(a)Itshallbethedutyofeverycandidate,treasurerofthepoliticalpartyandpersonactingundertheauthority
of such candidate or treasurer to issue a receipt for every contribution received and to obtain and keep a
receiptstatingtheparticularsofeveryexpendituremade.

(b) Every candidate and treasurer of the party shall keep detailed, full, and accurate records of all
contributionsreceivedandexpendituresincurredbyhimandbythoseactingunderhisauthority,settingforth
thereinallinformationrequiredtobereported.

(c) Every candidate and treasurer of the party shall be responsible for the preservation of the records of
contributionsandexpenditures,togetherwithallpertinentdocuments,foratleastthreeyearsaftertheholding
of the election to which they pertain and for their production for inspection by the Commission or its duly
authorizedrepresentative,oruponpresentationofasubpoenaducestecumdulyissuedbytheCommission.
Failure of the candidate or treasurer to preserve such records or documents shall be deemed prima facie
evidenceofviolationoftheprovisionsofthisArticle.

Section 107. Statement of contributions and expenditures. Every candidate and treasurer of the political party
shall,notlaterthansevendays,orearlierthantendaysbeforethedayoftheelection,fileinduplicatewiththeoffice
indicated in the following section, full, true and itemized, statement of all contributions and expenditures in
connectionwiththeelection.

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Within thirty days after the day of the election, said candidate and treasurer shall also file in duplicate a
supplementalstatementofallcontributionandexpendituresnotincludedinthestatementfiledpriortothedayofthe
election.

Section108.Placeforfilingstatements.Thestatementsofcontributionsandexpendituresshallbefiledasfollows:

(a)ThoseofcandidatesforPresidentandVicePresident,withtheCommission.

(b) Those of candidates for Members of the Batasang Pambansa, with the provincial election supervisor
concerned, except those of candidates in the National Capital Region which shall be filed with the regional
electiondirectorofsaidregion.

(c)Thoseofcandidatesforprovincialoffices,withtheprovincialelectionsupervisorconcerned.

(d)Thoseofcandidatesforcity,municipalandbarangayoffices,withtheelectionregistrarconcerned.

Ifthestatementissentbymail,itshallbebyregisteredmail,andthedateonwhichitwasregisteredwiththepost
office may be considered as the filing date thereof if confirmed on the same date by telegram or radiogram
addressedtotheofficeorofficialwithwhomthestatementshouldbefiled.

Theprovincialelectionsupervisorsandelectionregistrarsconcernedshall,withinfifteendaysafterthelastdayfor
thefilingofthestatements,sendtotheCommissionduplicatecopiesofallstatementsfiledwiththem.

Section109.Formandcontentsofstatement.Thestatementshallbeinwriting,subscribedandsworntobythe
candidateorbythetreasureroftheparty,shallbecompleteasofthedatenextprecedingthedateoffilingandshall
set forth in detail (a) the amount of contribution, the date of receipt, and the full name and exact address of the
person from whom the contribution was received (b) the amount of every expenditure, the date thereof, the full
nameandexactaddressofthepersontowhompaymentwasmade,andthepurposeoftheexpenditure(c)any
unpaidobligation,itsnatureandamount,andtowhomsaidobligationisowingand(d)suchotherparticularswhich
theCommissionmayrequire.

If the candidate or treasurer of the party has received no contribution, made no expenditure, or has no pending
obligation,thestatementshallreflectsuchfact.

Section110.Preservationandinspectionofstatements.Allstatementsofcontributionsandexpendituresshallbe
keptandpreservedattheofficewheretheyarefiledandshallconstitutepartofthepublicrecordsthereofforthree
years after the election to which they pertain. They shall not be removed therefrom except upon order of the
Commissionorofacompetentcourtandshall,duringregularofficehours,besubjectandopentoinspectionbythe
public.Theofficerinchargethereof,shall,ondemand,furnishcertifiedcopiesofanystatementuponpaymentof
thefeeprescribedunderSection270hereof.

It shall be the duty of the Commission to examine all statements of contributions and expenditures of candidates
andpoliticalpartiestodeterminecompliancewiththeprovisionsofthisArticle.

Section 111. Effect of failure to file statement. In addition to other sanctions provided in this Code, no person
electedtoanypublicofficeshallenteruponthedutiesofhisofficeuntilhehasfiledthestatementofcontributions
andexpenditureshereinrequired.

The same prohibition shall apply if the political party which nominated the winning candidate fails to file the
statementsrequiredhereinwithintheperiodprescribedbythisCode.

Section112.Reportofcontractorandbusinessfirms.Everypersonorfirmtowhomanyelectoralexpenditureis
made shall, within thirty days after the day of the election, file with the Commission a report setting forth the full
names and exact addresses of the candidates, treasurers of political parties, and other persons incurring such
expenditures,thenatureorpurposeofeachexpenditure,thedateandcoststhereof,andsuchotherparticularsas
theCommissionmayrequire.Thereportshallbesignedandsworntobythesupplierorcontractor,orincaseofa
businessfirmorassociation,byitspresidentorgeneralmanager.

It shall be the duty of such person or firm to whom an electoral expenditure is made to require every agent of a
candidateorofthetreasurerofapoliticalpartytopresentwrittenauthoritytoincurelectoralexpendituresinbehalf
of such candidate or treasurer, and to keep and preserve at its place of business, subject to inspection by the
Commission or its authorized representatives, copies of such written authority, contracts, vouchers, invoices and
otherrecordsanddocumentsrelativetosaidexpendituresforaperiodofthreeyearsafterthedateoftheelectionto
whichtheypertain.

Itshallbeunlawfulforanysupplier,contractororbusinessfirmtoenterintocontractinvolvingelectionexpenditures
withrepresentativesofcandidatesorpoliticalpartieswithoutsuchwrittenauthority.

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ARTICLEXII
REGISTRATIONOFVOTERS

Section 113. Permanent List of Voters. Any provision of Presidential Decree No. 1896 to the contrary
notwithstanding,thelistofvoterspreparedandusedintheelectionofMembersoftheBatasangPambansaonMay
14, 1984, with such additions, cancellations and corrections as may hereafter be made in accordance with the
provisionsofthisCode,shallconstitutethepermanentlistofvotersineachcityormunicipality,asthecasemaybe,
until1996.

Forpurposesofthenextfollowingelection,theCommission,throughtheelectionregistrars,shallassigntheproper
precinctsandpollingplacestotheregisteredvotersinsaidlist.Writtennoticeofanysuchchangeshallbemadeto
theaffectedvoterswithintwoweekstherefrom.

Section114.RenewalofthePermanentList.Thelistofvoterspreparedinaccordancewiththeprecedingsection
shallberenewedinnineteenhundredandninetysixandeverytwelveyearsthereafter.

Section 115. Necessity of Registration. In order that a qualified elector may vote in any election, plebiscite or
referendum,hemustberegisteredinthepermanentlistofvotersforthecityormunicipalityinwhichheresides.

Section116.Whomayberegisteredinthelist.Allpersonshavingcompliedwiththerequisiteshereinprescribed
fortheregistrationofvotersshallberegisteredinthelist,providedtheypossessallthequalificationsandnoneof
thedisqualificationsofavoter.Thosewhofailedtoregisterintheelectionof1984,foranyreasonwhatsoever,may
registerinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisCode.Anypersonwhomaynothaveonthedateofregistrationthe
ageorperiodofresidencerequiredmayalsoberegistereduponproofthatonthedateoftheelection,plebisciteor
referendumheshallhavesuchqualifications.

Section117.Qualificationsofavoter.EverycitizenofthePhilippines,nototherwisedisqualifiedbylaw,eighteen
yearsofageorover,whoshallhaveresidedinthePhilippinesforoneyearandinthecityormunicipalitywhereinhe
proposestovoteforatleastsixmonthsimmediatelyprecedingtheelection,mayberegisteredasavoter.

Any person who transfers residence to another city, municipality or country solely by reason of his occupation
profession employment in private or public service educational activities work in military or naval reservations
service in the army, navy or air force the constabulary or national police force or confinement or detention in
governmentinstitutionsinaccordancewithlaw,shallbedeemednottohavelosthisoriginalresidence.

Section118.Disqualifications.Thefollowingshallbedisqualifiedfromvoting:

(a)Anypersonwhohasbeensentencedbyfinaljudgmenttosufferimprisonmentfornotlessthanoneyear,
suchdisabilitynothavingbeenremovedbyplenarypardonorgrantedamnesty:Provided,however,Thatany
persondisqualifiedtovoteunderthisparagraphshallautomaticallyreacquiretherighttovoteuponexpiration
offiveyearsafterserviceofsentence.

(b)Anypersonwhohasbeenadjudgedbyfinaljudgmentbycompetentcourtortribunalofhavingcommitted
anycrimeinvolvingdisloyaltytothedulyconstitutedgovernmentsuchasrebellion,sedition,violationofthe
antisubversionandfirearmslaws,oranycrimeagainstnationalsecurity,unlessrestoredtohisfullciviland
political rights in accordance with law: Provided, That he shall regain his right to vote automatically upon
expirationoffiveyearsafterserviceofsentence.

(c)Insaneorincompetentpersonsasdeclaredbycompetentauthority.

Section119.Preparation of the permanent list of voters. For the preparation of the permanent list of voters in
nineteen hundred and ninetysix and every twelve years thereafter, the board of election inspectors referred to in
ArticleXIVhereofofeachelectionprecinctshallholdfourmeetingsontheseventhSaturday,seventhSunday,sixth
SaturdayandsixthSundayprecedingthedateoftheregularelectiontobeheld.Atthesemeetingstheboardshall
prepareeightcopiesofthelistofvotersoftheprecinctwhereinitshallregistertheelectorsapplyingforregistration.

Section 120. Preparation of the list before other regular elections. For the preparation of the list before other
regular elections, the board of election inspectors of each election precinct shall meet in the polling place on the
seventhandsixthSaturdaysbeforethedayoftheelection.Atthesemeetings,theboardshallprepareandcertify
eightcopiesofthelistofvotersofthecorrespondingprecincttransferringtheretothenamesofthevotersappearing
in the list used in the preceding election and including therein such new qualified voters as may apply for
registration,asprovidedinSection126hereof.

Section121.Preparationofthelistbeforeanyspecialelection,plebisciteorreferendum.Forthepreparationofthe
listofvotersbeforeaspecialelection,plebisciteorreferendum,theboardofelectionsinspectorsofeachelection
precinct shall hold a meeting in the polling place on the second Saturday following the day of the proclamation
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callingsuchelection.Atthismeetingtheboardshalltransferthenamesofthevotersappearinginthelistusedin
theprecedingelectionandenterthoseofthenewlyregisteredvoters.

Section122.Transferofnamesofvotersfromthepermanentlisttothecurrentone.Thetransferofthenamesof
the voters of the precinct already registered in the list used in the preceding election to the list to be made as
providedforinthetwoprecedingsectionsisaministerialdutyoftheboard,andanyomissionorerrorincopying
shallbecorrectedmotuproprio,oruponpetitionoftheinterestedparty,withoutdelayandinnocasebeyondthree
days from the time such error is noticed and if the board should refuse, the interested party may apply for such
correction to the proper municipal or metropolitan trial court which shall decide the case without delay and in no
casebeyondthreedaysfromthedatethepetitionisfiled.Thedecisionofthepropermunicipalormetropolitantrial
courtshallbefinalandunappealableinwhateverformormanner.

To facilitate the transfer of names of voters, the election registrar shall deliver the book of voters to the board of
electioninspectorsonthedaybeforetheregistrationofvoters,tobereturnedafterthelastdayofregistration.

Section123.Cancellationandexclusioninthetransferofnames. In transferring the names of the voters of the

precinct from the list used in the preceding election to the current list, the board shall exclude those who have
applied for the cancellation of their registration, those who have died, those who did not vote in the immediately
precedingtwosuccessiveregularelections,thosewhohavebeenexcludedbycourtordersissuedinaccordance
withtheprovisionsofthisCode,andthosewhohavebeendisqualified,uponmotionofanymemberoftheboardor
of any elector or watcher, upon satisfactory proof to the board and upon summons to the voter in cases of
disqualification.Themotionshallbedecidedbytheboardwithoutdelayandinnocasebeyondthreedaysfromits
filing.Shouldtheboarddenythemotion,orfailtoactthereonwithintheperiodhereinfixed,theinterestedpartymay
applyforsuchexclusiontothemunicipalormetropolitantrialcourtwhichshalldecidethepetitionwithoutdelayand
innocasebeyondthreedaysfromthedatethepetitionisfiled.Thedecisionofthecourtshallbefinal.Thepollclerk
shallkeeparecordoftheseexclusionsandshallfurnishthreecopiesthereoftotheelectionregistrarwhoshall,in
turnkeeponecopyandsendthetwoothercopiesthereoftotheprovincialelectionsupervisorandtheCommission,
tobeattachedbythemtothepermanentlistundertheircustody.

Section124.Meetingtoclosethelistofvoters.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallalsomeetonthesecond
Saturday immediately preceding the day of the regular election, or on the second day immediately preceding the
day of the special election, plebiscite or referendum whether it be Sunday or a legal holiday, for the purpose of
making such inclusions, exclusions, and corrections as may be or may have been ordered by the courts, stating
oppositeeverynamesocorrected,added,orcancelled,thedateoftheorderandthecourtwhichissuedthesame
andfortheconsecutivenumberingofthevotersoftheelectionprecinct.

Shouldtheboardfailtoincludeinthelistofvotersanypersonorderedbycompetentcourttobesoincluded,said
person shall, upon presentation of a certified copy of the order of inclusion and upon proper identification, be
allowedbytheboardtovote.

Shouldtheboardfailtoexcludefromthelistofvotersanypersonorderedbythecourttobesoexcluded,theboard
shallnotpermitsaidpersontovoteuponpresentationtoitbyanyinterestedpartyofacertifiedcopyoftheorderof
exclusion.

Section125.Reregistration.Avoterwhoisregisteredinthepermanentlistofvotersneednotregisteranewfor
subsequent elections unless he transfer residence to another city or municipality, or his registration has been
cancelled on the ground of disqualification and such disqualification has been lifted or removed. Likewise a voter
whoseregistrationhasbeencancelledduetofailuretovoteintheprecedingregularelectionmayregisteranewin
thecityormunicipalitywhereheisqualifiedtovote.

Section126.Registrationofvoters.OntheseventhandsixthSaturdaysbeforearegularelectionoronthesecond
Saturday following the day of the proclamation calling for a new special election, plebiscite or referendum, any
person desiring to be registered as a voter shall accomplish in triplicate before the board of election inspectors a
voter'saffidavitinwhichshallbestatedthefollowingdata:

(a)Name,surname,middlename,maternalsurname

(b)Dateandplaceofbirth

(c)Citizenship

(d)PeriodsofresidenceinthePhilippinesandintheplaceofregistration

(e)Exactaddresswiththenameofthestreetandhousenumberorincasethereisnone,abriefdescription
ofthelocalityandtheplace

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(f)Astatementthattheapplicanthasnotbeenpreviouslyregistered,otherwiseheshallberequiredtoattach
aswornapplicationforcancellationofhispreviousregistrationand

(g)SuchotherinformationordatawhichmayberequiredbytheCommission.

Thevoter'saffidavitshallalsocontainthreespecimensoftheapplicant'ssignatureandclearand

legibleprintsofhisleftandrighthandthumbmarksandshallbesworntoandfiledtogetherwithfourcopiesofthe
latestidentificationphotographtobesuppliedbytheapplicant.

Theoathoftheapplicantshallincludeastatementthathedoesnothaveanyofthedisqualificationsofavoterand
thathehasnotbeenpreviouslyregisteredintheprecinctorinanyotherprecinct.

Beforetheapplicantaccomplisheshisvoter'saffidavit,theboardofelectioninspectorsshallappraisetheapplicant
ofthequalificationsanddisqualificationsprescribedbylawforavoter.Itshallalsoseetoitthattheaccomplished
voter'saffidavitcontainallthedatathereinrequiredandthattheapplicant'sspecimensignatures,theprintsofhis
leftandrighthandthumbmarksandhisphotographareproperlyaffixedineachofthevoter'saffidavit.

Section127.Illiterateordisabledapplicants.Thevoter'saffidavitofanilliterateorphysicallydisabledpersonmay
bepreparedbyanyrelativewithinthefourthcivildegreeofconsanguinityofaffinityorbyanymemberoftheboard
ofelectioninspectorswhoshallpreparetheaffidavitinaccordancewiththedatasuppliedbytheapplicant.

Section128.Voter'sidentification.Theidentificationcardissuedtothevotershallserveandbeconsideredasa
documentfortheidentificationofeachregisteredvoter:Provided,however,Thatifthevoter'sidentityischallenged
onelectiondayandhecannotpresenthisvoteridentificationcard,hisidentitymaybeestablishedbythespecimen
signatures,thephotographorthefingerprintsinhisvoter'saffidavitinthebookofvoters.Noextraorduplicatecopy
ofthevoteridentificationcardshallbepreparedandissuedexceptuponauthorityoftheCommission.

Each identification card shall bear the name and the address of the voter, his date of birth, sex, civil status,
occupation, his photograph, thumbmark, the city or municipality and number of the polling place where he is
registered, his signature, his voter serial number and the signature of the chairman of the board of election
inspectors.

AnyvoterpreviouslyregisteredundertheprovisionsofPresidentialDecreeNumbered1896whodesirestosecurea
voteridentificationcardshall,onanyregistrationday,providefourcopiesofhislatestidentificationphotographto
theboardofelectioninspectorswhichuponreceiptthereofshallaffixonecopythereoftothevoter'saffidavitinthe
bookofvoters,onecopytothevoteridentificationcardtobeissuedtothevoterandtransmitthroughtheelection
registrar,onecopyeachtotheprovincialelectionsupervisorandtheCommissiontoberespectivelyattachedtothe
voter'saffidavitintheirrespectivecustody.

Section129.Actionbytheboardofelectioninspectors.Uponreceiptofthevoter'saffidavit,theboardofelection
inspectorsshallexaminethedatatherein.Ifitfindsthattheapplicantpossessesallthequalificationsandnoneof
thedisqualificationsofavoter,heshallberegistered.Otherwise,heshallnotberegistered.

Thenameandaddressofeachregisteredvotershall,immediatelyuponhisregistration,beenteredintheproper
alphabeticalgroupinthelistafterwhichthevoteridentificationcardshallbeissuedtothevoter.

Section130.Provincialcentralfileofregisteredvoters.Thereshallbeaprovincialcentralfileofregisteredvoters
containingtheduplicatecopiesofallapprovedvoter'saffidavitsineachcityandmunicipalityintheprovincewhich
shallbeunderthecustodyandsupervisionoftheprovincialelectionsupervisor.Theapplicationsshallbecompiled
alphabetically by precincts so as to make the file an exact replica of the book of voters in the possession of the
electionregistrar.

Should the book of voters in the custody of the election registrar be lost or destroyed at a time so close to the
election day that there is no time to reconstitute the same, the corresponding book of voters in the provincial file
shallbeusedduringthevoting.

Section131.Nationalcentralfileofregisteredvoters.Thereshallalsobeanationalcentralfileorregisteredvoters
consisting of the triplicate copies of all approved voters' affidavits in all cities and municipalities which shall be
prepared and kept in the central office of the Commission. The applications in the national central file shall be
compiledalphabeticallyaccordingtothesurnamesoftheregisteredvotersregardlessoftheplaceofregistration.

Section132.Preservationofvoter'saffidavits.Acopyoftheaffidavitofeachvotershallbekeptbytheboardof
electioninspectorsuntilaftertheelectionwhenitshalldeliverthesametotheelectionregistrartogetherwiththe
copiesofthelistofvotersandotherelectionpapersforuseinthenextelection.Theelectionregistrarshallcompile
thevoter'saffidavitsbyprecinctalphabeticallyinabookofvoters.Theothertwocopiesshallbesentbytheboardof
electioninspectorsonthedayfollowingthedateoftheaffidavittotheofficeoftheprovincialelectionsupervisorand
the Commission in Manila. The provincial election supervisor and the Commission shall respectively file and
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preservethevoter'saffidavitsbycityandmunicipalityandinalphabeticalorderoftheirsurnames.Thefourthcopy
shallbegiventothevoterasevidenceofhisregistration.

Section133.Columnsinthelistofvoters.Thelistofvotersshallbearrangedincolumnsasfollows:Inthefirst
columnthereshallbeentered,atthetimeofclosingofthelistbeforetheelection,anumberoppositethenameof
eachvoterregistered,beginningwithnumberoneandcontinuinginconsecutiveorderuntiltheendofthelist.Inthe
second column, the surnames of the registered voters shall be written in alphabetical order followed by their
respective first names, without abbreviations of any kind. In the third column, the respective residences of such
personswiththenameofthestreetandnumber,or,incasetherebenone,abriefdescriptionofthelocalityorplace.
Inthefourthcolumn,shallbeenteredtheperiodsofresidenceinthePhilippinesandinthecityormunicipality.Inthe
fifth column, there shall be entered on the day of the election the numbers of the ballots which were given
successively to each voter. In the sixth column, the voter shall stamp on the day of the election the mark of the
thumbofhisrighthandandundersaidmarkhissignature.Andintheseventhcolumn,thesignatureofthechairman
oftheboardofelectioninspectorswhohashandedtheballottothevoter.Itwillbesufficientthatthefifth,sixth,and
seventh columns shall be filled in the copy of the list under the custody of the board of election inspectors which
shallseetoitthatthethumbmarkisstampedplainly.

Section134.Certificate of the board of election inspectors in the list of voters. Upon the adjournment of each
meeting for the registration of voters, the board of election inspectors shall close each alphabetical group of
surnamesofvotersbywritingthedatesonthenextlineinblank,whichshallbeforthwithsignedbyeachmember,
and,beforeaddinganewnameonthesamepageatthenextmeeting,itshallwritethefollowing:"Addedatthe__
_ meeting" specifying if it is the second third or fourth meeting of the board, as the case may be. If the meeting
adjournedisthelastonefortheregistrationofvoters,theboardshall,besidesclosingeachalphabeticalgroupof
votersasaboveprovided,addattheendofthelistacertificate(a)ofthecorrectionsandcancellationsmadeinthe
permanentlist,specifyingthem,orthattherehasbeennone,and(b)ofthetotalnumberofvotersregisteredinthe
precinct.

Section135.Publication of the list. At the first hour of the working day following the last day of registration of
voters, the poll clerk shall deliver to the election registrar a copy of the list certified to by the board of election
inspectorsasprovidedintheprecedingsectionanothercopy,alsocertified,shallbesenttotheprovincialelection
supervisor of the province, and another, likewise certified, shall be sent to the Commission, in whose offices said
copiesshallbeopentopublicinspectionduringregularofficehours.Onthesamedayandhour,thepollclerkshall
alsopostacopyofthelistinthepollingplaceinasecureplaceonthedoorornearthesameataheightofameter
andahalf,whereitmaybeconvenientlyconsultedbytheinterestedparties.Thechairman,pollclerkandthetwo
membersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsshalleachkeepacopyofthelistwhichmaybeinspectedbythepublic
intheirresidenceorofficeduringregularofficehours.Immediatelyafterthemeetingfortheclosingofthelist,the
poll clerk shall also send a notice to the election registrar, provincial election supervisor and the Commission
regarding the changes and the numbering above referred to, to be attached to the copy of the list under their
custody.

Section 136. Challenge of right to register. Any person applying for registration may be challenged before the
boardofelectioninspectorsonanyregistrationdaybeanymember,voter,candidate,orwatcher.Theboardshall
thenexaminethechallengedpersonandshallreceivesuchotherevidenceasitmaydeempertinent,afterwhichit
shalldecidewhethertheelectorshallbeincludedinorexcludedfromthelistasmaybeproper.Allchallengesshall
beheardanddecidedwithoutdelay,andinnocasebeyondthreedaysfromthedatethechallengewasmade.

After the question has been decided, the board of election inspectors shall give to each party a brief certified
statementsettingforththechallengeandthedecisionthereon.

Section137.Poweroftheboardofelectioninspectorstoadministeroathsandissuesummons.Forthepurpose
ofdeterminingtherightofapplicantstoberegisteredasvotersinthelist,theboardofelectioninspectorsshallhave
the same power to administer oaths, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum and to compel witnesses to
appearandtestify,butthelatter'sfeesandexpenses

incidenttotheprocessshallbepaidinadvancebythepartyinwhosebehalfthesummonsisissued.

Section138.Jurisdictionininclusionandexclusioncases.Themunicipalandmetropolitantrialcourtsshallhave
originalandexclusivejurisdictionoverallmattersofinclusionandexclusionofvotersfromthelistintheirrespective
municipalities or cities. Decisions of the municipal or metropolitan trial courts may be appealed directly by the
aggrieved party to the proper regional trial court within five days from receipt of notice thereof, otherwise said
decisionofthemunicipalormetropolitantrialcourtshallbecomefinalandexecutoryaftersaidperiod.Theregional
trialcourtshalldecidetheappealwithintendaysfromthetimetheappealwasreceivedanditsdecisionshallbe
immediatelyfinalandexecutory.Nomotionforreconsiderationshallbeentertainedbythecourts.

Section139. Petition for inclusion of voters in the list. Any person whose application for registration has been
disapprovedbytheboardofelectioninspectorsorwhosenamehasbeenstrickenoutfromthelistmayapply,within
twentydaysafterthelastregistrationday,tothepropermunicipalormetropolitantrialcourt,foranorderdirecting
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theboardofelectioninspectorstoincludeorreinstatehisnameinthelist,togetherwiththecertificateoftheboard
ofelectioninspectorsregardinghiscaseandproofofserviceofnoticeofhispetitionuponamemberoftheboardof
electioninspectorswithindicationofthetime,place,andcourtbeforewhichthepetitionistobeheard.

Section140.Votersexcludedthroughinadvertenceorregisteredwithanerroneousormisspelledname.Anyvoter
registered in the permanent list who has not been included in the list prepared for the election or who has been
included therein with a wrong or misspelled name shall have the right to file an application on any date with the
propermunicipalormetropolitantrialcourt,foranorderdirectingthathisnamebereinstatedinthelistorthathebe
registeredwithhiscorrectname.Heshallattachtosuchapplicationacertifiedcopyoftheentryofhisnameinthe
list of the preceding election, together with proof that he has applied without success to the board of election
inspectorsandthathehasservednoticethereofuponamemberoftheboard.

Section141.Changeofnameofregisteredvoter.Anypreviouslyregisteredvoterwhosenamehasbeenchanged
byreasonofmarriageorbyvirtueofacourtordermayrequesttheboardofelectioninspectorsduringanyofits
meetingsheldunderthisArticlethathisregistrationinthelistberecordedunderhisorhernewname.

Section142.Petitionforexclusionofvotersfromthelist.Anyregisteredvoterinacityormunicipalitymayapplyat
anytimeexceptduringtheperiodbeginningwiththetwentyfirstdayafterthelastregistrationdayofanyelectionup
toandincludingelectiondaywiththepropermunicipalormetropolitantrialcourt,fortheexclusionofavoterfrom
thelist,givingthenameandresidenceofthelatter,theprecinctinwhichheisregistered,andthegroundsforthe
challenge. The petition shall be sworn to and accompanied by proof of notice to the board of election inspectors
concerned,ifthesameisdulyconstituted,andtothechallengedvoters.

Section143.Commonrulesgoverningjudicialproceedingsinthematterofinclusion,exclusion,andcorrectionof
namesofvoters.

(a)Outsideofregularofficehoursnopetitionforinclusion,exclusion,orcorrectionofnamesofvotersshallbe
received.

(b)Noticestothemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsandtochallengedvotersshallstatetheplace,
dayandhourinwhichsuchpetitionshallbeheard,andsuchnoticemaybemadebysendingacopythereof
byregisteredmailorbypersonaldeliveryorbyleavingitinthepossessionofapersonofsufficientdiscretion
intheresidenceofthesaidpersonor,intheeventthattheforegoingprocedureisnotpracticable,byposting
acopyinaconspicuousplaceinthecityhallormunicipalbuildingandintwootherconspicuousplaceswithin
thecityormunicipality,atleasttendayspriortothedaysetforthehearing.

In the interest of justice and to afford the challenged voter every opportunity to contest the petition for
exclusion, the court concerned may, when the challenged voter fails to appear in the first day set for the
hearing,orderthatnoticebeeffectedinsuchmannerandwithinsuchperiodoftimeasitmaydecide,which
timeshallinnocasebemorethantendaysfromthedaytherespondentisfirstfoundindefault.

(c)Eachpetitionshallrefertoonlyoneprecinct.

(d) No costs shall be assessed in these proceedings. However, if the court should be satisfied that the
application has been filed for the sole purpose of molesting the adverse party and causing him to incur
expenses,itmaycondemntheculpablepartytopaythecostsandincidentalexpenses.

(e)Anycandidatewhomaybeaffectedbytheproceedingsmayinterveneandpresenthisevidence.

(f)Thedecisionshallbebasedontheevidencepresented.Ifthequestioniswhetherornotthevoterisrealor
fictitious, his nonappearance on the day set for hearing shall be prima facie evidence that the registered
voterisfictitious.Innocaseshalladecisionberendereduponastipulationoffacts.

(g) These applications shall be heard and decided without delay. The decision shall be rendered within six
hoursafterthehearingandwithintendaysfromthedateofitsfilingincourt.Casesappealedtotheregional
trialcourtshallbedecidedwithintendaysfromreceiptoftheappealintheofficeoftheclerkofcourt.Inany
case, the court shall decide these petitions not later than the day before the election and the decision
renderedthereonshallbeimmediatelyfinalandexecutory,notwithstandingtheprovisionsofSection138on
thefinalityofdecisions.

Section 144. Canvass to check registration. The election registrar shall, once every two years or more often
shouldtheCommissiondeemitnecessaryinordertopreservetheintegrityofthepermanentlistsofvoters,conduct
verification by mail or housetohouse canvass, or both, of the registered voters of any barangay for purposes of
exclusionproceedings.

Section 145. Annulment of permanent lists of voters. Any book of voters not prepared in accordance with the
provisions of this Code or the preparation of which has been effected with fraud, bribery, forgery, impersonation,

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intimidation,force,oranyothersimilarirregularityorwhichlistisstatisticallyimprobablemay,uponverifiedpetition
ofanyvoterorelectionregistrar,ordulyregisteredpoliticalparty,andafternoticeandhearing,beannulledbythe
Commission: Provided, That no order, ruling or decision annulling a book of voters shall be executed within sixty
daysbeforeanelection.

Section 146. Reconstitution of lost or destroyed registration records. The Commission shall reconstitute all
registrationrecordswhichhavebeenlostordestroyed.Forthispurpose,itshallbethedutyoftheelectionregistrar
toimmediatelyreporttotheCommissionanycaseoflossordestructionofapprovedapplicationsforregistrationin
their custody. Such reconstitution shall be made with the use of the corresponding copies in the national or
provincialcentralfilesofregisteredvoters:Provided,Thatifthisisnotfeasible,theregisteredvoterconcernedmay
be summoned by the election registrar to effect such reconstitution by accomplishing a new application.
Reconstitutedformsshallbeclearlymarkedwiththeword"reconstituted".

The reconstitution of any lost or destroyed application for registration shall not affect the criminal liability of any
personorpersonswhomayberesponsibleforsuchlossordestruction.

Section147.Examinationofregistrationrecords.Allregistrationrecordsinthepossessionofthecityormunicipal
electionregistrar,theprovincialelectionsupervisor,andtheCommissionshall,duringregularofficehours,beopen
toexaminationbythepublicwithlegitimateinquiriesforpurposesofelection.

Law enforcement agencies shall, upon prior authorization by the Commission, have access to said registration
recordsshouldthesamebenecessaryto,orinaidof,theirinvestigativefunctionsandduties,subjecttoregulations
promulgatedbytheCommission.

Section148.Listofvoters.Fifteendaysbeforethedateoftheregularelectionorspecialelection,referendumor
plebiscite, the board of election inspectors must post the final list of voters in each precinct with each and every
pagethereofdulysignedorsubscribedandsworntobythemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsandthat
failuretocomplywiththisprovisionwillconstituteanelectionoffense.

Anycandidateorauthorizedrepresentativeofanaccreditedpoliticalparty,uponformalrequestmadetoanelection
registrar, shall be entitled to a certified copy of the most recent list of voters in any precinct, municipality, city or
province,uponpaymentofareasonablefeeasmaybeprescribedbytheCommission.

ARTICLEXIII
PRECINCTSANDPOLLINGPLACES

Section 149. Precincts and their establishment. The unit of territory for the purpose of voting is the election
precinct,andeverybarangayasoftheapprovalofthisActshallhaveatleastonesuchprecinct.

TheCommissionshallestablishallelectionprecincts.

Theprecinctsactuallyestablishedintheprecedingregularelectionshallbemaintained,buttheCommissionmay
introduce such adjustments,changesor newdivisionsorabolishthem,ifnecessary: Provided, however, That the
territory comprising an election precinct shall not be altered or a new precinct established within fortyfive days
beforearegularelectionandthirtydaysbeforeaspecialelectionorareferendumorplebiscite.

Section150.Arrangementsofelectionprecincts.

(a) Each election precinct shall have, as far as possible not more than three hundred voters and shall
comprise,asfaraspracticable,contiguousandcompactterritory.

(b)Whenitappearsthatanelectionprecinctcontainsmorethanthreehundredvoters,theCommissionshall,
in the interest of orderly election, and in order to facilitate the casting of votes, be authorized to divide a
precinct not later than one week after the last day of registration of voters. But the polling place of all the
precinctscreatedtherebyshallbelocatedinthesamebuildingorcompoundwherethepollingplaceofthe
originalprecinctislocated,andifthisbenotfeasible,inaplaceascloseaspossibletothepollingplaceof
theoriginalprecinct:Provided,however,Thatthepollingplaceofthenewprecinctmaybelocatedelsewhere
uponwrittenpetitionofthemajorityofthevotersofthenewprecinct:Provided,further,Thatwhenaprecinct
is divided into two or more precincts, the registered voters shall be included in the precinct wherein they
reside. Every case of alteration of a precinct shall be duly published by posting a notice of any change in
conspicuouslocationintheprecinct,andinthemunicipalbuildingorcityhall,asthecasemaybe.

(c) A municipality which has been merged with another municipality shall constitute at least one election
precinct, if the distance between the remotest barangay of the merged municipality and the nearest polling
placeinthemunicipalitytowhichithasbeenmergedshall,bytheshortestroad,exceedfivekilometers.

(d)Anislandorgroupofislandshavingonehundredandfiftyormorevotersshallconstituteaprecinct.

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(e) Any alteration of the election precincts or the establishment of new ones shall be communicated to the
provincialelectionsupervisor,theprovincialsuperintendentofschools,etc.togetherwiththecorresponding
maps,whichshallbepublishedasprescribedinthenextsucceedingsections.

Section 151. Publication of maps or precincts. At least five days before the first registration day preceding a
regularelectionorspecialelectionorareferendumoraplebiscite,theCommissionshall,throughitsdulyauthorized
representative, post in the city hall or municipal building and in three other conspicuous places in the city or
municipality and on the door of each polling place, a map of the city or municipality showing its division into
precincts with their respective boundaries and indicating therein all streets and alleys in populous areas and the
locationofeachpollingplace.

Thesemapsshallbekeptposteduntilaftertheelection,referendumorplebiscite.

Section152.Pollingplace.Apollingplaceisthebuildingorplacewheretheboardofelectioninspectorsconducts
itsproceedingsandwherethevotersshallcasttheirvotes.

Section 153. Designation of polling places. The location of polling places designated in the preceding regular
electionshallcontinuewithsuchchangesastheCommissionmayfindnecessary,afternoticetoregisteredpolitical
partiesandcandidatesinthepoliticalunitaffected,ifany,andhearing:Provided,Thatnolocationshallbechanged
withinfortyfivedaysbeforearegularelectionandthirtydaysbeforeaspecialelectionorareferendumorplebiscite,
exceptincaseitisdestroyedoritcannotbeused.

Section154.Requirementsforpollingplaces.Eachpollingplaceshallbe,asfaraspracticable,agroundfloorand
shallbeofsufficientsizetoadmitandcomfortablyaccommodatefortyvotersatonetimeoutsidetheguardrailfor
theboardofelectioninspectors.Thepollingplaceshallbelocatedwithintheterritoryoftheprecinctascentrallyas
possiblewithrespecttotheresidenceofthevotersthereinandwheneverpossible,suchlocationshallbealonga
public road. No designation of polling places shall be changed except upon written petition of the majority of the
votersoftheprecinctoragreementofallthepoliticalpartiesorbyresolutionoftheCommissionuponpriornotice
andhearing.

Apublicbuildinghavingtherequirementsprescribedintheprecedingparagraphshallbepreferredaspollingplace.

Section155.Building that shall not be used as polling places. No polling place shall be located in a public or
privatebuildingowned,leased,oroccupiedbyanycandidateorofanypersonwhoisrelatedtoanycandidatewithin
thefourthcivildegreeofconsanguinityoraffinity,oranyofficerofthegovernmentorleaderofanypoliticalparty,
group or faction, nor in any building or surrounding premises under the actual control of a private entity, political
partyorreligiousorganization.Inplaceswherenosuitablepublicbuildingisavailable,privateschoolbuildingsmay
beusedaspollingplaces.Nopollingplaceshallbelocatedwithintheperimeteroforinsideamilitaryorpolicecamp
orreservationorwithinaprisoncompound.

Anyregisteredvoter,candidateorpoliticalpartymaypetitiontheCommissionnotlaterthanthirtydaysbeforethe
firstregistrationdayforthetransferofthepollingplacefromtheprohibitedbuildingsprovidedherein.Suchpetition
shallbeheardanddecidedbytheCommissionwithintwentydaysfromthefilingofthepetition.Failuretoeffectthe
transferofthepollingplaceaftertheCommissionfoundittobelocatedinviolationofthissectionwithintheperiod
prescribedhereinshallbeagroundforthepostponementoftheelectioninthepollingplaceconcerned.

Section156.Signsandflagsofpollingplaces.Onthedayofthevotingaswellasonanydaythattheboardof
electioninspectorsmightmeet,everypollingplaceshallhaveinfrontasignshowingthenumberoftheprecinctto
whichitbelongsandthePhilippineflagshallbehoistedattheproperheight.

Section157.Arrangementandcontentsofpollingplaces.Eachpollingplaceshallconformasmuchaspossibleto
thesketchonthefollowingpage.

Section158.Votingbooth.Duringthevoting,thereshallbeineachpollingplaceaboothforeverytwentyvoters
registeredintheprecinct.Eachboothshallbeopenonthesidefrontingthetablefortheboardofelectioninspectors
anditsthreesidesshallbeclosedwithwallsatleastseventycentimeterswideandtwometershigh.Theupperpart
shallbecovered,ifnecessary,topreservethesecrecyoftheballot.Eachboothshallhaveinthebackgroundashelf
so placed that voters can write therein while standing and shall be kept clearly lighted, by artificial lights, if
necessary,duringthevoting.

The Commission shall post inside each voting booth and elsewhere in the polling place on the day before the
election,referendumandplebiscitealistcontainingthenamesofallthecandidatesortheissuesorquestionstobe
votedfor,andshallatalltimesduringthevotingperiodkeepsuchlistpostedinsaidplaces.

Section159.Guardrails.

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(a)Ineverypollingplacethereshallbeaguardrailbetweenthevotingboothsandthetablefortheboardof
electioninspectorswhichshallhaveseparateentranceandexit.Theboothsshallbesoarrangedthatthey
can be accessible only by passing through the guard rail and by entering through its open side facing the
tableoftheboardofelectioninspectors.

(b)Thereshallalsobeaguardrailforthewatchersbetweentheplacereservedforthemandthetableforthe
board of election inspectors and at a distance of not more than fifty centimeters from the latter so that the
watchersmayseeandreadclearlyduringthecountingofthecontentsoftheballotsandseeandcountthe
votesrecordedbytheboardofelectioninspectorsmemberonthecorrespondingtallysheets.

(c)Thereshallalsobe,ifpossible,guardrailsseparatingthetableoftheboardofelectioninspectorsfromthe
voterswaitingfortheirturntocasttheirvotes,withentranceandexittogivethemorderlyaccesstothetable
andtheboothsduringthevoting.

(d)Thepollingplaceshallbesoarrangedthatthebooths,thetable,theballotboxesandthewholepolling
place,exceptwhatisbeingwrittenwithinthebooths,shallbeinplainviewoftheboardofelectioninspectors,
thewatchersandotherpersonswhomaybewithinthepollingplace.

Section160.Ballotboxes.

(a) There shall be in each polling place on the day of the voting a ballot box one side of which shall be
transparentwhichshallbesetinamannervisibletothevotingpubliccontainingtwocompartments,namely,
thecompartmentforvalidballotswhichisindicatedbyaninteriorcoverpaintedwhiteandthecompartment
forspoiledballotswhichisindicatedbyaninteriorcoverpaintedred.Theboxesshallbeuniformthroughout
thePhilippinesandshallbesolidlyconstructedandshallbeclosedwiththreedifferentlocksaswellasthree
numberedsecuritylocksandsuchothersafetydevicesastheCommissionmayprescribeinsuchawaythat
theycannotbeopenedexceptbymeansofthreedistinctkeysandbydestroyingsuchsafetydevices.

(b) In case of the destruction or disappearance of any ballot box on election day, the board of election
inspectors shall immediately report it to the city or municipal treasurer who shall furnish another box or
receptacleasequallyadequateaspossible.Theelectionregistrarshallreporttheincidentandthedeliveryof
a new ballot box by the fastest means of communication on the same day to the Commission and to the
provincialelectionsupervisor.

Section161.Tallyboards.Atthebeginningofthecounting,thereshallbeplacedwithintheplainviewoftheboard
ofelectioninspectors,watchersandthepublic,atallyboardwherethenamesofalltheregisteredcandidatesorthe
issuesorquestionstobevoteduponshallbewritten,andthepollclerkshallrecordthereonthevotesreceivedby
eachofthemasthechairmanoftheboardofelectioninspectorsreadstheballot.

Section 162. Furnishing of ballot boxes, forms, stationeries and materials for election. The Commission shall
prepareandfurnishtheballotboxes,forms,stationeriesandmaterialsnecessaryfortheregistrationofvotersand
theholdingoftheelection.

The provincial, city and municipal treasurer shall have custody of such election paraphernalia, supplies and
materials as are entrusted to him under the law or rules of the Commission and shall be responsible for their
preservationandstorage,andforanyloss,destruction,impairmentordamageofanyelectionequipment,material
ordocumentintheirpossessionfurnishedunderthisCode.

Section163.Inspectionofpollingplaces.Beforethedayoftheelection,referendumorplebiscite,theChairmanof
theCommissionshall,throughitsauthorizedrepresentatives,seetoitthatallpollingplacesareinspectedandsuch
omissionsanddefectsasmaybefoundcorrected.TheCommissionshallkeepthereportsontheseinspections.

ARTICLEXIV
BOARDOFELECTIONINSPECTORS

Section164.Composition and appointment of board of election inspectors. At least thirty days before the date
whenthevoterslististobeprepareinaccordancewiththisCode,inthecaseofaregularelectionorfifteendays
beforeaspecialelection,theCommissionshall,directlyorthroughitsdulyauthorizedrepresentatives,constitutea
boardofelectioninspectorsforeachprecincttobecomposedofachairmanandapollclerkwhomustbepublic
school teachers, priority to be given to civil service eligibles, and two members, each representing the two
accreditedpoliticalparties.Theappointmentshallstatetheprecincttowhichtheyareassignedandthedateofthe
appointment.

Section 165. Oath of the members of the board of election inspectors. The members of the board of election
inspectors, whether permanent, substitute or temporary, shall before assuming their office, take and sign an oath

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uponformspreparedbytheCommission,beforeanofficerauthorizedtoadministeroathsor,inhisabsence,before
anyothermemberoftheboardofelectioninspectorspresent,orincasenooneispresent,theyshalltakeitbefore
anyvoter.Theoathsshallbesentimmediatelytothecityormunicipaltreasurer.

Section166.Qualificationofmembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.Nopersonshallbeappointedchairman,
member or substitute member of the board of election inspectors unless he is of good moral character and
irreproachable reputation, a registered voter of the city or municipality, has never been convicted of any election
offenseorofanyothercrimepunishablebymorethansixmonthsofimprisonment,orifhehaspendingagainsthim
aninformationforanyelectionoffense.HemustbeabletospeakandwriteEnglishorthelocaldialect.

Section167.Disqualification.Nopersonshallserveaschairmanormemberoftheboardofelectioninspectorsif
he is related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any member of the board of election
inspectorsortoanycandidatetobevotedforinthepollingplaceorhisspouse.

Section168.Powersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallhavethefollowing
powersandfunctions:

a.Conductthevotingandcountingofvotesintheirrespectivepollingplaces

b. Act as deputies of the Commission in the supervision and control of the election in the polling places
whereintheyareassigned,toassuretheholdingofthesameinafree,orderlyandhonestmannerand

c.PerformsuchotherfunctionsprescribedbythisCodeorbytherulesandregulationspromulgatedbythe
Commission.

Section 169. Voting privilege of members of board of election inspectors. Members of the board of election
inspectors and their substitutes may vote in the polling place where they are assigned on election day: Provided,
That they are registered voters within the province, city or municipality where they are assigned: and Provided,
finally, That their voting in the polling places where they are not registered voters be noted in the minutes of the
boardofelectioninspectors.

Section170.Reliefandsubstitutionofmembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.Publicschoolteacherswho
aremembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsshallnotberelievednordisqualifiedfromactingassuchmembers,
exceptforcauseandafterduehearing.

Anymemberoftheboardofelectioninspectors,nominatedbyapoliticalparty,aswellashissubstitutemayatany
time be relieved from office and substituted with another having the legal qualifications upon petition of the
authorizedrepresentativeofthepartyuponwhosenominationtheappointmentwasmade,anditshallbeunlawful
topreventsaidpersonfrom,ordisturbhimin,theperformanceofthedutiesofthesaidoffice.Arecordofeachcase
ofsubstitutionshallbemade,settingforththereinthehourinwhichthereplacedmemberhasceasedintheoffice
andthestatusoftheworkoftheboardofelectioninspectors.Saidrecordshallbesignedbyeachmemberofthe
boardofelectioninspectorsincludingtheincomingandoutgoingofficers.

Section171.Vacancyintheboardofelectioninspectors.Everyvacancyintheboardofelectioninspectorsshall
befilledfortheremainingperiodinthemannerhereinbeforeprescribed.

Section172.Proceedings of the board of election inspectors. The meetings of the board of election inspectors
shallbepublicandshallbeheldonlyinthepollingplaceauthorizedbytheCommission.

Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallhavefullauthoritytomaintainorderwithinthepollingplaceanditspremises,
to keep access thereto open and unobstructed, and to enforce obedience to its lawful orders. If any person shall
refusetoobeylawfulordersoftheboardofelectioninspectors,orshallconducthimselfinadisorderlymannerinits
presenceorwithinitshearingandtherebyinterruptordisturbitsproceedings,theboardofelectioninspectorsmay
issueanorderinwritingdirectinganypeaceofficertotakesuchpersonintocustodyuntiltheadjournmentofthe
meeting,butsuchordershallnotbeexecutedastopreventanypersonsotakenintocustodyfromexercisinghis
righttovote.Suchordershallbeexecutedbyanypeaceofficertowhomitmaybedelivered,butifnonebepresent,
byanyotherpersondeputizedbytheboardofelectioninspectorsinwriting.

Section173.Prohibition of political activity. No member of the board of election inspectors shall engage in any
partisanpoliticalactivityortakepartintheelectionexcepttodischargehisdutiesassuchandtovote.

Section174.Functioningoftheboardofelectioninspectors.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallactthroughits
chairman,andshalldecidewithoutdelaybymajorityvoteallquestionswhichmayariseintheperformanceofits
duties.

Section175.Temporaryvacancies.If,atthetimeofthemeetingoftheboardofelectioninspectors,anymember
isabsent,ortheofficeisstillvacant,thememberspresentshallcalluponthesubstituteortheabsentmembersto
performthedutiesofthelatterand,incasesuchsubstitutecannotbefound,thememberspresentshallappoint
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any nonpartisan registered voter of the polling place to temporarily fill said vacancy until the absent member
appears or the vacancy is filled. In case there are two or more members present, they shall act jointly: Provided,
Thatiftheabsentmemberisonewhohasbeenproposedbyanaccreditedpoliticalparty,therepresentativeofsaid
politicalpartyorinhisabsencethewatchersbelongingtosaidpartyshalldesignatearegisteredvoterofthepolling
placetotemporarilyfillsaidvacancy:Provided,further,Thatintheeventorrefusalorfailureofeitherrepresentative
orwatchersofsaidpoliticalpartytomakethedesignation,themembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorspresent
shallchooseanonpartisanregisteredvoterofthepollingplacetofillthevacancy.

Section176.Temporarydesignationofmembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsbywatchers.Ifatthetimethe
boardofelectioninspectorsmustmeet,allthepositionsintheboardofelectioninspectorsarevacant,orifnotone
oftheappointedmembersshallappear,thewatcherspresentmaydesignatevotersofthepollingplacetoactinthe
placeofsaidmembersuntiltheabsenteesshallappearorthevacanciesarefilled.

Section177.Arrestofabsentmembers.Thememberormembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorspresentmay
order the arrest of any other member or substitute thereof, who in their judgment, has absented himself with
intentionofobstructingtheperformanceofdutiesoftheboardofelectioninspectors.

ARTICLEXV
WATCHERS

Section178.Officialwatchersofcandidates.Everyregisteredpoliticalparty,coalitionofpoliticalpartiesandevery
independentcandidateshalleachbeentitledtoonewatcherineverypollingplace.

Nopersonshallbeappointedwatcherunlessheisaqualifiedvoterofthecityormunicipality,ofgoodreputationand
shall not have been convicted by final judgment of any election offense or of any other crime, must know how to
readandwritePilipino,English,Spanishoranyoftheprevailinglocaldialects,andnotrelatedwithinthefourthcivil
degreeofconsanguinityoraffinitytothechairmanoranymemberoftheboardofelectioninspectorsinthepolling
placewhereheseeksappointmentasawatcher.

Eachcandidate,politicalpartyorcoalitionofpoliticalpartiesshalldesignateineveryprovince,highlyurbanizedcity
ordistrictintheMetropolitanManilaarea,arepresentativeauthorizedtoappointwatchers,furnishingtheprovincial
election supervisor or the city election registrar, as the case may be, the names of such representatives. The
provincial election supervisors shall furnish the municipal election registrars and election registrars of component
citieswiththelistofsuchrepresentatives.

InthecaseofMetropolitanManila,thedesignationofthepersonsauthorizedtoappointwatchersshallbefiledwith
the Commission, which shall furnish the list of such representatives to the respective city and municipal election
registrars.

Section 179. Rights and duties of watchers. Upon entering the polling place, the watchers shall present and
deliver to the chairman of the board of election inspectors his appointment, and forthwith, his name shall be
recordedintheminuteswithanotationunderhissignaturethatheisnotdisqualifiedunderthesecondparagraphof
Section178.Theappointmentsofthewatchersshallbearthepersonalsignatureorthefacsimilesignatureofthe
candidateorthedulyauthorizedrepresentativesofthepoliticalpartyorcoalitionofpoliticalpartieswhoappointed
himoroforganizationsauthorizedbytheCommissionunderSection180.Thewatchersshallhavetherighttostay
inthespacereservedfortheminsidethepollingplace.Theyshallhavetherighttowitnessandinformthemselves
oftheproceedingsoftheboardofelectioninspectors,includingitsproceedingsduringtheregistrationofvoters,to
takenotesofwhattheymayseeorhear,totakephotographsoftheproceedingsandincidents,ifany,duringthe
countingofvotes,aswellasofelectionreturns,tallyboardsandballotboxes,tofileaprotestagainstanyirregularity
orviolationoflawwhichtheybelievemayhavebeencommittedbytheboardofelectioninspectorsorbyanyofits
members or by any persons, to obtain from the board of election inspectors a certificate as to the filing of such
protestand/oroftheresolutionthereon,toreadtheballotsaftertheyshallhavebeenreadbythechairman,aswell
astheelectionreturnsaftertheyshallhavebeencompletedandsignedbythemembersoftheboardofelection
inspectorswithouttouchingthem,buttheyshallnotspeaktoanymemberoftheboardofelectioninspectors,orto
anyvoter,oramongthemselves,insuchamanneraswoulddistracttheproceedings,andtobefurnishedwitha
certificateofthenumberofvotesinwordsandfigurescastforeachcandidate,dulysignedandthumbmarkedbythe
chairmanandallthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.Refusalofthechairmanandthemembersofthe
board of election inspectors to sign and furnish such certificate shall constitute an election offense and shall be
penalizedunderthisCode.

Section180.Otherwatchers. The duly accredited citizens arm of the Commission shall be entitled to appoint a
watcher in every polling place. Other civic, religious, professional, business, service, youth and any other similar
organizations,withpriorauthorityoftheCommission,shallbeentitledcollectivelytoappointonewatcherinevery
pollingplace.

ARTICLEXVI
OFFICIALBALLOTSANDELECTIONRETURNS
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Section181.Officialballots.Ballotsfornationalandlocalofficesshallbeofuniformsizeandcolorandshallbe
provided at public expense. They shall be printed on paper with watermarks or other marks that will readily
distinguishtheballotpaperfromordinarypaper.Eachballotshallbeintheshapeofastripwithstubanddetachable
coupon containing the serial number of the ballot, and a space for the thumbmark of the voter on the detachable
coupon.ItshallbearatthetoponthemiddleportionthereofthecoatofarmsoftheRepublicofthePhilippines,the
words"OfficialBallot",thenameofthecityorthemunicipalityandprovinceinwhichtheelectionisheld,thedateof
theelection,andthefollowingnotice:"Filloutthisballotsecretlyinsidethevotingbooth.Donotputanydistinctive
markonanypartofthisballot."

Theballotshallalsocontainthenamesofalltheofficestobevotedforintheelection,allowingoppositethenameof
each office, sufficient space or spaces with horizontal lines where the voter may write the name or names of the
individualcandidatesvotedforbyhim.

Thereshallnotbeanythingonthereversesideoftheballot.

BallotsincitiesandmunicipalitieswhereArabicisofgeneraluseshallhaveeachofthetitlesofofficestobevoted
printedinArabicinadditiontoandimmediatelybelowtheEnglishtitle.

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, the Commission is hereby empowered to prescribe a
different form of ballot to facilitate voting by illiterate voters and to use or adopt the latest technological and
electronicdevicesasauthorizedunderparagraph(i)ofSection52hereof.

Section182.Emergencyballots.Noballotsotherthantheofficialballotsshallbeusedorcounted,exceptinthe
eventoffailuretoreceivetheofficialballotsontime,orwheretherearenosufficientballotsforallregisteredvoters
orwheretheyaredestroyedatsuchtimeasshallrenderitimpossibletoprovideotherofficialballots,inwhichcases
the city or municipal treasurer shall provide other ballots which shall be as similar to the official ones as
circumstances will permit and which shall be uniform within each polling place. The treasurer shall immediately
reportsuchactiontotheCommission.

The municipal treasurer shall not undertake the preparation of the emergency ballots unless the political parties,
candidates and the organizations collectively authorized by the Commission to designate watchers have been
sufficientlynotifiedtosendtheirrepresentativesandhaveagreedinwritingtothepreparationanduseofemergency
ballots.

Section183.Requisitionofofficialballotsandelectionreturns.Officialballotsandelectionreturnsshallbeprinted
uponordersoftheCommission.Requisitionofofficialballotsshallbeforeachcityandmunicipality,attherateof
oneandonefifthballotsforeveryregisteredvoterinthenextprecedingelectionandforelectionreturns,atoneset
thereofforeverypollingplace.

Section 184. Printing of official ballots and elections returns. The official ballots and election returns shall be
printedbytheGovernmentPrintingOfficeand/ortheCentralBankprintingfacilitiesexclusively,undertheexclusive
supervisionandcontroloftheCommissionwhichshalldetermineandprovidethenecessarysecuritymeasuresin
theprinting,storageanddistributionthereof.

Eachballotshallbejoinedbyaperforatedlinetoastubnumberedconsecutively,beginningwithnumber"1"ineach
cityandmunicipality.Eachballotshallalsohaveatthebottomadetachablecouponbearingthesamenumberofthe
stub.Eachpadofballotsshallbearonitscoverthenameofthecityormunicipalityinwhichtheballotsaretobe
usedandtheinclusiveserialnumbersoftheballotscontainedtherein.

Theofficialballotsshallbeboundinseparatepadsoffiftyoronehundredballotseachasmayberequired.

Theelectionreturnsshallbepreparedinsetsofsixcopiespersetandshallbenumberedconsecutively,beginning
withnumber"1"ineachcityandmunicipality.Eachsetoftheelectionreturnsshallbeprintedinsuchamannerthat
willensurethattheentriesontheoriginalofthereturnsareclearlyreproducedontheothercopiesthereofandshall
bear the name of the city or municipality in which the returns are to be used. For this purposes, the Commission
shallacquire,ifnecessary,aspecialkindofcarbonpaperorchemicallytreatedpaper.

Section185.Sampleofficialballots.TheCommissionshallprovidetheboardofelectioninspectorswithsample
official ballots at the rate of thirty ballots per polling place. The sample official ballots shall be printed on colored
paper,inallrespectsliketheofficialballotsbutbearinginsteadthewords"SampleOfficialBallot",tobeshownto
the public and used in demonstrating how to fill out and fold the official ballots properly. No name of any actual
candidateshallbewrittenonthespacesforvotingonthesampleofficialballotsprovidedbytheCommission,nor
shalltheybeusedforvoting.

Section186.Distributionofofficialballotsandelectionreturns.Theofficialballotsandtheelectionreturnsshallbe
distributedbytheCommissiontoeachcityandmunicipalityattherateofoneandonefifthballotsforeveryvoter
registeredineachpollingplaceandforelectionreturns,attherateofoneseteachforeverypollingplace.

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The provincial, city or municipal treasurer shall respectively keep a record of the quantity and serial numbers of
officialballotsandelectionreturnsfurnishedthevariousprovinces,cities,municipalitiesandpollingplaces,asthe
case may be, legible copies of which record shall be furnished the duly authorized provincial, city or municipal
representatives of the ruling party and the dominant opposition party, and the Commission immediately after the
distributionismadeofsuchofficialballotsandelectionreturns.

The Commission shall prescribe the use of official delivery receipts to be signed by the election registrar and the
chairmanoftheboardofcanvassersuponreceiptoftheelectionreturns.

Noofficialballotsorelectionreturnsshallbedeliveredtotheboardofelectioninspectorsearlierthanthefirsthourof
electionday:Provided,however,ThattheCommission,afterwrittennoticetotheregisteredpoliticalpartiesandthe
candidates, may, for justifiable reasons, authorize the delivery of said official ballots and election returns to the
boardofelectioninspectorsofanyparticularpollingplaceatanearlierdate.

Section 187. Committee on printing, storage, and distribution of official ballots and election returns. The
Commissionshallappointacommitteeoffivemembers,twoofwhomshallbefromamongitspersonnel,thethirdto
bedesignatedbytheCommissiononAudit,andthelasttwotobedesignatedbytherulingpartyandthedominant
oppositionpartytoactasitsrepresentativesinsupervisingtheprinting,storageanddistributionofofficialballotsand
electionreturns.

Upontherequestofanycandidate,politicalpartyorofcivic,religious,professional,business,service,youthorany
similarorganizationscollectivelydesignatedbytheCommission,thelattershallallowanypersondesignatedbyany
oftheformeraswatchertoobservetheproceedingsofthecommitteeontheprintingofofficialballotsandelection
returns, file objections, if any, witness the printing and distribution of the ballots and the returns and guard the
premisesoftheprinter.

Section 188. Duties of the committee on printing of official ballots and election returns. Under such orders or
instructionsastheCommissionmayissue,andinadditiontogeneralsupervisionandcontrolovertheprintingand
shipmentofofficialballotsandelectionreturns,thecommitteeonprintingofofficialballotsandelectionreturnsshall
(a)takechargeoftheroomorroomswherethepaperandparaphernaliausedintheprintingofofficialballotsand
election returns are stored and where printed official ballots and election returns are packed and prepared for
shipment, (b) supervise all aspects relating to the printing, storage and shipment of official ballots and election
returnsandreporttotheCommissionanyirregularitywhichtheybelievemayhavebeencommitted,and(c)perform
suchotherrelatedfunctionsastheCommissionmaydirect.

Section189.Representativesoftheregisteredpoliticalpartiesintheverificationanddistributionofofficialballots
and election returns. The ruling party and the dominant opposition party or their respective duly authorized
representatives in the different provinces, cities and municipalities, shall submit the names of their respective
watcherswho,togetherwiththerepresentativesoftheCommissionandtheprovincial,cityandmunicipaltreasurer
shallverifythecontentsoftheboxescontainingtheshipmentofofficialballots,electionreturnsandsampleofficial
ballotsreceivedbythesaidtreasurers.Theprovincialtreasurersshallkeeparecordoftheirreceiptanddistribution
toeachmunicipaltreasurer,whilethecityandmunicipaltreasurershalleachkeeparecordoftheirdistributiontothe
boardofelectioninspectors.

ARTICLEXVII
CASTINGOFVOTES

Section190.Votinghours.Thecastingofvotesshallstartatseveno'clockinthemorningandshallendatthree
o'clockintheafternoon,exceptwhentherearevoterspresentwithinthirtymetersinfrontofthepollingplacewho
havenotyetcasttheirvotes,inwhichcasethevotingshallcontinuebutonlytoallowsaidvoterstocasttheirvotes
withoutinterruption.Thepollclerkshall,withoutdelay,prepareacompletelistcontainingthenamesofsaidvoters
consecutivelynumbered,andthevoterssolistedshallbecalledtovotebyannouncingeachnamerepeatedlythree
timesintheorderinwhichtheyarelisted.Anyvoterinthelistwhoisnotpresentwhenhisnameiscalledoutshall
notbepermittedtovote.

Section191.Preliminariestothevoting.

(a) The board of election inspectors shall meet at the polling place at sixthirty o'clock in the morning of
electiondayandshallhavethebookofvoterscontainingalltheapprovedapplicationsofregistrationofvoters
pertaining to the polling place, the certified list of voters, the certified list of candidates, the ballot box, the
officialballots,sufficientindeliblepencilsorballpensfortheuseofthevoters,theformstobeused,andall
othermaterialswhichmaybenecessary.

(b)Immediatelythereafter,thechairmanoftheboardofelectioninspectorsshallopentheballotbox,empty
bothofitscompartments,exhibitthemtoallthosepresentandbeingempty,lockitsinteriorcoverswiththree
padlocks.

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(c) The chairman shall forthwith show to the public and the watchers present the package of official ballots
received from the city, or municipal treasurer duly wrapped and sealed and the number of pads, the serial
numbersandthetypeformsoftheballotsineachpadappearingonthecover,andthebookofvotersduly
sealed.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallthenbreakthesealsofthepackageofofficialballotsandthe
bookofvoters.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallenterintheminutesthefactthatthepackageofballots,
andthebookofvoterswereshowntothepublicwiththeirwrappingandcorrespondingsealsintactand/orif
they find that the wrapping and seals are broken, such fact must be stated in the minutes as well as the
numberofpadsandtheserialnumbersofballotsthattheyfindinthepackage.

Ballotswithseparatelyprintedserialnumbersshallbedeemedspuriousandshallnotbeutilizedbytheboard
of election inspectors unless the Commission representative shall order their use in writing, stating the
reasonstherefor.

(d) The chairman and the two party members of the board of election inspectors shall retain in their
possessiontheirrespectivekeystothepadlocksduringthevoting.

(e) The box shall remain locked until the voting is finished and the counting begins. However, if it should
becomenecessarytomakeroomformoreballots,theboardofelectioninspectorsmayopentheboxinthe
presenceofthewholeboardofelectioninspectorsandthewatchers,andthechairmanshallpressdownwith
his hands the ballots contained therein without removing any of them, after which the board of election
inspectorsshallclosetheboxandlockitwiththreepadlocksashereinbeforeprovided.

Section192.Personsallowedinandaroundthepollingplace.Duringthevoting,nopersonshallbeallowedinside
thepollingplace,exceptthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors,thewatchers,therepresentativesofthe
Commission,thevoterscastingtheirvotes,thevoterswaitingfortheirturntogetinsidetheboothswhosenumber
shallnotexceedtwicethenumberofboothsandthevoterswaitingfortheirturntocasttheirvoteswhosenumber
shallnotexceedtwentyatanyonetime.Thewatchersshallstayonlyinthespacereservedforthem,itbeingillegal
forthemtoenterplacesreservedforthevotersorfortheboardofelectioninspectorsortomingleandtalkwiththe
voterswithinthepollingplace.

It shall be unlawful for any officer or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including the Philippine
Constabulary or the Integrated National Police or peace officer or any armed person belonging to any extralegal
police agency, special forces, reaction forces, strike forces, home defense units, barangay tanod, or other similar
forces or paramilitary forces, including special forces, security guards, special policeman, and all other kinds of
armedorunarmedextralegalpoliceofficers,toenteranypollingplace,unlessitishispollingplacewherehewill
votebutinsuchcaseheshouldimmediatelyleavethepollingplace,nopolicemanorpeaceofficershallbeallowed
toenterorstayinsidethepollingplaceexceptwhenthereisanactualdisturbanceofthepeaceandordertherein.
However,theboardofelectioninspectorsuponmajorityvote,ifitdeemsnecessary,maymakeacallinwriting,duly
enteredintheminutes,forthedetailofapolicemanoranypeaceofficerfortheirprotectionorfortheprotectionof
theelectiondocumentsandparaphernalia,inwhichcase,thesaidpolicemanorpeaceofficershallstayoutsidethe
pollingplacewithinaradiusofthirtymetersnearenoughtobeeasilycalledbytheboardofelectioninspectorsat
anytime,butneveratthedoor,andinnocaseshallthesaidpolicemanorpeaceofficerholdanyconversationwith
anyvoterordisturborpreventorinanymannerobstructthefreeaccessofthevoterstothepollingplace.Itshall
likewise be unlawful for any barangay official to enter and stay inside any polling place except to vote or except
whenservingasawatcherormemberoftheboardofelectioninspectors,inwhichcase,heshallleavethepolling
placeimmediatelyaftervoting.

Section193.Orderofvoting.Thevotersshallvoteintheorderoftheirentranceintothepollingplace.Thevoters
shallhavetherighttofreelyenterthepollingplaceassoonastheyarriveunlesstherearevoterswaitinginside,in
which case they shall fall in line in the order of their arrival and shall not crowd around the table of the board of
electioninspectors.Thevotersafterhavingcasttheirvotesshallimmediatelydepart.

Section194.Manner of obtaining ballots. The voter shall approach the chairman and shall give his name and
address together with other data concerning his person. In case any member of the board of election inspectors
doubts the identity of the voter, the board of election inspectors shall check his voter's identification card or, if he
does not have any, the board of election inspectors shall refer to his photograph and signature in the voter's
application for registration. If the board of election inspectors is satisfied with his identity, the chairman shall
distinctlyannouncethevoter'snameinatoneloudenoughtobeplainlyheardthroughoutthepollingplace.Ifsuch
voterhasnotbeenchallenged,orifhavingbeenchallenged,thequestionhasbeendecidedinhisfavor,thevoter
shallforthwithaffixhissignatureintheproperspaceinthevotingrecord,andthechairmanshall,afterfirstentering
the number of the ballot in the corresponding space of the voting record, deliver to the voter one ballot correctly
folded.Nopersonotherthanthechairmanshalldeliverofficialballotsnorshallmorethanoneballotbedeliveredat
onetime.

Section195.Mannerofpreparingtheballot.Thevoter,uponreceivinghisfoldedballot,shallforthwithproceedto
oneoftheemptyvotingboothsandshalltherefillhisballotbywritingintheproperspaceforeachofficethenameof
theindividualcandidateforwhomhedesirestovote.
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No voter shall be allowed to enter a booth occupied by another, nor enter the same accompanied by somebody,
exceptasprovidedforinthesucceedingsectionhereof,norstaythereinforalongertimethannecessary,norspeak
withanyoneotherthanashereinprovidedwhileinsidethepollingplace.Itshallbeunlawfultopreparetheballot
outside the voting booth, or to exhibit its contents to any person, or to erase any printing from the ballot, or to
intentionally tear or deface the same or put thereon any distinguishing mark. It shall likewise be unlawful to use
carbon paper, paraffin paper, or other means for making a copy of the contents of the ballot or make use of any
othermeanstoidentifythevoteofthevoter.

Section196.Preparationofballotsforilliterateanddisabledpersons.Avoterwhoisilliterateorphysicallyunable
to prepare the ballot by himself may be assisted in the preparation of his ballot by a relative, by affinity or
consanguinity within the fourth civil degree or if he has none, by any person of his confidence who belong to the
samehouseholdoranymemberoftheboardofelectioninspectors,exceptthetwopartymembers:Provided,That
novotershallbeallowedtovoteasilliterateorphysicallydisabledunlessitissoindicatedinhisregistrationrecord:
Provided,further,Thatinnocaseshallanassistorassistmorethanthreetimesexceptthenonpartymembersof
theboardofelectioninspectors.Thepersonthuschosenshallpreparetheballotfortheilliterateordisabledvoter
insidethevotingbooth.Thepersonassistingshallbindhimselfinaformaldocumentunderoathtofillouttheballot
strictlyinaccordancewiththeinstructionsofthevoterandnottorevealthecontentsoftheballotpreparedbyhim.
Violationofthisprovisionshallconstituteanelectionoffense.

Section197.Spoiled ballots. If a voter should accidentally spoil or deface a ballot in such a way that it cannot
lawfullybeused,heshallsurrenderiffoldedtothechairmanwhoshallnoteinthecorrespondingspaceinthevoting
recordthatsaidballotisspoiled.Thevotershallthenbeentitledtoanotherballotwhichthechairmanshallgivehim
after announcing the serial number of the second ballot and recording said serial number in the corresponding
spacesinthevotingrecord.Ifthesecondballotisagainspoiledordefacedinsuchawaythatitcannotlawfullybe
used, the same shall be surrendered to the chairman and recorded in the same manner as the first spoiled or
defacedballot.However,novotershallchangehisballotmorethantwice.

Thespoiledballotshall,withoutbeingunfoldedandwithoutremovingthedetachablecoupon,bedistinctlymarked
with the word "spoiled" and signed by the board of election inspectors on the endorsement fold thereof and
immediatelyplacedinthecompartmentforspoiledballots.

Section198.Voting.

(a)Afterthevoterhasfilledhisballotheshallfolditinthesamemanneraswhenhereceiveditandreturnit
tothechairman.

(b)Inthepresenceofallthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors,heshallaffixhisthumbmarkonthe
correspondingspaceinthecoupon,anddeliverthefoldedballottothechairman.

(c) The chairman, in the presence and view of the voter and all the members of the board of election
inspectors, without unfolding the ballot or seeing its contents, shall verify its number from the voting record
whereitwaspreviouslyentered.

(d) The voter shall fortwith affix his thumbmark by the side of his signature in the space intended for that
purpose in the voting record and the chairman shall apply silver nitrate and commassie blue on the right
forefingernailoronanyotheravailablefingernail,iftherebenoforefingernail.

(e)Thechairmanshallsignintheproperspacebesidethethumbmarkofthevoter.

(f)Thechairman,afterfindingeverythingtobeinorder,shallthendetachthecouponinthepresenceofthe
boardofelectioninspectorsandofthevoterandshalldepositthefoldedballotinthecompartmentforvalid
ballots,andthedetachedcouponinthecompartmentforspoiledballots.

(g)Thevotershallthendepart.

Anyballotreturnedtothechairmanwhosedetachablecouponhasbeenremovednotinthepresenceofthe
boardofelectioninspectorsandofthevoter,oranyballotwhosenumberdoesnotcoincidewiththenumber
oftheballotdeliveredtothevoter,asenteredinthevotingrecord,shallbeconsideredasspoiledandshallbe
somarkedandsignedbythemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.

Section199.Challengeofillegalvoters.

(a) Any voter, or watcher may challenge any person offering to vote for not being registered, for using the
nameofanotherorsufferingfromexistingdisqualification.Insuchcase,theboardofelectioninspectorsshall
satisfyitselfastowhetherornotthegroundforthechallengeistruebyrequiringproofofregistrationorthe
identityofthevoterand

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(b)Novotershallberequiredtopresenthisvoter'saffidavitonelectiondayunlesshisidentityischallenged.
Hisfailureorinabilitytoproducehisvoter'saffidavituponbeingchallenged,shallnotprecludehimfromvoting
ifhisidentitybeshownfromthephotograph,fingerprints,orspecimensignaturesinhisapprovedapplication
inthebookofvotersorifheisidentifiedunderoathbyamemberoftheboardofelectioninspectorsandsuch
identificationshallbereflectedintheminutesoftheboard.

Section200.Challenge based on certain illegal acts. Any voter or watcher may challenge any voter offering to
voteonthegroundthatthechallengedpersonhasreceivedorexpectstoreceive,haspaid,offeredorpromisedto
pay,hascontributed,offeredorpromisedtocontributemoneyoranythingofvalueasconsiderationforhisvoteor
forthevoteofanotherthathehasmadeorreceivedapromisetoinfluencethegivingorwithholdingofanysuch
voteorthathehasmadeabetorisinteresteddirectlyorindirectlyinabetwhichdependsupontheresultofthe
election.Thechallengedpersonshalltakeaprescribedoathbeforetheboardofelectioninspectorsthathehasnot
committedanyoftheactsallegedinthechallenge.Uponthetakingofsuchoath,thechallengeshallbedismissed
andthechallengedvotershallbeallowedtovote,butincaseofhisrefusaltotakesuchoath,thechallengeshallbe
sustainedandheshallnotbeallowedtovote.

Section201.Admissionofchallengedvoteimmaterialincriminalproceedings.Theadmissionofthechallenged
voteunderthetwoprecedingsectionsshallnotbeconclusiveuponanycourtastothelegalityoftheregistrationof
thevoterchallengedorhisvoteinacriminalactionagainstsuchpersonforillegalregistrationorvoting.

Section202.Record of challenges and oaths. The poll clerk shall keep a prescribed record of challenges and
oathstakeninconnectiontherewithandtheresolutionoftheboardofelectioninspectorsineachcaseand,upon
theterminationofthevoting,shallcertifythatitcontainsallthechallengesmade.Theoriginalofthisrecordshallbe
attachedtotheoriginalcopyoftheminutesofthevotingasprovidedinthesucceedingsection.

Section203.Minutesofvotingandcountingofvotes.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallprepareandsigna
statementinfourcopiessettingforththefollowing:

1.Thetimethevotingcommencedandended

2.Theserialnumbersoftheofficialballotsandelectionreturns,specialenvelopesandsealsreceived

3.Thenumberofofficialballotsusedandthenumberleftunused

4.Thenumberofvoterswhocasttheirvotes

5.Thenumberofvoterschallengedduringthevoting

6.Thenamesofthewatcherspresent

7.Thetimethecountingofvotescommencedandended

8.Thenumberofofficialballotsfoundinsidethecompartmentforvalidballots

9.Thenumberofvalidballots,ifany,retrievedfromthecompartmentforspoiledballots

10.Thenumberofballots,ifany,foundfoldedtogether

11.Thenumberofspoiledballotswithdrawnfromthecompartmentforvalidballots

12.Thenumberofexcessballots

13.Thenumberofmarkedballots

14.Thenumberofballotsreadandcounted

15.Thetimetheelectionreturnsweresignedandsealedintheirrespectivespecialenvelopes

16.Thenumberandnatureofprotestsmadebywatchersand

17.SuchothermattersthattheCommissionmayrequire.

Copies of this statement after being duly accomplished shall be sealed in separate envelopes and shall be
distributedasfollows:(a)theoriginaltothecityormunicipalelectionregistrar(b)thesecondcopytobedeposited
insidethecompartmentforvalidballotsoftheballotboxand(c)thethirdandfourthcopiestotherepresentativesof
theaccreditedpoliticalparties.

Section204.Dispositionofunusedballotsatthecloseofthevotinghours.Thechairmanoftheboardofelection
inspectorsshallpreparealistshowingthenumberofunusedballotstogetherwiththeserialnumbers.Thislistshall
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be signed by all the members of the board of election inspectors, after which all the unused ballots shall be torn
halfwayinthepresenceofthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.

Section205.Prohibition of premature announcement of voting. No member of the board of election inspectors

shall, before the termination of the voting, make any announcement as to whether a certain registered voter has
alreadyvotedornot,astohowmanyhavealreadyvotedorhowmanysofarhavefailedtovote,oranyotherfact
tendingtoshoworshowingthestateofthepolls,norshallhemakeanystatementatanytime,exceptaswitness
beforeacourt,astohowanypersonvoted.

ARTICLEXVIII
COUNTINGOFVOTES

Section206.Countingtobepublicandwithoutinterruption.Assoonasthevotingisfinished,theboardofelection
inspectors shall publicly count in the polling place the votes cast and ascertain the results. The board of election
inspectors shall not adjourn or postpone or delay the count until it has been fully completed, unless otherwise
orderedbytheCommission.

TheCommission,intheinterestoffree,orderly,andhonestelections,mayordertheboardofelectioninspectorsto
count the votes and to accomplish the election returns and other forms prescribed under this Code in any other
place within a public building in the same municipality or city: Provided, That the said public building shall not be
locatedwithintheperimeteroforinsideamilitaryorpolicecamporreservationnorinsideaprisoncompound.

Section207.Excessballots.Beforeproceedingtocountthevotestheboardofelectioninspectorsshallcountthe
ballots in the compartment for valid ballots without unfolding them or exposing their contents, except so far as to
ascertain that each ballot is single, and compare the number of ballots in the box with the number of voters who
havevoted.Ifthereareexcessballots,theyshallbereturnedintheboxandthoroughlymixedtherein,andthepoll
clerk,withoutseeingtheballotsandwithhisbacktothebox,shallpubliclydrawoutasmayballotsasmaybeequal
totheexcessandwithoutunfoldingthem,placetheminanenvelopewhichshallbemarked"excessballots"and
whichshallbesealedandsignedbythemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.Theenvelopeshallbeplaced
inthecompartmentforvalidballots,butitscontentsshallnotbereadinthecountingofvotes.Ifinthecourseofthe
examination ballots are found folded together before they were deposited in the box, they shall be placed in the
envelopeforexcessballots.Incaseballotswiththeirdetachablecouponsbefoundinthebox,suchcouponsshall
beremovedanddepositedinthecompartmentforspoiledballots,andtheballotsshallbeincludedinthefileofvalid
ballots. If ballots with the words "spoiled" be found in the box, such ballots shall likewise be placed in the
compartmentforspoiledballots.

Section208.Markedballots.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallthenunfoldtheballotsanddeterminewhether
there are any marked ballots, and, if any be found, they shall be placed in an envelope labelled "marked ballots"
whichshallbesealedandsignedbythemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsandplacedinthecompartment
for valid ballots and shall not be counted. A majority vote of the board of election inspectors shall be sufficient to
determinewhetheranyballotismarkedornot.Nonofficialballotswhichtheboardofelectioninspectorsmayfind,
exceptthosewhichhavebeenusedasemergencyballots,shallbeconsideredasmarkedballots.

Section209.Compartmentforspoiledballots.Theballotsdepositedinthecompartmentforspoiledballotsshall
bepresumedtobespoiledballots,whetherornottheycontainsuchnotationbutiftheboardofelectioninspectors
should find that during the voting any valid ballot was erroneously deposited in this compartment, or if any ballot
separatedasexcessormarkedhadbeenerroneouslydepositedtherein,theboardofelectioninspectorsshallopen
saidcompartmentafterthevotingandbeforethecountingofvotesforthesolepurposeofdrawingouttheballots
erroneouslydepositedtherein.Itshallthenprepareandsignastatementofsuchfactandlocktheboxwithitsthree
keys immediately thereafter. The valid ballots so withdrawn shall be mixed with the other valid ballots, and the
excessormarkedballotsshallbeplacedintheirproperenvelopeswhichshallforsuchpurposesbeopenedand
againlabelled,sealed,signedandkeptashereinafterprovided.

Section210.Mannerofcountingvotes.Thecountingofvotesshallbemadeinthefollowingmanner:theboardof
electioninspectorsshallunfoldtheballotsandformseparatepilesofonehundredballotseach,whichshallbeheld
togetherwithrubberbands,withcardboardofthesizeoftheballotstoserveasfolders.Thechairmanoftheboard
ofelectioninspectorsshalltaketheballotsofthefirstpileonebyoneandreadthenamesofcandidatesvotedfor
andtheofficesforwhichtheywerevotedintheorderinwhichtheyappearthereon,assumingsuchapositionasto
enableallofthewatcherstoreadsuchnames.Thechairmanshallsignandaffixhisrighthandthumbmarkatthe
backoftheballotimmediatelyafteritiscounted.Thepollclerk,andthethirdmember,respectively,shallrecordon
theelectionreturnsandthetallyboardorsheeteachvoteasthenamesvotedforeachofficeareread.

Each vote shall be recorded by a vertical line, except every fifth vote which shall be recorded by a diagonal line
crossingthepreviousfourverticallines.Onepartymembershallseetoitthatthechairmanreadsthevoteaswritten
ontheballot,andtheothershallchecktherecordingofthevotesonthetallyboardorsheetandtheelectionreturns
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seeing to it that the same are correctly accomplished. After finishing the first pile of ballots, the board of election
inspectorsshalldeterminethetotalnumberofvotesrecordedforeachcandidate,thesumbeingnotedonthetally
board or sheet and on the election returns. In case of discrepancy such recount as may be necessary shall be
made.Theballotsshallthenbegroupedtogetheragainasbeforethereading.Thereafter,thesameprocedureshall
befollowedwiththesecondpileofballotsandsoonsuccessively.Afteralltheballotshavebeenread,theboardof
electioninspectorsshallsumupthetotalsrecordedforeachcandidate,andtheaggregatesumshallberecorded
bothonthetallyboardorsheetandontheelectionreturns.Itshallthenplacethecountedballotsinanenvelope
providedforthepurpose,whichshallbeclosedsignedanddepositedinthecompartmentforvalidballots.Thetally
boardorsheetasaccomplishedandcertifiedbytheboardofelectioninspectorsshallnotbechangedordestroyed
butshallbekeptinthecompartmentforvalidballots.

Section211.Rulesfortheappreciationofballots.Inthereadingandappreciationofballots,everyballotshallbe
presumedtobevalidunlessthereisclearandgoodreasontojustifyitsrejection.Theboardofelectioninspectors
shall observe the following rules, bearing in mind that the object of the election is to obtain the expression of the
voter'swill:

1.Whereonlythefirstnameofacandidateoronlyhissurnameiswritten,thevoteforsuchcandidateisvalid,
ifthereisnoothercandidatewiththesamefirstnameorsurnameforthesameoffice.

2.Whereonlythefirstnameofacandidateiswrittenontheballot,whichwhenread,hasasoundsimilarto
thesurnameofanothercandidate,thevoteshallbecountedinfavorofthecandidatewithsuchsurname.If
there are two or more candidates with the same full name, first name or surname and one of them is the
incumbent,andontheballotiswrittenonlysuchfullname,firstnameorsurname,thevoteshallbecounted
infavoroftheincumbent.

3.Incasethecandidateisawomanwhouseshermaidenormarriedsurnameorbothandthereisanother
candidate with the same surname, a ballot bearing only such surname shall be counted in favor of the
candidatewhoisanincumbent.

4.Whentwoormorewordsarewrittenonthesamelineontheballot,allofwhicharethesurnamesoftwoor
morecandidates,thesameshallnotbecountedforanyofthem,unlessoneisasurnameofanincumbent
whohasservedforatleastoneyearinwhichcaseitshallbecountedinfavorofthelatter.

Whentwoormorewordsarewrittenondifferentlinesontheballotallofwhicharethesurnamesoftwoor
more candidates bearing the same surname for an office for which the law authorizes the election of more
than one and there are the same number of such surnames written as there are candidates with that
surname,thevoteshallbecountedinfavorofallthecandidatesbearingthesurname.

5.Whenontheballotiswrittenasinglewordwhichisthefirstnameofacandidateandwhichisatthesame
timethesurnameofhisopponent,thevoteshallbecountedinfavorofthelatter.

6.Whentwowordsarewrittenontheballot,oneofwhichisthefirstnameofthecandidateandtheotheris
thesurnameofhisopponent,thevoteshallnotbecountedforeither.

7.Anameorsurnameincorrectlywrittenwhich,whenread,hasasoundsimilartothenameorsurnameofa
candidatewhencorrectlywrittenshallbecountedinhisfavor

8.Whenanameofacandidateappearsinaspaceoftheballotforanofficeforwhichheisacandidateand
inanotherspaceforwhichheisnotacandidate,itshallbecountedinhisfavorfortheofficeforwhichheisa
candidateandthevotefortheofficeforwhichheisnotacandidateshallbeconsideredasstray,exceptwhen
itisusedasameanstoidentifythevoter,inwhichcase,thewholeballotshallbevoid.

If the word or words written on the appropriate blank on the ballot is the identical name or surname or full
name,asthecasemaybe,oftwoormorecandidatesforthesameofficenoneofwhomisanincumbent,the
voteshallbecountedinfavorofthatcandidatetowhoseticketbelongalltheothercandidatesvotedforinthe
sameballotforthesameconstituency.

9. When in a space in the ballot there appears a name of a candidate that is erased and another clearly
written,thevoteisvalidforthelatter.

10. The erroneous initial of the first name which accompanies the correct surname of a candidate, the
erroneousinitialofthesurnameaccompanyingthecorrectfirstnameofacandidate,ortheerroneousmiddle
initialofthecandidateshallnotannulthevoteinfavorofthelatter.

11. The fact that there exists another person who is not a candidate with the first name or surname of a
candidateshallnotpreventtheadjudicationofthevoteofthelatter.

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12.Ballotswhichcontainprefixessuchas"Sr.","Mr.","Datu","Don","Ginoo","Hon.","Gob."orsuffixeslike
"Hijo","Jr.","Segundo",arevalid.

13.Theuseofthenicknamesandappellationsofaffectionandfriendship,ifaccompaniedbythefirstnameor
surnameofthecandidate,doesnotannulsuchvote,exceptwhentheywereusedasameanstoidentifythe
voter,inwhichcasethewholeballotisinvalid:Provided,Thatifthenicknameusedisunaccompaniedbythe
nameorsurnameofacandidateanditistheonebywhichheisgenerallyorpopularlyknowninthelocality,
thenameshallbecountedinfavorofsaidcandidate,ifthereisnoothercandidateforthesameofficewiththe
samenickname.

14.Anyvotecontaininginitialsonlyorwhichisillegibleorwhichdoesnotsufficientlyidentifythecandidatefor
whomitisintendedshallbeconsideredasastrayvotebutshallnotinvalidatethewholeballot.

15. If on the ballot is correctly written the first name of a candidate but with a different surname, or the
surname of the candidate is correctly written but with different first name, the vote shall not be counted in
favor of any candidate having such first name and/or surname but the ballot shall be considered valid for
othercandidates.

16.Anyballotwrittenwithcrayon,leadpencil,orinink,whollyorinpart,shallbevalid.

17.Wheretherearetwoormorecandidatesvotedforinanofficeforwhichthelawauthorizestheelectionof
onlyone,thevoteshallnotbecountedinfavorofanyofthem,butthisshallnotaffectthevalidityoftheother
votestherein.

18.Ifthecandidatesvotedforexceedthenumberofthosetobeelected,theballotisvalid,butthevotesshall
be counted only in favor of the candidates whose names were firstly written by the voter within the spaces
providedforsaidofficeintheballotuntiltheauthorizednumberiscovered.

19.Anyvoteinfavorofapersonwhohasnotfiledacertificateofcandidacyorinfavorofacandidateforan
officeforwhichhedidnotpresenthimselfshallbeconsideredasastrayvotebutitshallnotinvalidatethe
wholeballot.

20.Ballotscontainingthenameofacandidateprintedandpastedonablankspaceoftheballotoraffixed
theretothroughanymechanicalprocessaretotallynullandvoid.

21.Circles,crossesorlinesputonthespacesonwhichthevoterhasnotvotedshallbeconsideredassigns
toindicatehisdesistancefromvotingandshallnotinvalidatetheballot.

22.Unlessitshouldclearlyappearthattheyhavebeendeliberatelyputbythevotertoserveasidentification
marks,commas,dots,lines,orhyphensbetweenthefirstnameandsurnameofacandidate,orinotherparts
oftheballot,tracesoftheletter"T","J",andothersimilarones,thefirstlettersorsyllablesofnameswhichthe
voter does not continue, the use of two or more kinds of writing and unintentional or accidental flourishes,
strokes,orstrains,shallnotinvalidatetheballot.

23.Anyballotwhichclearlyappearstohavebeenfilledbytwodistinctpersonsbeforeitwasdepositedinthe
ballotboxduringthevotingistotallynullandvoid.

24.Anyvotecastinfavorofacandidatewhohasbeendisqualifiedbyfinaljudgmentshallbeconsideredas
strayandshallnotbecountedbutitshallnotinvalidatetheballot.

25.BallotswhollywritteninArabicinlocalitieswhereitisofgeneralusearevalid.Toreadthem,theboardof
electioninspectorsmayemployaninterpreterwhoshalltakeanoaththatheshallreadthevotescorrectly.

26.Theaccidentaltearingorperforationofaballotdoesnotannulit.

27.Failuretoremovethedetachablecouponfromaballotdoesnotannulsuchballot.

28. A vote for the President shall also be a vote for the VicePresident running under the same ticket of a
politicalparty,unlessthevotervotesforaVicePresidentwhodoesnotbelongtosuchparty.

Section212.Electionreturns.Theboardofelectioninspectorsshallpreparetheelectionreturnssimultaneously
withthecountingofthevotesinthepollingplaceasprescribedinSection210hereof.Thereturnshallbeprepared
insextuplicate.Therecordingofvotesshallbemadeasprescribedinsaidsection.Theentryofvotesinwordsand
figuresforeachcandidateshallbeclosedwiththesignatureandtheclearimprintofthethumbmarkoftherighthand
of all the members, likewise to be affixed in full view of the public, immediately after the last vote recorded or
immediatelyafterthenameofthecandidatewhodidnotreceiveanyvote.

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Thereturnsshallalsoshowthedateoftheelection,thepollingplace,thebarangayandthecityofmunicipalityin
which it was held, thetotalnumberofballotsfoundinthecompartmentforvalidballots, the total number of valid
ballotswithdrawnfromthecompartmentforspoiledballotsbecausetheywereerroneouslyplacedtherein,thetotal
numberofexcessballots,thetotalnumberofmarkedorvoidballots,andthetotalnumberofvotesobtainedbyeach
candidate,writingoutthesaidnumberinwordsandfiguresand,attheendthereof,theboardofelectioninspectors
shallcertifythatthecontentsarecorrect.Thereturnsshallbeaccomplishedinasinglesheetofpaper,butifthisis
not possible, additional sheets may be used which shall be prepared in the same manner as the first sheet and
likewisecertifiedbytheboardofelectioninspectors.

TheCommissionshalltakestepssothattheentriesonthefirstcopyoftheelectionreturnsareclearlyreproduced
onthesecond,third,fourth,fifth,andsixthcopiesthereof,andforthispurposetheCommissionshalluseaspecial
kindofpaper.

Immediatelyupontheaccomplishmentoftheelectionreturns,eachcopythereofshallbesealedinthepresenceof
thewatchersandthepublic,andplacedintheproperenvelope,whichshalllikewisebesealedanddistributedas
hereinprovided.

Any election return with a separately printed serial number or which bears a different serial number from that
assignedtotheparticularpollingplaceconcernedshallnotbecanvassed.Thisistobedeterminedbytheboardof
canvasserspriortoitscanvassingonthebasisofthecertificationoftheprovincial,cityormunicipaltreasurerasto
theserialnumberoftheelectionreturnassignedtothesaidvotingprecinct,unlesstheCommissionshallorderin
writingforitscanvassing,statingthereasonforthevarianceinserialnumbers.

Ifthesignaturesand/orthumbmarksofthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsorsomeofthemasrequired
inthisprovisionaremissingintheelectionreturns,theboardofcanvassersmaysummonthemembersoftheboard
ofelectioninspectorsconcernedtocompletethereturns.

Section213.Proclamation of the result of the election in the polling place. Upon the completion of the election
returns,thechairmanoftheboardofelectioninspectorsshallorallyandpubliclyannouncethetotalnumberofvotes
received in the election in the polling place by each and every one of the candidates, stating their corresponding
office.

Section214.Dispositionofelectionreturns.

(1)Inapresidentialelection:theboardofelectioninspectorsshallprepareinhandwritingandsignthereturns
oftheelectioninsextuplicateintheirrespectivepollingplaceinaformtobeprescribedbytheCommission.
One copy shall be deposited in the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots, and in the case of
municipalitiestwocopiesincludingtheoriginalcopyshallbehandedtothemunicipalelectionregistrarwho
shallimmediatelydelivertheoriginalcopytotheprovincialelectionsupervisorandforwardtheothercopyto
the Commission, and one copy each to the authorized representatives of the accredited political parties. In
thecaseofthecities,thecityregistrarshallretaintheoriginalcopyforsubmissiontotheprovincialelection
supervisor,andforwardtheothercopytotheCommission.

(2) In the election for Members of the Batasang Pambansa: the original of the election returns shall be
delivered to the election registrar of the city or municipality for transmittal to the chairman of the provincial
board of canvassers, and direct to the chairman of the city or district board of canvassers in the urbanized
citiesandthedistrictsofMetropolitanManila,asthecasemaybe,foruseinthecanvass.Thesecondcopy
shalllikewisebedeliveredtotheelectionregistrarfortransmittaltotheCommission.Thethirdcopyshallbe
depositedinthecompartmentforvalidballots.Thefourthcopyshallbedeliveredtotheelectionregistrarwho
shallusesaidcopyinthetabulationoftheadvanceresultsoftheelectioninthecityormunicipality.Thefifth
and sixth copies shall each respectively be delivered to the members representing political parties
representedintheboardofelectioninspectors.

(3)Inlocalelections:theoriginalcopyoftheelectionreturnsshallbedeliveredtothecityormunicipalboard
ofcanvassersasabodyforitsuseinthecityofmunicipalcanvass.Thesecondcopyshallbedeliveredtothe
electionregistrarofthecityormunicipalityfortransmittaltotheprovincialboardofcanvassersasabodyfor
its use in the provincial canvass. The third copy shall likewise be delivered to the election registrar for
transmittaltotheCommission.Thefourthcopyshallbedepositedinthecompartmentforvalidballots.The
fifth and sixth copies shall each respectively be delivered to the members representing the political parties
representedintheboardofelectioninspectors.

TheCommissionshallpromulgaterulesforthespeedyandsafedeliveryoftheelectionreturns.

Section215.Boardofelectioninspectorstoissueacertificateofthenumberofvotespolledbythecandidatesfor
an office to the watchers. After the announcement of the results of the election and before leaving the polling
place,itshallbethedutyoftheboardofelectioninspectorstoissueacertificateofthenumberofthevotesreceived

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by a candidate upon request of the watchers. All the members of the board of election inspectors shall sign the
certificate.

Section216.Alterationsandcorrectionsintheelectionreturns.Anycorrectionoralterationmadeintheelection,
returnsbytheboardofelectioninspectorsbeforetheannouncementoftheresultsoftheelectioninthepollingplace
shallbedulyinitialedbyallthemembersthereof.

After the announcement of the results of the election in the polling place has been made, the board of election
inspectors shall not make any alteration or amendment in any of the copies of the election returns, unless so
orderedbytheCommissionuponpetitionofthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorswithinfivedaysfrom
thedateoftheelectionortwentyfourhoursfromthetimeacopyoftheelectionreturnsconcernedisopenedbythe
boardofcanvassers,whicheverisearlier.Thepetitionshallbeaccompaniedbyproofofserviceuponallcandidates
affected.Ifthepetitionisbyallmembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsandtheresultsoftheelectionwouldnot
be affected by said correction and none of the candidates affected objects thereto, the Commission, upon being
satisfiedoftheveracityofthepetitionandoftheerrorallegedtherein,shallordertheboardofelectioninspectorsto
makethepropercorrectionontheelectionreturns.

However,ifacandidateaffectedbysaidpetitionobjectsthereto,whetherthepetitionisfiledbyalloronlyamajority
ofthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsandtheresultsoftheelectionwouldbeaffectedbythecorrection
soughttobemade,theCommissionshallproceedsummarilytohearthepetition.Ifitfindsthepetitionmeritorious
andtherearenoevidenceorsignsindicatingthattheidentityandintegrityoftheballotboxhavebeenviolated,the
Commissionshallordertheopeningoftheballotbox.Aftersatisfyingitselfthattheintegrityoftheballotsthereinhas
alsobeendulypreserved,theCommissionshallordertherecountingofthevotesofthecandidatesaffectedandthe
propercorrectionsmadeontheelectionreturns,unlessthecorrectionsoughtissuchthatitcanbemadewithout
needofopeningtheballotbox.

Section217.Deliveryoftheballotboxes,keysandelectionsuppliesanddocuments.Upontheterminationofthe
countingofvotes,theboardofelectioninspectorsshallplaceinthecompartmentforvalidballots,theenvelopesfor
usedballotshereinbeforereferredto,theunusedballots,thetallyboardorsheet,acopyoftheelectionreturns,and
theminutesofitsproceedings,andthenshalllocktheballotboxwiththreepadlocksandsuchsafetydevicesasthe
Commissionmayprescribe.Immediatelyaftertheboxislocked,thethreekeysofthepadlocksshallbeplacedin
threeseparateenvelopesandshallbesealedandsignedbyallthemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectors.

TheauthorizedrepresentativesoftheCommissionshallforthwithtakedeliveryofsaidenvelopes,signingareceipt
therefor,anddeliverwithoutdelayoneenvelopetotheprovincialtreasurer,anothertotheprovincialfiscalandthe
othertotheprovincialelectionsupervisor.

The ballot box, all supplies of the board of election inspectors and all pertinent papers and documents shall
immediatelybedeliveredbytheboardofelectioninspectorsandthewatcherstothecityormunicipaltreasurerwho
shall keep his office open all night on the day of election if necessary for this purpose, and shall provide the
necessaryfacilitiesforsaiddeliveryattheexpenseofthecityormunicipality.Thebookofvotersshallbereturnedto
theelectionregistrarwhoshallkeepitunderhiscustody.Thetreasurerandtheelectionregistrar,asthecasemay
be,shallonthedayaftertheelectionrequirethemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorswhofailedtosendthe
objectsreferredtohereintodeliverthesametohimimmediatelyandacknowledgereceiptthereofindetail.

Section218.Preservationofthevotingrecord.Thevotingrecordofeachpollingplaceshallbedeliveredtothe
election registrar who shall have custody of the same, keeping them in a safe place, until such time that the
Commissionshallgiveinstructionsontheirdisposition.

Section219.Preservationoftheballotboxes,theirkeysanddispositionoftheircontents.

(a)Theprovincialelectionsupervisor,theprovincialtreasurerandtheprovincialfiscalshallkeeptheenvelope
containingthekeysintheirpossessionintactduringtheperiodofthreemonthsfollowingtheelection.Upon
thelapseofthisperiod,unlesstheCommissionhasorderedotherwise,theprovincialelectionsupervisorand
the provincial fiscal shall deliver to the provincial treasurer the envelope containing the keys under their
custody.

(b)Thecityandmunicipaltreasurershallkeeptheballotboxesundertheirresponsibilityforthreemonthsand
storedunopenedinasecureplace,unlesstheCommissionordersotherwisewheneversaidballotboxesare
neededinanypoliticalexercisewhichmightbecalledwithinthesaidperiod,providedthesearenotinvolved
inanyelectioncontestorofficialinvestigation,ortheCommissionorothercompetentauthorityshalldemand
them sooner or shall order their preservation for a longer time in connection with any pending contest or
investigation.However,uponshowingbyanycandidatethattheboxeswillbeindangerofbeingviolatedif
keptinthepossessionofsuchofficials,theCommissionmayorderthemkeptbyanyotherofficialwhomit
maydesignate.Uponthelapseofsaidtimeandifthereshouldbenoordertothecontrary,theCommission
may authorize the city and municipal treasurer in the presence of its representative to open the boxes and

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burn their contents, except the copy of the minutes of the voting and the election returns deposited therein
whichtheyshalltakeandkeep.

(c) In case of calamity or fortuitous event such as fire, flood, storm, or other similar calamities which may
actuallycausedamagetotheballotboxesand/ortheircontents,theCommissionmayauthorizetheopening
of said ballot boxes to salvage the ballots and other contents by placing them in other ballot boxes, taking
suchotherprecautionarymeasuresasmaybenecessarytopreservesuchdocuments.

Section220.Documentsandarticlesomittedorerroneouslyplacedinsidetheballotbox.Ifafterthedeliveryofthe
keysoftheballotboxtotheproperauthorities,theboardofelectioninspectorsshalldiscoverthatsomedocuments
orarticlesrequiredtobeplacedintheballotboxwerenotplacedtherein,theboardofelectioninspectors,insteadof
openingtheballotboxinordertoplacethereinsaiddocumentsorarticles,shalldeliverthesametotheCommission
oritsdulyauthorizedrepresentatives.Innoinstanceshalltheballotboxbereopenedtoplacethereinortakeout
therefrom any document or article except to retrieve copies of the election returns which will be needed in any
canvass and in such excepted instances, the members of the board of election inspectors and watchers of the
candidatesshallbenotifiedofthetimeandplaceoftheopeningofsaidballotbox:Provided,however,Thatifthere
areothercopiesoftheelectionreturnsoutsideoftheballotboxwhichcanbeusedincanvass,suchcopiesofthe
election returns shall be used in said canvass and the opening of the ballot box to retrieve copies of the election
returnsplacedthereinshallthenbedispensedwith.

ARTICLEXIX
CANVASSANDPROCLAMATION

Section221.Boardofcanvassers.Thereshallbeaboardofcanvassersforeachprovince,city,municipality,and
districtofMetropolitanManilaasfollows:

(a)Provincialboardofcanvassers.theprovincialboardofcanvassersshallbecomposedoftheprovincial
election supervisor or a senior lawyer in the regional office of the Commission, as chairman, the provincial
fiscal, as vicechairman, and the provincial superintendent of schools, and one representative from each of
the ruling party and the dominant opposition political party in the constituency concerned entitled to be
represented,asmembers.

(b)Cityboardofcanvassers.thecityboardofcanvassersshallbecomposedofthecityelectionregistraror
a lawyer of the Commission, as chairman, the city fiscal and the city superintendent of schools, and one
representative from each of the ruling party and the dominant opposition political party entitled to be
represented,asmembers.

(c)DistrictboardofcanvassersofMetropolitanManilathedistrictboardofcanvassersshallbecomposedof
a lawyer of the Commission, as chairman, and a ranking fiscal in the district and the most senior district
schoolsupervisorinthedistricttobeappointeduponconsultationwiththeMinistryofJusticeandtheMinistry
ofEducation,CultureandSports,respectively,andonerepresentativefromeachoftherulingpartyandthe
dominantoppositionpoliticalpartyintheconstituencyconcerned,asmembers.

(d) Municipal board of canvassers. the municipal board of canvassers shall be composed of the election
registrar or a representative of the Commission, as chairman, the municipal treasurer, and the district
supervisororinhisabsenceanypublicschoolprincipalinthemunicipalityandonerepresentativefromeach
oftherulingpartyandthedominantoppositionpoliticalpartyentitledtoberepresented,asmembers.

(e)BoardofcanvassersfornewlycreatedpoliticalsubdivisionstheCommissionshallconstituteaboardof
canvassers and appoint the members thereof for the first election in a newly created province, city or
municipality in case the officials who shall act as members thereof have not yet assumed their duties and
functions.

Section222.Relationshipwithcandidatesandothermembers.Thechairmanandthemembersoftheboardof
canvassers shall not be related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any of the candidates
whosevoteswillbecanvassedbysaidboard,ortoanymemberofthesameboard.

Section 223. Prohibition against leaving official station. During the period beginning election day until the
proclamationofthewinningcandidates,nomemberorsubstitutememberofthedifferentboardsofcanvassersshall
be transferred, assigned or detailed outside of his official station, nor shall he leave said station without prior
authorityoftheCommission.

Section224.Feignedillness.Anymemberoftheboardofcanvassersfeigningillnessinordertobesubstitutedon
electiondayuntiltheproclamationofthewinningcandidatesshallbeguiltyofanelectionoffense.

Section225.Voterequired.Amajorityvoteofallthemembersoftheboardofcanvassersshallbenecessaryto
renderadecision.

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Section226.Incapacityandsubstitutionofmembersofboardsofcanvassers.Incaseofnonavailability,absence,
disqualificationduetorelationship,orincapacityforanycauseofthechairman,theCommissionshalldesignatethe
provincial or city fiscal to act as chairman. Likewise, in case of nonavailability, absence, disqualification due to
relationship, or incapacity for any cause, of such designee, the next ranking provincial or city fiscal shall be
designatedbytheCommissionandsuchdesignationshallpasstothenextinrankuntilthedesigneequalifies.With
respecttotheothermembersoftheboardofcanvassers,theCommissionshallappointassubstitutetheprovincial,
cityormunicipalofficersofothergovernmentagenciesintheprovince,cityormunicipality,asthecasemaybe,and
with respect to the representatives of the accredited political parties, the Commission shall appoint as substitutes
thosenominatedbythesaidpoliticalparties.

Section227.Supervision and control over board of canvassers. The Commission shall have direct control and
supervisionovertheboardofcanvassers.

Anymemberoftheboardofcanvassersmay,atanytime,berelievedforcauseandsubstitutedmotupropriobythe
Commission.

Section228.Noticeofmeetingoftheboard.Atleastfivedaysbeforethemeetingoftheboard,thechairmanof
theboard shall give noticetoallmembersthereofandtoeachcandidateandpolitical party of the date, time and
placeofthemeeting.

Section229.Mannerofdeliveryandtransmittalofelectionreturns.

(a)Forthecityandmunicipalboardofcanvassers,thecopyoftheelectionreturnsofapollingplaceintended
forthecityormunicipalboardofcanvassers,dulyplacedinsideasealedenvelopesignedandaffixedwiththe
imprint of the thumb of the right hand of all the members of the board of election inspectors, shall be
personally delivered by the members of the board of election inspectors to the city or municipal board of
canvassersunderproperreceipttobesignedbyallthemembersthereof.

(b)FortheprovincialanddistrictboardsofcanvassersinMetropolitanManila,thecopyoftheelectionreturns
ofapollingplaceintendedfortheprovincialordistrictboardofcanvassersinthecaseofMetropolitanManila,
shallbepersonallydeliveredbythemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorstotheelectionregistrarfor
transmittaltotheproperboardofcanvassersunderproperreceipttobesignedbyallthemembersthereof.

Theelectionregistrarconcernedshallplaceallthereturnsintendedfortheboardofcanvassersinsideaballotbox
provided with three padlocks whose keys shall be kept as follows: one by the election registrar, another by the
representativeoftherulingpartyandthethirdbytherepresentativeofthedominantpoliticaloppositionparty.

Forthispurpose,thetwopoliticalpartiesshalldesignatetheirrepresentativeswhosenamesshallbesubmittedto
theelectionregistrarconcernedonorbeforethetenthdayprecedingtheelection.Thethreeinpossessionofthe
keys shall personally transmit the ballot box, properly locked, containing the election returns to the board of
canvassers.Watchersofpoliticalparties,coalitionofpoliticalparties,andoforganizationscollectivelyauthorizedby
theCommissiontodesignatewatchersshallhavetherighttoaccompanytransmittaloftheballotboxescontaining
theelectionreturns.

It shall be unlawful for any person to delay, obstruct, impede or prevent through force, violence, coercion,
intimidationorbyanymeanswhichvitiatesconsent,thetransmittaloftheelectionreturnsortotakeaway,abscond
with,destroy,defaceormutilateorsubstitutetheelectionreturnsortheenvelopeortheballotboxcontainingthe
electionreturnsortoviolatetherightofthewatchers.

The watchers of the political parties, coalition of political parties and the candidates shall have the right to
accompanythemembersoftheboardofelectioninspectorsortheelectionregistrarinmakingthedeliverytothe
boardsofcanvassers.

Section230.Safekeeping of transmitted election returns. The board of canvassers shall keep the ballot boxes
containingtheelectionreturnsinasafeandsecureroombeforeandafterthecanvass.Thedoortotheroommust
be padlocked by three locks with the keys thereof kept as follows: one with the chairman, the other with the
representativeoftherulingparty,andtheotherwiththerepresentativeofthedominantoppositionpoliticalparty.The
watchersofcandidates,politicalparties,coalitionofpoliticalpartiesandorganizationcollectivelyauthorizedbythe
Commission to appoint watchers shall have the right to guard the room. Violation of this right shall constitute an
electionoffense.

Section231.Canvassbytheboard.Theboardofcanvassersshallmeetnotlaterthansixo'clockintheafternoon
of election day at the place designated by the Commission to receive the election returns and to immediately
canvassthosethatmayhavealreadybeenreceived.Itshallmeetcontinuouslyfromdaytodayuntilthecanvassis
completed,andmayadjournbutonlyforthepurposeofawaitingtheotherelectionreturnsfromotherpollingplaces
withinitsjurisdiction.Eachtimetheboardadjourns,itshallmakeatotalofallthevotescanvassedsofarforeach
candidate for each office, furnishing the Commission in Manila by the fastest means of communication a certified
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copythereof,andmakingavailablethedatacontainedthereintothemassmediaandotherinterestedparties.As
soonastheotherelectionreturnsaredelivered,theboardshallimmediatelyresumecanvassinguntilallthereturns
havebeencanvassed.

Therespectiveboardofcanvassersshallprepareacertificateofcanvassdulysignedandaffixedwiththeimprintof
thethumboftherighthandofeachmember,supportedbyastatementofthevotesreceivedbyeachcandidatein
each polling place and, on the basis thereof, shall proclaim as elected the candidates who obtained the highest
number of votes cast in the province, city, municipality or barangay. Failure to comply with this requirement shall
constituteanelectionoffense.

Subject to reasonable exceptions, the board of canvassers must complete their canvass within thirtysix hours in
municipalities, fortyeight hours in cities and seventytwo hours in provinces. Violation hereof shall be an election
offensepunishableunderSection264hereof.

With respect to the election for President and VicePresident, the provincial and city boards of canvassers shall
prepare in quintuplicate a certificate of canvass supported by a statement of votes received by each candidate in
eachpollingplaceandtransmitthefirstcopythereoftotheSpeakeroftheBatasangPambansa.Thesecondcopy
shall be transmitted to the Commission, the third copy shall be kept by the provincial election supervisor or city
electionregistrarthefourthandthefifthcopiestoeachofthetwoaccreditedpoliticalparties.

Section232.Personsnotallowedinsidethecanvassingroom.Itshallbeunlawfulforanyofficerormemberofthe
Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Philippine Constabulary, or the Integrated National Police or any
peaceofficeroranyarmedorunarmedpersonsbelongingtoanextralegalpoliceagency,specialforces,reaction
forces,strikeforces,homedefenseforces,barangayselfdefenseunits,barangaytanod,orofanymemberofthe
securityorpoliceorganizationsofgovernmentministries,commissions,councils,bureaus,offices,instrumentalities,
or governmentowned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries or of any member of a privately owned or
operated security, investigative, protective or intelligence agency performing identical or similar functions to enter
theroomwherethecanvassingoftheelectionreturnsareheldbytheboardofcanvassersandwithinaradiusof
fifty meters from such room: Provided, however, That the board of canvassers by a majority vote, if it deems
necessary,maymakeacallinwritingforthedetailofpolicemenoranypeaceofficersfortheirprotectionorforthe
protection of the election documents and paraphernalia in the possession of the board, or for the maintenance of
peaceandorder,inwhichcasesaidpolicemenorpeaceofficers,whoshallbeinproperuniform,shallstayoutside
theroomwithinaradiusofthirtymetersnearenoughtobeeasilycalledbytheboardofcanvassersatanytime.

Section233.Whentheelectionreturnsaredelayed,lostordestroyed.Incaseitscopyoftheelectionreturnsis
missing,theboardofcanvassersshall,bymessengerorotherwise,obtainsuchmissingelectionreturnsfromthe
board of election inspectors concerned, or if said returns have been lost or destroyed, the board of canvassers,
uponpriorauthorityoftheCommission,mayuseanyoftheauthenticcopiesofsaidelectionreturnsoracertified
copy of said election returns issued by the Commission, and forthwith direct its representative to investigate the
caseandimmediatelyreportthemattertotheCommission.

The board of canvassers, notwithstanding the fact that not all the election returns have been received by it, may
terminate the canvass and proclaim the candidates elected on the basis of the available election returns if the
missingelectionreturnswillnotaffecttheresultsoftheelection.

Section234.Materialdefectsintheelectionreturns.Ifitshouldclearlyappearthatsomerequisitesinformordata
had been omitted in the election returns, the board of canvassers shall call for all the members of the board of
electioninspectorsconcernedbythemostexpeditiousmeans,forthesameboardtoeffectthecorrection:Provided,
Thatincaseoftheomissionintheelectionreturnsofthenameofanycandidateand/orhiscorrespondingvotes,the
boardofcanvassersshallrequiretheboardofelectioninspectorsconcernedtocompletethenecessarydatainthe
election returns and affix therein their initials: Provided, further, That if the votes omitted in the returns cannot be
ascertainedbyothermeansexceptbyrecountingtheballots,theCommission,aftersatisfyingitselfthattheidentity
andintegrityoftheballotboxhavenotbeenviolated,shallordertheboardofelectioninspectorstoopentheballot
box,and,alsoaftersatisfyingitselfthattheintegrityoftheballotsthereinhasbeendulypreserved,ordertheboard
ofelectioninspectorstocountthevotesforthecandidatewhosevoteshavebeenomittedwithnoticethereoftoall
candidatesforthepositioninvolvedandthereaftercompletethereturns.

Therightofacandidatetoavailofthisprovisionshallnotbelostoraffectedbythefactthatanelectionprotestis
subsequentlyfiledbyanyofthecandidates.

Section235.Whenelectionreturnsappeartobetamperedwithorfalsified.Iftheelectionreturnssubmittedtothe
boardofcanvassersappeartobetamperedwith,alteredorfalsifiedaftertheyhaveleftthehandsoftheboardof
electioninspectors,orotherwisenotauthentic,orwerepreparedbytheboardofelectioninspectorsunderduress,
force,intimidation,orpreparedbypersonsotherthanthememberoftheboardofelectioninspectors,theboardof
canvassersshallusetheothercopiesofsaidelectionreturnsand,ifnecessary,thecopyinsidetheballotboxwhich
upon previous authority given by the Commission may be retrieved in accordance with Section 220 hereof. If the
othercopiesofthereturnsarelikewisetamperedwith,altered,falsified,notauthentic,preparedunderduress,force,
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intimidation, or prepared by persons other than the members of the board of election inspectors, the board of
canvassers or any candidate affected shall bring the matter to the attention of the Commission. The Commission
shall then, after giving notice to all candidates concerned and after satisfying itself that nothing in the ballot box
indicate that its identity and integrity have been violated, order the opening of the ballot box and, likewise after
satisfying itself that the integrity of the ballots therein has been duly preserved shall order the board of election
inspectorstorecountthevotesofthecandidatesaffectedandprepareanewreturnwhichshallthenbeusedbythe
boardofcanvassersasbasisofthecanvass.

Section236.Discrepancies in election returns. In case it appears to the board of canvassers that there exists
discrepanciesintheotherauthenticcopiesoftheelectionreturnsfromapollingplaceordiscrepanciesinthevotes
ofanycandidateinwordsandfiguresinthesamereturn,andineithercasethedifferenceaffectstheresultsofthe
election,theCommission,uponmotionoftheboardofcanvassersoranycandidateaffectedandafterduenoticeto
all candidates concerned, shall proceed summarily to determine whether the integrity of the ballot box had been
preserved,andoncesatisfiedthereofshallordertheopeningoftheballotboxtorecountthevotescastinthepolling
placesolelyforthepurposeofdeterminingthetrueresultofthecountofvotesofthecandidatesconcerned.

Section 237. When integrity of ballots is violated. If upon the opening of the ballot box as ordered by the
Commission under Sections 234, 235 and 236, hereof, it should appear that there are evidence or signs of
replacement,tamperingorviolationoftheintegrityoftheballots,theCommissionshallnotrecounttheballotsbut
shallforthwithsealtheballotboxandorderitssafekeeping.

Section238.Canvassofremainingorunquestionedreturnstocontinue.IncasesunderSections233,234,235
and 236 hereof, the board of canvassers shall continue the canvass of the remaining or unquestioned election
returns. If, after the canvass of all the said returns, it should be determined that the returns which have been set
aside will affect the result of the election, no proclamation shall be made except upon orders of the Commission
afterduenoticeandhearing.Anyproclamationmadeinviolationhereofshallbenullandvoid.

Section239.Watchers. Each candidate, political party or coalition of political parties shall be entitled to appoint
onewatcherintheboardofcanvassers.Thewatchershallhavetherighttobepresentat,andtakenoteof,allthe
proceedingsoftheboardofcanvassers,toreadtheelectionreturnswithouttouchingthem,tofileaprotestagainst
anyirregularityintheelectionreturnssubmitted,andtoobtainfromtheboardofcanvassersaresolutionthereon.

Section240.Electionresultingintie.Wheneveritshallappearfromthecanvassthattwoormorecandidateshave
receivedanequalandhighestnumberofvotes,orincaseswheretwoormorecandidatesaretobeelectedforthe
samepositionandtwoormorecandidatesreceivedthesamenumberofvotesforthelastplaceinthenumbertobe
elected,theboardofcanvassers,afterrecordingthisfactinitsminutes,shallbyresolution,uponfivedaysnoticeto
allthetiedcandidates,holdaspecialpublicmeetingatwhichtheboardofcanvassersshallproceedtothedrawing
oflotsofthecandidateswhohavetiedandshallproclaimaselectedthecandidateswhomaybefavoredbyluck,
and the candidates so proclaimed shall have the right to assume office in the same manner as if he had been
elected by plurality of vote. The board of canvassers shall forthwith make a certificate stating the name of the
candidatewhohadbeenfavoredbyluckandhisproclamationonthebasisthereof.

Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedasdeprivingacandidateofhisrighttocontesttheelection.

ARTICLEXX
PREPROCLAMATIONCONTROVERSIES

Section 241. Definition. A preproclamation controversy refers to any question pertaining to or affecting the
proceedingsoftheboardofcanvasserswhichmayberaisedbyanycandidateorbyanyregisteredpoliticalpartyor
coalitionofpoliticalpartiesbeforetheboardordirectlywiththeCommission,oranymatterraisedunderSections
233,234,235and236inrelationtothepreparation,transmission,receipt,custodyandappreciationoftheelection
returns.

Section 242. Commission's exclusive jurisdiction of all preproclamation controversies. The Commission shall
have exclusive jurisdiction of all preproclamation controversies. It may motu proprio or upon written petition, and
after due notice and hearing, order the partial or total suspension of the proclamation of any candidateelect or
annualpartiallyortotallyanyproclamation,ifonehasbeenmade,astheevidenceshallwarrantinaccordancewith
thesucceedingsections.

Section243.Issuesthatmayberaisedinpreproclamationcontroversy.Thefollowingshallbeproperissuesthat
mayberaisedinapreproclamationcontroversy:

(a)Illegalcompositionorproceedingsoftheboardofcanvassers

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(b)Thecanvassedelectionreturnsareincomplete,containmaterialdefects,appeartobetamperedwithor
falsified, or contain discrepancies in the same returns or in other authentic copies thereof as mentioned in
Sections233,234,235and236ofthisCode

(c)Theelectionreturnswerepreparedunderduress,threats,coercion,orintimidation,ortheyareobviously
manufacturedornotauthenticand

(d)Whensubstituteorfraudulentreturnsincontrovertedpollingplaceswerecanvassed,theresultsofwhich
materiallyaffectedthestandingoftheaggrievedcandidateorcandidates.

Section244.Contested composition or proceedings of the board. When the composition or proceedings of the
boardofcanvassersarecontested,theboardofcanvassersshall,withintwentyfourhours,makearulingthereon
withnoticetothecontestantwho,ifadverselyaffected,mayappealthemattertotheCommissionwithinfivedays
aftertherulingwithpropernoticetotheboardofcanvassers.Afterduenoticeandhearing,theCommissionshall
decidethecasewithintendaysfromthefilingthereof.Duringthependencyofthecase,theboardofcanvassers
shall suspend the canvass until the Commission orders the continuation or resumption thereof and citing their
reasonsorgroundstherefor.

Section245.Contestedelectionreturns. Any candidate, political party or coalition of political parties, contesting

theinclusionorexclusioninthecanvassofanyelectionreturnsonanyofthegroundsauthorizedunderthisarticle
orinSections234,235and236ofArticleXIXshallsubmittheirverbalobjectionstothechairmanoftheboardof
canvassers at the time the questioned returns is presented for inclusion or exclusion, which objections shall be
notedintheminutesofthecanvassing.

Theboardofcanvassersuponreceiptofanysuchobjectionsshallautomaticallydeferthecanvassofthecontested
returnsandshallproceedtocanvasstherestofthereturnswhicharenotcontestedbyanyparty.

Withintwentyfourhoursfromandafterthepresentationofaverbalobjection,thesameshallbesubmittedinwritten
formtotheboardofcanvassers.Thereafter,theboardofcanvassersshalltakeupeachcontestedreturn,consider
thewrittenobjectionstheretoandsummarilyrulethereon.Saidrulingshallbemadeoralinitiallyandthenreducedto
writingbytheboardwithintwentyfourhoursfromthetimetheoralrulingismade.

Anypartyadverselyaffectedbyanoralrulingonits/hisobjectionshallimmediatelystateorallywhetherit/heintends
toappealsaidruling.Thesaidintenttoappealshallbestatedintheminutesofthecanvassing.Ifapartymanifests
itsintenttoappeal,theboardofcanvassersshallsetasidethereturnandproceedtoruleontheothercontested
returns. When all the contested returns have been ruled upon by it, the board of canvassers shall suspend the
canvassandshallmakeanappropriatereporttotheCommission,copyfurnishedtheparties.

TheboardofcanvassersshallnotproclaimanycandidateaswinnerunlessauthorizedbytheCommissionafterthe
latterhasruledontheobjectionsbroughttoitonappealbythelosingpartyandanyproclamationmadeinviolation
hereofshallbevoidabinitio,unlessthecontestedreturnswillnotadverselyaffecttheresultsoftheelection.

Section 246. Summary proceedings before the Commission. All preproclamation controversies shall be heard
summarilybytheCommissionafterduenoticeandhearing,anditsdecisionsshallbeexecutoryafterthelapseof
five days from receipt by the losing party of the decision of the Commission, unless restrained by the Supreme
Court.

Section 247. Partial proclamation. Notwithstanding the pendency of any preproclamation controversy, the
Commissionmay,motupropriooruponthefilingofaverifiedpetitionandafterduenoticeandhearing,orderthe
proclamationofotherwinningcandidateswhoseelectionwillnotbeaffectedbytheoutcomeofthecontroversy.

Section248.Effectoffilingpetitiontoannualortosuspendtheproclamation.ThefilingwiththeCommissionofa
petitiontoannualortosuspendtheproclamationofanycandidateshallsuspendtherunningoftheperiodwithin
whichtofileanelectionprotestorquowarrantoproceedings.

ARTICLEXXI
ELECTIONCONTESTS

Section249.JurisdictionoftheCommission.TheCommissionshallbethesolejudgeofallcontestsrelatingtothe
elections,returns,andqualificationsofallMembersoftheBatasangPambansa,electiveregional,provincialandcity
officials.

Section 250. Election contests for Batasang Pambansa, regional, provincial and city offices. A sworn petition
contestingtheelectionofanyMemberoftheBatasangPambansaoranyregional,provincialorcityofficialshallbe
filedwiththeCommissionbyanycandidatewhohasdulyfiledacertificateofcandidacyandhasbeenvotedforthe
sameoffice,withintendaysaftertheproclamationoftheresultsoftheelection.

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Section251.Electioncontestsformunicipaloffices.Aswornpetitioncontestingtheelectionofamunicipalofficer
shallbefiledwiththeproperregionaltrialcourtbyanycandidatewhohasdulyfiledacertificateofcandidacyand
hasbeenvotedforthesameoffice,withintendaysafterproclamationoftheresultsoftheelection.

Section252.Electioncontestforbarangayoffices.Aswornpetitioncontestingtheelectionofabarangayofficer
shallbefiledwiththepropermunicipalormetropolitantrialcourtbyanycandidatewhohasdulyfiledacertificateof
candidacy and has been voted for the same office, within ten days after the proclamation of the results of the
election.Thetrialcourtshalldecidetheelectionprotestwithinfifteendaysafterthefilingthereof.Thedecisionofthe
municipalormetropolitantrialcourtmaybeappealedwithintendaysfromreceiptofacopythereofbytheaggrieved
party to the regional trial court which shall decide the case within thirty days from its submission, and whose
decisionsshallbefinal.

Section 253. Petition for quo warranto. Any voter contesting the election of any Member of the Batasang
Pambansa, regional, provincial, or city officer on the ground of ineligibility or of disloyalty to the Republic of the
PhilippinesshallfileaswornpetitionforquowarrantowiththeCommissionwithintendaysaftertheproclamationof
theresultsoftheelection.

Anyvotercontestingtheelectionofanymunicipalorbarangayofficeronthegroundofineligibilityorofdisloyaltyto
theRepublicofthePhilippinesshallfileaswornpetitionforquowarrantowiththeregionaltrialcourtormetropolitan
ormunicipaltrialcourt,respectively,withintendaysaftertheproclamationoftheresultsoftheelection.

Section254.Procedureinelectioncontests. TheCommission shallprescribetherulestogoverntheprocedure

andothermattersrelatingtoelectioncontestspertainingtoallnational,regional,provincial,andcityofficesnotlater
than thirty days before such elections. Such rules shall provide a simple and inexpensive procedure for the
expeditiousdispositionofelectioncontestsandshallbepublishedinatleasttwonewspapersofgeneralcirculation.

However,withrespecttoelectioncontestsinvolvingmunicipalandbarangayofficesthefollowingrulesofprocedure
shallgovern:

(a) Notice of the protest contesting the election of a candidate for a municipal or barangay office shall be
served upon the candidate by means of a summons at the postal address stated in his certificate of
candidacyexceptwhentheprotestee,withoutwaitingforthesummons,hasmadethecourtunderstandthat
hehasbeennotifiedoftheprotestorhasfiledhisanswerhereto

(b)Theprotesteeshallanswertheprotestwithinfivedaysafterreceiptofthesummons,or,incasetherehas
beennosummonsfromthedateofhisappearanceandinallcasesbeforethecommencementofthehearing
oftheprotestorcontest.Theanswershalldealonlywiththeelectioninthepollingplaceswhicharecovered
bytheallegationsofthecontest

(c)Shouldtheprotesteedesiretoimpugnthevotesreceivedbytheprotestantinotherpollingplaces,heshall
fileacounterprotestwithinthesameperiodfixedfortheanswerservingacopythereofupontheprotestant
byregisteredmailorbypersonaldeliveryorthroughthesheriff

(d)Theprotestantshallanswerthecounterprotestwithinfivedaysafternotice

(e)Withintheperiodoffivedayscountedfromthefilingoftheprotestanyothercandidateforthesameoffice
may intervene in the case as other contestants and ask for affirmative relief in his favor by a petition in
intervention, which shall be considered as another contest, except that it shall be substantiated within the
sameproceedings.Theprotestantorprotesteeshallanswertheprotestininterventionwithinfivedaysafter
notice

(f)Ifnoanswershallbefiledtothecontest,counterprotest,ortotheprotestinintervention,withinthetime
limitsrespectivelyfixed,ageneraldenialshallbedeemedtohavebeenentered

(g)Inelectioncontestproceedings,thepermanentregistrylistofvotersshallbeconclusiveinregardtothe
questionastowhohadtherighttovoteinsaidelection.

Section255.Judicial counting of votes in election contest. Where allegations in a protest or counterprotest so

warrant,orwheneverintheopinionofthecourttheinterestsofjusticesorequire,itshallimmediatelyorderthebook
ofvoters,ballotboxesandtheirkeys,ballotsandotherdocumentsusedintheelectionbebroughtbeforeitandthat
theballotsbeexaminedandthevotesrecounted.

Section256.Appeals.AppealsfromanydecisionrenderedbytheregionaltrialcourtunderSection

251andparagraphtwo,Section253hereofwithrespecttoquowarrantopetitionsfiledinelectioncontestsaffecting
municipalofficers,theaggrievedpartymayappealtotheIntermediateAppellateCourtwithinfivedaysafterreceipt
of a copy of the decision. No motion for reconsideration shall be entertained by the court. The appeal shall be
decidedwithinsixtydaysafterthecasehasbeensubmittedfordecision.
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Section257.DecisionintheCommission.TheCommissionshalldecideallelectioncasesbroughtbeforeitwithin
ninetydaysfromthedateoftheirsubmissionfordecision.ThedecisionoftheCommissionshallbecomefinalthirty
daysafterreceiptofjudgment.

Section 258. Preferential disposition of contests in courts. The courts, in their respective cases, shall give
preferencetoelectioncontestsoverallothercases,exceptthoseofhabeascorpus,andshallwithoutdelay,hear
and,withinthirtydaysfromthedateoftheirsubmissionfordecision,butineverycasewithinsixmonthsafterfiling,
decidethesame.

Section259.Actualorcompensatorydamages.Actualorcompensatorydamagesmaybegrantedinallelection
contestsorinquowarrantoproceedingsinaccordancewithlaw.

Section260.Noticeofdecisions.TheclerkofcourtandthecorrespondingofficialintheCommissionbeforewhom
an election contest or a quo warranto proceeding has been instituted or where the appeal of said case has been
taken shall notify immediately the President of the Philippines of the final disposition thereof. In election contests
involving provincial, city, municipal, or barangay offices, notice of such final disposition shall also be sent to the
secretary of the local sanggunian concerned. If the decision be that none of the parties has been legally elected,
said official shall certify such decision to the President of the Philippines and, in appropriate cases, to the
Commission.

ARTICLEXXII
ELECTIONOFFENSES

Section261.ProhibitedActs.Thefollowingshallbeguiltyofanelectionoffense:

(a)Votebuyingandvoteselling.

(1)Anypersonwhogives,offersorpromisesmoneyoranythingofvalue,givesorpromisesanyoffice
oremployment,franchiseorgrant,publicorprivate,ormakesorofferstomakeanexpenditure,directly
or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or
communityinordertoinduceanyoneorthepublicingeneraltovotefororagainstanycandidateor
withholdhisvoteintheelection,ortovotefororagainstanyaspirantforthenominationorchoiceofa
candidateinaconventionorsimilarselectionprocessofapoliticalparty.

(2) Any person, association, corporation, group or community who solicits or receives, directly or
indirectly, any expenditure or promise of any office or employment, public or private, for any of the
foregoingconsiderations.

(b)Conspiracytobribevoters.Twoormorepersons,whethercandidatesornot,whocometoanagreement
concerningthecommissionofanyviolationofparagraph(a)ofthissectionanddecidetocommitit.

(c) Wagering upon result of election. Any person who bets or wagers upon the outcome of, or any
contingencyconnectedwithanelection.Anymoneyorthingofvalueordepositofmoneyorthingofvalue
situatedanywhereinthePhilippinesputassuchbetorwagershallbeforfeitedtothegovernment.

(d)Coercionofsubordinates.

(1) Any public officer, or any officer of any public or private corporation or association, or any head,
superior,oradministratorofanyreligiousorganization,oranyemployerorlandownerwhocoercesor
intimidates or compels, or in any manner influence, directly or indirectly, any of his subordinates or
members or parishioners or employees or house helpers, tenants, overseers, farm helpers, tillers, or
leaseholderstoaid,campaignorvotefororagainstanycandidateoranyaspirantforthenomination
orselectionofcandidates.

(2) Any public officer or any officer of any commercial, industrial, agricultural, economic or social
enterpriseorpublicorprivatecorporationorassociation,oranyhead,superiororadministratorofany
religiousorganization,oranyemployerorlandownerwhodismissesorthreatenstodismiss,punishes
or threatens to punish be reducing his salary, wage or compensation, or by demotion, transfer,
suspension,separation,excommunication,ejectment,orcausinghimannoyanceintheperformanceof
his job or in his membership, any subordinate member or affiliate, parishioner, employee or house
helper,tenant,overseer,farmhelper,tiller,orleaseholder,fordisobeyingornotcomplyingwithanyof
theactsorderedbytheformertoaid,campaignorvotefororagainstanycandidate,oranyaspirantfor
thenominationorselectionofcandidates.

(e) Threats, intimidation, terrorism, use of fraudulent device or other forms of coercion. Any person who,
directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates or actually causes, inflicts or produces any violence, injury,
punishment,damage,lossordisadvantageuponanypersonorpersonsorthatoftheimmediatemembersof

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hisfamily,hishonororproperty,orusesanyfraudulentdeviceorschemetocompelorinducetheregistration
orrefrainingfromregistrationofanyvoter,ortheparticipationinacampaignorrefrainingordesistancefrom
anycampaign,orthecastingofanyvoteoromissiontovote,oranypromiseofsuchregistration,campaign,
vote,oromissiontherefrom.

(f)Coercionofelectionofficialsandemployees.Anypersonwho,directlyorindirectly,threatens,intimidates,
terrorizesorcoercesanyelectionofficialoremployeeintheperformanceofhiselectionfunctionsorduties.

(g)Appointmentofnewemployees,creationofnewposition,promotion,orgivingsalaryincreases.During
theperiodoffortyfivedaysbeforearegularelectionandthirtydaysbeforeaspecialelection,

(1) any head, official or appointing officer of a government office, agency or instrumentality, whether
national or local, including governmentowned or controlled corporations, who appoints or hires any
newemployee,whetherprovisional,temporaryorcasual,orcreatesandfillsanynewposition,except
uponpriorauthorityoftheCommission.TheCommissionshallnotgranttheauthoritysoughtunless,it
is satisfied that the position to be filled is essential to the proper functioning of the office or agency
concerned,andthatthepositionshallnotbefilledinamannerthatmayinfluencetheelection.

Asanexceptiontotheforegoingprovisions,anewemployeemaybeappointedincaseofurgentneed:
Provided,however,ThatnoticeoftheappointmentshallbegiventotheCommissionwithinthreedays
fromthedateoftheappointment.Anyappointmentorhiringinviolationofthisprovisionshallbenull
andvoid.

(2)Anygovernmentofficialwhopromotes,orgivesanyincreaseofsalaryorremunerationorprivilege
to any government official or employee, including those in governmentowned or controlled
corporations.

(h) Transfer of officers and employees in the civil service. Any public official who makes or causes any
transfer or detail whatever of any officer or employee in the civil service including public school teachers,
withintheelectionperiodexceptuponpriorapprovaloftheCommission.

(i)Interventionofpublicofficersandemployees.Anyofficeroremployeeinthecivilservice,exceptthose
holding political offices any officer, employee, or member or the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or any
policeforce,specialforces,homedefenseforces,barangayselfdefenseunitsandallotherparamilitaryunits
that now exist or which may hereafter be organized who, directly or indirectly, intervenes in any election
campaign or engages in any partisan political activity, except to vote or to preserve public order, if he is a
peaceofficer.

(j)Undueinfluence.Itisunlawfulforanypersontopromiseanyofficeoremployment,publicorprivate,orto
make or offer to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or to cause an expenditure to be made to any
person,association,corporationorentity,whichmayinduceanyoneorthepublicingeneraleithertovoteor
withholdhisvote,ortovotefororagainstanycandidateinanyelectionoranyaspirantforthenominationor
selection of an official candidate in a convention of a political party. It is likewise unlawful for any person,
association,corporationorcommunity,tosolicitorreceive,directlyorindirectly,anyexpenditureorpromiseor
anyoffice,oremployment,publicorprivate,foranyoftheforegoingconsiderations.

(k) Unlawful electioneering. It is unlawful to solicit votes or undertake any propaganda on the day of
registrationbeforetheboardofelectioninspectorsandonthedayofelection,fororagainstanycandidateor
anypoliticalpartywithinthepollingplaceandwitharadiusofthirtymetersthereof.

(l) Prohibition against dismissal of employees, laborers, or tenants. No employee or laborer shall be
dismissed,noratenantbeejectedfromhislandholdingsforrefusingorfailingtovoteforanycandidateofhis
employerorlandowner.Anyemployee,laborerortenantsodismissedorejectedshallbereinstatedandthe
salaryorwageoftheemployeeorlaborer,ortheshareoftheharvestofthetenant,shallberestoredtothe
aggrievedpartyuponapplicationtothepropercourt.

(m) Appointment or use of special policemen, special agents, confidential agents or the like. During the
campaignperiod,onthedaybeforeandonelectionday,anyappointingauthoritywhoappointsoranyperson
who utilizes the services of special policemen, special agents, confidential agents or persons performing
similar functions persons previously appointed as special policemen, special agents, confidential agents or
persons performing similar functions who continue acting as such, and those who fail to turn over their
firearms,uniforms,insigniasandotherbadgesofauthoritytotheproperofficerwhoissuedthesame.

At the start of the aforementioned period, the barangay chairman, municipal mayor, city mayor, provincial
governor,oranyappointingauthorityshallsubmittotheCommissionacompletelistofallspecialpolicemen,
specialagents,confidentialagentsorpersonsperformingsimilarfunctionsintheemployoftheirrespective
politicalsubdivisions,withsuchparticularsastheCommissionmayrequire.
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(n) Illegal release of prisoners before and after election. The Director of the Bureau of Prisons, any
provincialwarden,thekeeperofthejailorthepersonorpersonsrequiredbylawtokeepprisonersintheir
custodywhoillegallyordersorallowsanyprisonerdetainedinthenationalpenitentiary,ortheprovincial,city
or municipal jail to leave the premises thereof sixty days before and thirty days after the election. The
municipalorcitywarden,theprovincialwarden,thekeeperofthejailorthepersonorpersonsrequiredbylaw
to keep prisoners in their custody shall post in three conspicuous public places a list of the prisoners or
detentionprisonersundertheircare.Detentionprisonersmustbecategorizedassuch.

(o)Useofpublicfunds,moneydepositedintrust,equipment,facilitiesownedorcontrolledbythegovernment
foranelectioncampaign.Anypersonwhousesunderanyguisewhatsoever,directlyorindirectly,(1)public
funds or money deposited with, or held in trust by, public financing institutions or by government offices,
banks,oragencies(2)anyprintingpress,radio,ortelevisionstationoraudiovisualequipmentoperatedby
theGovernmentorbyitsdivisions,subdivisions,agenciesorinstrumentalities,includinggovernmentowned
orcontrolledcorporations,orbytheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesor(3)anyequipment,vehicle,facility,
apparatus, or paraphernalia owned by the government or by its political subdivisions, agencies including
governmentowned or controlled corporations, or by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for any election
campaignorforanypartisanpoliticalactivity.

(p)Deadlyweapons.Anypersonwhocarriesanydeadlyweaponinthepollingplaceandwithinaradiusof
onehundredmetersthereofduringthedaysandhoursfixedbylawfortheregistrationofvotersinthepolling
place,voting,countingofvotes,orpreparationoftheelectionreturns.However,incasesofaffray,turmoil,or
disorder,anypeaceofficerorpublicofficerauthorizedbytheCommissiontosupervisetheelectionisentitled
tocarryfirearmsoranyotherweaponforthepurposeofpreservingorderandenforcingthelaw.

(q)Carryingfirearmsoutsideresidenceorplaceofbusiness.Anypersonwho,althoughpossessingapermit
tocarryfirearms,carriesanyfirearmsoutsidehisresidenceorplaceofbusinessduringtheelectionperiod,
unlessauthorizedinwritingbytheCommission:Provided,Thatamotorvehicle,wateroraircraftshallnotbe
consideredaresidenceorplaceofbusinessorextensionhereof.

Thisprohibitionshallnotapplytocashiersanddisbursingofficerswhileintheperformanceoftheirdutiesorto
personswhobynatureoftheirofficialduties,profession,businessoroccupationhabituallycarrylargesums
ofmoneyorvaluables.

(r) Use of armored land, water or air craft. Any person who uses during the campaign period, on the day
beforeandonelectionday,anyarmoredland,wateroraircraft,providedwithanytemporaryorpermanent
equipmentoranyotherdeviceorcontraptionforthemountingorinstallationofcannons,machinegunsand
othersimilarhighcaliberfirearms,includingmilitarytypetanks,halftrucks,scouttrucks,armoredtrucks,of
any make or model, whether new, reconditioned, rebuilt or remodelled: Provided, That banking or financial
institutionsandallbusinessfirmsmayusenotmorethantwoarmoredvehiclesstrictlyfor,andlimitedto,the
purpose of transporting cash, gold bullion or other valuables in connection with their business from and to
theirplaceofbusiness,uponpreviousauthorityoftheCommission.

(s)Wearingofuniformsandbearingarms.Duringthecampaignperiod,onthedaybeforeandonelection
day,anymemberofsecurityorpoliceorganizationofgovernmentagencies,commissions,councils,bureaus,
offices, or governmentowned or controlled corporations, or privatelyowned or operated security,
investigative,protectiveorintelligenceagencies,whowearshisuniformoruseshisinsignia,decorationsor
regalia,orbearsarmsoutsidetheimmediatevicinityofhisplaceofwork:Provided,Thatthisprohibitionshall
not apply when said member is in pursuit of a person who has committed or is committing a crime in the
premises he is guarding or when escorting or providing security for the transport of payrolls, deposits, or
other valuables or when guarding the residence of private persons or when guarding private residences,
buildingsoroffices:Provided,further,ThatinthelastcasepriorwrittenapprovaloftheCommissionshallbe
obtained.TheCommissionshalldecideallapplicationsforauthorityunderthisparagraphwithinfifteendays
fromthedateofthefilingofsuchapplication.

During the same period, and ending thirty days thereafter any member of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines,special,forces,homedefenseforces,barangayselfdefenseunitsandallotherparamilitaryunits
thatnowexistorwhichmayhereafterbeorganizedwhowearshisuniformorbearsarmsoutsidethecamp,
garrisonorbarrackstowhichheisassignedordetailedoroutsidetheirhomes,incaseofmembersofpara
militaryunits,unless(1)thePresidentofthePhilippinesshallhavegivenpreviousauthoritytherefor,andthe
Commissionnotifiedthereofinwriting,or(2)theCommissionauthorizeshimtodoso,whichauthorityitshall
giveonlywhennecessarytoassistitinmaintainingfree,orderlyandhonestelections,andonlyafternotice
andhearing.AllpersonneloftheArmedForcesauthorizedbythePresidentortheCommissiontobeararms
orweartheiruniformsoutsidetheircampsandallpoliceandpeaceofficersshallbeartheirtruename,rank
andserialnumber,ifany,stitchedinblocklettersonawhitebackgroundontheleftbreastoftheiruniform,in
letters and numbers of a clearly legible design at least two centimeters tall, which shall at all times remain
visibleanduncovered.

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During the election period, whenever the Commission finds it necessary for the promotion of free, orderly,
honestandpeacefulelectionsinaspecificarea,itshallconfiscateorordertheconfiscationoffirearmsofany
memberormembersoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippines,policeforces,homedefenseforces,barangay
selfdefense units, and all other paramilitary units that now exist, or which may hereafter be organized, or
any member or members of the security or police organization, government ministries, commissions,
councils, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, or governmentowned or controlled corporations and other
subsidiaries,orofanymemberormembersofprivatelyownedoroperatedsecurity,investigative,protective
orintelligenceagenciesperformingidenticalorsimilarfunctions.

(t)Policemenandprovincialguardsactingasbodyguardsorsecurityguards.Duringthecampaignperiod,
onthedaybeforeandonelectionday,anymemberofthecityormunicipalpoliceforce,anyprovincialorsub
provincialguard,anymemberoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippines,specialforces,homedefenseforces,
barangay selfdefense units and all other paramilitary units that now exist or which may hereafter be
organizedwhoactsasbodyguardorsecurityguardofanypublicofficial,candidateoranyotherperson,and
anyofthelatterwhoutilizestheservicesoftheformerasbodyguardorsecurityguard:Provided,That,after
due notice and hearing, when the life and security of a candidate is in jeopardy, the Commission is
empowered to assign at the candidate's choice, any member of the Philippine Constabulary or the police
force of any municipality within the province to act as his bodyguard or security guard in a number to be
determined by the Commission but not to exceed three per candidate: Provided, however, That when the
circumstances require immediate action, the Commission may issue a temporary order allowing the
assignment of any member of the Philippine Constabulary or the local police force to act as bodyguard or
securityguardofthecandidate,subjecttoconfirmationorrevocation.

(u) Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or other similar forces. Any person who
organizesormaintainsareactionforce,strikeforceorsimilarforceduringtheelectionperiod.

Theheadsofallreactionforces,strikeforces,orsimilarforcesshall,notlaterthanfortyfivedaysbeforethe
election, submit to the Commission a complete list of all members thereof with such particulars as the
Commissionmayrequire.

(v)Prohibitionagainstrelease,disbursementorexpenditureofpublicfunds.Anypublicofficialoremployee
includingbarangayofficialsandthoseofgovernmentownedorcontrolledcorporationsandtheirsubsidiaries,
who, during fortyfive days before a regular election and thirty days before a special election, releases,
disbursesorexpendsanypublicfundsfor:

(1)Anyandallkindsofpublicworks,exceptthefollowing:

(a)Maintenanceofexistingand/orcompletedpublicworksproject:Provided,Thatnotmorethan
the average number of laborers or employees already employed therein during the sixmonth
periodimmediatelypriortothebeginningofthefortyfivedayperiodbeforeelectiondayshallbe
permitted to work during such time: Provided, further, That no additional laborers shall be
employedformaintenanceworkwithinthesaidperiodoffortyfivedays

(b)Workundertakenbycontractthroughpublicbiddingheld,orbynegotiatedcontractawarded,
before the fortyfive day period before election: Provided, That work for the purpose of this
sectionundertakenunderthesocalled"takay"or"paquiao"systemshallnotbeconsideredas
workbycontract

(c) Payment for the usual cost of preparation for working drawings, specifications, bills of
materials, estimates, and other procedures preparatory to actual construction including the
purchaseofmaterialsandequipment,andallincidentalexpensesforwagesofwatchmenand
other laborers employed for such work in the central office and field storehouses before the
beginning of such period: Provided, That the number of such laborers shall not be increased
overthenumberhiredwhentheprojectorprojectswerecommencedand

(d)Emergencyworknecessitatedbytheoccurrenceofapubliccalamity,butsuchworkshallbe
limitedtotherestorationofthedamagedfacility.

Nopaymentshallbemadewithinfivedaysbeforethedateofelectiontolaborerswhohaverendered
services in projects or works except those falling under subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d), of this
paragraph.

This prohibition shall not apply to ongoing public works projects commenced before the campaign
periodorsimilarprojectsunderforeignagreements.Forpurposesofthisprovision,itshallbetheduty
of the government officials or agencies concerned to report to the Commission the list of all such
projectsbeingundertakenbythem.

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(2) The Ministry of Social Services and Development and any other office in other ministries of the
governmentperformingfunctionssimilartosaidministry,exceptforsalariesofpersonnel,andforsuch
other routine and normal expenses, and for such other expenses as the Commission may authorize
after due notice and hearing. Should a calamity or disaster occur, all releases normally or usually
coursed through the said ministries and offices of other ministries shall be turned over to, and
administered and disbursed by, the Philippine National Red Cross, subject to the supervision of the
CommissiononAuditoritsrepresentatives,andnocandidateorhisorherspouseormemberofhis
familywithinthesecondcivildegreeofaffinityorconsanguinityshallparticipate,directlyorindirectly,in
thedistributionofanyrelieforothergoodstothevictimsofthecalamityordisasterand

(3) The Ministry of Human Settlements and any other office in any other ministry of the government
performing functions similar to said ministry, except for salaries of personnel and for such other
necessary administrative or other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and
hearing.

(w) Prohibition against construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of
treasurywarrantsandsimilardevices.Duringtheperiodoffortyfivedaysprecedingaregularelectionand
thirty days before a special election, any person who (a) undertakes the construction of any public works,
except for projects or works exempted in the preceding paragraph or (b) issues, uses or avails of treasury
warrants or any device undertaking future delivery of money, goods or other things of value chargeable
againstpublicfunds.

(x)Suspensionofelectiveprovincial,city,municipalorbarangayofficer.Theprovisionsoflawtothecontrary
notwithstanding during the election period, any public official who suspends, without prior approval of the
Commission, any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer, unless said suspension will be for
purposesofapplyingthe"AntiGraftandCorruptPracticesAct"inrelationtothesuspensionandremovalof
electiveofficialsinwhichcasetheprovisionsofthissectionshallbeinapplicable.

(y)OnRegistrationofVoters:

(1) Any person who, having all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications of a voter, fails
withoutjustifiableexcusetoregisterasavoterinanelection,plebisciteorreferenduminwhichheis
qualifiedtovote.

(2) Any person who knowingly makes any false or untruthful statement relative to any of the data or
informationrequiredintheapplicationforregistration.

(3)Anypersonwhodeliberatelyimprintsorcausestheimprintingofblurredorindistinctfingerprintson
anyofthecopiesoftheapplicationforregistrationoronthevoter'saffidavitoranypersoninchargeof
the registration of voters who deliberately or through negligence, causes or allows the imprinting of
blurred or indistinct fingerprints on any of the aforementioned registration forms, or any person who
tamperswiththefingerprintsinsaidregistrationrecords.

(4) Any member of the board of election inspectors who approves any application which on its face
showsthattheapplicantdoesnotpossessallthequalificationsprescribedbylawforavoterorwho
disapproves any application which on its face shows that the applicant possesses all such
qualifications.

(5) Any person who, being a registered voter, registers anew without filing an application for
cancellationofhispreviousregistration.

(6)Anypersonwhoregistersinsubstitutionforanotherwhetherwithorwithoutthelatter'sknowledge
orconsent.

(7) Any person who tampers with or changes without authority any data or entry in any voter's
applicationforregistration.

(8)Anypersonwhodelays,hindersorobstructanotherfromregistering.

(9)Anypersonwhofalselycertifiesoridentifiesanotherasabonafideresidentofaparticularplaceor
localityforthepurposeofsecuringthelatter'sregistrationasavoter.

(10)Anypersonwhousesthevoter'saffidavitofanotherforthepurposeofvoting,whetherornothe
actuallysucceedsinvoting.

(11)Anypersonwhoplaces,insertsorotherwiseincludes,asapprovedapplicationforregistrationin
thebookofvotersorintheprovincialornationalcentralfilesofregisteredvoters,theapplicationofany
fictitiousvoteroranyapplicationthathasnotbeenapprovedorremovesfrom,orotherwisetakesout
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of the book of voters or the provincial or national central files of registered voters any duly approved
voter'sapplication,exceptuponlawfulorderoftheCommission,orofacompetentcourtorafterproper
cancellationasprovidedinSections122,123,124and125hereof.

(12)Anypersonwhotransfersorcausesthetransferoftheregistrationrecordofavotertothebookof
votersofanotherpollingplace,unlesssaidtransferwasduetoachangeofaddressofthevoterand
thevoterwasdulynotifiedofhisnewpollingplace.

(13) Any person who asks, demands, takes, accepts or possesses, directly or indirectly, the voter's
affidavit of another, in order to induce the latter to withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any
candidate in an election or any issue in a plebiscite or referendum. It shall be presumed prima facie
that the asking, demanding, taking, accepting, or possessing is with such intent if done within the
periodbeginningtendaysbeforeelectiondayandendingtendaysafterelectionday,unlessthevoter's
affidavitofanotherandthelatterarebothmembersofthesamefamily.

(14) Any person who delivers, hands over, entrusts, gives, directly or indirectly his voter's affidavit to
anotherinconsiderationofmoneyorotherbenefitorpromisesthereof,ortakesoracceptssuchvoter's
affidavit directly or indirectly, by giving or causing the giving of money or other benefit or making or
causingthemakingofapromisethereof.

(15) Any person who alters in any manner, tears, defaces, removes or destroys any certified list of
voters.

(16)Anypersonwhotakes,carriesorpossessesanyblankorunusedregistrationformalreadyissued
toacityormunicipalityoutsideofsaidcityormunicipalityexceptasotherwiseprovidedinthisCodeor
whendirectedbyexpressorderofthecourtoroftheCommission.

(17) Any person who maliciously omits, tampers or transfers to another list the name of a registered
voterfromtheofficiallistofvoterspostedoutsidethepollingplace.

(z)Onvoting:

(1)Anypersonwhofailstocasthisvotewithoutjustifiableexcuse.

(2)Anypersonwhovotesmorethanonceinthesameelection,orwho,notbeingaregisteredvoter,
votesinanelection.

(3) Any person who votes in substitution for another whether with or without the latter's knowledge
and/orconsent.

(4) Any person who, not being illiterate or physically disabled, allows his ballot to be prepared by
another, or any person who prepares the ballot of another who is not illiterate or physically disabled,
withorwithoutthelatter'sknowledgeand/orconsent.

(5)Anypersonwhoavailshimselfofanymeansofschemetodiscoverthecontentsoftheballotofa
voterwhoispreparingorcastinghisvoteorwhohasjustvoted.

(6) Any voter who, in the course of voting, uses a ballot other than the one given by the board of
electioninspectorsorhasinhispossessionmorethanoneofficialballot.

(7)Anypersonwhoplacesunderarrestordetainsavoterwithoutlawfulcause,ormolestshiminsuch
amannerastoobstructorpreventhimfromgoingtothepollingplacetocasthisvoteorfromreturning
homeaftercastinghisvote,ortocompelhimtorevealhowhevoted.

(8)Anymemberoftheboardofelectioninspectorschargedwiththedutyofreadingtheballotduring
thecountingofvoteswhodeliberatelyomitstoreadthevotedulywrittenontheballot,ormisreadsthe
voteactuallywrittenthereonorreadsthenameofacandidatewherenonameiswrittenontheballot.

(9)Anymemberoftheboardofelectioninspectorschargedwiththedutyoftallying

thevotesinthetallyboardorsheet,electionreturnsorotherprescribedformwhodeliberatelyfailsto
recordavotethereinorrecordserroneouslythevotesasread,orrecordsavotewherenosuchvote
hasbeenreadbythechairman.

(10)Anymemberofaboardofelectioninspectorswhohasmadepossiblethecastingofmorevotes
thanthereareregisteredvoters.

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(11) Any person who, for the purpose of disrupting or obstructing the election process or causing
confusion among the voters, propagates false and alarming reports or information or transmits or
circulates false orders, directives or messages regarding any matter relating to the printing of official
ballots, the postponement of the election, the transfer of polling place or the general conduct of the
election.

(12)Anypersonwho,withoutlegalauthority,destroys,substitutesortakesawayfromthepossession
ofthosehavinglegalcustodythereof,orfromtheplacewheretheyarelegallydeposited,anyelection
formordocumentorballotboxwhichcontainsofficialballotsorotherdocumentsusedintheelection.

(13)Anypersonhavinglegalcustodyoftheballotboxcontainingtheofficialballotsusedintheelection
whoopensordestroyssaidboxorremovesordestroysitscontentswithoutoragainsttheorderofthe
Commissionorwho,throughhisnegligence,enablesanypersontocommitanyoftheaforementioned
acts,ortakesawaysaidballotboxfromhiscustody.

(14)Anymemberoftheboardofelectioninspectorswhoknowinglyusesballotsotherthantheofficial
ballots,exceptinthosecaseswheretheuseofemergencyballotsisauthorized.

(15) Any public official who neglects or fails to properly preserve or account for any ballot box,
documentsandformsreceivedbyhimandkeptunderhiscustody.

(16) Any person who reveals the contents of the ballot of an illiterate or disabled voter whom he
assistedinpreparingaballot.

(17)Anypersonwho,withoutauthority,transfersthelocationofapollingplace.

(18) Any person who, without authority, prints or causes the printing of any ballot or election returns
that appears as official ballots or election returns or who distributes or causes the same to be
distributedforuseintheelection,whetherornottheyareactuallyused.

(19)Anypersonwho,withoutauthority,keeps,usesorcarriesoutorcausestobekept,usedorcarried
out,anyofficialballotorelectionreturnsorprintedproofthereof,typeformmould,electrotypeprinting
plates and any other plate, numbering machines and other printing paraphernalia being used in
connectionwiththeprintingofofficialballotsorelectionreturns.

(20)AnyofficialoremployeeofanyprintingestablishmentoroftheCommissionoranymemberofthe
committee in charge of the printing of official ballots or election returns who causes official ballots or
election returns to be printed in quantities exceeding those authorized by the Commission or who
distributes,delivers,orinanymannerdisposesoforcausestobedistributed,delivered,ordisposedof,
any official ballot or election returns to any person or persons not authorized by law or by the
Commissiontoreceiveorkeepofficialballotsorelectionreturnsorwhosendsorcausesthemtobe
senttoanyplacenotdesignatedbylaworbytheCommission.

(21) Any person who, through any act, means or device, violates the integrity of any official ballot or
electionreturnsbeforeoraftertheyareusedintheelection.

(22)Anypersonwhoremoves,tears,defacesordestroysanycertifiedlistofcandidatespostedinside
thevotingboothsduringthehoursofvoting.

(23)Anypersonwhoholdsorcausestheholdingofanelectiononanyotherdaythanthatfixedbylaw
orbytheCommission,orstopsanyelectionbeinglegallyheld.

(24)Anypersonwhodeliberatelyblurshisfingerprintinthevotingrecord.

(aa)OnCanvassing:

(1)Anychairmanoftheboardofcanvasserswhofailstogiveduenoticeofthedate,timeandplaceof
themeetingofsaidboardtothecandidates,politicalpartiesand/ormembersoftheboard.

(2) Any member of the board of canvassers who proceeds with the canvass of the votes and/or
proclamationofanycandidatewhichwassuspendedorannulledbytheCommission.

(3) Any member of the board of canvassers who proceeds with the canvass of votes and/or
proclamationofanycandidateintheabsenceofquorum,orwithoutgivingduenoticeofthedate,time
andplaceofthemeetingoftheboardtothecandidates,politicalparties,and/orothermembersofthe
board.

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(4) Any member of the board of canvassers who, without authority of the Commission, uses in the
canvassofvotesand/orproclamationofanycandidateanydocumentotherthantheofficialcopyofthe
electionreturns.

(bb)Commontoallboardsofelectioninspectorsandboardsofcanvassers:

(1)Anymemberofanyboardofelectioninspectorsorboardofcanvasserswhodeliberatelyabsents
himselffromthemeetingsofsaidbodyforthepurposeofobstructingordelayingtheperformanceofits
dutiesorfunctions.

(2) Any member of any board of election inspectors or board of canvassers who, without justifiable
reason, refuses to sign and certify any election form required by this Code or prescribed by the
Commissionalthoughhewaspresentduringthemeetingofthesaidbody.

(3)Anypersonwho,beingineligibleforappointmentasmemberofanyboardofelectioninspectorsor
boardofcanvassers,acceptsanappointmenttosaidbody,assumesoffice,andactuallyservesasa
memberthereof,oranyofpublicofficeroranypersonactinginhisbehalfwhoappointssuchineligible
personknowinghimtobeineligible.

(4)Anypersonwho,inthepresenceorwithinthehearingofanyboardofelectioninspectorsorboard
ofcanvassersduringanyofitsmeetings,conductshimselfinsuchadisorderlymannerastointerrupt
or disrupt the work or proceedings to the end of preventing said body from performing its functions,
eitherpartlyortotally.

(5)Anypublicofficialorpersonactinginhisbehalfwhorelievesanymemberofanyboardofelection
inspectors or board of canvassers or who changes or causes the change of the assignments of any
member of said board of election inspectors or board of canvassers without authority of the
Commission.

(cc)Oncandidacyandcampaign:

(1)Anypoliticalpartywhichholdspoliticalconventionsormeetingstonominateitsofficialcandidates
earlierthattheperiodfixedinthisCode.

(2)Anypersonwhoabstracts,destroysorcancelsanycertificateofcandidacydulyfiledandwhichhas
notbeencancelleduponorderoftheCommission.

(3) Any person who misleads the board of election inspectors by submitting any false or spurious
certificateofcandidacyordocumenttotheprejudiceofacandidate.

(4) Any person who, being authorized to receive certificates of candidacy, receives any certificate of
candidacyoutsidetheperiodforfilingthesameandmakesitappearthatsaidcertificateofcandidacy
was filed on time or any person who, by means of fraud, threat, intimidation, terrorism or coercion,
causesorcompelsthecommissionofsaidact.

(5) Any person who, by any device or means, jams, obstructs or interferes with a radio or television
broadcastofanylawfulpoliticalprogram.

(6)Anypersonwhosolicitsvotesorundertakesanypropaganda,onthedayofelection,fororagainst
anycandidateoranypoliticalpartywithinthepollingplaceorwithinaradiusofthirtymetersthereof.

(dd)Otherprohibitions:

(1)Anypersonwhosells,furnishes,offers,buys,servesortakesintoxicatingliquoronthedaysfixed
bylawfortheregistrationofvotersinthepollingplace,oronthedaybeforetheelectionoronelection
day:Provided,ThathotelsandotherestablishmentsdulycertifiedbytheMinistryofTourismastourist
oriented and habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists may be exempted for justifiable
reasons upon prior authority of the Commission: Provided, further, That foreign tourists taking
intoxicatingliquorinsaidauthorizedhotelsorestablishmentsareexemptedfromtheprovisionsofthis
subparagraph.

(2)Anypersonwhoopensinanypollingplaceorwithinaradiusofthirtymetersthereofonelectionday
and during the counting of votes, booths or stalls of any kind for the sale, dispensing or display of
wares,merchandiseorrefreshments,whethersolidorliquid,orforanyotherpurposes.

(3) Any person who holds on election day, fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races, jaialai or any other
similarsports.

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(4)Refusaltocarryelectionmailmatter.Anyoperatororemployeeofapublicutilityortransportation
company operating under a certificate of public convenience, including governmentowned or
controlledpostalserviceoritsemployeesordeputizedagentswhorefusetocarryofficialelectionmail
matters free of charge during the election period. In addition to the penalty prescribed herein, such
refusal shall constitute a ground for cancellation or revocation of certificate of public convenience or
franchise.

(5) Prohibition against discrimination in the sale of air time. Any person who operates a radio or
television station who without justifiable cause discriminates against any political party, coalition or
aggroupment of parties or any candidate in the sale of air time. In addition to the penalty prescribed
herein,suchrefusalshallconstituteagroundforcancellationorrevocationofthefranchise.

Section262.Otherelectionoffenses.Violationoftheprovisions,orpertinentportions,ofthefollowingsectionsof
thisCodeshallconstituteelectionoffenses:Sections9,18,74,75,76,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,95,96,
97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106107,108,109,110,111,112,122,123,127,128,129,132,134,135,
145,148,150,152,172,173,174,178,180,182,184,185,186,189,190,191,192,194,195,196,197,198,202,
203,204,205,206,207,208,209,210,211,212,213,214,215,216,217,218,219,220,223,229,230,231,233,
234,235,236,239and240.

Section263.Personscriminallyliable. The principals, accomplices, and accessories, as defined in the Revised

PenalCode,shallbecriminallyliableforelectionoffenses.Iftheoneresponsiblebeapoliticalpartyoranentity,its
presidentorhead,theofficialsandemployeesofthesame,performingdutiesconnectedwiththeoffensecommitted
and its members who may be principals, accomplices, or accessories shall be liable, in addition to the liability of
suchpartyorentity.

Section264.Penalties. Any person found guilty of any election offense under this Code shall be punished with
imprisonmentofnotlessthanoneyearbutnotmorethansixyearsandshallnotbesubjecttoprobation.Inaddition,
the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of
suffrage.Ifheisaforeigner,heshallbesentencedtodeportationwhichshallbeenforcedaftertheprisontermhas
beenserved.Anypoliticalpartyfoundguiltyshallbesentencedtopayafineofnotlessthantenthousandpesos,
which shall be imposed upon such party after criminal action has been instituted in which their corresponding
officialshavebeenfoundguilty.

In case of prisoner or prisoners illegally released from any penitentiary or jail during the prohibited period as
providedinSection261,paragraph(n)ofthisCode,thedirectorofprisons,provincialwarden,keeperofthejailor
prison,orpersonswhoarerequiredbylawtokeepsaidprisonerintheircustodyshall,ifconvictedbyacompetent
court, be sentenced to suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period if the prisoner or prisoners so
illegallyreleasedcommitanyactofintimidation,terrorismofinterferenceintheelection.

Any person found guilty of the offense of failure to register or failure to vote shall, upon conviction, be fined one
hundred pesos. In addition, he shall suffer disqualification to run for public office in the next succeeding election
followinghisconvictionorbeappointedtoapublicofficeforaperiodofoneyearfollowinghisconviction.

Section265. Prosecution. The Commission shall, through its duly authorized legal officers, have the exclusive
powertoconductpreliminaryinvestigationofallelectionoffensespunishableunderthisCode,andtoprosecutethe
same. The Commission may avail of the assistance of other prosecuting arms of the government: Provided,
however,ThatintheeventthattheCommissionfailstoactonanycomplaintwithinfourmonthsfromhisfiling,the
complainantmayfilethecomplaintwiththeofficeofthefiscalorwiththeMinistryofJusticeforproperinvestigation
andprosecution,ifwarranted.

Section266.Arrestinconnectionwiththeelectioncampaign.Nopersonshallbearrestedand/ordetainedatany
time for any alleged offense committed during and in connection with any election through any act or language
tendingtosupportoropposeanycandidate,politicalpartyorcoalitionofpoliticalpartiesunderorpursuanttoany
order of whatever name or nature and by whomsoever issued except only upon a warrant of arrest issued by a
competentjudgeafteralltherequirementsoftheConstitutionshallhavebeenstrictlycompliedwith.

Iftheoffensechargedispunishableunderapresidentialdecreewhetheroriginallyorbyamendmentofaprevious
law,thedeathpenaltyshallnotbeimposedupontheoffenderexceptwheremurder,rapeorarsonisinvolved.Inall
cases,thepenaltyshallnotbehigherthanreclusionperpetuaandtheoffendershallbeentitledtoreasonablebail
uponsufficientsuretiestobegrantedspeedilybythecompetentcourt.Moreover,lossoftherightofcitizenshipand
confiscationofpropertyshallnotbeimposed.

Anyofficerorapersonwhoshallviolateanyprovisionofthissectionshallbepunishedbyimprisonmentofnotless
than six (6) years and one (1) day nor more than twelve (12) years, with the accessory penalties for election
offenses.TheprovisionofSection267ofthisCodeshallnotapplytoprosecutionunderthissection.

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Section267.Prescription.Electionoffensesshallprescribeafterfiveyearsfromthedateoftheircommission.If
thediscoveryoftheoffensebemadeinanelectioncontestproceedings,theperiodofprescriptionshallcommence
onthedateonwhichthejudgmentinsuchproceedingsbecomesfinalandexecutory.

Section268.Jurisdictionofcourts.Theregionaltrialcourtshallhavetheexclusiveoriginaljurisdictiontotryand
decideanycriminalactionorproceedingsforviolationofthisCode,exceptthoserelatingtotheoffenseoffailureto
registerorfailuretovotewhichshallbeunderthejurisdictionofthemetropolitanormunicipaltrialcourts.Fromthe
decisionofthecourts,appealwilllieasinothercriminalcases.

Section 269. Preferential disposition of election offenses. The investigation and prosecution of cases involving
violations of the election laws shall be given preference and priority by the Commission on Elections and
prosecuting officials. Their investigation shall be commenced without delay, and shall be resolved by the
investigatingofficerwithinfivedaysfromitssubmissionforresolution.Thecourtsshalllikewisegivepreferenceto
election offenses over all other cases, except petitions for writ of habeas corpus. Their trial shall likewise be
commenced without delay, and shall be conducted continuously until terminated, and the case shall be decided
withinthirtydaysfromitssubmissionfordecision.

ARTICLEXXIII
LEGALFEES

Section270.Collectionoflegalfees.TheCommissionisherebyauthorizedtocollectfeesasfollows:

(a) For furnishing certified transcript of records or copies of any record, decision or ruling or entry of which
anypersonisentitledtodemandandreceiveacopy,foreverypageP2.00

(b)Foreverycertificateorwritorprocess10.00

(c)Foreachcertificatenotonprocess2.00

(d)Inappropriatecases,forfilingasecondandsucceedingmotionsforreconsideration50.00

(e)Foreverysearchofanyrecordofmorethanoneyear'sstandingandreadingthesame10.00

Section271.PaymentofFees. Thefeesmentionedintheprecedingsectionshallbepaidtothecashierofthe
Commissionwhoshallinallcasesissueareceiptforthesameandshallentertheamountreceiveduponhisbook
specifying the date when received, the fee, and the person from whom received. The cashier shall immediately
reportsuchpaymenttotheCommission.

ARTICLEXXIV
TRANSITORYPROVISIONS

Section272.Pendingactions.PendingactionsandcausesofactionarisingbeforetheeffectivityofthisCodeshall
begovernedbythelawstheninforce.

Section273.DesignationofcertainpreelectionactsimmediatelyaftertheapprovalofthisCode.Ifitshouldno
longerbereasonablypossibletoobservetheperiodsanddateshereinprescribedforcertainpreelectionactsinthe
electionimmediatelyfollowingtheapprovalofthisCode,theCommissionshallfixotherperiodsinordertoensure
thatvotersshallnotbedeprivedoftheirrightofsuffrage.

Section274.Accreditationofdominantoppositionparty.Forpurposesofthenextlocalelectionsin1986andthe
next presidential elections in 1987 or earlier, the dominant opposition party shall be that political party, group or
organization or coalition of major national or regional political parties opposed to the majority party which has the
capabilitytowageabonafidenationwidecampaignasshownbytheextentofitsorganizationandthenumberof
MembersofParliamentaffiliatedwithit:Provided,however,Thatwithspecificreferencetothenextlocalelectionsin
constituencies which are represented in the Batasang Pambansa by Members who do not belong either to the
majority party or to the political party or coalition of political parties described above, the representatives of the
opposition in the board of election inspectors, board of canvassers or other similar bodies shall be proposed
exclusively by the party to which said Member of the Batasang Pambansa belong: Provided, however, That it is
registeredbeforethenextlocalelections.

Anypoliticalparty,groupororganizationorcoalitionofpoliticalpartiesseekingaccreditationunderthissectionshall
file a verified petition with the Commission on Elections stating therein such information as may be necessary to
enable the Commission to determine the qualifications for accreditation in accordance with the standard herein
provided.

The Commission on Elections shall accredit the dominant opposition party not later than thirty days before the
campaignperiodineveryelection.

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Incaseapresidentialelectionisheldbeforethenextlocalelectionsorbeforethepresidentialelectionin1987,the
provisions of the Constitution shall be enforced in determining which shall be the dominant opposition party for
purposesofthenextlocalelections.

Section 275. Party representatives in the board of election inspectors. Until such time as the two accredited
politicalpartiesaredeterminedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheConstitution,thetwomembersshalleachbe
proposedbytherulingpartyandthedominantoppositionpartyasmaybedeterminedbytheCommissionpursuant
totheprovisionsofthisCode.

Section276.Appropriations, and insurance for board of election inspectors. The cost of holding the next local
elections provided in this Code shall be funded out of the current appropriations of the Commission on Elections
providedforthispurpose.Incaseofdeficiency,additionalfundingmaybeprovidedoutofthespecialactivitiesfund
intendedforspecialpriorityactivitiesauthorizedintheGeneralAppropriationsAct.

Thechairmanandthepollclerkoftheboardofelectioninspectorsshallreceiveperdiemattherateofonehundred
pesosonelectiondayandfiftypesosoneachoftheregistrationandrevisiondays.Theinspectorsofthepolitical
partiesshallbegrantedaperdiemoffiftypesosonelectiondayandtwentyfivepesosoneachoftheregistration
andrevisiondays.EducationsupportpersonneloftheMinistryofEducation,CultureandSportsshallreceiveaper
diemoftwentyfivepesosduringelectionday.

Supervisors,principalsandotheradministratorsoftheMinistryofEducation,CultureandSportswhomaybeasked
by the Commission, and actually report, for supervisory assignment during registration and election day shall be
entitledtoaperdiemoffiftypesos.

The provincial, city and municipal treasurers shall receive per diem at the rate of one hundred pesos on election
day.

Paymentsofperdiemsunderthissectionshallbemadewithinseventytwohoursaftertheelectionorregistration
day.

The chairman, poll clerk and party representatives in the board of election inspectors shall be insured with the
governmentServiceInsuranceSystematfiftythousandpesoseachundertermsandconditionsthatshallbeagreed
uponbytheChairmanoftheCommission,theMinistriesoftheBudget,andtheMinisterofEducation,Cultureand
Sports.

Section277.SpecialelectionforPresidentbefore1987.IncaseavacancyintheOfficeofthePresidentoccurs
before the presidential election in 1987, the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa shall act as President until a
President and a VicePresident or either of them shall have been elected and shall have qualified. Their term of
officeshallcommenceatnoonofthetenthdayfollowingtheirproclamation,andshallendatnoononthethirtieth
dayofJuneofthesixthyearthereafter.

TheActingPresidentmaynotdeclaremartiallaworsuspendtheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpuswithoutthe
prior consent of at least a majority of all the Members of the Batasang Pambansa, or issue any decree, order or
letterofinstructionswhilethelawmakingpowerofthePresidentisinforce.Heshallbedeemedautomaticallyon
leave and the Speaker ProTempore shall act as Speaker. While acting as President, the Speaker may not be
removed. He shall not be eligible for election in the immediately succeeding election for President and Vice
President.

TheBatasangPambansashall,atteno'clockinthemorningofthethirddayafterthevacancyoccurs,convenein
accordancewithitsruleswithoutneedofacallandwithinsevendaysenactalawcallingforaspecialelectionto
electaPresidentandaVicepresidenttobeheldnotearlierthanfortyfivedaysnorlaterthansixtydaysfromthe
timeofsuchcall.Thebillcallingsuchspecialelectionshallbedeemedcertifiedunderparagraph(2),Section19,
ArticleVIIIoftheConstitutionandshallbecomelawuponitsapprovalonthirdreadingbytheBatasangPambansa.
Appropriationsforthespecialelectionshallbechargedagainstanycurrentappropriationsandshallbeexemptfrom
therequirementsofparagraph(4),Section16ofArticleVIIIoftheConstitution.Asprovidedinthethirdparagraph,
Section 9 of Article VII thereof, the convening of the Batasang Pambansa cannot be suspended nor the special
electionpostponed.Nospecialelectionshallbecalledifthevacancyoccurswithinseventydaysbeforethedateof
thepresidentialelectionof1987.

Appointments extended by the Acting President shall remain effective, unless revoked by the newly elected
Presidentwithinninetydaysfromhisassumptionofoffice.

Section278.SpecialelectiontofillexistingvacanciesintheBatasangPambansa.TheelectionofMemberstofill
existingvacanciesintheBatasangPambansashallbeheldsimultaneouslywiththenextlocalelectionin1986orin
thenextspecialnationalelectionforPresidentandVicePresidentifoneisheldearlier.

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Section279.Elective officials in existing subprovinces. The election of elective public officials in existing sub
provincesshalllikewisebeheldsimultaneouslywiththenextlocalelectionsof1986and1990inaccordancewith
their respective charters, subject to the same term, qualifications, manner of election and resolution of election
controversiesasarehereinprovidedforcomparableprovincialelectiveofficials.

ARTICLEXXV
FINALPROVISIONS

Section280.ReorganizationoftheCommissiononElections.Inordertopromotemaximumefficiencyincarrying
out its constitutional duty to insure free, orderly and honest elections and in discharging its judicial powers and
functionsundertheConstitution,theCommissionisherebyauthorizedtoreorganizeitsofficewithintwelvemonths
afterthefirstelectiontobeheldunderthisCode.Itmaycreate,merge,orabolishdepartments,offices,divisionsor
units, redistribute functions and reassign personnel, change designations of existing positions subject to pertinent
existing laws and regulations. It may recommend the levels and rates of salaries of its subordinate officials and
employees subject to the laws and regulations on civil service and compensation, position classification and
standardization of salaries: Provided, That no permanent official or employee already in the service of the
Commission,uponapprovalofthisCode,shallbelaidoff,ordemotedinrankorsalary.

Section281.Separabilityclause.IfforanyreasonanysectionorprovisionofthisCode,oranyportionthereof,or
the application of such section, provision or portion to any person, group or circumstance is declared invalid or
unconstitutional,theremainderofthisCodeortheapplicationofsuchsection,provisionorportionthereoftoother
persons,groupsorcircumstancesshallnotbeaffectedbysuchdeclaration.

Section282.Repealingclause.PresidentialDecreeNo.1296,otherwiseknownasThe1978ElectionCode,as
amended, is hereby repealed. All other election laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof,inconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthisCodeareherebyrepealed,exceptPresidentialDecreeNo.1618and
BatasPambansaBlg.20governingtheelectionofthemembersoftheSangguniangPampookofRegionsIXand
XII.

Section283.Effectivity.ThisCodeshalltakeeffectuponitsapproval.

Approved,December3,1985.

TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

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