ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 1. Title.

- This Act shall be known and cited as the "Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines." Sec. . A!!licabilit". - This Code shall #o$e%n all election o& !'blic o&&ice%s and( to the e)tent a!!%o!%iate( all %e&e%enda and !lebiscites. Sec. *. Election and ca+!ai#n !e%iods. - ,nless othe%wise &i)ed in s!ecial cases b" the Co++ission on Elections( which he%eina&te% shall be %e&e%%ed to as the Co++ission( the election !e%iod shall co++ence ninet" da"s be&o%e the da" o& the election and shall end thi%t" da"s the%ea&te%. The !e%iod o& ca+!ai#n shall be as &ollows1. P%esidential and Vice-P%esidential Election - ./ da"s0 . Election o& 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa and Local Election - 34 da"s0 and *. 2a%an#a" Election - 14 da"s. The ca+!ai#n !e%iods shall not incl'de the da" be&o%e and the da" o& the election. 5owe$e%( in case o& s!ecial elections 'nde% A%ticle VIII( Section 4( S'bsection 6 7 o& the Constit'tion( the ca+!ai#n !e%iod shall be &o%t"-&i$e da"s. Sec. 3. Obli#ation to %e#iste% and $ote. - It shall be the obli#ation o& e$e%" citi8en 9'ali&ied to $ote to %e#iste% and cast his $ote. Sec. 4. Post!one+ent o& election. - :hen &o% an" se%io's ca'se s'ch as $iolence( te%%o%is+( loss o% dest%'ction o& election !a%a!he%nalia o% %eco%ds( &o%ce +a;e'%e( and othe% analo#o's ca'ses o& s'ch a nat'%e that the holdin# o& a &%ee( o%de%l" and honest election sho'ld beco+e i+!ossible in an" !olitical s'bdi$ision( the Co++ission( +ot' !%o!%io o% '!on a $e%i&ied !etition b" an" inte%ested !a%t"( and a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#( whe%eb" all inte%ested !a%ties a%e a&&o%ded e9'al o!!o%t'nit" to be hea%d( shall !ost!one the election the%ein to a date which sho'ld be %easonabl" close to the date o& the election not held( s's!ended o% which %es'lted in a &ail'%e to elect b't not late% than thi%t" da"s a&te% the cessation o& the ca'se &o% s'ch !ost!one+ent o% s's!ension o& the election o% &ail'%e to elect. Sec. <. =ail'%e o& election. - I&( on acco'nt o& &o%ce +a;e'%e( $iolence( te%%o%is+( &%a'd( o% othe% analo#o's ca'ses the election in an" !ollin# !lace has not been held on the date &i)ed( o% had been s's!ended be&o%e the ho'% &i)ed b" law &o% the closin# o& the $otin#( o% a&te% the $otin# and d'%in# the !%e!a%ation and the t%ans+ission o& the election %et'%ns o% in the c'stod" o% can$ass the%eo&( s'ch election %es'lts in a &ail'%e to elect( and in an" o& s'ch cases the &ail'%e o% s's!ension o& election wo'ld a&&ect the %es'lt o& the election( the Co++ission shall( on the basis o& a $e%i&ied !etition b" an" inte%ested !a%t" and a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#( call &o% the holdin# o% contin'ation o& the election

not held( s's!ended o% which %es'lted in a &ail'%e to elect on a date %easonabl" close to the date o& the election not held( s's!ended o% which %es'lted in a &ail'%e to elect b't not late% than thi%t" da"s a&te% the cessation o& the ca'se o& s'ch !ost!one+ent o% s's!ension o& the election o% &ail'%e to elect. Sec. >. Call o& s!ecial election. - 617 In case a $acanc" a%ises in the 2atasan# Pa+bansa ei#hteen +onths o% +o%e be&o%e a %e#'la% election( the Co++ission shall call a s!ecial election to be held within si)t" da"s a&te% the $acanc" occ'%s to elect the 1e+be% to se%$e the 'ne)!i%ed te%+. 6 7 In case o& the dissol'tion o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa( the P%esident shall call an election which shall not be held ea%lie% than &o%t"-&i$e no% late% than si)t" da"s &%o+ the date o& s'ch dissol'tion. The Co++ission shall send s'&&icient co!ies o& its %esol'tion &o% the holdin# o& the election to its !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso%s and election %e#ist%a%s &o% disse+ination( who shall !ost co!ies the%eo& in at least th%ee cons!ic'o's !laces !%e&e%abl" whe%e !'blic +eetin#s a%e held in each cit" o% +'nici!alit" a&&ected. Sec. ?. Election Code to be a$ailable in !ollin# !laces. - A !%inted co!" o& this Code in En#lish o% in the national lan#'a#e shall be !%o$ided and be +ade a$ailable b" the Co++ission in e$e%" !ollin# !lace( in o%de% that it +a" be %eadil" cons'lted b" an" !e%son in need the%eo& on the %e#ist%ation( %e$ision and election da"s. Sec. .. O&&icial +ail and tele#%a+ %elati$e to elections. - Pa!e%s connected with the election and %e9'i%ed b" this Code to be sent b" !'blic o&&ice%s in the !e%&o%+ance o& thei% election d'ties shall be &%ee o& !osta#e and sent b" %e#iste%ed s!ecial deli$e%" +ail. Tele#%a+s o& the sa+e nat'%e shall likewise be t%ans+itted &%ee o& cha%#e b" #o$e%n+ent teleco++'nications and si+ila% &acilities. It shall be the d't" o& the Post+aste% Gene%al( the @i%ecto% o& the 2'%ea' o& Teleco++'nications( and the +ana#e%s o& !%i$ate teleco++'nication co+!anies to t%ans+it i++ediatel" and in !%e&e%ence to all othe% co++'nications o% tele#%a+s +essa#es %e!o%tin# election %es'lts and s'ch othe% +essa#es o% co++'nications which the Co++ission +a" %e9'i%e o% +a" be necessa%" to ens'%e &%ee( honest and o%de%l" elections. Sec. 1/. Election e)!enses. - E)ce!t in ba%an#a" elections( s'ch e)!enses as +a" be necessa%" and %easonable in connection with the elections( %e&e%enda( !lebiscites and othe% si+ila% e)e%cises shall be !aid b" the Co++ission. The Co++ission +a" di%ect that in the !%o$inces( cities( o% +'nici!alities( the election e)!enses cha%#eable to the Co++ission be ad$anced b" the !%o$ince( cit" o% +'nici!alit" conce%ned s'b;ect to %ei+b'%se+ent b" the Co++ission '!on !%esentation o& the !%o!e% bill. ='nds needed b" the Co++ission to de&%a" the e)!enses &o% the holdin# o& %e#'la% and s!ecial elections( %e&e%enda and !lebiscites shall be !%o$ided in the %e#'la% a!!%o!%iations o& the Co++ission which( '!on %e9'est( shall i++ediatel" be %eleased to the Co++ission. In case o& de&icienc"( the a+o'nt so !%o$ided shall be a'#+ented &%o+ the s!ecial acti$ities &'nds in the #ene%al a!!%o!%iations act and &%o+ those s!eci&icall" a!!%o!%iated &o% the !'%!ose in s!ecial laws.

Sec. 11. =ail'%e to ass'+e o&&ice. - The o&&ice o& an" o&&icial elected who &ails o% %e&'ses to take his oath o& o&&ice within si) +onths &%o+ his !%ocla+ation shall be conside%ed $acant( 'nless said &ail'%e is &o% a ca'se o% ca'ses be"ond his cont%ol. Sec. 1 . @is9'ali&ications. - An" !e%son who has been decla%ed b" co+!etent a'tho%it" insane o% inco+!etent( o% has been sentenced b" &inal ;'d#+ent &o% s'b$e%sion( ins'%%ection( %ebellion o% &o% an" o&&ense &o% which he has been sentenced to a !enalt" o& +o%e than ei#hteen +onths o% &o% a c%i+e in$ol$in# +o%al t'%!it'de( shall be dis9'ali&ied to be a candidate and to hold an" o&&ice( 'nless he has been #i$en !lena%" !a%don o% #%anted a+nest". This dis9'ali&ications to be a candidate he%ein !%o$ided shall be dee+ed %e+o$ed '!on the decla%ation b" co+!etent a'tho%it" that said insanit" o% inco+!etence had been %e+o$ed o% a&te% the e)!i%ation o& a !e%iod o& &i$e "ea%s &%o+ his se%$ice o& sentence( 'nless within the sa+e !e%iod he a#ain beco+es dis9'ali&ied. ARTICLE II. ELECTION O= PRESI@ENT AN@ VICE-PRESI@ENT Sec. 1*. Re#'la% election &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident. - The %e#'la% election &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident o& the Phili!!ines shall be held on the &i%st 1onda" o& 1a" Nineteen h'nd%ed ei#ht" se$en 61.?>7 and on the sa+e da" e$e%" si) "ea%s the%ea&te%. The P%esident-elect and the Vice-P%esident-elect shall ass'+e o&&ice at twel$e oAclock noon on the thi%tieth da" o& B'ne ne)t &ollowin# the election and shall end at noon o& the sa+e date( si) "ea%s the%ea&te% when the te%+ o& his s'ccesso% shall be#in. Sec. 13. S!ecial election &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident. - In case a $acanc" occ'%s &o% the O&&ice o& the P%esident and Vice-P%esident( the 2atasan# Pa+bansa shall( at ten oAclock in the +o%nin# o& the thi%d da" a&te% the $acanc" occ'%s( con$ene in acco%dance with its %'les witho't need o& a call and within se$en da"s enact a law callin# &o% a s!ecial election to elect a P%esident and a Vice-P%esident to be held not ea%lie% than &o%t"&i$e da"s no% late% than si)t" da"s &%o+ the ti+e o& s'ch call. The bill callin# s'ch s!ecial election shall be dee+ed ce%ti&ied 'nde% !a%a#%a!h 6 7( Section 1.( A%ticle VIII o& the Constit'tion and shall beco+e law '!on its a!!%o$al on thi%d %eadin# b" the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. A!!%o!%iations &o% the s!ecial election shall be cha%#ed a#ainst an" c'%%ent a!!%o!%iations and shall be e)e+!t &%o+ the %e9'i%e+ents o& !a%a#%a!h 637( Section 1< o& A%ticle VIII o& the Constit'tion. The con$enin# o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa cannot be s's!ended no% the s!ecial election !ost!oned. No s!ecial election shall be called i& the $acanc" occ'%s within se$ent" da"s be&o%e the date o& the !%esidential election o& 1.?>. Sec. 14. Can$ass o& $otes &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident b" the !%o$incial o% cit" boa%d o& can$asse%s. - The !%o$incial( cit"( o% dist%ict boa%ds o& can$asse%s in 1et%o!olitan 1anila( as the case +a" be( shall +eet not late% than si) oAclock in the e$enin# on election da" to can$ass the election %et'%ns that +a" ha$e al%ead" been %ecei$ed b" the+( %es!ecti$el". It shall +eet contin'o'sl" &%o+ da" to da" 'ntil the can$ass is co+!leted( b't +a" ad;o'%n onl" &o% the !'%!ose o& awaitin# the othe% election %et'%ns. Each ti+e the boa%d ad;o'%ns( it shall +ake a total o& all the $otes cast &o% each candidate &o% P%esident and &o% Vice-P%esident( d'l" a'thenticated b" the si#nat'%es and th'+b+a%ks o& all the +e+be%s o& the !%o$incial( cit" o% dist%ict boa%d o& can$asse%s(

&'%nishin# the Co++ission in 1anila b" the &astest +eans o& co++'nication a co!" the%eo&( and +akin# a$ailable the data contained the%ein to +ass +edia and othe% inte%ested !a%ties. ,!on the co+!letion o& the can$ass( the boa%d shall !%e!a%e a ce%ti&icate o& can$ass showin# the $otes %ecei$ed b" each candidate &o% the o&&ice o& the P%esident and &o% Vice-P%esident( d'l" a'thenticated b" the si#nat'%es and th'+b+a%ks o& all the +e+be%s o& the !%o$incial( cit" o% dist%ict boa%d o& can$asse%s. ,!on the co+!letion o& the ce%ti&icate o& can$ass( the boa%d shall ce%ti&" and t%ans+it the said ce%ti&icate o& can$ass to the S!eake% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. The !%o$incial( cit" and dist%ict boa%ds o& can$asse%s shall !%e!a%e the ce%ti&icate o& can$ass &o% the election o& P%esident and Vice-P%esident( s'!!o%ted b" a state+ent o& $otes b" !ollin# !lace( in 9'int'!licate b" the 'se o& ca%bon !a!e%s o% s'ch othe% +eans as the Co++ission shall !%esc%ibe to the end that all &i$e co!ies shall be le#ibl" !%od'ced in one handw%itin#. The &i$e co!ies o& the ce%ti&icate o& can$ass +'st bea% the si#nat'%es and th'+b+a%ks o& all the +e+be%s o& the boa%d. ,!on the co+!letion o& these ce%ti&icates and state+ents( the" shall be enclosed in en$elo!es &'%nished b" the Co++ission and sealed( and i++ediatel" dist%ib'ted as &ollows- the o%i#inal co!" shall be enclosed and sealed in the en$elo!e di%ected to the S!eake% and deli$e%ed to hi+ at the 2atasan# Pa+bansa b" the &astest !ossible +eans0 the second co!" shall likewise be enclosed and sealed in the en$elo!e di%ected to the Co++ission0 the thi%d co!" shall be %etained b" the !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso%( in the case o& the !%o$incial boa%d o& can$asse%s( and b" the cit" election %e#ist%a%( in the case o& the cit" boa%d o& can$asse%s0 and one co!" each to the a'tho%i8ed %e!%esentati$es o& the %'lin# !a%t" and the do+inant o!!osition !olitical !a%t". =ail'%e to co+!l" with the %e9'i%e+ents o& this section shall constit'te an election o&&ense. Sec. 1<. Co'ntin# o& $otes &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident b" the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. The ce%ti&icates o& can$ass( d'l" ce%ti&ied b" the boa%d o& can$asse%s o& each !%o$ince( cit" o% dist%ict in 1et%o!olitan 1anila shall be t%ans+itted to the S!eake% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa( who shall( not late% than thi%t" da"s a&te% the da" o& the election( con$ene the 2atasan# Pa+bansa in session and in its !%esence o!en all the ce%ti&icates o& can$ass( and the $otes shall then be co'nted. Sec. 1>. Co%%ection o& e%%o%s in ce%ti&icate and s'!!o%tin# state+ent al%ead" t%ans+itted to the S!eake%. - No co%%ection o& e%%o%s alle#edl" co++itted in the ce%ti&icate o& can$ass and s'!!o%tin# state+ent al%ead" t%ans+itted to the S!eake% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa shall be allowed( s'b;ect to the !%o$isions o& the s'cceedin# section. Sec. 1?. P%ese%$ation o& ballot bo)es( thei% ke"s( and dis!osition o& thei% contents. - ,ntil a&te% the co+!letion b" the 2atasan# Pa+bansa o& the can$assin# o& the $otes and 'ntil an 'ncontested !%ocla+ation o& the P%esident-elect and Vice-P%esident-elect shall ha$e been obtained( the !%o$incial( cit" o% dist%ict boa%d o& can$asse%s 'nde% the ;oint %es!onsibilit" with the !%o$incial( cit" o% +'nici!al t%eas'%e%s shall !%o$ide &o% the sa&ekee!in# and sto%a#e o& the ballot bo)es in a sa&e and closed cha+be% sec'%ed b" &o'% !adlocks- one to be !%o$ided b" the co%%es!ondin# boa%d chai%+an0 one b" the !%o$incial o% cit" t%eas'%e% conce%ned0 and one each b" the %'lin# !a%t" and the acc%edited do+inant o!!osition !olitical !a%t". Sec. 1.. :hen ce%ti&icate o& can$ass is inco+!lete o% bea%s e%as'%es o% alte%ations. :hen the ce%ti&icate o& can$ass( d'l" ce%ti&ied b" the boa%d o& can$asse%s o& each

!%o$ince( cit" o% dist%ict in 1et%o!olitan 1anila and t%ans+itted to the S!eake% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa( as !%o$ided in the Constit'tion( a!!ea%s to be inco+!lete( the S!eake% shall %e9'i%e the boa%d o& can$asse%s conce%ned to t%ans+it to his o&&ice( b" !e%sonal deli$e%"( the election %et'%ns &%o+ !ollin# !laces that we%e not incl'ded in the ce%ti&icate o& can$ass and s'!!o%tin# state+ents. Said election %et'%ns shall be s'b+itted b" !e%sonal deli$e%" to the S!eake% within two da"s &%o+ %ecei!t o& notice. :hen it a!!ea%s that an" ce%ti&icate o& can$ass o% s'!!o%tin# state+ent o& $otes b" !ollin# !lace bea%s e%as'%es o% alte%ations which +a" cast do'bt as to the $e%acit" o& the n'+be% o& $otes stated the%ein and +a" a&&ect the %es'lt o& the election( the 2atasan# Pa+bansa '!on %e9'est o& the P%esidential o% Vice-P%esidential candidate conce%ned o% his !a%t" shall( &o% the sole !'%!ose o& $e%i&"in# the act'al n'+be% o& $otes cast &o% P%esident o% Vice-P%esident( co'nt the $otes as the" a!!ea% in the co!ies o& the election %et'%ns &o% the Co++ission. =o% this !'%!ose( the S!eake% shall %e9'i%e the Co++ission to deli$e% its co!ies o& the election %et'%ns to the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. Sec. /. P%ocla+ation o& the P%esident-elect and Vice-P%esident-elect. - ,!on the co+!letion o& the can$ass o& the $otes b" the 2atasan# Pa+bansa( the !e%sons obtainin# the hi#hest n'+be% o& $otes &o% P%esident and &o% Vice-P%esident shall be decla%ed elected0 b't in case two o% +o%e shall ha$e an e9'al and the hi#hest n'+be% o& $otes( one o& the+ shall be chosen P%esident o% Vice-P%esident( as the case +a" be( b" a +a;o%it" $ote o& all the 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa in session asse+bled. In case the%e a%e ce%ti&icates o& can$ass which ha$e not been s'b+itted to the S!eake% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa on acco'nt o& +issin# election %et'%ns( a !%ocla+ation +a" be +ade i& the +issin# ce%ti&icates will not a&&ect the %es'lts o& the election. In case the ce%ti&icates o& can$ass which we%e not s'b+itted on acco'nt o& +issin# election %et'%ns will a&&ect the %es'lts o& the election( no !%ocla+ation shall be +ade. The S!eake% shall i++ediatel" inst%'ct the boa%ds o& can$asse%s conce%ned to obtain the +issin# election %et'%ns &%o+ the boa%ds o& election ins!ecto%s o%( i& the %et'%ns ha$e been lost o% dest%o"ed '!on !%io% a'tho%it" &%o+ the Co++ission( to 'se an" a'thentic co!" o& said election %et'%ns &o% the !'%!ose o& cond'ctin# the can$ass( and the%ea&te% iss'e the ce%ti&icates o& can$ass. The ce%ti&icates o& can$ass shall be i++ediatel" t%ans+itted to the S!eake% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. P%ocla+ation shall be +ade onl" '!on s'b+ission o& all ce%ti&icates o& can$ass o% when the +issin# ce%ti&icates o& can$ass will not a&&ect the %es'lts o& the election. ARTICLE III. ELECTION O= 1E12ERS O= T5E 2ATASANG PA12ANSA Sec. 1. Re#'la% election o& 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. - The %e#'la% election o& the 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa shall be held on the second 1onda" o& 1a"( Nineteen h'nd%ed and ninet" 61../7 and on the sa+e da" e$e%" si) "ea%s the%ea&te%. Sec. . S!ecial election &o% 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. - In case a $acanc" a%ises in the 2atasan# Pa+bansa ei#hteen +onths o% +o%e be&o%e a %e#'la% election( the Co++ission shall call a s!ecial election to be held within si)t" da"s a&te% the $acanc" occ'%s to elect the 1e+be% to se%$e the 'ne)!i%ed te%+.

The 2atasan# Pa+bansa th%o'#h a d'l" a!!%o$ed %esol'tion o% an o&&icial co++'nication o& the S!eake% when it is not in session shall ce%ti&" to the Co++ission the e)istence o& said $acanc". Sec. *. Co+!osition o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. - The 2atasan# Pa+bansa shall be co+!osed o& not +o%e than two h'nd%ed 1e+be%s elected &%o+ the di&&e%ent !%o$inces o& the Phili!!ines with thei% co+!onent cities( hi#hl" '%bani8ed cities and dist%icts o& 1et%o!olitan 1anila( those elected o% selected &%o+ $a%io's secto%s as !%o$ided he%ein( and those chosen b" the P%esident &%o+ the +e+be%s o& the Cabinet. Sec. 3. A!!o%tion+ent o& %e!%esentati$es. - ,ntil a new a!!o%tion+ent shall ha$e been +ade( the 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa shall be a!!o%tioned in acco%dance with the O%dinance a!!ended to the Constit'tion( as &ollowsNational Ca!ital Re#ion- 1anila( <0 C'e8on Cit"( 30 Caloocan( 0 Pasa"( 10 Pasi# and 1a%ikina( 0 Las PiDas and Pa%aDa9'e( 10 1akati( 10 1alabon( Na$otas and Valen8'ela( 0 San B'an and 1andal'"on#( 10 Ta#'i#( Pate%os and 1'ntin#l'!a( 1. Re#ion 1- Ab%a( 10 2en#'et( 10 Ilocos No%te with Laoa# Cit"( 0 Ilocos S'%( 0 La ,nion( 0 1o'ntain P%o$ince( 10 Pan#asinan with the cities o& @a#'!an and San Ca%los( <0 2a#'io Cit"( 1. Re#ion II- 2atanes( 10 Ca#a"an( *0 I&'#ao( 10 Isabela( *0 Ealin#a-A!a"ao( 10 N'e$a Vi8ca"a( 10 C'i%ino( 1. Re#ion III- 2ataan( 10 2'lacan( 30 N'e$a Eci;a with the cities o& Cabanat'an( Pala"an and San Bose( 30 Pa+!an#a with An#eles Cit"( 30 Ta%lac( 0 Fa+bales( 10 Olon#a!o Cit"( 1. Re#ion IV- A'%o%a( 10 2atan#as with the cities o& 2atan#as and Li!a( 30 Ca$ite with the cities o& Ca$ite( Ta#a"ta" and T%ece 1a%ti%es( *0 La#'na with San Pablo Cit"( 30 1a%ind'9'e( 10 Occidental 1indo%o( 10 O%iental 1indo%o( 0 Palawan with P'e%to P%incesa Cit"( 10 C'e8on with L'cena Cit"( 30 Ri8al( 0 Ro+blon( 1. Re#ion V- Alba" with Le#as!i Cit"( *0 Ca+a%ines No%te( 10 Ca+a%ines S'% with the cities o& I%i#a and Na#a( 30 Catand'anes( 10 1asbate( 0 So%so#on( . Re#ion VI- Aklan( 10 Anti9'e( 10 Ca!i8 with Ro)as Cit"0 Iloilo with Iloilo Cit"( 40 Ne#%os Occidental with the cities o& 2acolod( 2a#o( Cadi8( La Ca%lota( San Ca%los and Sila"( >. Re#ion VII- 2ohol with Ta#bila%an Cit"( *0 Ceb' with the cities o& @anao( La!'-La!'( 1anda'e and Toledo( <0 Ne#%os O%iental with the cities o& 2ais( Canlaon and @'+a#'ete( *0 Si9'i;o%( 10 Ceb' Cit"( . Re#ion VIII- Le"te with the cities o& O%+oc and Tacloban( 40 So'the%n Le"te( 10 Easte%n Sa+a%( 10 No%the%n Sa+a%( 10 Sa+a% with Calba"o# Cit"( . Re#ion IG- 2asilan( 10 S'l'( 10 Tawi-Tawi( 10 Fa+boan#a del No%te with the cities o& @a!itan and @i!olo#( 0 Fa+boan#a del S'% with Pa#adian Cit"( *0 Fa+boan#a Cit"( 1.

Re#ion G- A#'san del No%te with 2't'an Cit"( 10 A#'san del S'%( 10 2'kidnon( 0 Ca+i#'in( 10 1isa+is Occidental with the cities o& O%o9'ieta( O8a+is and Tan#'b( 10 1isa+is O%iental with Gin#oo# Cit"( 0 S'%i#ao del No%te with S'%i#ao Cit"( 10 Ca#a"an de O%o Cit"( 1. Re#ion GI- S'%i#ao del S'%( 10 @a$ao del No%te( *0 @a$ao O%iental( 10 @a$ao del S'%( 0 So'th Cotabato with Gene%al Santos Cit"( *0 @a$ao Cit"( . Re#ion GII- Lanao del No%te( 10 Lanao del S'% with 1a%awi Cit"( 0 1a#'indanao with Cotabato Cit"( 0 No%th Cotabato( 0 S'ltan E'da%at( 10 Ili#an Cit"( 1. An" !%o$ince that +a" he%ea&te% be c%eated o% an" co+!onent cit" that +a" he%ea&te% be decla%ed b" o% !'%s'ant to law as a hi#hl" '%bani8ed cit" shall be entitled in the i++ediatel" &ollowin# election to at least one 1e+be% o% s'ch n'+be% o& 1e+be%s as it +a" be entitled to on the basis o& the n'+be% o& the inhabitants and on the sa+e 'ni&o%+ and !%o#%essi$e %atio 'sed in the last !%ecedin# a!!o%tion+ent. The n'+be% o& 1e+be%s a!!o%tioned to the !%o$ince o't o& which the new !%o$ince was c%eated o% whe%e the new hi#hl" '%bani8ed cit" is #eo#%a!hicall" located shall be co%%es!ondin#l" ad;'sted b" the Co++ission( b't s'ch ad;'st+ent shall not be +ade within one h'nd%ed twent" da"s be&o%e the election. Sec. 4. Votin# b" !%o$ince and its co+!onent cities( b" hi#hl" '%bani8ed cit" o% b" dist%ict in 1et%o!olitan 1anila. - All candidates shall be $oted at la%#e b" the %e#iste%ed $ote%s o& thei% %es!ecti$e constit'encies. The candidates co%%es!ondin# to the n'+be% o& 1e+be% o% 1e+be%s to be elected in a constit'enc" who %ecei$e the hi#hest n'+be% o& $otes shall be decla%ed elected. Sec. <. Secto%al %e!%esentati$es. - The%e shall be th%ee secto%s to be %e!%esented in the 2atasan# Pa+bansa( na+el"- 617 "o'th0 6 7 a#%ic'lt'%al labo%0 6*7 ind'st%ial labo% whose %e!%esentati$es shall be elected in the +anne% he%ein !%o$ided. Each secto% shall be entitled to &o'% %e!%esentati$es( two o& who+ shall co+e &%o+ L'8on( one &%o+ Visa"as( and one &%o+ 1indanao- P%o$ided( That the "o'th secto% shall be entitled to two additional secto%al %e!%esentati$es who shall be elected &%o+ an" !a%t o& the co'nt%". Sec. >. Sco!e o& the secto%s. - The a#%ic'lt'%al labo% secto% co$e%s all !e%sons who !e%sonall" and !h"sicall" till the land as thei% !%inci!al occ'!ation. It incl'des a#%ic'lt'%al tenants and lessees( %'%al wo%ke%s and &a%+ e+!lo"ees( owne%-c'lti$ato%s( settle%s and s+all &ishe%+en. The ind'st%ial labo% secto% incl'des all non-a#%ic'lt'%al wo%ke%s and e+!lo"ees. The "o'th secto% e+b%aces !e%sons not +o%e than twent"-&i$e "ea%s o& a#e. Sec. ?. Selection o& secto%al %e!%esentati$es. - Not late% than twent" da"s a&te% the election o& !%o$incial( cit" o% dist%ict %e!%esentati$es( the +ost %e!%esentati$e and #ene%all" %eco#ni8ed o%#ani8ations o% a##%o'!+ents o& +e+be%s o& the a#%ic'lt'%al labo%( ind'st%ial labo%( and "o'th secto%s( as attested to b" the 1iniste%s o& A#%a%ian Re&o%+ and o& A#%ic'lt'%e and =ood( the 1iniste%s o& Labo% and E+!lo"+ent( and the 1iniste%s o& Local Go$e%n+ent and o& Ed'cation( C'lt'%e and S!o%ts( %es!ecti$el"( shall( in acco%dance with the !%oced'%es o& said o%#ani8ations o% a##%o'!+ents o& +e+be%s o&

the secto%( s'b+it to the P%esident thei% %es!ecti$e no+inees &o% each slot allotted &o% each secto%. The P%esident shall a!!oint &%o+ a+on# the no+inees s'b+itted b" the a&o%e+entioned o%#ani8ations o% a##%o'!+ents the %e!%esentati$es o& each secto%. In %eco#ni8in# the +ost %e!%esentati$e and #ene%all" %eco#ni8ed o%#ani8ations o% a##%o'!+ents( the 1iniste%s o& A#%a%ian Re&o%+ and o& A#%ic'lt'%e and =ood( the 1iniste% o& Labo% and E+!lo"+ent( and the 1iniste%s o& Local Go$e%n+ent and Ed'cation( C'lt'%e and S!o%ts shall conside%6a7 The e)tent o& +e+be%shi! and acti$it" o& the o%#ani8ation o% a##%o'!+ent which sho'ld be national0 6b7 The %es!onsi$eness o& the o%#ani8ation o% a##%o'!+ent to the le#iti+ate as!i%ations o& its secto%0 6c7 The +ilitanc" and consistenc" o& the o%#ani8ation o% a##%o'!+ent in es!o'sin# the ca'se and !%o+otin# the wel&a%e o& the secto% consistent with that o& the whole co'nt%"0 6d7 The obse%$ance b" s'ch o%#ani8ation o% a##%o'!+ent o& the %'le o& law0 and 6e7 Othe% analo#o's &acto%s. The P%esident o& the Phili!!ines shall( in w%itin#( noti&" the Sec%eta%"-Gene%al o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa o& the a!!oint+ent +ade b" hi+ o& an" secto%al %e!%esentati$e. E)ce!t as he%ein othe%wise !%o$ided( secto%al %e!%esentati$es shall ha$e the sa+e &'nctions( %es!onsibilities( %i#hts( !%i$ile#es( 9'ali&ications and dis9'ali&ications as the %e!%esentati$es &%o+ the !%o$inces and thei% co+!onent cities( hi#hl" '%bani8ed cities o% dist%icts o& 1et%o!olitan 1anila. ARTICLE IV. ELECTION O= LOCAL O==ICIALS Sec. .. Re#'la% elections o& local o&&icials. - The election o& !%o$incial( cit" and +'nici!al o&&icials whose !ositions a%e !%o$ided &o% b" the Local Go$e%n+ent Code shall be held th%o'#ho't the Phili!!ines in the +anne% he%ein !%esc%ibed on the &i%st 1onda" o& 1a"( Nineteen h'nd%ed and ei#ht"-si) and on the sa+e da" e$e%" si) "ea%s the%ea&te%. The o&&icials elected shall ass'+e o&&ice on the thi%tieth da" o& B'ne ne)t &ollowin# the election and shall hold o&&ice &o% si) "ea%s and 'ntil thei% s'ccesso%s shall ha$e been elected and 9'ali&ied. All local inc'+bent o&&icials whose ten'%e o& o&&ice shall e)!i%e on 1a%ch *( 1.?< shall hold o&&ice 'ntil B'ne */( 1.?< o% 'ntil thei% s'ccesso%s shall ha$e been elected and 9'ali&ied- P%o$ided( That the" cannot be s's!ended o% %e+o$ed witho't ;'st ca'se.

Sec. */. Co+!onent and hi#hl" '%bani8ed cities. - ,nless thei% %es!ecti$e cha%te%s !%o$ide othe%wise( the electo%ate o& co+!onent cities shall be entitled to $ote in the election &o% !%o$incial o&&icials o& the !%o$ince o& which it is a !a%t. The electo%ate o& hi#hl" '%bani8ed cities shall not $ote in the election &o% !%o$incial o&&icials o& the !%o$ince in which it is located- P%o$ided( howe$e%( That no co+!onent cit" shall be decla%ed o% be entitled to a hi#hl" '%bani8ed cit" stat's within ninet" da"s !%io% to an" election. ARTICLE V. ELECTION O= 1E12ERS O= T5E REGIONAL ASSE12LH O= T5E A,TONO1O,S REGIONS. Sec. *1. The San##'nian# Pa+!ook o& the a'tono+o's %e#ions. - Re#ion IG and Re#ion GII in so'the%n Phili!!ines shall each ha$e a San##'nian# Pa+!ook to be co+!osed o& twent"-se$en +e+be%s and shall incl'de se$enteen %e!%esentati$es elected &%o+ the di&&e%ent !%o$inces and cities o& each %e#ion( and a secto%al %e!%esentati$e each &%o+ a+on# the "o'th( a#%ic'lt'%al wo%ke%s( and non-a#%ic'lt'%al wo%ke%s 6ind'st%ial labo%7 o& each %e#ion to be selected in the +anne% he%ein !%o$ided whose 9'ali&ications and dis9'ali&ications a%e the sa+e as 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. The P%esident shall a!!oint an additional se$en %e!%esentati$es in each %e#ion whene$e% in his ;'d#+ent an" othe% secto% is not !%o!e%l" %e!%esented in the San##'nian# Pa+!ook as a %es'lt o& the elections. Sec. * . A!!o%tion+ent o& +e+be%s o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook. - The 1e+be%s o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook o& Re#ion IG and o& Re#ion GII shall be a!!o%tioned as &ollowsRe#ion IG- 2asilan( one 6170 S'l'( th%ee 6*70 Tawi-Tawi( one 6170 Fa+boan#a del No%te incl'din# the cities o& @i!olo# and @a!itan( &o'%( 6370 and Fa+boan#a del S'%( incl'din# the Cit" o& Pa#adian( si) 6<70 and Fa+boan#a Cit"( two 6 70 Re#ion GII- Lanao del No%te( two 6 70 Ili#an Cit"( one 6170 Lanao del S'% incl'din# the Cit" o& 1a%awi( &o'% 6370 1a#'indanao incl'din# the Cit" o& Cotabato( &o'% 6370 No%th Cotabato( &o'% 6370 and S'ltan E'da%at( two 6 7. Sec. **. Election o& +e+be%s o& San##'nian# Pa+!ook. - The candidates &o% the !osition o& se$enteen %e!%esentati$es to the San##'nian# Pa+!ook o& Re#ion IG and o& Re#ion GII shall be $oted at la%#e b" the %e#iste%ed $ote%s o& each !%o$ince incl'din# the cities conce%ned. The candidates co%%es!ondin# to the n'+be% o& +e+be% o% +e+be%s to be elected in a constit'enc" who %ecei$e the hi#hest n'+be% o& $otes shall be decla%ed elected. Sec. *3. Selection o& secto%al %e!%esentati$es. - The P%esident shall( within thi%t" da"s &%o+ the con$enin# o& each San##'nian# Pa+!ook( a!!oint the secto%al %e!%esentati$es on %eco++endation o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook and a&te% d'e cons'ltation with the %e!%esentati$e and #ene%all" %eco#ni8ed o%#ani8ations o% a##%'!ations o& +e+be%s o& the "o'th( a#%ic'lt'%al wo%ke%s and non-a#%ic'lt'%al wo%ke%s as attested b" the 1iniste%s

o& Local Go$e%n+ent and o& Ed'cation( C'lt'%e and S!o%ts 6"o'th7( 1iniste%s o& A#%a%ian Re&o%+ and o& A#%ic'lt'%e and =ood 6a#%ic'lt'%al wo%ke%s7( and 1iniste%s o& Labo% and E+!lo"+ent 6non-a#%ic'lt'%al o% ind'st%ial labo%7. The P%esident o& the Phili!!ines shall in w%itin# noti&" the S!eake% o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook o& each %e#ion o& the a!!oint+ent +ade b" hi+ o& an" secto%al %e!%esentati$e. The secto%al %e!%esentati$es shall ha$e the sa+e &'nctions( %es!onsibilities( %i#hts( !%i$ile#es( 9'ali&ications and dis9'ali&ications as the electi$e !%o$incial %e!%esentati$es to the San##'nian# Pa+!ook- P%o$ided( howe$e%( That no de&eated candidate &o% +e+be% o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook in the i++ediatel" !%ecedin# election shall be a!!ointed as secto%al %e!%esentati$e. Sec. *4. =illin# o& $acanc". - Pendin# an election to &ill a $acanc" a%isin# &%o+ an" ca'se in the San##'nian# Pa+!ook( the $acanc" shall be &illed b" the P%esident( '!on %eco++endation o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook- P%o$ided( That the a!!ointee shall co+e &%o+ the sa+e !%o$ince o% secto% o& the +e+be% bein# %e!laced. Sec. *<. Te%+ o& o&&ice. - The !%esent +e+be%s o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook o& each o& Re#ion IG and Re#ion GII shall contin'e in o&&ice 'ntil B'ne */( 1.?< o% 'ntil thei% s'ccesso%s shall ha$e been elected and 9'ali&ied o% a!!ointed and 9'ali&ied in the case o& secto%al +e+be%s. The" +a" not be %e+o$ed o% %e!laced e)ce!t in acco%dance with the inte%nal %'les o& said asse+bl" o% !%o$isions o& !e%tinent laws. The election o& +e+be%s o& the San##'nian# Pa+!ook o& the two %e#ions shall be held si+'ltaneo'sl" with the local elections o& 1.?<. Those elected in said elections shall ha$e a te%+ o& &o'% "ea%s sta%tin# B'ne */( 1.?<. Those elected in the election o& 1../ to be held si+'ltaneo'sl" with the elections o& 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa shall ha$e a te%+ o& si) "ea%s. ARTICLE VI. ELECTION O= 2ARANGAH O==ICIALS Sec. *>. Re#'la% election o& ba%an#a" o&&icials. - The election &o% ba%an#a" o&&icials shall be held th%o'#ho't the Phili!!ines in the +anne% !%esc%ibed on the second 1onda" o& 1a" Nineteen h'nd%ed and ei#ht"-ei#ht and on the sa+e da" e$e%" si) "ea%s the%ea&te%. The o&&icials elected shall ass'+e o&&ice on the thi%tieth da" o& B'ne ne)t &ollowin# the election and shall hold o&&ice &o% si) "ea%s and 'ntil thei% s'ccesso%s shall ha$e been elected and 9'ali&ied. Sec. *?. Cond'ct o& elections. - The ba%an#a" election shall be non-!a%tisan and shall be cond'cted in an e)!editio's and ine)!ensi$e +anne%. No !e%son who &iles a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" shall %e!%esent o% allow hi+sel& to be %e!%esented as a candidate o& an" !olitical !a%t" o% an" othe% o%#ani8ation0 and no !olitical !a%t"( !olitical #%o'!( !olitical co++ittee( ci$ic( %eli#io's( !%o&essional( o% othe% o%#ani8ation o% o%#ani8ed #%o'! o& whate$e% nat'%e shall inte%$ene in his no+ination o%

in the &ilin# o& his ce%ti&icate o& candidac" o% #i$e aid o% s'!!o%t( di%ectl" o% indi%ectl"( +ate%ial o% othe%wise &a$o%able to o% a#ainst his ca+!ai#n &o% election- P%o$ided( That this !%o$ision shall not a!!l" to the +e+be%s o& the &a+il" o& a candidate within the &o'%th ci$il de#%ee o& consan#'init" o% a&&init" no% to the !e%sonal ca+!ai#n sta&& o& the candidate which shall not be +o%e than one &o% e$e%" one h'nd%ed %e#iste%ed $ote%s in his ba%an#a"- P%o$ided( howe$e%( That witho't !%e;'dice to an" liabilit" that +a" be inc'%%ed( no !e%+it to hold a !'blic +eetin# shall be denied on the #%o'nd that the !%o$isions o& this !a%a#%a!h +a" o% will be $iolated. Nothin# in this section( howe$e%( shall be const%'ed as in an" +anne% a&&ectin# o% constit'tin# an i+!ai%+ent o& the &%eedo+ o& indi$id'als to s'!!o%t o% o!!ose an" candidate &o% an" ba%an#a" o&&ice. Sec. *.. Ce%ti&icate o& Candidac". - No !e%son shall be elected !'non# ba%an#a" o% ka#awad n# san##'nian# ba%an#a" 'nless he &iles a swo%n ce%ti&icate o& candidac" in t%i!licate on an" da" &%o+ the co++ence+ent o& the election !e%iod b't not late% than the da" be&o%e the be#innin# o& the ca+!ai#n !e%iod in a &o%+ to be !%esc%ibed b" the Co++ission. The candidate shall state the ba%an#a" o&&ice &o% which he is a candidate. The ce%ti&icate o& candidac" shall be &iled with the sec%eta%" o& the san##'nian# ba%an#a" who shall ha$e the +iniste%ial d't" to %ecei$e said ce%ti&icate o& candidac" and to i++ediatel" acknowled#e %ecei!t the%eo&. In case the sec%eta%" %e&'ses to %ecei$e the sa+e( o% in the case o& his absence o% nona$ailabilit"( a candidate +a" &ile his ce%ti&icate with the election %e#ist%a% o& the cit" o% +'nici!alit" conce%ned. The sec%eta%" o& the san##'nian# ba%an#a" o% the election %e#ist%a%( as the case +a" be( shall !%e!a%e a consolidated list all the candidates and shall !ost said list in the ba%an#a" hall and in othe% cons!ic'o's !laces in the ba%an#a" at least ten da"s be&o%e the election. An" electi$e o% a!!ointi$e +'nici!al( cit"( !%o$incial o% national o&&icial o% e+!lo"ee( o% those in the ci$il o% +ilita%" se%$ice( incl'din# those in #o$e%n+ent-owned o% cont%olled co%!o%ations( shall be conside%ed a'to+aticall" %esi#ned '!on the &ilin# o& ce%ti&icate o& candidac" &o% a ba%an#a" o&&ice. Sec. 3/. 2oa%d o& Election Telle%s. - 617 The Co++ission shall constit'te not late% than ten da"s be&o%e the election a boa%d o& election telle%s in e$e%" ba%an#a" !ollin# !lace( to be co+!osed o& a !'blic ele+enta%" school teache% as chai%+an( and two +e+be%s who a%e %e#iste%ed $ote%s o& the !ollin# !lace conce%ned( b't who a%e not inc'+bent ba%an#a" o&&icials no% %elated to an" candidate &o% an" !osition in that ba%an#a" within the &o'%th ci$il de#%ee o& a&&init" o% consan#'init". In case no !'blic ele+enta%" school teache%s a%e a$ailable( the Co++ission shall desi#nate an" %e#iste%ed $ote% in the !ollin# !lace who is not an inc'+bent ba%an#a" o&&icial no% %elated to an" candidate &o% an" !osition in that ba%an#a" within the &o'%th ci$il de#%ee o& a&&init" o% consan#'init".

6 7 The boa%d o& election telle%s shall s'!e%$ise and cond'ct the election in thei% %es!ecti$e !ollin# !laces( co'nt the $otes and the%ea&te% !%e!a%e a %e!o%t in t%i!licate on a &o%+ !%esc%ibed b" the Co++ission. The o%i#inal o& this %e!o%t shall be deli$e%ed i++ediatel" to the ba%an#a" boa%d o& can$asse%s. The second co!" shall be deli$e%ed to the election %e#ist%a% and the thi%d co!" shall be deli$e%ed to the sec%eta%" o& the san##'nian# ba%an#a" who shall kee! the sa+e on &ile. Sec. 31. Re#ist%ation o& $ote%s and list o& $ote%s. - Not late% than se$en da"s be&o%e the election( the boa%d o& election telle%s shall +eet in e$e%" ba%an#a" !ollin# !lace to cond'ct the %e#ist%ation o& ba%an#a" $ote%s and to !%e!a%e the list o& $ote%s. An" $ote% +a" challen#e the 9'ali&ication o& an" !e%son seekin# to %e#iste% and said challen#e shall be hea%d and decided on the sa+e da" b" the boa%d o& election telle%s. The &inal list o& $ote%s shall be !osted in the !ollin# !laces at least two da"s be&o%e election da". The %e#ist%ation o& an" $ote% shall not be t%ans&e%%ed witho't w%itten notice at least two da"s be&o%e the date o& election. Not late% than the da" &ollowin# the ba%an#a" election( the boa%d o& election telle%s shall deli$e% the list o& $ote%s to the election %e#ist%a% &o% c'stod" and sa&ekee!in#. Sec. 3 . Pollin# !laces. - 617 The chai%+an o& the boa%d o& election telle%s shall desi#nate the !'blic school o% an" othe% !'blic b'ildin# within the ba%an#a" to be 'sed as !ollin# !lace in case the ba%an#a" has one election !%ecinct. 6 7 =o% ba%an#a"s with two o% +o%e election !%ecincts the chai%+an o& the boa%d o& can$asse%s shall desi#nate the !'blic school o% an" othe% !'blic b'ildin# to be 'sed as !ollin# !lace. In case the%e is no !'blic school o% othe% !'blic b'ildin# that can be 'sed as !ollin# !laces( othe% a!!%o!%iate !%i$ate b'ildin#s +a" be desi#nated- P%o$ided( That s'ch b'ildin#s a%e not owned o% occ'!ied o% !ossessed b" an" inc'+bent electi$e !'blic o&&icial o% candidate( o% his %elati$e within the &o'%th ci$il de#%ee o& consan#'init" o% a&&init". The !ollin# !lace shall be cent%all" located as !ossible( alwa"s takin# into conside%ation the con$enience and sa&et" o& the $ote%s. Sec. 3*. O&&icial ba%an#a" ballots. - The o&&icial ba%an#a" ballots shall be !%o$ided b" the cit" o% +'nici!alit" conce%ned o& a si8e and colo% to be !%esc%ibed b" the Co++ission. S'ch o&&icial ballots shall( be&o%e the" a%e handed to the $ote% at the !ollin# !lace( be a'thenticated in the !%esence o& the $ote%( b" the a'tho%i8ed %e!%esentati$es o& the candidates and the chai%+an and +e+be%s o& the boa%d o& election telle%s who shall a&&i) thei% si#nat'%es at the back the%eo&. An" ballot which is not a'thenticated shall be dee+ed s!'%io's. Sec. 33. 2allot bo)es. - The Co++ission shall !%o$ide the ballot bo)es &o% each ba%an#a" !ollin# !lace( b't each candidate +a" be !e%+itted to !%o$ide a !adlock &o% said ballot bo). Sec. 34. Post!one+ent o% &ail'%e o& election. - :hen &o% an" se%io's ca'se s'ch as $iolence( te%%o%is+( loss o% dest%'ction o& election !a%a!he%nalia o% %eco%ds( &o%ce +a;e'%e( and othe% analo#o's ca'ses o& s'ch nat'%e that the holdin# o& a &%ee( o%de%l" and honest election sho'ld beco+e i+!ossible in an" ba%an#a"( the Co++ission( '!on a $e%i&ied !etition o& an inte%ested !a%t" and a&te% d'e notice and hea%in# at which the

inte%ested !a%ties a%e #i$en e9'al o!!o%t'nit" to be hea%d( shall !ost!one the election the%ein &o% s'ch ti+e as it +a" dee+ necessa%". I&( on acco'nt o& &o%ce +a;e'%e( $iolence( te%%o%is+( &%a'd o% othe% analo#o's ca'ses( the election in an" ba%an#a" has not been held on the date he%ein &i)ed o% has been s's!ended be&o%e the ho'% &i)ed b" law &o% the closin# o& the $otin# the%ein and s'ch &ail'%e o% s's!ension o& election wo'ld a&&ect the %es'lt o& the election( the Co++ission( on the basis o& a $e%i&ied !etition o& an inte%ested !a%t"( and a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#( at which the inte%ested !a%ties a%e #i$en e9'al o!!o%t'nit" to be hea%d shall call &o% the holdin# o% contin'ation o& the election within thi%t" da"s a&te% it shall ha$e $e%i&ied and &o'nd that the ca'se o% ca'ses &o% which the election has been !ost!oned o% s's!ended ha$e ceased to e)ist o% '!on !etition o& at least thi%t" !e%cent o& the %e#iste%ed $ote%s in the ba%an#a" conce%ned. :hen the conditions in these a%eas wa%%ant( '!on $e%i&ication b" the Co++ission( o% '!on !etition o& at least thi%t" !e%cent o& the %e#iste%ed $ote%s in the ba%an#a" conce%ned( it shall o%de% the holdin# o& the ba%an#a" election which was !ost!oned o% s's!ended. Sec. 3<. 2a%an#a" boa%d o& can$asse%s. - 617 The Co++ission shall constit'te a boa%d o& can$asse%s at least se$en da"s be&o%e the election in each ba%an#a"( to be co+!osed o& the senio% !'blic ele+enta%" school teache% in the ba%an#a" as chai%+an( and two othe% !'blic ele+enta%" school teache%s( as +e+be%s. In case the n'+be% o& !'blic ele+enta%" school teache%s is inade9'ate( the Co++ission shall desi#nate the chai%+an and +e+be%s o& the ba%an#a" boa%d o& can$asse%s &%o+ a+on# the boa%d o& election telle%s. 6 7 The ba%an#a" boa%d o& can$asse%s shall +eet i++ediatel" in a b'ildin# whe%e a !ollin# !lace is &o'nd and which is +ost cent%all" located in the ba%an#a" and a&te% can$assin# the %es'lts &%o+ the $a%io's !ollin# !laces within the ba%an#a"( !%oclai+ the winne%s. The boa%d o& can$asse%s shall acco+!lish the ce%ti&icate o& !%ocla+ation in t%i!licate on a &o%+ to be !%esc%ibed b" the Co++ission. The o%i#inal o& the ce%ti&icate shall be sent to the election %e#ist%a% conce%ned( the second co!" shall be deli$e%ed to the sec%eta%" o& the san##'nian# ba"an o% san##'nian# !an#l'nsod( as the case +a" be( and the thi%d co!" shall be ke!t on &ile b" the sec%eta%" o& the san##'nian# ba%an#a". 6*7 In a ba%an#a" whe%e the%e is onl" one !ollin# !lace( the ba%an#a" boa%d o& election telle%s shall also be the ba%an#a" boa%d o& can$asse%s. Sec. 3>. Acti$ities d'%in# the ca+!ai#n !e%iod. - @'%in# the ca+!ai#n !e%iod( the !'non# ba%an#a" i& he is not a candidate( o% an" %esident o& the ba%an#a" desi#nated b" the Co++ission( shall con$ene the ba%an#a" asse+bl" at least once &o% the !'%!ose o& allowin# the candidates to a!!ea% at a ;oint +eetin# d'l" called( '!on !%o!e% and with at least two da"s notice( to e)!lain to the ba%an#a" $ote%s thei% %es!ecti$e !%o#%a+ o& ad+inist%ation( thei% 9'ali&ications( and othe% in&o%+ation that +a" hel! enli#hten $ote%s in castin# thei% $otes. The +e+be%s o& the ba%an#a" asse+bl" +a" take '! and disc'ss othe% +atte%s %elati$e to the election o& ba%an#a" o&&icials.

Sec. 3?. :atche%s. - Candidates +a" a!!oint two watche%s each( to se%$e alte%natel"( in e$e%" !ollin# !lace within the ba%an#a"( who shall be &'%nished with a si#ned co!" o& the %es'lts o& the election( in s'ch &o%+ as the Co++ission +a" !%esc%ibe( i++ediatel" a&te% the co+!letion o& the can$ass. Sec. 3.. Incl'sion and e)cl'sion cases. - Incl'sion and e)cl'sion cases which shall be decided not late% than se$en be&o%e the date o& the election shall be within the e)cl'si$e o%i#inal ;'%isdiction o& the +'nici!al o% +et%o!olitan t%ial co'%t. The notice o& s'ch decision shall be se%$ed to all !a%ties within twent"-&o'% ho'%s &ollowin# its !%o+'l#ation and an" !a%t" ad$e%sel" a&&ected +a" a!!eal the%e&%o+ within twent"-&o'% ho'%s to the %e#ional t%ial co'%t which shall &inall" decide the sa+e not late% than two da"s be&o%e the date o& the election. Sec. 4/. ='ndin#. - Local #o$e%n+ents shall a!!%o!%iate s'ch &'nds to de&%a" s'ch necessa%" and %easonable e)!enses o& the +e+be%s o& the boa%d o& election telle%s( boa%d o& can$asse%s and the !%intin# o& election &o%+s and !%oc'%e+ent o& othe% election !a%a!he%nalia( and the installation o& !ollin# booths. Sec. 41. Penalties. - Violations o& an" !%o$isions o& this A%ticle shall constit'te !%ohibited acts and shall be !%osec'ted and !enali8ed in acco%dance with the !%o$isions o& this Code. ARTICLE VII. T5E CO11ISSION ON ELECTIONS Sec. 4 . Powe%s and &'nctions o& the Co++ission on Elections. - In addition to the !owe%s and &'nctions con&e%%ed '!on it b" the Constit'tion( the Co++ission shall ha$e e)cl'si$e cha%#e o& the en&o%ce+ent and ad+inist%ation o& all laws %elati$e to the cond'ct o& elections &o% the !'%!ose o& ens'%in# &%ee( o%de%l" and honest elections( and shall6a7 E)e%cise di%ect and i++ediate s'!e%$ision and cont%ol o$e% national and local o&&icials o% e+!lo"ees( incl'din# +e+be%s o& an" national o% local law en&o%ce+ent a#enc" and inst%'+entalit" o& the #o$e%n+ent %e9'i%ed b" law to !e%&o%+ d'ties %elati$e to the cond'ct o& elections. In addition( it +a" a'tho%i8e C1T cadets ei#hteen "ea%s o& a#e and abo$e to act as its de!'ties &o% the !'%!ose o& en&o%cin# its o%de%s. The Co++ission +a" %elie$e an" o&&ice% o% e+!lo"ee %e&e%%ed to in the !%ecedin# !a%a#%a!h &%o+ the !e%&o%+ance o& his d'ties %elatin# to electo%al !%ocesses who $iolates the election law o% &ails to co+!l" with its inst%'ctions( o%de%s( decisions o% %'lin#s( and a!!oint his s'bstit'te. ,!on %eco++endation o& the Co++ission( the co%%es!ondin# !%o!e% a'tho%it" shall s's!end o% %e+o$e &%o+ o&&ice an" o% all o& s'ch o&&ice%s o% e+!lo"ees who +a"( a&te% d'e !%ocess( be &o'nd #'ilt" o& s'ch $iolation o% &ail'%e. 6b7 @'%in# the !e%iod o& the ca+!ai#n and endin# thi%t" da"s the%ea&te%( when in an" a%ea o& the co'nt%" the%e a%e !e%sons co++ittin# acts o& te%%o%is+ to in&l'ence !eo!le to $ote &o% o% a#ainst an" candidate o% !olitical !a%t"( the Co++ission shall ha$e the !owe% to a'tho%i8e an" +e+be% o% +e+be%s o& the A%+ed =o%ces o& the Phili!!ines( the National

2'%ea' o& In$esti#ation( the Inte#%ated National Police o% an" si+ila% a#enc" o% inst%'+entalit" o& the #o$e%n+ent( e)ce!t ci$ilian ho+e de&ense &o%ces( to act as de!'ties &o% the !'%!ose o& ens'%in# the holdin# o& &%ee( o%de%l" and honest elections. 6c7 P%o+'l#ate %'les and %e#'lations i+!le+entin# the !%o$isions o& this Code o% othe% laws which the Co++ission is %e9'i%ed to en&o%ce and ad+iniste%( and %e9'i%e the !a"+ent o& le#al &ees and collect the sa+e in !a"+ent o& an" b'siness done in the Co++ission( at %ates that it +a" !%o$ide and &i) in its %'les and %e#'lations. R'les and %e#'lations !%o+'l#ated b" the Co++ission to i+!le+ent the !%o$isions o& this Code shall take e&&ect on the si)teenth da" a&te% !'blication in the O&&icial Ga8ette o% in at least dail" news!a!e%s o& #ene%al ci%c'lation. O%de%s and di%ecti$es iss'ed b" the Co++ission !'%s'ant to said %'les and %e#'lations shall be &'%nished b" !e%sonal deli$e%" to acc%edited !olitical !a%ties within &o%t"-ei#ht ho'%s o& iss'ance and shall take e&&ect i++ediatel" '!on %ecei!t. In case o& con&lict between %'les( %e#'lations( o%de%s o% di%ecti$es o& the Co++ission in the e)e%cise o& its constit'tional !owe%s and those iss'ed b" an" othe% ad+inist%ati$e o&&ice o% a#enc" o& the #o$e%n+ent conce%nin# the sa+e +atte% %elati$e to elections( the &o%+e% shall !%e$ail. 6d7 S'++on the !a%ties to a cont%o$e%s" !endin# be&o%e it( iss'e s'b!oena and s'b!oena d'ces tec'+( and take testi+on" in an" in$esti#ation o% hea%in# be&o%e it( and dele#ate s'ch !owe% to an" o&&ice% o& the Co++ission who shall be a +e+be% o& the Phili!!ine 2a%. In case o& &ail'%e o& a witness to attend( the Co++ission( '!on !%oo& o& se%$ice o& the s'b!oena to said witnesses( +a" iss'e a wa%%ant to a%%est witness and b%in# hi+ be&o%e the Co++ission o% the o&&ice% be&o%e who+ his attendance is %e9'i%ed. An" cont%o$e%s" s'b+itted to the Co++ission shall( a&te% co+!liance with the %e9'i%e+ents o& d'e !%ocess( be i++ediatel" hea%d and decided b" it within si)t" da"s &%o+ s'b+ission the%eo&. No decision o% %esol'tion shall be %ende%ed b" the Co++ission eithe% en banc o% b" di$ision 'nless taken '! in a &o%+al session !%o!e%l" con$ened &o% the !'%!ose. The Co++ission +a"( when necessa%"( a$ail o& the assistance o& an" national o% local law en&o%ce+ent a#enc" andIo% inst%'+entalit" o& the #o$e%n+ent to e)ec'te 'nde% its di%ect and i++ediate s'!e%$ision an" o& its &inal decisions( o%de%s( inst%'ctions o% %'lin#s. 6e7 P'nish conte+!ts !%o$ided &o% in the R'les o& Co'%t in the sa+e !%oced'%e and with the sa+e !enalties !%o$ided the%ein. An" $iolation o& an" &inal and e)ec'to%" decision( o%de% o% %'lin# o& the Co++ission shall constit'te conte+!t the%eo&. 6&7 En&o%ce and e)ec'te its decisions( di%ecti$es( o%de%s and inst%'ctions which shall ha$e !%ecedence o$e% those e+anatin# &%o+ an" othe% a'tho%it"( e)ce!t the S'!%e+e Co'%t and those iss'ed in habeas co%!'s !%oceedin#s. 6#7 P%esc%ibe the &o%+s to be 'sed in the election( !lebiscite o% %e&e%end'+. 6h7 P%oc'%e an" s'!!lies( e9'i!+ent( +ate%ials o% se%$ices needed &o% the holdin# o& the

election b" !'blic biddin#- P%o$ided( That( i& it &inds the %e9'i%e+ents o& !'blic biddin# i+!%actical to obse%$e( then b" ne#otiations o% sealed bids( and in both cases( the acc%edited !a%ties shall be d'l" noti&ied. 6i7 P%esc%ibe the 'se o% ado!tion o& the latest technolo#ical and elect%onic de$ices( takin# into acco'nt the sit'ation !%e$ailin# in the a%ea and the &'nds a$ailable &o% the !'%!oseP%o$ided( That the Co++ission shall noti&" the a'tho%i8ed %e!%esentati$es o& acc%edited !olitical !a%ties and candidates in a%eas a&&ected b" the 'se o% ado!tion o& technolo#ical and elect%onic de$ices not less than thi%t" da"s !%io% to the e&&ecti$it" o& the 'se o& s'ch de$ices. 6;7 Ca%%" o't a contin'in# and s"ste+atic ca+!ai#n th%o'#h news!a!e%s o& #ene%al ci%c'lation( %adios and othe% +edia &o%+s to ed'cate the !'blic and &'ll" in&o%+ the electo%ate abo't election laws( !%oced'%es( decisions( and othe% +atte%s %elati$e to the wo%k and d'ties o& the Co++ission and the necessit" o& clean( &%ee( o%de%l" and honest electo%al !%ocesses. 6k7 Enlist non-!a%tisan #%o'! o% o%#ani8ations o& citi8ens &%o+ the ci$ic( "o'th( !%o&essional( ed'cational( b'siness o% labo% secto%s known &o% thei% !%obit"( i+!a%tialit" and inte#%it" with the +e+be%shi! and ca!abilit" to 'nde%take a coo%dinated o!e%ation and acti$it" to assist it in the i+!le+entation o& the !%o$isions o& this Code and the %esol'tions( o%de%s and inst%'ctions o& the Co++ission &o% the !'%!ose o& ens'%in# &%ee( o%de%l" and honest elections in an" constit'enc". S'ch #%o'!s o% o%#ani8ations shall &'nction 'nde% the di%ect and i++ediate cont%ol and s'!e%$ision o& the Co++ission and shall !e%&o%+ the &ollowin# s!eci&ic &'nctions and d'tiesA. 2e&o%e Election @a"1. ,nde%take an in&o%+ation ca+!ai#n on salient &eat'%es o& this Code and hel! in the disse+ination o& the o%de%s( decisions and %esol'tions o& the Co++ission %elati$e to the &o%thco+in# election. . :a#e a %e#ist%ation d%i$e in thei% %es!ecti$e a%eas so that all citi8ens o& $otin# a#e( not othe%wise dis9'ali&ied b" law +a" be %e#iste%ed. *. 5el! cleanse the list o& $ote%s o& ille#al %e#ist%ants( cond'ct ho'se-to-ho'se can$ass i& necessa%"( and take the a!!%o!%iate le#al ste!s towa%ds this end. 3. Re!o%t to the Co++ission $iolations o& the !%o$isions o& this Code on the cond'ct o& the !olitical ca+!ai#n( election !%o!a#anda and electo%al e)!endit'%es. 2. On Election @a"1. E)ho%t all %e#iste%ed $ote%s in thei% %es!ecti$e a%eas to #o to thei% !ollin# !laces and cast thei% $otes. . No+inate one watche% &o% acc%editation in each !ollin# !lace and each !lace o& can$ass who shall ha$e the sa+e d'ties( &'nctions and %i#hts as the othe% watche%s o& !olitical !a%ties and candidates. 1e+be%s o% 'nits o& an" citi8en #%o'! o% o%#ani8ation so desi#nated b" the Co++ission e)ce!t its lone d'l"

acc%edited watche%( shall not be allowed to ente% an" !ollin# !lace e)ce!t to $ote( and shall( i& the" so desi%e( sta" in an a%ea at least &i&t" +ete%s awa" &%o+ the !ollin# !lace. *. Re!o%t to the !eace a'tho%ities and othe% a!!%o!%iate a#encies all instances o& te%%o%is+( inti+idation o& $ote%s( and othe% si+ila% atte+!ts to &%'st%ate the &%ee and o%de%l" castin# o& $otes. 3. Pe%&o%+ s'ch othe% &'nctions as +a" be ent%'sted to s'ch #%o'! o% o%#ani8ation b" the Co++ission. The desi#nation o& an" #%o'! o% o%#ani8ation +ade in acco%dance he%ewith +a" be %e$oked b" the Co++ission '!on notice and hea%in# whene$e% b" its act'ations s'ch #%o'! o% o%#ani8ation has shown !a%tialit" to an" !olitical !a%t" o% candidate( o% has !e%&o%+ed acts in e)cess o% in cont%a$ention o& the &'nctions and d'ties he%ein !%o$ided and s'ch othe%s which +a" be #%anted b" the Co++ission. 6l7 Cond'ct hea%in#s on cont%o$e%sies !endin# be&o%e it in the cities o% !%o$inces '!on !%o!e% +otion o& an" !a%t"( takin# into conside%ation the +ate%ialit" and n'+be% o& witnesses to be !%esented( the sit'ation !%e$ailin# in the a%ea and the &'nd a$ailable &o% the !'%!ose. 6+7 =i) othe% %easonable !e%iods &o% ce%tain !%e-election %e9'i%e+ents in o%de% that $ote%s shall not be de!%i$ed o& thei% %i#ht o& s'&&%a#e and ce%tain #%o'!s o& %i#hts #%anted the+ in this Code. ,nless indicated in this Code( the Co++ission is he%eb" a'tho%i8ed &o% &i) the a!!%o!%iate !e%iod &o% the $a%io's !%ohibited acts en'+e%ated he%ein( consistent with the %e9'i%e+ents o& &%ee( o%de%l"( and honest elections. Sec. 4*. =ield o&&ices o& the Co++ission. - The Co++ission shall ha$e the &ollowin# &ield o&&ices617 Re#ional Election O&&ice( headed b" the Re#ional Election @i%ecto% and assisted b" the Assistant Re#ional @i%ecto% and s'ch othe% s'bo%dinate o&&ice%s o% e+!lo"ees as the Co++ission +a" a!!oint. 6 7 P%o$incial Election O&&ice( headed b" the P%o$incial Election S'!e%$iso% and assisted b" s'ch othe% s'bo%dinate o&&ice%s o% e+!lo"ees as the Co++ission +a" a!!oint. 6*7 Cit"I1'nici!al Election O&&ice( headed b" the Cit"I1'nici!al Re#ist%a% who shall be assisted b" an election cle%k and s'ch othe% e+!lo"ees as the Co++ission +a" a!!oint. The Co++ission +a" dele#ate its !owe%s and &'nctions o% o%de% the i+!le+entation o% en&o%ce+ent o& its o%de%s( %'lin#s( o% decisions th%o'#h the heads o& its &ield o&&ices.

Sec. 43. C'ali&ications. - Onl" +e+be%s o& the Phili!!ines 2a% shall be eli#ible &o% a!!oint+ent to the !osition o& %e#ional di%ecto%( assistant %e#ional di%ecto%( !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso% and election %e#ist%a%- P%o$ided( howe$e%( That i& the%e a%e no +e+be%s o& the Phili!!ine 2a% a$ailable &o% a!!oint+ent as election %e#ist%a%( e)ce!t in cities and ca!ital towns( #%ad'ates o& d'l" %eco#ni8ed schools o& law( libe%al a%ts( ed'cation o% b'siness ad+inist%ation who !ossess the a!!%o!%iate ci$il se%$ice eli#ibilit" +a" be a!!ointed to said !osition. Sec. 44. O&&ice s!ace. - The local #o$e%n+ent conce%ned shall !%o$ide a s'itable !lace &o% the o&&ice o& the !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso% and his sta&& and the election %e#ist%a% and his sta&&- P%o$ided( That in case o& &ail'%e o& the local #o$e%n+ent conce%ned to !%o$ide s'ch s'itable !lace( the !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso% o% the election %e#ist%a%( as the case +a" be( '!on !%io% a'tho%it" o& the Co++ission and notice to the local #o$e%n+ent conce%ned( +a" lease anothe% !lace &o% o&&ice and the %entals the%eo& shall be cha%#eable to the &'nds o& the local #o$e%n+ent conce%ned. Sec. 4<. Chan#es in the co+!osition( dist%ib'tion o% assi#n+ent o& &ield o&&ices. - The Co++ission +a" +ake chan#es in the co+!osition( dist%ib'tion and assi#n+ent o& &ield o&&ices( as well as its !e%sonnel( whene$e% the e)i#encies o& the se%$ice and the inte%est o& &%ee( o%de%l"( and honest election so %e9'i%e- P%o$ided( That s'ch chan#es shall be e&&ecti$e and en&o%ceable onl" &o% the d'%ation o& the election !e%iod conce%ned and shall not a&&ect the ten'%e o& o&&ice o& the inc'+bents o& !ositions a&&ected and shall not constit'te a de+otion( eithe% in %ank o% sala%"( no% %es'lt in chan#e o& stat's- and P%o$ided( &'%the%( That the%e shall be no chan#es in the co+!osition( dist%ib'tion o% assi#n+ent within thi%t" da"s be&o%e election( e)ce!t &o% ca'se and a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#( and that in no case shall a %e#ional o% assistant %e#ional di%ecto% be assi#ned to a %e#ion0 a !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso% to a !%o$ince0 o% a cit" o% +'nici!al election %e#ist%a% to a cit" o% +'nici!alit"( whe%e he andIo% his s!o'se a%e %elated to an" candidate within the &o'%th ci$il de#%ee o& consan#'init" o% a&&init" as the case +a" be. Sec. 4>. 1eas'%es to ens'%e en&o%ce+ent. - =o% the e&&ecti$e en&o%ce+ent o& the !%o$isions o& this Code( the Co++ission is &'%the% $ested and cha%#ed with the &ollowin# !owe%s( d'ties and %es!onsibilities1. To iss'e sea%ch wa%%ants a&te% e)a+ination 'nde% oath o% a&&i%+ation o& the co+!lainant and the witnesses . To sto! an" ille#al election acti$it"( o% con&iscate( tea% down( and sto! an" 'nlaw&'l( libelo's( +isleadin# o% &alse election !%o!a#anda( a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#. *. To in9'i%e into the &inancial %eco%ds o& candidates and an" o%#ani8ation o% #%o'! o& !e%sons( +ot' !%o!%io o% '!on w%itten %e!%esentation &o% !%obable ca'se b" an" candidate o% #%o'! o& !e%sons o% 9'ali&ied $ote%( a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#. =o% !'%!oses o& this section( the Co++ission +a" a$ail itsel& o& the assistance o& the Co++ission on A'dit( the Cent%al 2ank( the National 2'%ea' o& In$esti#ation( the 2'%ea' o& Inte%nal Re$en'e( the A%+ed =o%ces o& the Phili!!ines( the Inte#%ated National Police o& the Phili!!ines( ba%an#a" o&&icials( and othe% a#encies o& the #o$e%n+ent.

Sec. 4?. @is9'ali&ications o& +e+be%s o& the Co++ission. - The chai%+an and +e+be%s o& the Co++ission shall be s'b;ect to the canons o& ;'dicial ethics in the discha%#e o& thei% &'nctions. No chai%+an o% co++issione% shall sit in an" case in which he has +ani&ested bias o% !%e;'dice &o% o% a#ainst o% anta#onis+ a#ainst an" !a%t" the%eto and in connection the%ewith( o% in an" case in which he wo'ld be dis9'ali&ied 'nde% the R'les o& Co'%t. I& it be clai+ed that the chai%+an o% a co++issione% is dis9'ali&ied as abo$e !%o$ided( the !a%t" ob;ectin# to his co+!etenc" +a" &ile his ob;ection in w%itin# with the Co++ission statin# the #%o'nd the%e&o%. The o&&icial conce%ned shall contin'e to !a%tici!ate in the hea%in# o% withd%awn the%e&%o+ in acco%dance with his dete%+ination o& the 9'estion o& his dis9'ali&ication. The decision shall &o%thwith be +ade in w%itin# and &iled with the othe% !a!e%s o& the case in acco%dance with the R'les o& Co'%t. I& a dis9'ali&ication sho'ld %es'lt in a lack o& 9'o%'+ in the Co++ission sittin# en banc( the P%esidin# B'stice o& the Inte%+ediate A!!ellate Co'%t shall desi#nate a ;'stice o& said co'%t to sit in said case &o% the !'%!ose o& hea%in# and %eachin# a decision the%eon. Sec. 4.. P'blication o& o&&icial ballots and election %et'%ns and !%intin# the%eo&. - The Co++ission shall !'blish at least ten da"s be&o%e an election in a news!a!e% o& #ene%al ci%c'lation ce%ti&ied data on the n'+be% o& o&&icial ballots and election %et'%ns and the na+es and add%esses o& the !%inte%s and the n'+be% !%inted b" each. ARTICLE VIII. POLITICAL PARTIES Sec. </. Political !a%t". - JPolitical !a%t"J o% J!a%t"J( when 'sed in this Act( +eans an o%#ani8ed #%o'! o& !e%sons !'%s'in# the sa+e ideolo#"( !olitical ideas o% !lat&o%+s o& #o$e%n+ent and incl'des its b%anches and di$isions. To ac9'i%e ;'%idical !e%sonalit"( 9'alit" it &o% s'bse9'ent acc%editation( and to entitle it to the %i#hts and !%i$ile#es he%ein #%anted to !olitical !a%ties( a !olitical !a%t" shall &i%st be d'l" %e#iste%ed with the Co++ission. An" %e#iste%ed !olitical !a%t" that( sin#l" o% in coalition with othe%s( &ails to obtain at least ten !e%cent o& the $otes cast in the constit'enc" in which it no+inated and s'!!o%ted a candidate o% candidates in the election ne)t &ollowin# its %e#ist%ation shall( a&te% notice and hea%in# be dee+ed to ha$e &o%&eited s'ch stat's as a %e#iste%ed !olitical !a%t" in s'ch constit'enc". Sec. <1. Re#ist%ation. - An" o%#ani8ed #%o'! o& !e%sons seekin# %e#ist%ation as a national o% %e#ional !olitical !a%t" +a" &ile with the Co++ission a $e%i&ied !etition attachin# the%eto its constit'tion and b"-laws( !lat&o%+ o% !%o#%a+ o& #o$e%n+ent and s'ch othe% %ele$ant in&o%+ation as +a" be %e9'i%ed b" the Co++ission. The Co++ission shall( a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#( %esol$e the !etition within ten da"s &%o+ the date it is s'b+itted &o% decision. No %eli#io's sect shall be %e#iste%ed as a !olitical !a%t" and no !olitical !a%t" which seeks to achie$e its #oal th%o'#h $iolence shall be entitled to acc%editation. Sec. < . P'blication o& !etition &o% %e#ist%ation o% acc%editation. - The Co++ission shall %e9'i%e !'blication o& the !etition &o% %e#ist%ation o% acc%editation in at least th%ee news!a!e%s o& #ene%al ci%c'lation and shall( a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#( %esol$e the

!etition

within

&i&teen

da"s

&%o+

the

date

it

is

s'b+itted

&o%

decision.

ARTICLE IG. ELIGI2ILITH O= CAN@I@ATES AN@ CERTI=ICATE O= CAN@I@ACH Sec. <*. C'ali&ications &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident o& the Phili!!ines. - No !e%son +a" be elected P%esident 'nless he is a nat'%al-bo%n citi8en o& the Phili!!ines( a %e#iste%ed $ote%( able to %ead and w%ite( at least &o%t" "ea%s o& a#e on the da" o& election( and a %esident o& the Phili!!ines &o% at least ten "ea%s i++ediatel" !%ecedin# s'ch election. Sec. <3. C'ali&ications &o% 1e+be%s o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa. - No !e%son shall be elected 1e+be% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa as !%o$incial( cit" o% dist%ict %e!%esentati$e 'nless he is a nat'%al-bo%n citi8en o& the Phili!!ines and( on the da" o& the election( is at least twent"-&i$e "ea%s o& a#e( able to %ead and w%ite( a %e#iste%ed $ote% in the constit'enc" in which he shall be elected( and a %esident the%eo& &o% a !e%iod o& not less than si) +onths i++ediatel" !%ecedin# the da" o& the election. A secto%al %e!%esentati$e shall be a nat'%al-bo%n citi8en o& the Phili!!ines( able to %ead and w%ite( a %esident o& the Phili!!ines( able to %ead and w%ite( a %esident o& the Phili!!ines &o% a !e%iod o& not less than one "ea% i++ediatel" !%ecedin# the da" o& the election( a bona &ide +e+be% o& the secto% he seeks to %e!%esent( and in the case o& a %e!%esentati$e o& the a#%ic'lt'%al o% ind'st%ial labo% secto%( shall be a %e#iste%ed $ote%( and on the da" o& the election is at least twent"-&i$e "ea%s o& a#e. The "o'th secto%al %e!%esentati$e sho'ld at least be ei#hteen and not be +o%e than twent"-&i$e "ea%s o& a#e on the da" o& the election- P%o$ided( howe$e%( That an" "o'th secto%al %e!%esentati$e who attains the a#e o& twent"-&i$e "ea%s d'%in# his te%+ shall be entitled to contin'e in o&&ice 'ntil the e)!i%ation o& his te%+. Sec. <4. C'ali&ications o& electi$e local o&&icials. - The 9'ali&ications &o% electi$e !%o$incial( cit"( +'nici!al and ba%an#a" o&&icials shall be those !%o$ided &o% in the Local Go$e%n+ent Code. Sec. <<. Candidates holdin# a!!ointi$e o&&ice o% !ositions. - An" !e%son holdin# a !'blic a!!ointi$e o&&ice o% !osition( incl'din# acti$e +e+be%s o& the A%+ed =o%ces o& the Phili!!ines( and o&&ice%s and e+!lo"ees in #o$e%n+ent-owned o% cont%olled co%!o%ations( shall be conside%ed i!so &acto %esi#ned &%o+ his o&&ice '!on the &ilin# o& his ce%ti&icate o& candidac". Sec. <>. Candidates holdin# electi$e o&&ice. - An" electi$e o&&icial( whethe% national o% local( %'nnin# &o% an" o&&ice othe% than the one which he is holdin# in a !e%+anent ca!acit"( e)ce!t &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident( shall be conside%ed i!so &acto %esi#ned &%o+ his o&&ice '!on the &ilin# o& his ce%ti&icate o& candidac". Sec. <?. @is9'ali&ications. - An" candidate who( in an action o% !%otest in which he is a !a%t" is decla%ed b" &inal decision o& a co+!etent co'%t #'ilt" o&( o% &o'nd b" the Co++ission o& ha$in# 6a7 #i$en +one" o% othe% +ate%ial conside%ation to in&l'ence( ind'ce o% co%%'!t the $ote%s o% !'blic o&&icials !e%&o%+in# electo%al &'nctions0 6b7 co++itted acts o& te%%o%is+ to enhance his candidac"0 6c7 s!ent in his election ca+!ai#n

an a+o'nt in e)cess o& that allowed b" this Code0 6d7 solicited( %ecei$ed o% +ade an" cont%ib'tion !%ohibited 'nde% Sections ?.( .4( .<( .> and 1/30 o% 6e7 $iolated an" o& Sections ?/( ?*( ?4( ?< and <1( !a%a#%a!hs d( e( k( $( and cc( s'b!a%a#%a!h <( shall be dis9'ali&ied &%o+ contin'in# as a candidate( o% i& he has been elected( &%o+ holdin# the o&&ice. An" !e%son who is a !e%+anent %esident o& o% an i++i#%ant to a &o%ei#n co'nt%" shall not be 9'ali&ied to %'n &o% an" electi$e o&&ice 'nde% this Code( 'nless said !e%son has wai$ed his stat's as !e%+anent %esident o% i++i#%ant o& a &o%ei#n co'nt%" in acco%dance with the %esidence %e9'i%e+ent !%o$ided &o% in the election laws. Sec. <.. N'isance candidates. - The Co++ission +a" +ot' !%o!%io o% '!on a $e%i&ied !etition o& an inte%ested !a%t"( %e&'se to #i$e d'e co'%se to o% cancel a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" i& it is shown that said ce%ti&icate has been &iled to !'t the election !%ocess in +ocke%" o% dis%e!'te o% to ca'se con&'sion a+on# the $ote%s b" the si+ila%it" o& the na+es o& the %e#iste%ed candidates o% b" othe% ci%c'+stances o% acts which clea%l" de+onst%ate that the candidate has no bona &ide intention to %'n &o% the o&&ice &o% which the ce%ti&icate o& candidac" has been &iled and th's !%e$ent a &aith&'l dete%+ination o& the t%'e will o& the electo%ate. Sec. >/. G'est candidac". - A !olitical !a%t" +a" no+inate andIo% s'!!o%t candidates not belon#in# to it. Sec. > . E&&ects o& dis9'ali&ication cases and !%io%it". - The Co++ission and the co'%ts shall #i$e !%io%it" to cases o& dis9'ali&ication b" %eason o& $iolation o& this Act to the end that a &inal decision shall be %ende%ed not late% than se$en da"s be&o%e the election in which the dis9'ali&ication is so'#ht. An" candidate who has been decla%ed b" &inal ;'d#+ent to be dis9'ali&ied shall not be $oted &o%( and the $otes cast &o% hi+ shall not be co'nted. Ne$e%theless( i& &o% an" %eason( a candidate is not decla%ed b" &inal ;'d#+ent be&o%e an election to be dis9'ali&ied and he is $oted &o% and %ecei$es the winnin# n'+be% o& $otes in s'ch election( his $iolation o& the !%o$isions o& the !%ecedin# sections shall not !%e$ent his !%ocla+ation and ass'+!tion to o&&ice. Sec. >*. Ce%ti&icate o& candidac". - No !e%son shall be eli#ible &o% an" electi$e !'blic o&&ice 'nless he &iles a swo%n ce%ti&icate o& candidac" within the !e%iod &i)ed he%ein. A !e%son who has &iled a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" +a"( !%io% to the election( withd%aw the sa+e b" s'b+ittin# to the o&&ice conce%ned a w%itten decla%ation 'nde% oath. No !e%son shall be eli#ible &o% +o%e than one o&&ice to be &illed in the sa+e election( and i& he &iles his ce%ti&icate o& candidac" &o% +o%e than one o&&ice( he shall not be eli#ible &o% an" o& the+. 5owe$e%( be&o%e the e)!i%ation o& the !e%iod &o% the &ilin# o& ce%ti&icates o& candidac"( the !e%son who was &iled +o%e than one ce%ti&icate o& candidac" +a" decla%e 'nde% oath the o&&ice &o% which he desi%es to be eli#ible and cancel the ce%ti&icate o& candidac" &o% the othe% o&&ice o% o&&ices. The &ilin# o% withd%awal o& a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" shall not a&&ect whate$e% ci$il( c%i+inal o% ad+inist%ati$e liabilities which a candidate +a" ha$e inc'%%ed. Sec. >3. Contents o& ce%ti&icate o& candidac". - The ce%ti&icate o& candidac" shall state

that the !e%son &ilin# it is anno'ncin# his candidac" &o% the o&&ice stated the%ein and that he is eli#ible &o% said o&&ice0 i& &o% 1e+be% o& the 2atasan# Pa+bansa( the !%o$ince( incl'din# its co+!onent cities( hi#hl" '%bani8ed cit" o% dist%ict o% secto% which he seeks to %e!%esent0 the !olitical !a%t" to which he belon#s0 ci$il stat's0 his date o& bi%th0 %esidence0 his !ost o&&ice add%ess &o% all election !'%!oses0 his !%o&ession o% occ'!ation0 that he will s'!!o%t and de&end the Constit'tion o& the Phili!!ines and will +aintain t%'e &aith and alle#iance the%eto0 that he will obe" the laws( le#al o%de%s( and dec%ees !%o+'l#ated b" the d'l" constit'ted a'tho%ities0 that he is not a !e%+anent %esident o% i++i#%ant to a &o%ei#n co'nt%"0 that the obli#ation i+!osed b" his oath is ass'+ed $ol'nta%il"( witho't +ental %ese%$ation o% !'%!ose o& e$asion0 and that the &acts stated in the ce%ti&icate o& candidac" a%e t%'e to the best o& his knowled#e. ,nless a candidate has o&&iciall" chan#ed his na+e th%o'#h a co'%t a!!%o$ed !%oceedin#( a ce%ti&icate shall 'se in a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" the na+e b" which he has been ba!ti8ed( o% i& has not been ba!ti8ed in an" ch'%ch o% %eli#ion( the na+e %e#iste%ed in the o&&ice o& the local ci$il %e#ist%a% o% an" othe% na+e allowed 'nde% the !%o$isions o& e)istin# law o%( in the case o& a 1'sli+( his 5ad;i na+e a&te% !e%&o%+in# the !%esc%ibed %eli#io's !il#%i+a#e- P%o$ided( That when the%e a%e two o% +o%e candidates &o% an o&&ice with the sa+e na+e and s'%na+e( each candidate( '!on bein# +ade awa%e o% s'ch &act( shall state his !ate%nal and +ate%nal s'%na+e( e)ce!t the inc'+bent who +a" contin'e to 'se the na+e and s'%na+e stated in his ce%ti&icate o& candidac" when he was elected. 5e +a" also incl'de one nickna+e o% sta#e na+e b" which he is #ene%all" o% !o!'la%l" known in the localit". The !e%son &ilin# a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" shall also a&&i) his latest !hoto#%a!h( !ass!o%t si8e0 a state+ent in d'!licate containin# his bio-data and !%o#%a+ o& #o$e%n+ent not e)ceedin# one h'nd%ed wo%ds( i& he so desi%es. Sec. >4. =ilin# and dist%ib'tion o& ce%ti&icate o& candidac". - The ce%ti&icate o& candidac" shall be &iled on an" da" &%o+ the co++ence+ent o& the election !e%iod b't not late% than the da" be&o%e the be#innin# o& the ca+!ai#n !e%iod- P%o$ided( That in cases o& !ost!one+ent o% &ail'%e o& election 'nde% Sections 4 and < he%eo&( no additional ce%ti&icate o& candidac" shall be acce!ted e)ce!t in cases o& s'bstit'tion o& candidates as !%o$ided 'nde% Section >> he%eo&. The ce%ti&icates o& candidac" &o% P%esident and Vice-P%esident o& the Phili!!ines shall be &iled in ten le#ible co!ies with the Co++ission which shall o%de% the !%intin# o& co!ies the%eo& &o% dist%ib'tion to all !ollin# !laces. The ce%ti&icates o& candidac" &o% the othe% o&&ices shall be &iled in d'!licate with the o&&ices he%ein below +entioned( to#ethe% with a n'+be% o& clea%l" le#ible co!ies e9'al to twice the n'+be% o& !ollin# !laces in the !%o$ince( cit"( dist%ict( +'nici!alit" o% ba%an#a"( as the case +a" be6a7 =o% %e!%esentati$e in the 2atasan# Pa+bansa( with the Co++ission( the !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso%( cit" election %e#ist%a% in case o& hi#hl" '%bani8ed cities( o% an o&&ice% desi#nated b" the Co++ission ha$in# ;'%isdiction o$e% the !%o$ince( cit" o% %e!%esentati$e dist%ict who shall send co!ies the%eo& to all !ollin# !laces in the !%o$ince( cit" o% dist%ict0 6b7 =o% !%o$incial o&&ices( with the !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso% o& the !%o$ince conce%ned who shall send co!ies the%eo& to all !ollin# !laces in the !%o$ince0

6c7 =o% cit" and +'nici!al o&&ices( with the cit" o% +'nici!al election %e#ist%a% who shall send co!ies the%eo& to all !ollin# !laces in the cit" o% +'nici!alit"0 and 6d7 =o% !'non# ba%an#a" o% ka#awad n# san##'nian# ba%an#a"( the ce%ti&icates o& candidac" shall be &iled in acco%dance with the !%o$isions o& Section *. o& A%ticle VI o& this Code. The d'l" a'tho%i8ed %ecei$in# o&&ice% shall i++ediatel" send the o%i#inal co!" o& all ce%ti&icates o& candidac" %ecei$ed b" hi+ to the Co++ission. Sec. ><. 1iniste%ial d't" o& %ecei$in# and acknowled#in# %ecei!t. - The Co++ission( !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso%( election %e#ist%a% o% o&&ice% desi#nated b" the Co++ission o% the boa%d o& election ins!ecto%s 'nde% the s'cceedin# section shall ha$e the +iniste%ial d't" to %ecei$e and acknowled#e %ecei!t o& the ce%ti&icate o& candidac". Sec. >>. Candidates in case o& death( dis9'ali&ication o% withd%awal o& anothe%. - I& a&te% the last da" &o% the &ilin# o& ce%ti&icates o& candidac"( an o&&icial candidate o& a %e#iste%ed o% acc%edited !olitical !a%t" dies( withd%aws o% is dis9'ali&ied &o% an" ca'se( onl" a !e%son belon#in# to( and ce%ti&ied b"( the sa+e !olitical !a%t" +a" &ile a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" to %e!lace the candidate who died( withd%ew o% was dis9'ali&ied. The s'bstit'te candidate no+inated b" the !olitical !a%t" conce%ned +a" &ile his ce%ti&icate o& candidac" &o% the o&&ice a&&ected in acco%dance with the !%ecedin# sections not late% than +id-da" o& the da" o& the election. I& the death( withd%awal o% dis9'ali&ication sho'ld occ'% between the da" be&o%e the election and +id-da" o& election da"( said ce%ti&icate +a" be &iled with an" boa%d o& election ins!ecto%s in the !olitical s'bdi$ision whe%e he is a candidate( o%( in the case o& candidates to be $oted &o% b" the enti%e electo%ate o& the co'nt%"( with the Co++ission. Sec. >?. Petition to den" d'e co'%se to o% cancel a ce%ti&icate o& candidac". - A $e%i&ied !etition seekin# to den" d'e co'%se o% to cancel a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" +a" be &iled b" the !e%son e)cl'si$el" on the #%o'nd that an" +ate%ial %e!%esentation contained the%ein as %e9'i%ed 'nde% Section >3 he%eo& is &alse. The !etition +a" be &iled at an" ti+e not late% than twent"-&i$e da"s &%o+ the ti+e o& the &ilin# o& the ce%ti&icate o& candidac" and shall be decided( a&te% d'e notice and hea%in#( not late% than &i&teen da"s be&o%e the election. ARTICLE G. CA1PAIGN AN@ ELECTION PROPAGAN@A Sec. >.. @e&initions. - As 'sed in this Code6a7 The te%+ JcandidateJ %e&e%s to an" !e%son as!i%in# &o% o% seekin# an electi$e !'blic o&&ice( who has &iled a ce%ti&icate o& candidac" b" hi+sel& o% th%o'#h an acc%edited !olitical !a%t"( a##%o'!+ent( o% coalition o& !a%ties0 6b7 The te%+ Jelection ca+!ai#nJ o% J!a%tisan !olitical acti$it"J %e&e%s to an act desi#ned to !%o+ote the election o% de&eat o& a !a%tic'la% candidate o% candidates to a !'blic o&&ice which shall incl'de-

617 =o%+in# o%#ani8ations( associations( cl'bs( co++ittees o% othe% #%o'!s o& !e%sons &o% the !'%!ose o& solicitin# $otes andIo% 'nde%takin# an" ca+!ai#n &o% o% a#ainst a candidate0 6 7 5oldin# !olitical ca'c'ses( con&e%ences( +eetin#s( %allies( !a%ades( o% othe% si+ila% asse+blies( &o% the !'%!ose o& solicitin# $otes andIo% 'nde%takin# an" ca+!ai#n o% !%o!a#anda &o% o% a#ainst a candidate0 6*7 1akin# s!eeches( anno'nce+ents o% co++enta%ies( o% holdin# inte%$iews &o% o% a#ainst the election o& an" candidate &o% !'blic o&&ice0 637 P'blishin# o% dist%ib'tin# ca+!ai#n lite%at'%e o% +ate%ials desi#ned to s'!!o%t o% o!!ose the election o& an" candidate0 o% 647 @i%ectl" o% indi%ectl" solicitin# $otes( !led#es o% s'!!o%t &o% o% a#ainst a candidate. The &o%e#oin# en'+e%ated acts i& !e%&o%+ed &o% the !'%!ose o& enhancin# the chances o& as!i%ants &o% no+ination &o% candidac" to a !'blic o&&ice b" a !olitical !a%t"( a##%o'!+ent( o% coalition o& !a%ties shall not be conside%ed as election ca+!ai#n o% !a%tisan election acti$it". P'blic e)!%essions o% o!inions o% disc'ssions o& !%obable iss'es in a &o%thco+in# election o% on att%ib'tes o& o% c%iticis+s a#ainst !%obable candidates !%o!osed to be no+inated in a &o%thco+in# !olitical !a%t" con$ention shall not be const%'ed as !a%t o& an" election ca+!ai#n o% !a%tisan !olitical acti$it" conte+!lated 'nde% this A%ticle. Sec. ?/. Election ca+!ai#n o% !a%tisan !olitical acti$it" o'tside ca+!ai#n !e%iod. - It shall be 'nlaw&'l &o% an" !e%son( whethe% o% not a $ote% o% candidate( o% &o% an" !a%t"( o% association o& !e%sons( to en#a#e in an election ca+!ai#n o% !a%tisan !olitical acti$it" e)ce!t d'%in# the ca+!ai#n !e%iod- P%o$ided( That !olitical !a%ties +a" hold !olitical con$entions o% +eetin#s to no+inate thei% o&&icial candidates within thi%t" da"s be&o%e the co++ence+ent o& the ca+!ai#n !e%iod and &o%t"-&i$e da"s &o% P%esidential and ViceP%esidential election. Sec. ?1. Inte%$ention o& &o%ei#ne%s. - It shall be 'nlaw&'l &o% an" &o%ei#ne%( whethe% ;'dicial o% nat'%al !e%son( to aid an" candidate o% !olitical !a%t"( di%ectl" o% indi%ectl"( o% take !a%t in o% in&l'ence in an" +anne% an" election( o% to cont%ib'te o% +ake an" e)!endit'%e in connection with an" election ca+!ai#n o% !a%tisan !olitical acti$it". Sec. ? . Law&'l election !%o!a#anda. - Law&'l election !%o!a#anda shall incl'de6a7 Pa+!hlets( lea&lets( ca%ds( decals( sticke%s o% othe% w%itten o% !%inted +ate%ials o& a si8e not +o%e than ei#ht and one-hal& inches in width and &o'%teen inches in len#th0 6b7 5andw%itten o% !%inted lette%s '%#in# $ote%s to $ote &o% o% a#ainst an" !a%tic'la% candidate0

6c7 Cloth( !a!e% o% ca%dboa%d !oste%s( whethe% &%a+ed o% !osted( with an a%ea e)ceedin# two &eet b" th%ee &eet( e)ce!t that( at the site and on the occasion o& a !'blic +eetin# o% %all"( o% in anno'ncin# the holdin# o& said +eetin# o% %all"( st%ea+e%s not e)ceedin# th%ee &eet b" ei#ht &eet in si8e( shall be allowedP%o$ided( That said st%ea+e%s +a" not be dis!la"ed e)ce!t one week be&o%e the date o& the +eetin# o% %all" and that it shall be %e+o$ed within se$ent"-two ho'%s a&te% said +eetin# o% %all"0 o% 6d7 All othe% &o%+s o& election !%o!a#anda not !%ohibited b" this Code as the Co++ission +a" a'tho%i8e a&te% d'e notice to all inte%ested !a%ties and hea%in# whe%e all the inte%ested !a%ties we%e #i$en an e9'al o!!o%t'nit" to be hea%dP%o$ided( That the Co++issionAs a'tho%i8ation shall be !'blished in two news!a!e%s o& #ene%al ci%c'lation th%o'#ho't the nation &o% at least twice within one week a&te% the a'tho%i8ation has been #%anted. Sec. ?*. Re+o$al( dest%'ction o% de&ace+ent o& law&'l election !%o!a#anda !%ohibited. It shall be 'nlaw&'l &o% an" !e%son d'%in# the ca+!ai#n !e%iod to %e+o$e( dest%o"( oblite%ate( o% in an" +anne% de&ace o% ta+!e% with( o% !%e$ent the dist%ib'tion o& law&'l election !%o!a#anda. Sec. ?3. Re9'i%e+ents &o% !'blished o% !%inted election !%o!a#anda. - An" news!a!e%( newslette%( newsweekl"( #a8ette o% +a#a8ine ad$e%tisin#( !oste%s( !a+!hlets( ci%c'la%s( handbills( b'+!e% sticke%s( st%ea+e%s( si+!le list o& candidates o% an" !'blished o% !%inted !olitical +atte% &o% o% a#ainst a candidate o% #%o'! o& candidates to an" !'blic o&&ice shall bea% and be identi&ied b" the wo%ds J!aid &o% b"J &ollowed b" the t%'e and co%%ect na+e and add%ess o& the !a"o% and b" the wo%ds J!%inted b"J &ollowed b" the t%'e and co%%ect na+e and add%ess o& the !%inte%. Sec. ?4. P%ohibited &o%+s o& election !%o!a#anda. - It shall be 'nlaw&'l6a7 To !%int( !'blish( !ost o% dist%ib'te an" !oste%( !a+!hlet( ci%c'la%( handbill( o% !%inted +atte% '%#in# $ote%s to $ote &o% o% a#ainst an" candidate 'nless the" bea% the na+es and add%esses o& the !%inte% and !a"o% as %e9'i%ed in Section ?3 he%eo&0 6b7 To e%ect( !'t '!( +ake 'se o&( attach( &loat o% dis!la" an" billboa%d( tin!late!oste%( balloons and the like( o& whate$e% si8e( sha!e( &o%+ o% kind( ad$e%tisin# &o% o% a#ainst an" candidate o% !olitical !a%t"0 6c7 To !'%chase( +an'&act'%e( %e9'est( dist%ib'te o% acce!t electo%al !%o!a#anda #ad#ets( s'ch as !ens( li#hte%s( &ans o& whate$e% nat'%e( &lashli#hts( athletic #oods o% +ate%ials( wallets( shi%ts( hats( bandanas( +atches( ci#a%ettes and the like( e)ce!t that ca+!ai#n s'!!o%te%s acco+!an"in# a candidate shall be allowed to wea% hats andIo% shi%ts o% T-shi%ts ad$e%tisin# a candidate0 6d7 To show o% dis!la" !'blicl" an" ad$e%tise+ent o% !%o!a#anda &o% o% a#ainst an" candidate b" +eans o& cine+ato#%a!h"( a'dio-$is'al 'nits o% othe% sc%een !%o;ections e)ce!t telecasts which +a" be allowed as he%eina&te% !%o$ided0 and

6e7 =o% an" %adio b%oadcastin# o% tele$ision station to sell o% #i$e &%ee o& cha%#e ai% ti+e &o% ca+!ai#n and othe% !olitical !'%!oses e)ce!t as a'tho%i8ed in this Code 'nde% the %'les and %e#'lations !%o+'l#ated b" the Co++ission !'%s'ant the%eto. An" !%ohibited election !%o!a#anda #ad#et o% ad$e%tise+ent shall be sto!!ed( con&iscated o% to%n down b" the %e!%esentati$e o& the Co++ission '!on s!eci&ic a'tho%it" o& the Co++ission. Sec. ?<. Re#'lation o& election !%o!a#anda th%o'#h +ass +edia. - 6a7 The Co++ission shall !%o+'l#ate %'les and %e#'lations %e#a%din# the sale o& ai% ti+e &o% !a%tisan !olitical !'%!oses d'%in# the ca+!ai#n !e%iod to ins'%e the e9'al ti+e as to d'%ation and 9'alit" in a$ailable to all candidates &o% the sa+e o&&ice o% !olitical !a%ties at the sa+e %ates o% #i$en &%ee o& cha%#e0 that s'ch %ates a%e %easonable and not hi#he% than those cha%#ed othe% b'"e%s o% 'se%s o& ai% ti+e &o% non-!olitical !'%!oses0 that the !%o$isions o& this Code %e#a%din# the li+itation o& e)!endit'%es b" candidates and !olitical !a%ties and cont%ib'tions b" !%i$ate !e%sons( entities and instit'tions a%e e&&ecti$el" en&o%ced0 and to ens'%e that said %adio b%oadcastin# and tele$ision stations shall not 'nd'l" allow the sched'lin# o& an" !%o#%a+ o% !e%+it an" s!onso% to +ani&estl" &a$o% o% o!!ose an" candidate o% !olitical !a%t" b" 'nd'l" o% %e!eatedl" %e&e%%in# to o% incl'din# said candidate andIo% !olitical !a%t" in s'ch !%o#%a+ %es!ectin#( howe$e%( in all instances the %i#ht o& said stations to b%oadcast acco'nts o& si#ni&icant o% newswo%th" e$ents and $iews on +atte%s o& !'blic inte%est. 6b7 All cont%acts &o% ad$e%tisin# in an" news!a!e%( +a#a8ine( !e%iodical o% an" &o%+ o& !'blication !%o+otin# o% o!!osin# the candidac" o& an" !e%son &o% !'blic o&&ice shall( be&o%e its i+!le+entation( be %e#iste%ed b" said news!a!e%( +a#a8ine( !e%iodical o% !'blication with the Co++ission. In e$e%" case( it shall be si#ned b" the candidate conce%ned o% b" the d'l" a'tho%i8ed %e!%esentati$e o& the !olitical !a%t". 6c7 No &%anchise o% !e%+it to o!e%ate a %adio o% tele$ision station shall be #%anted o% iss'ed( s's!ended o% cancelled d'%in# the election !e%iod. An" %adio o% tele$ision stations( incl'din# that owned o% cont%olled b" the Go$e%n+ent( shall #i$e &%ee o& cha%#e e9'al ti+e and !%o+inence to an acc%edited !olitical !a%t" o% its candidates i& it #i$es &%ee o& cha%#e ai% ti+e to an acc%edited !olitical !a%t" o% its candidates &o% !olitical !'%!oses. In all instances( the Co++ission shall s'!e%$ise the 'se and e+!lo"+ent o& !%ess( %adio and tele$ision &acilities so as to #i$e candidates e9'al o!!o%t'nities 'nde% e9'al ci%c'+stances to +ake known thei% 9'ali&ications and thei% stand on !'blic iss'es within the li+its set &o%th in this Code on election s!endin#. R'les and %e#'lations !%o+'l#ated b" the Co++ission 'nde% and b" a'tho%it" o& this section shall take e&&ect on the se$enth da" a&te% thei% !'blication in at least two dail" news!a!e%s o& #ene%al ci%c'lation. P%io% to the e&&ecti$it" o& said %'les and %e#'lations( no !olitical ad$e%tise+ent o% !%o!a#anda &o% o% a#ainst an" candidate o% !olitical !a%t" shall be !'blished o% b%oadcast th%o'#h the +ass +edia.

Violation o& the %'les and %e#'lations o& the Co++ission iss'ed to i+!le+ent this section shall be an election o&&ense !'nishable 'nde% Section <3 he%eo&. Sec. ?>. Rallies( +eetin#s and othe% !olitical acti$ities. - S'b;ect to the %e9'i%e+ents o& local o%dinances on the iss'ance o& !e%+its( an" !olitical !a%t" s'!!o%tin# o&&icial candidates o% an" candidate indi$id'all" o% ;ointl" with othe% as!i%ants +a" hold !eace&'l !olitical %allies( +eetin#s( and othe% si+ila% acti$ities d'%in# the ca+!ai#n !e%iodP%o$ided( That all a!!lications &o% !e%+its to hold +eetin#s( %allies and othe% si+ila% !olitical acti$ities( %ecei!t o& which +'st be acknowled#ed in w%itin# and which a!!lication shall be i++ediatel" !osted in a cons!ic'o's !lace in the cit" o% +'nici!al b'ildin#( shall be acted '!on in w%itin# b" local a'tho%ities conce%ned within th%ee da"s a&te% the &ilin# the%eo& and an" a!!lication not acted '!on within said !e%iod shall be dee+ed a!!%o$ed- and P%o$ided( &'%the%( That denial o& an" a!!lication &o% said !e%+it shall be a!!ealable to the !%o$incial election s'!e%$iso% o% to the Co++ission whose decision shall be +ade within &o%t"-ei#ht ho'%s and which shall be &inal and e)ec'to%"P%o$ided( &inall"( That one onl" ;'sti&iable #%o'nd &o% denial is a !%io% w%itten a!!lication b" an" candidate o% !olitical !a%t" &o% the sa+e !'%!ose has been a!!%o$ed. Sec. ??. P'blic %all". - An" !olitical !a%t" o% candidate shall noti&" the election %e#ist%a% conce%ned o& an" !'blic %all" said !olitical !a%t" o% candidate intends to o%#ani8e and hold in the cit" o% +'nici!alit"( and within se$en wo%kin# da"s the%ea&te% s'b+it to the election %e#ist%a% a state+ent o& e)!enses inc'%%ed in connection the%ewith. Sec. ?.. T%ans!o%tation( &ood and d%inks. - It shall be 'nlaw&'l &o% an" candidate( !olitical !a%t"( o%#ani8ation( o% an" !e%son to #i$e o% acce!t( &%ee o& cha%#e( di%ectl" o% indi%ectl"( t%ans!o%tation( &ood o% d%inks o% thin#s o& $al'e d'%in# the &i$e ho'%s be&o%e and a&te% a !'blic +eetin#( on the da" !%ecedin# the election( and on the da" o& the election0 o% to #i$e o% cont%ib'te( di%ectl" o% indi%ectl"( +one" o% thin#s o& $al'e &o% s'ch !'%!ose. Sec. ./. Co+elec s!ace. - The Co++ission shall !%oc'%e s!ace in at least one news!a!e% o& #ene%al ci%c'lation in e$e%" !%o$ince o% cit"- P%o$ided( howe$e%( That in the absence o& said news!a!e%( !'blication shall be done in an" othe% +a#a8ine o% !e%iodical in said !%o$ince o% cit"( which shall be known as JCo+elec S!aceJ whe%ein candidates can anno'nce thei% candidac". Said s!ace shall be allocated( &%ee o& cha%#e( e9'all" and i+!a%tiall" b" the Co++ission a+on# all candidates within the a%ea in which the news!a!e% is ci%c'lated. Sec. .1. Co+elec !oste% a%ea. - :hene$e% !%acticable( the Co++ission shall also desi#nate and !%o$ide &o% a co++on !oste% a%e in st%ate#ic !laces in each town whe%ein candidates can anno'nce and &'%the% thei% candidac" th%o'#h !oste%s( said s!ace to be likewise allocated &%ee o& cha%#e( e9'all" and i+!a%tiall" b" the Co++ission a+on# all the candidates conce%ned. Sec. . . Co+elec ti+e. - The Co++ission shall !%oc'%e %adio and tele$ision ti+e to be known as JCo+elec Ti+eJ which shall be allocated e9'all" and i+!a%tiall" a+on# the candidates within the a%ea o& co$e%a#e o& all %adio and tele$ision stations. =o% this !'%!ose( the &%anchise o& all %adio b%oadcastin# and tele$ision station a%e he%eb" a+ended so as to !%o$ide %adio tele$ision ti+e( &%ee o& cha%#e( d'%in# the !e%iod o& the ca+!ai#n.

Sec. .*. Co+elec in&o%+ation b'lletin. - The Co++ission shall ca'se the !%intin#( and s'!e%$ise the disse+ination o& b'lletins to be known as JCo+elec 2'lletinJ which shall be o& s'ch si8e as to ade9'atel" contain the !ict'%e( bio-data and !%o#%a+ o& #o$e%n+ent o& e$e%" candidate. Said b'lletin shall be disse+inated to the $ote%s o% dis!la"ed in s'ch !laces as to #i$e d'e !%o+inence the%eto. An" candidate +a" %e!%int at his e)!ense( an" "Comelec Bulletin" '!on !%io% a'tho%it" o& the Co++issionP%o$ided( That the !%intin# o& the na+es o& the di&&e%ent candidates with thei% bio-data +'st be in al!habetical o%de% i%%es!ecti$e o& !a%t" a&&iliation. ARTICLE GI. ELECTORAL CONTRI2,TIONS AN@ EGPEN@IT,RES Sec. .3. @e&initions. - As 'sed in this A%ticle6a7 The te%+ Jcont%ib'tionJ incl'des a #i&t( donation( s'bsc%i!tion( loan( ad$ance o% de!osit o& +one" o% an"thin# o& $al'e( o% a cont%act( !%o+ise o% a#%ee+ent to cont%ib'te( whethe% o% not le#all" en&o%ceable( +ade &o% the !'%!ose o& in&l'encin# the %es'lts o& the elections b't shall not incl'de se%$ices %ende%ed witho't co+!ensation b" indi$id'als $ol'ntee%in# a !o%tion o% all o& thei% ti+e in behal& o& a candidate o% !olitical !a%t". It shall also incl'de the 'se o& &acilities $ol'nta%il" donated b" othe% !e%sons( the +one" $al'e o& which can be assessed based on the %ates !%e$ailin# in the a%ea. 6b7 The te%+ Je)!endit'%eJ incl'des the !a"+ent o% deli$e%" o& +one" o& an"thin# o& $al'e( o% a cont%act( !%o+ise o% a#%ee+ent to +ake an e)!endit'%e( &o% the !'%!ose o& in&l'encin# the %es'lts o& the election. It shall also incl'de the 'se o& &acilities !e%sonall" owned b" the candidate( the +one" $al'e o& the 'se o& which can be assessed based on the %ates !%e$ailin# in the a%ea. 6c7 The te%+ J!e%sonJ incl'des an indi$id'al( !a%tne%shi!( co++ittee( association( co%!o%ation( and an" othe% o%#ani8ation o% #%o'! o& !e%sons. Sec. .4. P%ohibited cont%ib'tions. - No cont%ib'tion &o% !'%!oses o& !a%tisan !olitical acti$it" shall be +ade di%ectl" o% indi%ectl" b" an" o& the &ollowin#6a7 P'blic o% !%i$ate &inancial instit'tions- P%o$ided( howe$e%( That nothin# he%ein shall !%e$ent the +akin# o& an" loan to a candidate o% !olitical !a%t" b" an" s'ch !'blic o% !%i$ate &inancial instit'tions le#all" in the b'siness o& lendin# +one"( and that the loan is +ade in acco%dance with laws and %e#'lations and in the o%dina%" co'%se o& b'siness0 6b7 Nat'%al and ;'%idical !e%sons o!e%atin# a !'blic 'tilit" o% in !ossession o& o% e)!loitin# an" nat'%al %eso'%ces o& the nation0 6c7 Nat'%al and ;'%idical !e%sons who hold cont%acts o% s'b-cont%acts to s'!!l" the #o$e%n+ent o% an" o& its di$isions( s'bdi$isions o% inst%'+entalities( with #oods o% se%$ices o% to !e%&o%+ const%'ction o% othe% wo%ks0 6d7 Nat'%al and ;'%idical !e%sons who ha$e been #%anted &%anchises( incenti$es( e)e+!tions( allocations o% si+ila% !%i$ile#es o% concessions b" the #o$e%n+ent o%

an" o& its di$isions( s'bdi$isions o% inst%'+entalities( incl'din# #o$e%n+entowned o% cont%olled co%!o%ations0 6e7 Nat'%al and ;'%idical !e%sons who( within one "ea% !%io% to the date o& the election( ha$e been #%anted loans o% othe% acco++odations in e)cess o& P1//(/// b" the #o$e%n+ent o% an" o& its di$isions( s'bdi$isions o% inst%'+entalities incl'din# #o$e%n+ent-owned o% cont%olled co%!o%ations0 6&7 Ed'cational instit'tions which ha$e %ecei$ed #%ants o& !'blic &'nds a+o'ntin# to no less than P1//(///.//0 6#7 O&&icials o% e+!lo"ees in the Ci$il Se%$ice( o% +e+be%s o& the A%+ed =o%ces o& the Phili!!ines0 and 6h7 =o%ei#ne%s and &o%ei#n co%!o%ations. It shall be 'nlaw&'l &o% an" !e%son to solicit o% %ecei$e an" cont%ib'tion &%o+ an" o& the !e%sons o% entities en'+e%ated he%ein. Sec. .<. Solicitin# o% %ecei$in# cont%ib'tions &%o+ &o%ei#n so'%ces. - It shall be 'nlaw&'l &o% an" !e%son( incl'din# a !olitical !a%t" o% !'blic o% !%i$ate entit" to solicit o% %ecei$e( di%ectl" o% indi%ectl"( an" aid o% cont%ib'tion o& whate$e% &o%+ o% nat'%e &%o+ an" &o%ei#n national( #o$e%n+ent o% entit" &o% the !'%!oses o& in&l'encin# the %es'lts o& the election. Sec. .>. P%ohibited %aisin# o& &'nds. - It shall be 'nlaw&'l &o% an" !e%son to hold dances( lotte%ies( cock&i#hts( #a+es( bo)in# bo'ts( bin#o( bea't" contests( ente%tain+ents( o% cine+ato#%a!hic( theat%ical o% othe% !e%&o%+ances &o% the !'%!ose o& %aisin# &'nds &o% an election ca+!ai#n o% &o% the s'!!o%t o& an" candidate &%o+ the co++ence+ent o& the election !e%iod '! to and incl'din# election da"0 o% &o% an" !e%son o% o%#ani8ation( whethe% ci$ic o% %eli#io's( di%ectl" o% indi%ectl"( to solicit andIo% acce!t &%o+ an" candidate &o% !'blic o&&ice( o% &%o+ his ca+!ai#n +ana#e%( a#ent o% %e!%esentati$e( o% an" !e%son actin# in thei% behal&( an" #i&t( &ood( t%ans!o%tation( cont%ib'tion o% donation in cash o% in kind &%o+ the co++ence+ent o& the election !e%iod '! to and incl'din# election da"0 P%o$ided( That no%+al and c'sto+a%" %eli#io's sti!ends( tithes( o% collections on S'nda"s andIo% othe% desi#nated collection da"s( a%e e)cl'ded &%o+ this !%ohibition. Sec. .?. T%'e na+e o& cont%ib'to% %e9'i%ed. - No !e%son shall +ake an" cont%ib'tion in an" na+e e)ce!t his own no% shall an" candidate o% t%eas'%e% o& a !olitical !a%t" %ecei$e a cont%ib'tion o% ente% o% %eco%d the sa+e in an" na+e othe% than that o& the !e%son b" who+ it was act'all" +ade. Sec. ... Re!o%t o& cont%ib'tions. - E$e%" !e%son #i$in# cont%ib'tions to an" candidate( t%eas'%e% o& the !a%t"( o% a'tho%i8ed %e!%esentati$e o& s'ch candidate o% t%eas'%e% shall( not late% than thi%t" da"s a&te% the da" o& the election( &ile with the Co++ission a %e!o%t 'nde% oath statin# the a+o'nt o& each cont%ib'tion( the na+e o& the candidate( a#ent o& the candidate o% !olitical !a%t" %ecei$in# the cont%ib'tion( and the date o& the cont%ib'tion.

Sec. 1//. Li+itations '!on e)!enses o& candidates. - No candidate shall s!end &o% his election ca+!ai#n an a##%e#ate a+o'nt e)ceedin# one !eso and &i&t" centa$os &o% e$e%" $ote% c'%%entl" %e#iste%ed in the constit'enc" whe%e he &iled his candidac"- P%o$ided( That the e)!enses he%ein %e&e%%ed to shall incl'de those inc'%%ed o% ca'sed to be inc'%%ed b" the candidate( whethe% in cash o% in kind( incl'din# the 'se( %ental o% hi%e o& land( wate% o% ai%c%a&t( e9'i!+ent( &acilities( a!!a%at's and !a%a!he%nalia 'sed in the ca+!ai#n- P%o$ided( &'%the%( That whe%e the land( wate% o% ai%c%a&t( e9'i!+ent( &acilities( a!!a%at's and !a%a!he%nalia 'sed is owned b" the candidate( his cont%ib'to% o% s'!!o%te%( the Co++ission is he%eb" e+!owe%ed to assess the a+o'nt co++ens'%ate with the e)!enses &o% the 'se the%eo&( based on the !%e$ailin# %ates in the localit" and shall be incl'ded in the total e)!enses inc'%%ed b" the candidate.