[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, November 26, 1991 ]

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

(as amended by R.A. No.8436)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to synchronize elections so that there shall be simultaneous regular elections for national and local officials once every three (3) years.

SEC. 2. Date of Elections. - In accordance with the policy hereinbefore stated, there shall be an election for President, Vice President, twenty-four (24) Senators, all elective Members of the House of Representatives, and all elective provincial, city and municipal officials on the second Monday of May 1992.  Thereafter, the President and Vice President shall be elected on the same day every six (6) years; while the Senators, elective Members of the House of Representatives and all elective provincial, city and municipal officials shall be elected on the same day every three (3) years, except that with respect to Senators, only twelve (12) shall be elected.

SEC. 3. Election of Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan. - The elective members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan shall be elected as follows:

1. For provinces with two (2) or more legislative districts, the elective members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall be elected by legislative districts.  For this purpose, the number of seats shall be apportioned equitably:  Provided, That, if equal division is not possible, the remaining member or members shall be elected in the district or districts with the greater number of population or, if they be the same, with the greater number of voters:  Provided, further, That if a legislative district includes a city that does not vote in the election of provincial officials, the Commission on Elections, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, shall allocate the number of seats among the districts in proportion to the population of the constituencies voting for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan;
   
   
2. For provinces with only one (1) legislative district, the Commission shall divide them into two (2) districts for purposes of electing the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, as nearly as practicable according to the number of inhabitants, each district comprising a compact, contiguous and adjacent territory, and the number of seats of elective members of their respective sanggunian shall be equitably apportioned between the districts in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph;
   
   
3. The number and election of elective members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan in the Metro Manila Area, City of Cebu, City of Davao and any other city with two (2) or more legislative districts shall continue to be governed by the provisions of Sections 2 and 3 of Republic Act No. 6636:  Provided, That, the municipalities of Malabon, Navotas, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Taguig shall have twelve (12) councilors, and Pateros, ten (10):  Provided, further, That, the Commission shall divide each of the municipalities in Metro Manila Area into two (2) districts by barangay for purposes of representation in the Sangguniang Bayan as nearly as practicable according to the number of inhabitants, each district comprising a compact, contiguous and adjacent territory; and
   
   
4. For purposes of the regular elections on May 11, 1992, elective members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan shall be elected at large in accordance with existing laws.  However, beginning with the regular elections in 1995, they shall be elected by district.
   

The Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectively provide for the election of sectoral representatives in the implementation of the Local Government Code.

SEC. 4. Postponement, Failure of Elections and Special Elections. - The postponement, declaration of failure of election and the calling of special elections as provided in Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Omnibus Election Code shall be decided by the Commission sitting en banc by a majority vote of its members.  The causes for the declaration of a failure of election may occur before or after the casting of votes or on the day of the election.

In case a permanent vacancy shall occur in the Senate or House of Representatives at least one (1) year before the expiration of the term, the Commission shall call and hold a special election to fill the vacancy not earlier than sixty (60) days nor longer than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of the vacancy.  However, in case of such vacancy in the Senate, the special election shall be held simultaneously with the next succeeding regular election.

SEC. 5. Election and Campaign Period. - Unless otherwise fixed by the Commission, the election period for the May 11, 1992 regular elections shall commence ninety (90) days before the day of the election and shall end thirty (30) days thereafter.

The campaign periods are hereby fixed as follows:

1. For President, Vice President and Senators, ninety (90) days before the day of the election; and
   
2. For Members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials, forty-five (45) days before the day of the election.
   

However, in the preparation of the election calendar, the Commission may exclude the day before and the day of the election itself, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Any election campaign or partisan political activity for or against any candidate outside of the campaign period herein provided is prohibited and shall be considered as an election offense punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code.

SEC. 6. Nomination and Selection of Official Candidates. - No political convention or meeting for the nomination or selection of the official candidates of any political party or organization or political groups or coalition thereof shall be held earlier than the following periods:

1. For President, Vice President and Senators, one hundred sixty-five (165) days before the day of the election; and
   
2. For Members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city or municipal officials, seventy-five (75) days before the day of the election.
   

SEC. 7. Filing of Certificates of Candidacy. - The certificates of candidacy of any person running for the office of President, Vice President, Senator, Member of the House of Representatives or any elective provincial, city or municipal official shall be filed in five (5) legible copies with the offices of the Commission specified hereunder not later than the day before the date legally fixed for the beginning of his campaign period.

1. The certificate of candidacy for President, Vice President and Senators shall be filed with the main office of the Commission in Manila;
   
2. The certificate of candidacy for Members of the House of Representatives shall be filed with the provincial election supervisor of the province concerned.  Those for legislative districts in the National Capital Region shall be filed with the regional election director of said region and those for legislative districts in cities outside the National Capital Region which comprise one or more legislative districts shall be filed with the city election registrar concerned;
   
3. The certificate of candidacy for provincial offices shall be filed with the provincial election supervisor concerned; and
   
4. The certificate of candidacy for city or municipal offices shall be filed with the city or municipal election registrar concerned.
   

Whenever practicable, the names of registered candidates for local positions shall be printed in the election returns:  Provided, That, if a candidate has been disqualified or declared a nuisance candidate, it shall be the duty of the Commission to instruct without delay the appropriate election officials to delete the name of said candidate as printed in the election return.

The certificate of candidacy shall be filed by the candidate personally or by his duly authorized representative.  No certificate of candidacy shall be filed or accepted by mail, telegram or facsimile.

SEC. 8. Precincts and their Establishment. - Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, where it is not practicable to divide the precinct by territory, the Commission may adjust or split the precinct by assigning the registered voters therein alphabetically and equitably among the adjusted or split precincts:  Provided, That, the polling places of said precincts shall be in the same building or premises.

SEC. 9. Registration of Voters. - There shall be a registration of voters on the fifteenth Saturday before the day of the election for voters who will reach the age of eighteen (18) years on or before the day of the election or for those who are qualified but not registered in the list of voters.  However, the Commission may designate an additional date of registration in certain areas to ensure that voters therein are not deprived of their right of suffrage.

Before adjourning on registration day, the board of election inspectors shall close the list of voters by affixing their signatures in the space immediately after the last name; number consecutively the names of the voters listed therein and authenticate the list of voters by affixing their signatures on each and every page thereof.

The board of election inspectors shall post, on the wall outside the room where the registration was conducted, the list of voters in each precinct beginning on the first working day after registration day until election day.  Failure to post said list shall constitute an election offense punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code.

When there is a significant number of inclusions, exclusions and corrections in the list of voters in a precinct, the Commission shall direct the board of election inspectors concerned to meet on the eighth Saturday immediately preceding the day of the election for the purpose of making such inclusions, exclusions and corrections as may be or may have been ordered by the courts, stating opposite every name so corrected, added or cancelled the date of the order and the court which issued the same; otherwise, the board shall not meet but such inclusions, exclusions and corrections, if any, shall be made in the list of voters before the voting starts on election day.

SEC. 10. Annulment of the List of Voters. - Any book of voters the preparation of which has been effected with fraud, bribery, forgery, impersonation, intimidation, force or any other similar irregularity or which is statistically improbable may be annulled, after due notice and hearing, by the Commission motu proprio or after the filing of a verified complaint:  Provided, That, no order, ruling or decision annulling a book of voters shall be executed within sixty (60) days before an election.

SEC. 11. Voting Booth. - Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, there shall be in each polling place at least ten (10) voting booths of such size, specifications and materials as the Commission may provide to enable the voters to fill out their ballots secretly.

SEC. 12. Absentee Voting. - Absentee voting as provided for in Executive Order No. 157 dated March 30, 1987 shall apply to the elections for President, Vice President and Senators only and shall be limited to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police and other government officers and employees who are duly registered voters and who, on election day, may temporarily be assigned in connection with the performance of election duties to places where they are not registered voters.

SEC. 13. Authorized Expenses of Candidates and Political Parties. - The aggregate amount that a candidate or registered political party may spend for election campaign shall be as follows:

1. For candidates - Ten pesos (P10.00) for President and Vice President; and for other candidates, Three pesos (P3.00) for every voter currently registered in the constituency where he filed his certificate of candidacy:  Provided, That, a candidate without any political party and without support from any political party may be allowed to spend Five pesos (P5.00) for every such voter; and
   
   
2. For political parties - Five pesos (P5.00) for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates.
   

Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any contribution in cash or in kind to any candidate or political party or coalition of parties for campaign purposes, duly reported to the Commission, shall not be subject to the payment of any gift tax.

SEC. 14. Statement of Contributions and Expenditures: Effect of Failure to File Statement. - Every candidate and treasurer of the political party shall, within thirty (30) days after the day of the election, file in duplicate with the offices of the Commission the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election.

No person elected to any public office shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement of contributions and expenditures herein required.

The same prohibition shall apply if the political party which nominated the winning candidate fails to file the statement required herein within the period prescribed by this Act.

Except candidates for elective barangay office, failure to file the statements or reports in connection with electoral contributions and expenditures as required herein shall constitute an administrative offense for which the offenders shall be liable to pay an administrative fine ranging from One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00), in the discretion of the Commission.

The fine shall be paid within thirty (30) days from receipt of notice of such failure otherwise, it shall be enforceable by a writ of execution issued by the Commission against the properties of the offender.

It shall be the duty of every city or municipal election registrar to advise in writing, by personal delivery or registered mail, within five (5) days from the date of election all candidates residing in his jurisdiction to comply with their obligation to file their statements of contributions and expenditures.

For the commission of a second or subsequent offense under this section, the administrative fine shall be from Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00), in the discretion of the Commission.  In addition, the offender shall be subject to perpetual disqualifications to hold public office.

SEC. 15. Pre-proclamation Cases in Elections for President, Vice-President, Senator, and Member of the House of Representatives. - For purposes of the elections for president, vice-president, senator, and member of the House of Representatives, no pre-proclamation cases shall be allowed on matters relating to the preparation, transmission, receipt, custody and appreciation of election returns or the certificates of canvass, as the case may be, except as provided for in Section 30 hereof. However, this does not preclude the authority of the appropriate canvassing body motu propio or upon written complaint of an interested person to correct manifest errors in the certificate of canvass or election returns before it.

Questions affecting the composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers may be initiated in the board or directly with the Commission in accordance with Section 19 hereof.

Any objection on the election returns before the city or municipal board of canvassers, or on the municipal certificates of canvass before the provincial board of canvassers or district board of canvassers in Metro Manila Area, shall be specifically noticed in the minutes of their respective proceedings.

SEC. 16. Pre-proclamation Cases Involving Provincial, City and Municipal Offices. - Pre-proclamation cases involving provincial, city and municipal officer shall be allowed and shall be governed by Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 hereof.

All pre-proclamation cases pending before the Commission shall be deemed terminated at the beginning of the term of the office involved and the rulings of the boards of canvassers concerned shall be deemed affirmed, without prejudice to the filing of a regular election protest by the aggrieved party.  However, proceedings may continue when on the basis of the evidence thus far presented, the Commission determines that the petition appears meritorious and accordingly issues an order for the proceeding to continue or when an appropriate order has been issued by the Supreme Court in a petition for certiorari.

SEC. 17. Pre-proclamation Controversies: How Commenced. - Questions affecting the composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers may be initiated in the board or directly with the Commission.  However, matters raised under Sections 233, 234, 235 and 236 of the Omnibus Election Code in relation to the preparation, transmission, receipt, custody and appreciation of the election returns, and the certificates of canvass shall be brought in the first instance before the board of canvassers only.

SEC. 18. Summary Disposition of Pre-proclamation Controversies. - All pre-proclamation controversies on election returns or certificates of canvass shall, on the basis of the records and evidence elevated to it by the board of canvassers, be disposed of summarily by the Commission within seven (7) days from receipt thereof.  Its decisions shall be executory after the lapse of seven (7) days from receipt by the losing party of the decision of the Commission.

SEC. 19. Contested Composition or Proceedings of the Board: Period to Appeal: Decision by the Commission. - Parties adversely affected by a ruling of the board of canvassers on questions affecting the composition or proceedings of the board may appeal the matter to the Commission within three (3) days from a ruling thereon.  The Commission shall summarily decide the case within five (5) days from the filing thereof.

SEC. 20. Procedure in Disposition of Contested Election Returns. -

1. Any candidate, political party or coalition of political parties contesting the inclusion or exclusion in the canvass of any election returns on any of the grounds authorized under Article XX or Sections 234, 235 and 236 of Article XIX of the Omnibus Election Code shall submit their oral objection to the chairman of the board of canvassers at the time the questioned return is presented for inclusion in the canvass.  Such objection shall be recorded in the minutes of the canvass.
   
   
2. Upon receipt of any such objection, the board of canvassers shall automatically defer the canvass of the contested returns and shall proceed to canvass the returns which are not contested by any party.
   
   
3. Simultaneous with the oral objection, the objecting party shall also enter his objection in the form for written objections to be prescribed by the Commission.  Within twenty-four (24) hours from and after the presentation of such an objection, the objecting party shall submit the evidence in support of the objection, which shall be attached to the form for written objections.  Within the same period of twenty-four (24) hours after presentation of the objection, any party may file a written and verified opposition to the objection in the form also to be prescribed by the Commission, attaching thereto supporting evidence, if any.  The board shall not entertain any objection or opposition unless reduced to writing in the prescribed forms.
   
   The evidence attached to the objection or opposition, submitted by the parties, shall be immediately and formally admitted into the records of the board by the chairman affixing his signature at the back of each and every page thereof.
   
   
4. Upon receipt of the evidence, the board shall take up the contested returns, consider the written objections thereto and opposition, if any, and summarily and immediately rule thereon.  The board shall enter its ruling on the prescribed form and authenticate the same by the signatures of its members.
   
   
5. Any party adversely affected by the ruling of the board shall immediately inform the board if he intends to appeal said ruling.  The board shall enter said information in the minutes of the canvass, set aside the returns and proceed to consider the other returns.
   
   
6. After all the uncontested returns have been canvassed and the contested returns ruled upon by it, the board shall suspend the canvass.  Within forty-eight (48) hours therefrom, any party adversely affected by the ruling may file with the board a written and verified notice of appeal; and within an unextendible period of five (5) days thereafter, an appeal may be taken to the Commission.
   
   
7. Immediately upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the board shall make an appropriate report to the Commission, elevating therewith the complete records and evidence submitted in the canvass, and furnishing the parties with copies of the report.
   
   
8. On the basis of the records and evidence elevated to it by the board, the Commission shall decide summarily the appeal within seven (7) days from receipt of said records and evidence.  Any appeal brought before the Commission on the ruling of the board, without the accomplished forms and the evidence appended thereto, shall be summarily dismissed.
   
   The decision of the Commission shall be executory after the lapse of seven (7) days from receipt thereof by the losing party.
   
   
9. The board of canvassers shall not proclaim any candidate as winner unless authorized by the Commission after the latter has ruled on the objections brought to it on appeal by the losing party.  Any proclamation made in violation hereof shall be void ab initio, unless the contested returns will not adversely affect the results of the election.
   

SEC. 21. Partial Proclamation. - Notwithstanding the pendency of any pre-proclamation controversy, the Commission may summarily order the proclamation of other winning candidates whose election will not be affected by the outcome of the controversy.

SEC. 22. Election Contests for Municipal Offices. - All election contests involving municipal offices filed with the Regional Trial Court shall be decided expeditiously.  The decision may be appealed to the Commission within five (5) days from promulgation or receipt of a copy thereof by the aggrieved party.  The Commission shall decide the appeal within sixty (60) days after it is submitted for decision, but not later than six (6) months after the filing of the appeal, which decision shall be final, unappealable and executory.

SEC. 23. Official Ballots. -

1. Ballots for national and local elections, regular or special, plebiscites and referenda, shall be of uniform size and shall be provided by the Commission.  They shall be printed in black ink on white security paper with distinctive, clear and legible watermarks that will readily distinguish it from ordinary paper.  Each ballot shall be in the shape of a strip with stub and detachable coupon containing the serial number of the ballot, and a space for the thumbmark of the voter on the detachable coupon.  It shall bear at the top of the middle portion thereof the coat-of-arms of the Republic of the Philippines, the words "Official Ballot,” the name of the city or the municipality and province in which the lection is to be held, the date of the election, and the following notice in English: "Fill out this ballot secretly inside the voting booth.  Do not put any distinctive mark on any part of this ballot."
   
   
2. The official ballot shall also contain the names of all the offices to be voted for in the election, allowing opposite the name of each office, sufficient space or spaces with horizontal lines where the voter may write the name or names of individual candidates voted for by him.
   
   
3. There shall not be anything printed or written on the back of the ballot except as provided in Section 24 of this Act.
   
   
4. Official ballots for cities and municipalities where Arabic is of general use shall have each of the titles of the offices to be voted for printed in Arabic in addition to and immediately below the English title.
   
   
5. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions, the Commission is hereby authorized to prescribe a different form of official ballot on the same watermarked security paper to facilitate voting by illiterate voters only and to use or adopt the latest technological and electronic devices in connection therewith as provided under Section 52 (i) of the Omnibus Election Code.
   

SEC. 24. Signature of Chairman at the Back of Every Ballot. - In every case before delivering an official ballot to the voter, the chairman of the board of election inspectors shall, in the presence of the voter, affix his signature at the back thereof.  Failure to so authenticate shall be noted in the minutes of the board of election inspectors and shall constitute an election offense punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code.

SEC. 25. Manner of Counting Votes. - In addition to the requirement in the fourth paragraph of Section 12 of the Republic Act No. 6646 and Section 210 of the Omnibus Election Code, in reading the official ballots during the counting, the chairman, the poll clerk and the third member shall assume such positions as to provide the watchers and the members of the public as may be conveniently accommodated in the polling place, art unimpeded view of the ballot being read by the chairman, of the election return and the tally board being simultaneously accomplished by the poll clerk and the third member respectively, without touching any of these election documents. The table shall be cleared of all unnecessary writing paraphernalia. Any violation of this requirement shall constitute an election offense punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The chairman shall first read the votes for national positions.

Any violation of this Section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881.

SEC. 26. Official Watchers. - Every registered political party or coalition of political parties, and every candidate shall each be entitled to one watcher in every polling place and canvassing center: Provided, That, candidates for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, or Sangguniang Bayan belonging to the same slate or ticket shall collectively be entitled to only one watcher.

The dominant majority party and dominant minority party, which the Commission shall determine in accordance with law, shall each be entitled to one official watcher who shall be paid a fixed per diem of Four hundred pesos (P400.00).

There shall also be recognized six principal watchers, representing the six accredited major political parties excluding the dominant majority and minority parties, who shall be designated by the Commission upon nomination of the said parties. These political parties shall be determined by the Commission upon notice and hearing on the basis of the following circumstances:

(a) The established record of the said parties, coalition of groups that now composed them, taking into account, among other things, their showing in past elections;

(b) The number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them ninety (90) days before the date of election;

(c) Their identifiable political organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized/ chapters;

(d) The ability to fill a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of President; and

(e) Other analogous circumstances that may determine their relative organizations and strengths.

SEC. 27. Number of Copies of Election Returns and their Distribution. - The board of election inspectors shall prepare in handwriting the election returns in their respective polling places, in the number of copies herein provided and in the form to be prescribed and provided by the Commission.

The copies of election returns shall be distributed by the chairman of the board of election inspectors as follows:

(a) In the election of president, vice president, senators and members of the House of Representatives including the party-list representatives:

(1) The first copy shall be delivered to the City or municipal board of canvassers;

(2) The second copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the polling place;

(3) The third copy, to the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate;

(4) The fourth copy, to the Commission;

(5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law;

(6) The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law;

(7) The seventh copy, to a citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count: Provided, however, That the accreditation of the citizens' arm shall be subject to the provisions of Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881; and

(8) The eighth copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots; and

(b) In the election of local officials:

(1) The first copy shall be delivered to the city or municipal board of canvassers;

(2) The second copy to be posted on a wall within the premises of the polling place;

(3) The third copy, to the Commission;

(4) The fourth copy, to the provincial board of canvassers;

(5) The fifth copy, to the dominant majority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law;

(6) The sixth copy, to the dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with law; and

(7) The seventh copy, to a citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count: Provided, however, That the accreditation of the citizens' arm shall be subject to the provisions of Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881; and

(8) The eighth copy shall be deposited inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid votes.

The copy of the election return posted on the wall shall be open for public viewing at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. Any person may view or capture an image of the election return by means of any data capturing device such as, but not limited to, cameras at anytime of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. After the prescribed period for posting, the chairman of the board of election inspectors shall collect the posted election returns and keep the same in his custody to be produced for image or data capturing as may be requested by any voter or for any lawful purpose as may be ordered by competent authority.

Except for those copies that are required to be delivered, copies of election returns may be claimed at the polling place. Any unclaimed copy shall be brought by the chairman of the board of election inspectors to the canvassing center where the recipients or their representatives may claim them. Copies still unclaimed at the canvassing center shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of election inspectors, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

The thirty (30) certified print copies of the election return for national positions shall be distributed as follows:

(a) The first fourteen (14) copies shall be given to the fourteen (14) accredited major national parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 hereof;

(b) The next three copies shall be given to the three accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of criteria analogous to that provided in Section 26 hereof;

(c) The next five copies shall be given to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

(d) The next two copies shall be given to local broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

(e) The next four copies to the major citizens' arms, including the accredited citizens' arm, and other non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission pursuant to Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881;

(f) The next copy to be placed inside the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots; and

(g) The last copy to the provincial board of canvassers.

The certified print copies may be claimed at the polling place. Any unclaimed copy shall be brought by the chairman of the board of election inspectors to the canvassing center where the recipients or their representatives may claim them. Copies still unclaimed at the canvassing center shall be placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of election inspectors, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any of the recipients of the print or digital copies of the election return may conduct an unofficial consolidation of votes and may announce the result to the public.

The Commission shall post its digital files in its website for the public to view or download at any time of the day. The Commission shall maintain the files for at least three years from the date of posting.

Any violation of this section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881.

Sec. 28. Canvassing by Provincial City, District and Municipal Board of Canvassers. - a) The city or municipal board of canvassers shall canvass the election returns of President, Vice President, Senator and Members of the House of Representatives and for elective provincial and city or municipal officials: Provided, that the returns for national positions shall be canvassed first. Upon completion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass for president, vice-president, senators and members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial officials, announce the results of the election for national positions in the city or municipality, and thereafter, proclaim the elected city or municipal officials, as the case may be.

b) The city board of canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative districts shall canvass the election returns for president, vice-president, senators, members of the House of Representatives and elective city officials: Provided, that, the returns for national positions shall be canvassed first upon completion of the canvass. the board shall prepare the certificate of canvass of president, vice-president, and senators announce the results of the election for national positions in the city, and thereafter, proclaim the elected members of the House of Representatives and city officials.

c) (1) In the Metro Manila Area such municipality comprising a legislative district shall have district board of canvassers which shall canvass the election returns for President, Vice President, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and elective municipal officials: Provided, That the returns for national positions shall be canvassed first. Upon completion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass for president, vice-president and senators, announce the results of the election for national positions in the municipality, and thereafter, proclaim the elected member of the House of Representatives and municipal officials.

(2) Each component municipality in a legislative district in the Metro Manila Area shall have a municipal board of canvassers which shall canvass the election returns for president, vice-president, senators, member of the House of Representatives and elective municipal officials: Provided, That the returns for national positions shall be canvassed first. Upon completion of the canvass, each shall prepare the certificate of canvass for president, vice-president, senators, and members of the House of Representatives, announce the results of the election for national positions in the municipality, and thereafter, proclaim the elected municipal officials.

(3) The district board of canvassers of each legislative district compromising two municipalities in the Metro Manila Areas shall canvass the certificate of canvass for President, Vice-President, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives submitted by the municipal board of canvassers of the component municipalities. Upon completion of the canvass, it shall prepare a certificate of canvass for president, vice-president and senators, announce the results of the election for national positions in the district, and thereafter, proclaim the elected member of the House of Representatives in the legislative district.

(d) The provincial board of canvassers shall canvass the certificate of canvass for president, vice-president, senators, and members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial officials as well as plebiscite results, if any plebiscite is conducted simultaneously with the same election, as submitted by the board of canvassers of municipalities and component cities: Provided, That the returns for national positions shall be canvassed first. Upon completion of the canvass, it shall prepare the certificate of canvass for president, vice-president, and senators, announce the results of the election for national positions in the province, and thereafter, proclaim the elected member of the House of Representatives and provincial officials as well as the plebiscite results, if any;

In conducting the canvass of election returns or certificates of canvass, as the case may be, the board of canvassers in a municipality, city, district or province shall project each election return or certificate of canvass on a wall from which its contents shall be read in order that those present in the canvassing center may follow the progress of the canvassing process from beginning to end. The Commission may utilize the appropriate projection equipment for this purpose.

Immediately after the certificate of canvass for national positions is accomplished, the chairman of the Board of Canvassers shall announce the posting of the second copy thereof and its supporting statement of votes on a wall with sufficient lighting within the premises of the canvassing center. He shall then proceed to do the same in the presence of the other members of the board, the watchers and those present in the canvassing center, without delay and when feasible, he shall capture images of the certificate of canvass and supporting statement of votes using a secured data capturing device and thereafter, while in the premises of the canvassing center, immediately print the data so captured in thirty (30) copies. The board of canvassers shall then authenticate each printed copy, in the presence of watchers and within public view, by closely comparing the same with the certificate of canvass or statement of votes, as the case may be, posted on the wall, if the board finds each printed copy a faithful reproduction of the certificate of canvass or statement of votes, all members thereof shall annotate and sign a certification to that effect on the bottom front of the printed copy.

Each certified printed copy shall be placed in an envelope and distributed as herein provided. Designated recipients of the certified printed copies may receive their copies at the canvassing center.

The chairman of the board shall transmit the digital files of the certificate of canvass and its supporting statement of votes using a secured transmission device with authentication features to the secured tabulation system of the Commission and to the systems of the other designated recipients as herein provided.

Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any of the recipients of the print or digital copies of the certificate of canvass and the supporting statements of votes may conduct an unofficial consolidation of votes and may announce the result thereof to the public.

Any violation of this section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881.

In addition, the following shall likewise be guilty of an election offense:

(a) Any person who removes the certificate of canvass posted on the wall, whether within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, or defaces the same in any manner;

(b) Any person who simulates an actual certificate of canvass or statement of votes, or a print or digital copy thereof;

(c) Any person who simulates the certification of a certificate of canvass or statement of votes;

(d) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who, during the prescribed period of posting, removes the certificate of canvass or its supporting statement of votes from the wall on which they have been posted other than for the purpose of immediately transferring them to a more suitable place;

(e) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who signs or authenticates a print of the certificate of canvass or its supporting statement of votes outside of the polling place; and

(f) The chairman or any member of the board of canvassers who signs or authenticates a print which bears an image different from the certificate of canvass or statement of votes produced after counting and posted on the wall.

SEC. 29. Number of Copies of Certificates of Canvass and their Distribution. - a) The certificate of canvass for president, vice-president, senators and members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial officials shall be prepared in seven copies by the city or municipal board of canvassers and distributed as follows:

(1) The first copy shall be delivered to the provincial board of canvassers for use in the canvass of election results for president, vice-president, senators and members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial officials;

(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission;

(3) The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvassing center;

(4) The fourth copy shall be kept by the Chairman of the Board; and

(5) The fifth copy shall be given to the citizens' arm designated by the Commission to conduct a media-based unofficial count, and the sixth and seventh copies shall be given to the representatives of two of the six major political parties in accordance with the voluntary agreement of the parties. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies of the certificate of canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 hereof. The parties receiving the certificates shall have the obligation to furnish the other parties with authentic copies thereof with the least possible delay.

The copy of the certificate of canvass posted on the wall shall be open for public viewing at any time of the day for forty-eight (48) hours following its posting. Any person may view or capture an image of the certificate of canvass. After the prescribed period for posting, the chairman of the board of canvassers shall collect the posted certificate of canvass and keep the same in his custody to be produced for image or data capturing as may be requested by any voter or for any lawful purpose as may be ordered by competent authority.

Except for those copies that are required to be delivered copies of certificates of canvass may be claimed at the canvassing center. Any unclaimed copy shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of canvassers, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

The thirty (30) certified print copies of the certificate of canvass for national positions shall be distributed as follows:

(a) The first fourteen (14) copies shall be given to the fourteen (14) accredited major national parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 hereof;

(b) The next three copies shall be given to the three accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of criteria analogous to that provided in Section 26 hereof;

(c) The next five copies shall be given to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

(d) The next two copies shall be given to local broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

(e) The next four copies to the major citizens' arms, including the accredited citizens' arm, and other non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission pursuant to Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881; and

f) The last two copies to be kept in file by the chairman of the board of canvassers to be subsequently distributed as the national board of canvassers may direct.

The certified print copies may be claimed at the canvassing center. Any unclaimed copy shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of canvassers, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

The Commission shall post its digital files in its website for the public to view or download at any time of the day. The Commission shall maintain the files for at least three years from the date of posting.

Any violation of this section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881.

SEC. 30. Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for the Election of President and Vice President: The Commission en banc as the National Board of Canvassers for the election of senators: Determination of Authenticity and Due Execution of Certificates of Canvass. - Congress and the Commission en banc shall determine the authenticity and due execution of the certificate of canvas for president and vice-president and senators, respectively, as accomplished and transmitted to it by the local boards of canvassers, on a showing that: (1) each certificate of canvass was executed, signed and thumbmarked by the chairman and members of the board of canvassers and transmitted or caused to be transmitted to Congress by them; (2) each certificate of canvass contains the names of all of the candidates for president and vice-president or senator, as the case may be, and their corresponding votes in words and in figures; (3) there exits no discrepancy in other authentic copies of the certificates of canvass or in any of its supporting documents such as statement of votes by city/municipality/by precinct or discrepancy in the votes of any candidate in words and figures in the certificate; and (4) there exists no discrepancy in the votes of any candidate in words and figures in the certificate of canvass against the aggregate number of votes appearing in the election returns of precincts covered by the certificate of canvass: Provided, That certified print copies of election returns or certificates of canvass may be used for the purpose of verifying the existence of the discrepancy.

When the certificate of canvass, duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province, city of district, appears to be incomplete the Senate President or the Chairman of the Commission, as the case may be shall require the board of canvassers concerned to transmit by personal delivery the election returns from polling places that were not included in the certificate of canvass and supporting statements. Said election returns shall be submitted by personal delivery within two (2) days from receipt of notice.

When it appears that any certificate of canvass or supporting statement of votes by city/ municipality or by precinct bears erasures or alterations which may cast doubt as to the veracity of the number of votes stated herein and may affect the result of the election, upon request of the presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial candidate concerned or his party, Congress or the Commission en banc, as the case may be, shall, for the sole purpose of verifying the actual number of votes cast for President and Vice-President or senator, count the votes as they appear in the copies of the election returns submitted to it.

In case of any discrepancy, incompleteness, erasure or alteration as mentioned above, the procedure on pre-proclamation controversies shall be adopted and applied as provided in Sections 17,18,19 and 20.

Any person who presents in evidence a simulated copy of an election return, certificate of canvass or statement of votes, or a printed copy of an election return, certificate of canvass or statement of votes bearing a simulated certification or a simulated image, shall be guilty of an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881.

SEC. 31. Per Diems of Election Inspectors and Other Officials. - The members of the board of election inspectors shall be paid a per diem of Two hundred pesos (P200.00) each for services on registration and revision days and Four hundred pesos (P400.00) each on the day of the election.  Provincial, city and municipal treasurers, administrators and supervisors of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports assigned by the Commission to perform election duty shall receive a per diem of Four hundred pesos (P400.00) each on election day.

Said per diems shall be paid by the cashier or other finance officer of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports or of the Commission within fifteen (15) days after registration, revision and election days, respectively.  There being funds actually available, any delay in said payments to any of the abovementioned personnel without justifiable reason shall constitute an election offense and all officials and other personnel responsible therefor, directly or indirectly, shall be liable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code.

SEC. 32. Who May Bear Firearms. - During the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.  The issuance of firearm licenses shall be suspended during the election period.

Only regular members or officers of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the Commission for election duty may be authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period:  Provided, That, when in the possession of firearms, the deputized law enforcement officer must be: (a) in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number which shall remain visible at all times; and (b) in the actual performance of his election duty in the specific area designated by the Commission.

SEC. 33. Security Personnel and Bodyguards. - During the election period, no candidate for public office, including incumbent public officers seeking election to any public office, shall employ, avail himself of or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards, whether or not such bodyguards are regular members or officers of the Philippine National police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines or other law enforcement agency of the Government:  Provided, That, when circumstances warrant, including but not limited to threats to life and security of a candidate, he may be assigned by the Commission, upon due application, regular members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines or other law enforcement agency who shall provide him security for the duration of the election period.  The officers assigned for security duty to a candidate shall be subject to the same requirement as to wearing of uniforms prescribed in the immediately preceding section unless exempted in writing by the Commission.

If at any time during the election period, the ground for which the authority to engage the services of security personnel has been granted shall cease to exist or for any other valid cause, the Commission shall revoke the said authority.

SEC. 34. Disposition of Firearms. - The firearm or other deadly weapon found in the possession of person prosecuted for the election offense shall be disposed of according to existing laws.

SEC. 35. Rules and Regulations. - The Commission shall issue rules and regulations to implement this Act.  Said rules shall be published in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 36. Governing Laws. - The elections provided herein and all subsequent election and plebiscites shall be governed by this Act, by the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 6646 and other election laws not inconsistent herewith.

SEC. 37. Appropriations. - The amount of One billion pesos (P 1,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated out of any savings or unexpended balance in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to cover the costs of holding the May 11, 1992 elections.  Hereafter, the amounts necessary to fund subsequent elections shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the corresponding fiscal year.

Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, and for purposes of the May 11, 1992 elections only, the chairman and members of the board of election inspectors shall each be paid a per diem of Four hundred pesos (P400.00) on election day.  The Commission may provide hazard pay, when warranted, incentive and merit awards to members of the boards of election inspectors, board of canvassers and personnel of the Commission and its deputized agencies.

SEC. 38. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, such declaration of unconstitutionality will not affect the other provisions of this Act.

SEC. 39. Amending and Repealing Clause. - Sections 107, 108 and 245 of the Omnibus Election Code are hereby repealed.  Likewise, the inclusion in Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code of the violations of Sections 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 and 112 as among election offenses is also hereby repealed.  This repeal shall have retroactive effect.

Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, Republic Act No. 6646, Executive Order Nos. 144 and 157 and all other laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations or other issuances, or any part thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 40. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in full in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

JOVITO R. SALONGA	RAMON V. MITRA
President of the Senate	Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 34811 and Senate Bill No. 1861 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on November 18, 1991 and November 20, 1991, respectively.

EDWIN P. ACOBA	CAMILO L. SABIO
Secretary of the Senate	Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: November 26, 1991