BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 881

OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

December 3, 1985

ARTICLE I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Omnibus
Election Code of the Philippines."
Sec. 2. Applicability. - This Code shall govern all election of public
officers and, to the extent appropriate, all referenda and plebiscites.
Sec. 3. Election and campaign periods. - Unless otherwise fixed in
special cases by the Commission on Elections, which hereinafter shall
be referred to as the Commission, the election period shall commence
ninety days before the day of the election and shall end thirty days
thereafter.
The period of campaign shall be as follows:
1. Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election - 90 days;
2. Election of Members of the Batasang Pambansa and Local Election 45 days; and
3. Barangay Election - 15 days.
The campaign periods shall not include the day before and the day of
the election.
However, in case of special elections under Article VIII, Section 5,
Subsection (2) of the Constitution, the campaign period shall be fortyfive days.
Sec. 4. Obligation to register and vote. - It shall be the obligation of
every citizen qualified to vote to register and cast his vote.
Sec. 5. Postponement of election. - When for any serious cause such as
violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or
records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of such a nature
that the holding of a free, orderly and honest election should become
impossible in any political subdivision, the Commission, motu proprio
or upon a verified petition by any interested party, and after due notice
and hearing, whereby all interested parties are afforded equal
opportunity to be heard, shall postpone the election therein to a date
which should be reasonably close to the date of the election not held,
suspended or which resulted in a failure to elect but not later than
thirty days after the cessation of the cause for such postponement or
suspension of the election or failure to elect.
Sec. 6. Failure of election. - If, on account of force majeure, violence,
terrorism, fraud, or other analogous causes the election in any polling
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place has not been held on the date fixed, or had been suspended
before the hour fixed by law for the closing of the voting, or after the
voting and during the preparation and the transmission of the election
returns or in the custody or canvass thereof, such election results in a
failure to elect, and in any of such cases the failure or suspension of
election would affect the result of the election, the Commission shall,
on the basis of a verified petition by any interested party and after due
notice and hearing, call for the holding or continuation of the election
not held, suspended or which resulted in a failure to elect on a date
reasonably close to the date of the election not held, suspended or
which resulted in a failure to elect but not later than thirty days after
the cessation of the cause of such postponement or suspension of the
election or failure to elect.
Sec. 7. Call of special election. - (1) In case a vacancy arises in the
Batasang Pambansa eighteen months or more before a regular
election, the Commission shall call a special election to be held within
sixty days after the vacancy occurs to elect the Member to serve the
unexpired term.
(2) In case of the dissolution of the Batasang Pambansa, the President
shall call an election which shall not be held earlier than forty-five nor
later than sixty days from the date of such dissolution.
The Commission shall send sufficient copies of its resolution for the
holding of the election to its provincial election supervisors and
election registrars for dissemination, who shall post copies thereof in
at least three conspicuous places preferably where public meetings are
held in each city or municipality affected.
Sec. 8. Election Code to be available in polling places. - A printed copy
of this Code in English or in the national language shall be provided and
be made available by the Commission in every polling place, in order
that it may be readily consulted by any person in need thereof on the
registration,
revision
and
election
days.
Sec. 9. Official mail and telegram relative to elections. - Papers
connected with the election and required by this Code to be sent by
public officers in the performance of their election duties shall be free
of postage and sent by registered special delivery mail. Telegrams of
the same nature shall likewise be transmitted free of charge by
government telecommunications and similar facilities.
It shall be the duty of the Postmaster General, the Director of the
Bureau of Telecommunications, and the managers of private
telecommunication companies to transmit immediately and in
preference to all other communications or telegrams messages
reporting election results and such other messages or communications

which the Commission may require or may be necessary to ensure free,

honest and orderly elections.
Sec. 10. Election expenses. - Except in barangay elections, such
expenses as may be necessary and reasonable in connection with the
elections, referenda, plebiscites and other similar exercises shall be
paid by the Commission. The Commission may direct that in the
provinces, cities, or municipalities, the election expenses chargeable to
the Commission be advanced by the province, city or municipality
concerned subject to reimbursement by the Commission upon
presentation of the proper bill.
Funds needed by the Commission to defray the expenses for the
holding of regular and special elections, referenda and plebiscites shall
be provided in the regular appropriations of the Commission which,
upon request, shall immediately be released to the Commission. In
case of deficiency, the amount so provided shall be augmented from
the special activities funds in the general appropriations act and from
those specifically appropriated for the purpose in special laws.
Sec. 11. Failure to assume office. - The office of any official elected who
fails or refuses to take his oath of office within six months from his
proclamation shall be considered vacant, unless said failure is for a
cause or causes beyond his control.
Sec. 12. Disqualifications. - Any person who has been declared by
competent authority insane or incompetent, or has been sentenced by
final judgment for subversion, insurrection, rebellion or for any offense
for which he has been sentenced to a penalty of more than eighteen
months or for a crime involving moral turpitude, shall be disqualified to
be a candidate and to hold any office, unless he has been given plenary
pardon or granted amnesty.
This disqualifications to be a candidate herein provided shall be
deemed removed upon the declaration by competent authority that
said insanity or incompetence had been removed or after the expiration
of a period of five years from his service of sentence, unless within the
same
period
he
again
becomes
disqualified.
ARTICLE II.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT
Sec. 13. Regular election for President and Vice-President. - The
regular election for President and Vice-President of the Philippines
shall be held on the first Monday of May Nineteen hundred eighty seven
(1987) and on the same day every six years thereafter. The Presidentelect and the Vice-President-elect shall assume office at twelve o'clock
noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the election and shall

end at noon of the same date, six years thereafter when the term of his
successor shall begin.
Sec. 14. Special election for President and Vice-President. - In case a
vacancy occurs for the Office of the President and Vice-President, the
Batasang Pambansa shall, at ten o'clock in the morning of the third day
after the vacancy occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without
need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for a special
election to elect a President and a Vice-President to be held not earlier
than forty-five days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call.
The bill calling such special election shall be deemed certified under
paragraph (2), Section 19, Article VIII of the Constitution and shall
become law upon its approval on third reading by the Batasang
Pambansa. Appropriations for the special election shall be charged
against any current appropriations and shall be exempt from the
requirements of paragraph (4), Section 16 of Article VIII of the
Constitution. The convening of the Batasang Pambansa cannot be
suspended nor the special election postponed. No special election shall
be called if the vacancy occurs within seventy days before the date of
the presidential election of 1987.
Sec. 15. Canvass of votes for President and Vice-President by the
provincial or city board of canvassers. - The provincial, city, or district
boards of canvassers in Metropolitan Manila, as the case may be, shall
meet not later than six o'clock in the evening on election day to
canvass the election returns that may have already been received by
them, respectively. It shall meet continuously from day to day until the
canvass is completed, but may adjourn only for the purpose of awaiting
the other election returns. Each time the board adjourns, it shall make
a total of all the votes cast for each candidate for President and for
Vice-President, duly authenticated by the signatures and thumbmarks
of all the members of the provincial, city or district board of
canvassers, furnishing the Commission in Manila by the fastest means
of communication a copy thereof, and making available the data
contained therein to mass media and other interested parties. Upon the
completion of the canvass, the board shall prepare a certificate of
canvass showing the votes received by each candidate for the office of
the President and for Vice-President, duly authenticated by the
signatures and thumbmarks of all the members of the provincial, city or
district board of canvassers. Upon the completion of the certificate of
canvass, the board shall certify and transmit the said certificate of
canvass to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa.
The provincial, city and district boards of canvassers shall prepare the
certificate of canvass for the election of President and Vice-President,
supported by a statement of votes by polling place, in quintuplicate by

the use of carbon papers or such other means as the Commission shall
prescribe to the end that all five copies shall be legibly produced in one
handwriting. The five copies of the certificate of canvass must bear the
signatures and thumbmarks of all the members of the board. Upon the
completion of these certificates and statements, they shall be enclosed
in envelopes furnished by the Commission and sealed, and immediately
distributed as follows: the original copy shall be enclosed and sealed in
the envelope directed to the Speaker and delivered to him at the
Batasang Pambansa by the fastest possible means; the second copy
shall likewise be enclosed and sealed in the envelope directed to the
Commission; the third copy shall be retained by the provincial election
supervisor, in the case of the provincial board of canvassers, and by the
city election registrar, in the case of the city board of canvassers; and
one copy each to the authorized representatives of the ruling party and
the dominant opposition political party. Failure to comply with the
requirements of this section shall constitute an election offense.
Sec. 16. Counting of votes for President and Vice-President by the
Batasang Pambansa. - The certificates of canvass, duly certified by the
board of canvassers of each province, city or district in Metropolitan
Manila shall be transmitted to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa,
who shall, not later than thirty days after the day of the election,
convene the Batasang Pambansa in session and in its presence open all
the certificates of canvass, and the votes shall then be counted.
Sec. 17. Correction of errors in certificate and supporting statement
already transmitted to the Speaker. - No correction of errors allegedly
committed in the certificate of canvass and supporting statement
already transmitted to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa shall be
allowed, subject to the provisions of the succeeding section.
Sec. 18. Preservation of ballot boxes, their keys, and disposition of
their contents. - Until after the completion by the Batasang Pambansa
of the canvassing of the votes and until an uncontested proclamation of
the President-elect and Vice-President-elect shall have been obtained,
the provincial, city or district board of canvassers under the joint
responsibility with the provincial, city or municipal treasurers shall
provide for the safekeeping and storage of the ballot boxes in a safe
and closed chamber secured by four padlocks: one to be provided by
the corresponding board chairman; one by the provincial or city
treasurer concerned; and one each by the ruling party and the
accredited dominant opposition political party.
Sec. 19. When certificate of canvass is incomplete or bears erasures or
alterations. - When the certificate of canvass, duly certified by the
board of canvassers of each province, city or district in Metropolitan
Manila and transmitted to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa, as

provided in the Constitution, appears to be incomplete, the Speaker

shall require the board of canvassers concerned to transmit to his
office, 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 to the Speaker within two days from receipt of notice. When it
appears that any certificate of canvass or supporting statement of
votes by polling place bears erasures or alterations which may cast
doubt as to the veracity of the number of votes stated therein and may
affect the result of the election, the Batasang Pambansa upon request
of the Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidate concerned or his
party shall, for the sole purpose of verifying the actual number of votes
cast for President or Vice-President, count the votes as they appear in
the copies of the election returns for the Commission. For this purpose,
the Speaker shall require the Commission to deliver its copies of the
election returns to the Batasang Pambansa.
Sec. 20. Proclamation of the President-elect and Vice-President-elect. Upon the completion of the canvass of the votes by the Batasang
Pambansa, the persons obtaining the highest number of votes for
President and for Vice-President shall be declared elected; but in case
two or more shall have an equal and the highest number of votes, one
of them shall be chosen President or Vice-President, as the case may
be, by a majority vote of all the Members of the Batasang Pambansa in
session assembled.
In case there are certificates of canvass which have not been
submitted to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa on account of
missing election returns, a proclamation may be made if the missing
certificates will not affect the results of the election.
In case the certificates of canvass which were not submitted on
account of missing election returns will affect the results of the
election, no proclamation shall be made. The Speaker shall immediately
instruct the boards of canvassers concerned to obtain the missing
election returns from the boards of election inspectors or, if the returns
have been lost or destroyed upon prior authority from the Commission,
to use any authentic copy of said election returns for the purpose of
conducting the canvass, and thereafter issue the certificates of
canvass. The certificates of canvass shall be immediately transmitted
to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa.
Proclamation shall be made only upon submission of all certificates of
canvass or when the missing certificates of canvass will not affect the
results
of
the
election.
ARTICLE III.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE BATASANG PAMBANSA

Sec. 21. Regular election of Members of the Batasang Pambansa. - The
regular election of the Members of the Batasang Pambansa shall be
held on the second Monday of May, Nineteen hundred and ninety
(1990) and on the same day every six years thereafter.
Sec. 22. Special election for Members of the Batasang Pambansa. - In
case a vacancy arises in the Batasang Pambansa eighteen months or
more before a regular election, the Commission shall call a special
election to be held within sixty days after the vacancy occurs to elect
the Member to serve the unexpired term.
The Batasang Pambansa through a duly approved resolution or an
official communication of the Speaker when it is not in session shall
certify to the Commission the existence of said vacancy.
Sec. 23. Composition of the Batasang Pambansa. - The Batasang
Pambansa shall be composed of not more than two hundred Members
elected from the different provinces of the Philippines with their
component cities, highly urbanized cities and districts of Metropolitan
Manila, those elected or selected from various sectors as provided
herein, and those chosen by the President from the members of the
Cabinet.
Sec. 24. Apportionment of representatives. - Until a new apportionment
shall have been made, the Members of the Batasang Pambansa shall be
apportioned in accordance with the Ordinance appended to the
Constitution, as follows:
National Capital Region: Manila, 6; Quezon City, 4; Caloocan, 2; Pasay,
1; Pasig and Marikina, 2; Las Pias and Paraaque, 1; Makati, 1;
Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, 2; San Juan and Mandaluyong, 1;
Taguig, Pateros and Muntinglupa, 1.
Region 1: Abra, 1; Benguet, 1; Ilocos Norte with Laoag City, 2; Ilocos
Sur, 2; La Union, 2; Mountain Province, 1; Pangasinan with the cities of
Dagupan and San Carlos, 6; Baguio City, 1.
Region II: Batanes, 1; Cagayan, 3; Ifugao, 1; Isabela, 3; KalingaApayao, 1; Nueva Vizcaya, 1; Quirino, 1.
Region III: Bataan, 1; Bulacan, 4; Nueva Ecija with the cities of
Cabanatuan, Palayan and San Jose, 4; Pampanga with Angeles City, 4;
Tarlac, 2; Zambales, 1; Olongapo City, 1.
Region IV: Aurora, 1; Batangas with the cities of Batangas and Lipa, 4;
Cavite with the cities of Cavite, Tagaytay and Trece Martires, 3; Laguna
with San Pablo City, 4; Marinduque, 1; Occidental Mindoro, 1; Oriental
Mindoro, 2; Palawan with Puerto Princesa City, 1; Quezon with Lucena
City, 4; Rizal, 2; Romblon, 1.
Region V: Albay with Legaspi City, 3; Camarines Norte, 1; Camarines
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Sur with the cities of Iriga and Naga, 4; Catanduanes, 1; Masbate, 2;

Sorsogon, 2.
Region VI: Aklan, 1; Antique, 1; Capiz with Roxas City; Iloilo with Iloilo
City, 5; Negros Occidental with the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, La
Carlota, San Carlos and Silay, 7.
Region VII: Bohol with Tagbilaran City, 3; Cebu with the cities of
Danao,
Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Toledo, 6; Negros Oriental with the cities of
Bais, Canlaon and Dumaguete, 3; Siquijor, 1; Cebu City, 2.
Region VIII: Leyte with the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban, 5; Southern
Leyte, 1; Eastern Samar, 1; Northern Samar, 1; Samar with Calbayog
City, 2.
Region IX: Basilan, 1; Sulu, 1; Tawi-Tawi, 1; Zamboanga del Norte with
the cities of Dapitan and Dipolog, 2; Zamboanga del Sur with Pagadian
City, 3; Zamboanga City, 1.
Region X: Agusan del Norte with Butuan City, 1; Agusan del Sur, 1;
Bukidnon, 2; Camiguin, 1; Misamis Occidental with the cities of
Oroquieta, Ozamis and Tangub, 1; Misamis Oriental with Gingoog City,
2; Surigao del Norte with Surigao City, 1; Cagayan de Oro City, 1.
Region XI: Surigao del Sur, 1; Davao del Norte, 3; Davao Oriental, 1;
Davao del Sur, 2; South Cotabato with General Santos City, 3; Davao
City, 2.
Region XII: Lanao del Norte, 1; Lanao del Sur with Marawi City, 2;
Maguindanao with Cotabato City, 2; North Cotabato, 2; Sultan Kudarat,
1; Iligan City, 1.
Any province that may hereafter be created or any component city that
may hereafter be declared by or pursuant to law as a highly urbanized
city shall be entitled in the immediately following election to at least
one Member or such number of Members as it may be entitled to on the
basis of the number of the inhabitants and on the same uniform and
progressive ratio used in the last preceding apportionment. The
number of Members apportioned to the province out of which the new
province was created or where the new highly urbanized city is
geographically located shall be correspondingly adjusted by the
Commission, but such adjustment shall not be made within one
hundred twenty days before the election.
Sec. 25. Voting by province and its component cities, by highly
urbanized city or by district in Metropolitan Manila. - All candidates
shall be voted at large by the registered voters of their respective
constituencies. The candidates corresponding to the number of Member
or Members to be elected in a constituency who receive the highest
number
of
votes
shall
be
declared
elected.

Sec. 26. Sectoral representatives. - There shall be three sectors to be

represented in the Batasang Pambansa, namely: (1) youth; (2)
agricultural labor; (3) industrial labor whose representatives shall be
elected in the manner herein provided. Each sector shall be entitled to
four representatives, two of whom shall come from Luzon, one from
Visayas, and one from Mindanao: Provided, That the youth sector shall
be entitled to two additional sectoral representatives who shall be
elected from any part of the country.
Sec. 27. Scope of the sectors. - The agricultural labor sector covers all
persons who personally and physically till the land as their principal
occupation. It includes agricultural tenants and lessees, rural workers
and farm employees, owner-cultivators, settlers and small fishermen.
The industrial labor sector includes all non-agricultural workers and
employees.
The youth sector embraces persons not more than twenty-five years of
age.
Sec. 28. Selection of sectoral representatives. - Not later than twenty
days after the election of provincial, city or district representatives, the
most representative and generally recognized organizations or
aggroupments of members of the agricultural labor, industrial labor,
and youth sectors, as attested to by the Ministers of Agrarian Reform
and of Agriculture and Food, the Ministers of Labor and Employment,
and the Ministers of Local Government and of Education, Culture and
Sports, respectively, shall, in accordance with the procedures of said
organizations or aggroupments of members of the sector, submit to the
President their respective nominees for each slot allotted for each
sector. The President shall appoint from among the nominees
submitted by the aforementioned organizations or aggroupments the
representatives of each sector.
In recognizing the most representative and generally recognized
organizations or aggroupments, the Ministers of Agrarian Reform and
of Agriculture and Food, the Minister of Labor and Employment, and the
Ministers of Local Government and Education, Culture and Sports shall
consider:
(a) The extent of membership and activity of the organization or
aggroupment which should be national;
(b) The responsiveness of the organization or aggroupment to the
legitimate aspirations of its sector;
(c) The militancy and consistency of the organization or aggroupment
in espousing the cause and promoting the welfare of the sector
consistent with that of the whole country;
(d) The observance by such organization or aggroupment of the rule of
law; and
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(e) Other analogous factors.

The President of the Philippines shall, in writing, notify the SecretaryGeneral of the Batasang Pambansa of the appointment made by him of
any sectoral representative.
Except as herein otherwise provided, sectoral representatives shall
have
the same functions, responsibilities, rights, privileges,
qualifications and disqualifications as the representatives from the
provinces and their component cities, highly urbanized cities or
districts
of
Metropolitan
Manila.
ARTICLE IV.
ELECTION OF LOCAL OFFICIALS
Sec. 29. Regular elections of local officials. - The election of provincial,
city and municipal officials whose positions are provided for by the
Local Government Code shall be held throughout the Philippines in the
manner herein prescribed on the first Monday of May, Nineteen
hundred and eighty-six and on the same day every six years thereafter.
The officials elected shall assume office on the thirtieth day of June
next following the election and shall hold office for six years and until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
All local incumbent officials whose tenure of office shall expire on
March 23, 1986 shall hold office until June 30, 1986 or until their
successors shall have been elected and qualified: Provided, That they
cannot be suspended or removed without just cause.
Sec. 30. Component and highly urbanized cities. - Unless their
respective charters provide otherwise, the electorate of component
cities shall be entitled to vote in the election for provincial officials of
the province of which it is a part.
The electorate of highly urbanized cities shall not vote in the election
for provincial officials of the province in which it is located: Provided,
however, That no component city shall be declared or be entitled to a
highly urbanized city status within ninety days prior to any election.
ARTICLE V.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
AUTONOMOUS REGIONS.
Sec. 31. The Sangguniang Pampook of the autonomous regions. Region IX and Region XII in southern Philippines shall each have a
Sangguniang Pampook to be composed of twenty-seven members and
shall include seventeen representatives elected from the different
provinces and cities of each region, and a sectoral representative each

from among the youth, agricultural workers, and non-agricultural

workers (industrial labor) of each region to be selected in the manner
herein provided whose qualifications and disqualifications are the same
as Members of the Batasang Pambansa.
The President shall appoint an additional seven representatives in each
region whenever in his judgment any other sector is not properly
represented in the Sangguniang Pampook as a result of the elections.
Sec. 32. Apportionment of members of the Sangguniang Pampook. The Members of the Sangguniang Pampook of Region IX and of Region
XII shall be apportioned as follows:
Region IX: Basilan, one (1); Sulu, three (3); Tawi-Tawi, one (1);
Zamboanga del Norte including the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, four,
(4); and Zamboanga del Sur, including the City of Pagadian, six (6);
and Zamboanga City, two (2);
Region XII: Lanao del Norte, two (2); Iligan City, one (1); Lanao del
Sur including the City of Marawi, four (4); Maguindanao including the
City of Cotabato, four (4); North Cotabato, four (4); and Sultan
Kudarat, two (2).
Sec. 33. Election of members of Sangguniang Pampook. - The
candidates for the position of seventeen representatives to the
Sangguniang Pampook of Region IX and of Region XII shall be voted at
large by the registered voters of each province including the cities
concerned.
The candidates corresponding to the number of member or members to
be elected in a constituency who receive the highest number of votes
shall be declared elected.
Sec. 34. Selection of sectoral representatives. - The President shall,
within thirty days from the convening of each Sangguniang Pampook,
appoint the sectoral representatives on recommendation of the
Sangguniang Pampook and after due consultation with the
representative and generally recognized organizations or aggrupations
of members of the youth, agricultural workers and non-agricultural
workers as attested by the Ministers of Local Government and of
Education, Culture and Sports (youth), Ministers of Agrarian Reform
and of Agriculture and Food (agricultural workers), and Ministers of
Labor and Employment (non-agricultural or industrial labor).
The President of the Philippines shall in writing notify the Speaker of
the Sangguniang Pampook of each region of the appointment made by
him of any sectoral representative.
The sectoral representatives shall have the same functions,
responsibilities, rights, privileges, qualifications and disqualifications
as the elective provincial representatives to the Sangguniang Pampook:
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Provided, however, That no defeated candidate for member of the

Sangguniang Pampook in the immediately preceding election shall be
appointed as sectoral representative.
Sec. 35. Filling of vacancy. - Pending an election to fill a vacancy arising
from any cause in the Sangguniang Pampook, the vacancy shall be
filled by the President, upon recommendation of the Sangguniang
Pampook: Provided, That the appointee shall come from the same
province or sector of the member being replaced.
Sec. 36. Term of office. - The present members of the Sangguniang
Pampook of each of Region IX and Region XII shall continue in office
until June 30, 1986 or until their successors shall have been elected
and qualified or appointed and qualified in the case of sectoral
members. They may not be removed or replaced except in accordance
with the internal rules of said assembly or provisions of pertinent laws.
The election of members of the Sangguniang Pampook of the two
regions shall be held simultaneously with the local elections of 1986.
Those elected in said elections shall have a term of four years starting
June 30, 1986.
Those elected in the election of 1990 to be held simultaneously with
the elections of Members of the Batasang Pambansa shall have a term
of
six
years.
ARTICLE VI.
ELECTION OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS
Sec. 37. Regular election of barangay officials. - The election for
barangay officials shall be held throughout the Philippines in the
manner prescribed on the second Monday of May Nineteen hundred and
eighty-eight and on the same day every six years thereafter.
The officials elected shall assume office on the thirtieth day of June
next following the election and shall hold office for six years and until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
Sec. 38. Conduct of elections. - The barangay election shall be nonpartisan and shall be conducted in an expeditious and inexpensive
manner.
No person who files a certificate of candidacy shall represent or allow
himself to be represented as a candidate of any political party or any
other organization; and no political party, political group, political
committee, civic, religious, professional, or other organization or
organized group of whatever nature shall intervene in his nomination
or in the filing of his certificate of candidacy or give aid or support,
directly or indirectly, material or otherwise favorable to or against his
campaign for election: Provided, That this provision shall not apply to

the members of the family of a candidate within the fourth civil degree
of consanguinity or affinity nor to the personal campaign staff of the
candidate which shall not be more than one for every one hundred
registered voters in his barangay: Provided, however, That without
prejudice to any liability that may be incurred, no permit to hold a
public meeting shall be denied on the ground that the provisions of this
paragraph may or will be violated.
Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed as in any manner
affecting or constituting an impairment of the freedom of individuals to
support or oppose any candidate for any barangay office.
Sec. 39. Certificate of Candidacy. - No person shall be elected punong
barangay or kagawad ng sangguniang barangay unless he files a sworn
certificate of candidacy in triplicate on any day from the
commencement of the election period but not later than the day before
the beginning of the campaign period in a form to be prescribed by the
Commission. The candidate shall state the barangay office for which he
is a candidate.
The certificate of candidacy shall be filed with the secretary of the
sangguniang barangay who shall have the ministerial duty to receive
said certificate of candidacy and to immediately acknowledge receipt
thereof.
In case the secretary refuses to receive the same, or in the case of his
absence or non-availability, a candidate may file his certificate with the
election registrar of the city or municipality concerned.
The secretary of the sangguniang barangay or the election registrar, as
the case may be, shall prepare a consolidated list all the candidates and
shall post said list in the barangay hall and in other conspicuous places
in the barangay at least ten days before the election.
Any elective or appointive municipal, city, provincial or national official
or employee, or those in the civil or military service, including those in
government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered
automatically resigned upon the filing of certificate of candidacy for a
barangay office.
Sec. 40. Board of Election Tellers. - (1) The Commission shall constitute
not later than ten days before the election a board of election tellers in
every barangay polling place, to be composed of a public elementary
school teacher as chairman, and two members who are registered
voters of the polling place concerned, but who are not incumbent
barangay officials nor related to any candidate for any position in that
barangay within the fourth civil degree of affinity or consanguinity.
In case no public elementary school teachers are available, the
Commission shall designate any registered voter in the polling place
who is not an incumbent barangay official nor related to any candidate

for any position in that barangay within the fourth civil degree of
affinity or consanguinity.
(2) The board of election tellers shall supervise and conduct the
election in their respective polling places, count the votes and
thereafter prepare a report in triplicate on a form prescribed by the
Commission. The original of this report shall be delivered immediately
to the barangay board of canvassers. The second copy shall be
delivered to the election registrar and the third copy shall be delivered
to the secretary of the sangguniang barangay who shall keep the same
on file.
Sec. 41. Registration of voters and list of voters. - Not later than seven
days before the election, the board of election tellers shall meet in
every barangay polling place to conduct the registration of barangay
voters and to prepare the list of voters. Any voter may challenge the
qualification of any person seeking to register and said challenge shall
be heard and decided on the same day by the board of election tellers.
The final list of voters shall be posted in the polling places at least two
days before election day. The registration of any voter shall not be
transferred without written notice at least two days before the date of
election. Not later than the day following the barangay election, the
board of election tellers shall deliver the list of voters to the election
registrar for custody and safekeeping.
Sec. 42. Polling places. - (1) The chairman of the board of election
tellers shall designate the public school or any other public building
within the barangay to be used as polling place in case the barangay
has one election precinct. (2) For barangays with two or more election
precincts the chairman of the board of canvassers shall designate the
public school or any other public building to be used as polling place.
In case there is no public school or other public building that can be
used as polling places, other appropriate private buildings may be
designated: Provided, That such buildings are not owned or occupied or
possessed by any incumbent elective public official or candidate, or his
relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. The
polling place shall be centrally located as possible, always taking into
consideration the convenience and safety of the voters.
Sec. 43. Official barangay ballots. - The official barangay ballots shall
be provided by the city or municipality concerned of a size and color to
be prescribed by the Commission.
Such official ballots shall, before they are handed to the voter at the
polling place, be authenticated in the presence of the voter, by the
authorized representatives of the candidates and the chairman and
members of the board of election tellers who shall affix their signatures
at the back thereof. Any ballot which is not authenticated shall be

deemed spurious.
Sec. 44. Ballot boxes. - The Commission shall provide the ballot boxes
for each barangay polling place, but each candidate may be permitted
to provide a padlock for said ballot box.
Sec. 45. Postponement or failure of election. - When for any serious
cause such as violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election
paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of
such nature that the holding of a free, orderly and honest election
should become impossible in any barangay, the Commission, upon a
verified petition of an interested party and after due notice and hearing
at which the interested parties are given equal opportunity to be heard,
shall postpone the election therein for such time as it may deem
necessary.
If, on account of force majeure, violence, terrorism, fraud or other
analogous causes, the election in any barangay has not been held on
the date herein fixed or has been suspended before the hour fixed by
law for the closing of the voting therein and such failure or suspension
of election would affect the result of the election, the Commission, on
the basis of a verified petition of an interested party, and after due
notice and hearing, at which the interested parties are given equal
opportunity to be heard shall call for the holding or continuation of the
election within thirty days after it shall have verified and found that the
cause or causes for which the election has been postponed or
suspended have ceased to exist or upon petition of at least thirty
percent of the registered voters in the barangay concerned.
When the conditions in these areas warrant, upon verification by the
Commission, or upon petition of at least thirty percent of the registered
voters in the barangay concerned, it shall order the holding of the
barangay election which was postponed or suspended.
Sec. 46. Barangay board of canvassers. - (1) The Commission shall
constitute a board of canvassers at least seven days before the election
in each barangay, to be composed of the senior public elementary
school teacher in the barangay as chairman, and two other public
elementary school teachers, as members.
In case the number of public elementary school teachers is inadequate,
the Commission shall designate the chairman and members of the
barangay board of canvassers from among the board of election tellers.
(2) The barangay board of canvassers shall meet immediately in a
building where a polling place is found and which is most centrally
located in the barangay and after canvassing the results from the
various polling places within the barangay, proclaim the winners. The
board of canvassers shall accomplish the certificate of proclamation in
triplicate on a form to be prescribed by the Commission. The original of

the certificate shall be sent to the election registrar concerned, the

second copy shall be delivered to the secretary of the sangguniang
bayan or sangguniang panglunsod, as the case may be, and the third
copy shall be kept on file by the secretary of the sangguniang
barangay.
(3) In a barangay where there is only one polling place, the barangay
board of election tellers shall also be the barangay board of canvassers.
Sec. 47. Activities during the campaign period. - During the campaign
period, the punong barangay if he is not a candidate, or any resident of
the barangay designated by the Commission, shall convene the
barangay assembly at least once for the purpose of allowing the
candidates to appear at a joint meeting duly called, upon proper and
with at least two days notice, to explain to the barangay voters their
respective program of administration, their qualifications, and other
information that may help enlighten voters in casting their votes.
The members of the barangay assembly may take up and discuss other
matters relative to the election of barangay officials.
Sec. 48. Watchers. - Candidates may appoint two watchers each, to
serve alternately, in every polling place within the barangay, who shall
be furnished with a signed copy of the results of the election, in such
form as the Commission may prescribe, immediately after the
completion of the canvass.
Sec. 49. Inclusion and exclusion cases. - Inclusion and exclusion cases
which shall be decided not later than seven before the date of the
election shall be within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the
municipal or metropolitan trial court. The notice of such decision shall
be served to all parties within twenty-four hours following its
promulgation and any party adversely affected may appeal therefrom
within twenty-four hours to the regional trial court which shall finally
decide the same not later than two days before the date of the election.
Sec. 50. Funding. - Local governments shall appropriate such funds to
defray such necessary and reasonable expenses of the members of the
board of election tellers, board of canvassers and the printing of
election forms and procurement of other election paraphernalia, and
the installation of polling booths.
Sec. 51. Penalties. - Violations of any provisions of this Article shall
constitute prohibited acts and shall be prosecuted and penalized in
accordance
with
the
provisions
of
this
Code.
ARTICLE VII.
THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
Sec. 52. Powers and functions of the Commission on Elections. - In

addition to the powers and functions conferred upon it by the

Constitution, the Commission shall have exclusive charge of the
enforcement and administration of all laws relative to the conduct of
elections for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly and honest elections,
and shall:
(a) Exercise direct and immediate supervision and control over national
and local officials or employees, including members of any national or
local law enforcement agency and instrumentality of the government
required by law to perform duties relative to the conduct of elections.
In addition, it may authorize CMT cadets eighteen years of age and
above to act as its deputies for the purpose of enforcing its orders.
The Commission may relieve any officer or employee referred to in the
preceding paragraph from the performance of his duties relating to
electoral processes who violates the election law or fails to comply
with its instructions, orders, decisions or rulings, and appoint his
substitute.
Upon
recommendation
of
the
Commission,
the
corresponding proper authority shall suspend or remove from office
any or all of such officers or employees who may, after due process, be
found guilty of such violation or failure.
(b) During the period of the campaign and ending thirty days
thereafter, when in any area of the country there are persons
committing acts of terrorism to influence people to vote for or against
any candidate or political party, the Commission shall have the power
to authorize any member or members of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Integrated
National Police or any similar agency or instrumentality of the
government, except civilian home defense forces, to act as deputies for
the purpose of ensuring the holding of free, orderly and honest
elections.
(c) Promulgate rules and regulations implementing the provisions of
this Code or other laws which the Commission is required to enforce
and administer, and require the payment of legal fees and collect the
same in payment of any business done in the Commission, at rates that
it may provide and fix in its rules and regulations.
Rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission to implement
the provisions of this Code shall take effect on the sixteenth day after
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least daily newspapers of
general circulation. Orders and directives issued by the Commission
pursuant to said rules and regulations shall be furnished by personal
delivery to accredited political parties within forty-eight hours of
issuance and shall take effect immediately upon receipt.
In case of conflict between rules, regulations, orders or directives of
the Commission in the exercise of its constitutional powers and those
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issued by any other administrative office or agency of the government

concerning the same matter relative to elections, the former shall
prevail.
(d) Summon the parties to a controversy pending before it, issue
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, and take testimony in any
investigation or hearing before it, and delegate such power to any
officer of the Commission who shall be a member of the Philippine Bar.
In case of failure of a witness to attend, the Commission, upon proof of
service of the subpoena to said witnesses, may issue a warrant to
arrest witness and bring him before the Commission or the officer
before whom his attendance is required.
Any controversy submitted to the Commission shall, after compliance
with the requirements of due process, be immediately heard and
decided by it within sixty days from submission thereof. No decision or
resolution shall be rendered by the Commission either en banc or by
division unless taken up in a formal session properly convened for the
purpose.
The Commission may, when necessary, avail of the assistance of any
national or local law enforcement agency and/or instrumentality of the
government to execute under its direct and immediate supervision any
of its final decisions, orders, instructions or rulings.
(e) Punish contempts provided for in the Rules of Court in the same
procedure and with the same penalties provided therein. Any violation
of any final and executory decision, order or ruling of the Commission
shall constitute contempt thereof.
(f) Enforce and execute its decisions, directives, orders and
instructions which shall have precedence over those emanating from
any other authority, except the Supreme Court and those issued in
habeas corpus proceedings.
(g) Prescribe the forms to be used in the election, plebiscite or
referendum.
(h) Procure any supplies, equipment, materials or services needed for
the holding of the election by public bidding: Provided, That, if it finds
the requirements of public bidding impractical to observe, then by
negotiations or sealed bids, and in both cases, the accredited parties
shall be duly notified.
(i) Prescribe the use or adoption of the latest technological and
electronic devices, taking into account the situation prevailing in the
area and the funds available for the purpose: Provided, That the
Commission shall notify the authorized representatives of accredited
political parties and candidates in areas affected by the use or adoption
of technological and electronic devices not less than thirty days prior to

the effectivity of the use of such devices.

(j) Carry out a continuing and systematic campaign through
newspapers of general circulation, radios and other media forms to
educate the public and fully inform the electorate about election laws,
procedures, decisions, and other matters relative to the work and
duties of the Commission and the necessity of clean, free, orderly and
honest electoral processes.
(k) Enlist non-partisan group or organizations of citizens from the civic,
youth, professional, educational, business or labor sectors known for
their probity, impartiality and integrity with the membership and
capability to undertake a coordinated operation and activity to assist it
in the implementation of the provisions of this Code and the
resolutions, orders and instructions of the Commission for the purpose
of ensuring free, orderly and honest elections in any constituency. Such
groups or organizations shall function under the direct and immediate
control and supervision of the Commission and shall perform the
following specific functions and duties:
A. Before Election Day:
1. Undertake an information campaign on salient features of this Code
and help in the dissemination of the orders, decisions and resolutions
of the Commission relative to the forthcoming election.
2. Wage a registration drive in their respective areas so that all citizens
of voting age, not otherwise disqualified by law may be registered.
3. Help cleanse the list of voters of illegal registrants, conduct houseto-house canvass if necessary, and take the appropriate legal steps
towards this end.
4. Report to the Commission violations of the provisions of this Code on
the conduct of the political campaign, election propaganda and
electoral expenditures.
B. On Election Day:
1. Exhort all registered voters in their respective areas to go to their
polling places and cast their votes.
2. Nominate one watcher for accreditation in each polling place and
each place of canvass who shall have the same duties, functions and
rights as the other watchers of political parties and candidates.
Members or units of any citizen group or organization so designated by
the Commission except its lone duly accredited watcher, shall not be
allowed to enter any polling place except to vote, and shall, if they so
desire, stay in an area at least fifty meters away from the polling place.
3. Report to the peace authorities and other appropriate agencies all
instances of terrorism, intimidation of voters, and other similar
attempts to frustrate the free and orderly casting of votes.
4. Perform such other functions as may be entrusted to such group or
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organization by the Commission.

The designation of any group or organization made in accordance
herewith may be revoked by the Commission upon notice and hearing
whenever by its actuations such group or organization has shown
partiality to any political party or candidate, or has performed acts in
excess or in contravention of the functions and duties herein provided
and such others which may be granted by the Commission.
(l) Conduct hearings on controversies pending before it in the cities or
provinces upon proper motion of any party, taking into consideration
the materiality and number of witnesses to be presented, the situation
prevailing in the area and the fund available for the purpose.
(m) Fix other reasonable periods for certain pre-election requirements
in order that voters shall not be deprived of their right of suffrage and
certain groups of rights granted them in this Code.
Unless indicated in this Code, the Commission is hereby authorized for
fix the appropriate period for the various prohibited acts enumerated
herein, consistent with the requirements of free, orderly, and honest
elections.
Sec. 53. Field offices of the Commission. - The Commission shall have
the following field offices:
(1) Regional Election Office, headed by the Regional Election Director
and assisted by the Assistant Regional Director and such other
subordinate officers or employees as the Commission may appoint.
(2) Provincial Election Office, headed by the Provincial Election
Supervisor and assisted by such other subordinate officers or
employees as the Commission may appoint.
(3) City/Municipal Election Office, headed by the City/Municipal
Registrar who shall be assisted by an election clerk and such other
employees as the Commission may appoint.
The Commission may delegate its powers and functions or order the
implementation or enforcement of its orders, rulings, or decisions
through the heads of its field offices.
Sec. 54. Qualifications. - Only members of the Philippines Bar shall be
eligible for appointment to the position of regional director, assistant
regional director, provincial election supervisor and election registrar:
Provided, however, That if there are no members of the Philippine Bar
available for appointment as election registrar, except in cities and
capital towns, graduates of duly recognized schools of law, liberal arts,
education or business administration who possess the appropriate civil
service eligibility may be appointed to said position.
Sec. 55. Office space. - The local government concerned shall provide a
suitable place for the office of the provincial election supervisor and his
staff and the election registrar and his staff: Provided, That in case of
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failure of the local government concerned to provide such suitable

place, the provincial election supervisor or the election registrar, as the
case may be, upon prior authority of the Commission and notice to the
local government concerned, may lease another place for office and the
rentals thereof shall be chargeable to the funds of the local government
concerned.
Sec. 56. Changes in the composition, distribution or assignment of field
offices. - The Commission may make changes in the composition,
distribution and assignment of field offices, as well as its personnel,
whenever the exigencies of the service and the interest of free, orderly,
and honest election so require: Provided, That such changes shall be
effective and enforceable only for the duration of the election period
concerned and shall not affect the tenure of office of the incumbents of
positions affected and shall not constitute a demotion, either in rank or
salary, nor result in change of status: and Provided, further, That there
shall be no changes in the composition, distribution or assignment
within thirty days before election, except for cause and after due notice
and hearing, and that in no case shall a regional or assistant regional
director be assigned to a region; a provincial election supervisor to a
province; or a city or municipal election registrar to a city or
municipality, where he and/or his spouse are related to any candidate
within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity as the case
may be.
Sec. 57. Measures to ensure enforcement. - For the effective
enforcement of the provisions of this Code, the Commission is further
vested and charged with the following powers, duties and
responsibilities:
1. To issue search warrants after examination under oath or
affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses
2. To stop any illegal election activity, or confiscate, tear down, and
stop any unlawful, libelous, misleading or false election propaganda,
after due notice and hearing.
3. To inquire into the financial records of candidates and any
organization or group of persons, motu proprio or upon written
representation for probable cause by any candidate or group of persons
or qualified voter, after due notice and hearing.
For purposes of this section, the Commission may avail itself of the
assistance of the Commission on Audit, the Central Bank, the National
Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, the Integrated National Police of the
Philippines, barangay officials, and other agencies of the government.
Sec. 58. Disqualifications of members of the Commission. - The
chairman and members of the Commission shall be subject to the
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canons of judicial ethics in the discharge of their functions.

No chairman or commissioner shall sit in any case in which he has
manifested bias or prejudice for or against or antagonism against any
party thereto and in connection therewith, or in any case in which he
would be disqualified under the Rules of Court. If it be claimed that the
chairman or a commissioner is disqualified as above provided, the
party objecting to his competency may file his objection in writing with
the Commission stating the ground therefor. The official concerned
shall continue to participate in the hearing or withdrawn therefrom in
accordance with his determination of the question of his
disqualification. The decision shall forthwith be made in writing and
filed with the other papers of the case in accordance with the Rules of
Court. If a disqualification should result in a lack of quorum in the
Commission sitting en banc, the Presiding Justice of the Intermediate
Appellate Court shall designate a justice of said court to sit in said case
for the purpose of hearing and reaching a decision thereon.
Sec. 59. Publication of official ballots and election returns and printing
thereof. - The Commission shall publish at least ten days before an
election in a newspaper of general circulation certified data on the
number of official ballots and election returns and the names and
addresses of the printers and the number printed by each.
ARTICLE VIII.
POLITICAL PARTIES
Sec. 60. Political party. - "Political party" or "party", when used in this
Act, means an organized group of persons pursuing the same ideology,
political ideas or platforms of government and includes its branches
and divisions. To acquire juridical personality, quality it for subsequent
accreditation, and to entitle it to the rights and privileges herein
granted to political parties, a political party shall first be duly
registered with the Commission. Any registered political party that,
singly or in coalition with others, fails to obtain at least ten percent of
the votes cast in the constituency in which it nominated and supported
a candidate or candidates in the election next following its registration
shall, after notice and hearing be deemed to have forfeited such status
as a registered political party in such constituency.
Sec. 61. Registration. - Any organized group of persons seeking
registration as a national or regional political party may file with the
Commission a verified petition attaching thereto its constitution and
by-laws, platform or program of government and such other relevant
information as may be required by the Commission. The Commission
shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition within ten days

from the date it is submitted for decision.

No religious sect shall be registered as a political party and no political
party which seeks to achieve its goal through violence shall be entitled
to accreditation.
Sec. 62. Publication of petition for registration or accreditation. - The
Commission shall require publication of the petition for registration or
accreditation in at least three newspapers of general circulation and
shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition within fifteen
days
from
the
date
it
is
submitted
for
decision.
ARTICLE IX.
ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES AND CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY
Sec. 63. Qualifications for President and Vice-President of the
Philippines. - No person may be elected President unless he is a
natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read
and write, at least forty years of age on the day of election, and a
resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding
such election.
Sec. 64. Qualifications for Members of the Batasang Pambansa. - No
person shall be elected Member of the Batasang Pambansa as
provincial, city or district representative unless he is a natural-born
citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least
twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter in
the constituency in which he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for
a period of not less than six months immediately preceding the day of
the election.
A sectoral representative shall be a natural-born citizen of the
Philippines, able to read and write, a resident of the Philippines, able to
read and write, a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less
than one year immediately preceding the day of the election, a bona
fide member of the sector he seeks to represent, and in the case of a
representative of the agricultural or industrial labor sector, shall be a
registered voter, and on the day of the election is at least twenty-five
years of age. The youth sectoral representative should at least be
eighteen and not be more than twenty-five years of age on the day of
the election: Provided, however, That any youth sectoral representative
who attains the age of twenty-five years during his term shall be
entitled to continue in office until the expiration of his term.
Sec. 65. Qualifications of elective local officials. - The qualifications for
elective provincial, city, municipal and barangay officials shall be those
provided for in the Local Government Code.
Sec. 66. Candidates holding appointive office or positions. - Any person

holding a public appointive office or position, including active members

of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and officers and employees in
government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered ipso
facto resigned from his office upon the filing of his certificate of
candidacy.
Sec. 67. Candidates holding elective office. - Any elective official,
whether national or local, running for any office other than the one
which he is holding in a permanent capacity, except for President and
Vice-President, shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his office
upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy.
Sec. 68. Disqualifications. - Any candidate who, in an action or protest
in which he is a party is declared by final decision of a competent court
guilty of, or found by the Commission of having (a) given money or
other material consideration to influence, induce or corrupt the voters
or public officials performing electoral functions; (b) committed acts of
terrorism to enhance his candidacy; (c) spent in his election campaign
an amount in excess of that allowed by this Code; (d) solicited,
received or made any contribution prohibited under Sections 89, 95,
96, 97 and 104; or (e) violated any of Sections 80, 83, 85, 86 and 261,
paragraphs d, e, k, v, and cc, subparagraph 6, shall be disqualified from
continuing as a candidate, or if he has been elected, from holding the
office. Any person who is a permanent resident of or an immigrant to a
foreign country shall not be qualified to run for any elective office
under this Code, unless said person has waived his status as
permanent resident or immigrant of a foreign country in accordance
with the residence requirement provided for in the election laws.
Sec. 69. Nuisance candidates. - The Commission may motu proprio or
upon a verified petition of an interested party, refuse to give due
course to or cancel a certificate of candidacy if it is shown that said
certificate has been filed to put the election process in mockery or
disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of
the names of the registered candidates or by other circumstances or
acts which clearly demonstrate that the candidate has no bona fide
intention to run for the office for which the certificate of candidacy has
been filed and thus prevent a faithful determination of the true will of
the electorate.
Sec. 70. Guest candidacy. - A political party may nominate and/or
support candidates not belonging to it.
Sec. 72. Effects of disqualification cases and priority. - The Commission
and the courts shall give priority to cases of disqualification by reason
of violation of this Act to the end that a final decision shall be rendered
not later than seven days before the election in which the
disqualification is sought.

Any candidate who has been declared by final judgment to be

disqualified shall not be voted for, and the votes cast for him shall not
be counted. Nevertheless, if for any reason, a candidate is not declared
by final judgment before an election to be disqualified and he is voted
for and receives the winning number of votes in such election, his
violation of the provisions of the preceding sections shall not prevent
his proclamation and assumption to office.
Sec. 73. Certificate of candidacy. - No person shall be eligible for any
elective public office unless he files a sworn certificate of candidacy
within the period fixed herein.
A person who has filed a certificate of candidacy may, prior to the
election, withdraw the same by submitting to the office concerned a
written declaration under oath.
No person shall be eligible for more than one office to be filled in the
same election, and if he files his certificate of candidacy for more than
one office, he shall not be eligible for any of them. However, before the
expiration of the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy, the
person who was filed more than one certificate of candidacy may
declare under oath the office for which he desires to be eligible and
cancel the certificate of candidacy for the other office or offices.
The filing or withdrawal of a certificate of candidacy shall not affect
whatever civil, criminal or administrative liabilities which a candidate
may
have
incurred.
Sec. 74. Contents of certificate of candidacy. - The certificate of
candidacy shall state that the person filing it is announcing his
candidacy for the office stated therein and that he is eligible for said
office; if for Member of the Batasang Pambansa, the province, including
its component cities, highly urbanized city or district or sector which he
seeks to represent; the political party to which he belongs; civil status;
his date of birth; residence; his post office address for all election
purposes; his profession or occupation; that he will support and defend
the Constitution of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and
allegiance thereto; that he will obey the laws, legal orders, and decrees
promulgated by the duly constituted authorities; that he is not a
permanent resident or immigrant to a foreign country; that the
obligation imposed by his oath is assumed voluntarily, without mental
reservation or purpose of evasion; and that the facts stated in the
certificate of candidacy are true to the best of his knowledge.
Unless a candidate has officially changed his name through a court
approved proceeding, a certificate shall use in a certificate of candidacy
the name by which he has been baptized, or if has not been baptized in
any church or religion, the name registered in the office of the local

civil registrar or any other name allowed under the provisions of

existing law or, in the case of a Muslim, his Hadji name after
performing the prescribed religious pilgrimage: Provided, That when
there are two or more candidates for an office with the same name and
surname, each candidate, upon being made aware or such fact, shall
state his paternal and maternal surname, except the incumbent who
may continue to use the name and surname stated in his certificate of
candidacy when he was elected. He may also include one nickname or
stage name by which he is generally or popularly known in the locality.
The person filing a certificate of candidacy shall also affix his latest
photograph, passport size; a statement in duplicate containing his biodata and program of government not exceeding one hundred words, if
he so desires.
Sec. 75. Filing and distribution of certificate of candidacy. - The
certificate of candidacy shall be filed on any day from the
commencement of the election period but not later than the day before
the beginning of the campaign period: Provided, That in cases of
postponement or failure of election under Sections 5 and 6 hereof, no
additional certificate of candidacy shall be accepted except in cases of
substitution of candidates as provided under Section 77 hereof.
The certificates of candidacy for President and Vice-President of the
Philippines shall be filed in ten legible copies with the Commission
which shall order the printing of copies thereof for distribution to all
polling places. The certificates of candidacy for the other offices shall
be filed in duplicate with the offices herein below mentioned, together
with a number of clearly legible copies equal to twice the number of
polling places in the province, city, district, municipality or barangay,
as the case may be:
(a) For representative in the Batasang Pambansa, with the
Commission, the provincial election supervisor, city election registrar in
case of highly urbanized cities, or an officer designated by the
Commission
having
jurisdiction
over
the
province,
city
or
representative district who shall send copies thereof to all polling
places in the province, city or district;
(b) For provincial offices, with the provincial election supervisor of the
province concerned who shall send copies thereof to all polling places
in the province;
(c) For city and municipal offices, with the city or municipal election
registrar who shall send copies thereof to all polling places in the city
or municipality; and
(d) For punong barangay or kagawad ng sangguniang barangay, the
certificates of candidacy shall be filed in accordance with the provisions
of Section 39 of Article VI of this Code.
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The duly authorized receiving officer shall immediately send the

original copy of all certificates of candidacy received by him to the
Commission.
Sec. 76. Ministerial duty of receiving and acknowledging receipt. - The
Commission, provincial election supervisor, election registrar or officer
designated by the Commission or the board of election inspectors
under the succeeding section shall have the ministerial duty to receive
and acknowledge receipt of the certificate of candidacy.
Sec. 77. Candidates in case of death, disqualification or withdrawal of
another. - If after the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy,
an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party dies,
withdraws or is disqualified for any cause, only a person belonging to,
and certified by, the same political party may file a certificate of
candidacy to replace the candidate who died, withdrew or was
disqualified. The substitute candidate nominated by the political party
concerned may file his certificate of candidacy for the office affected in
accordance with the preceding sections not later than mid-day of the
day of the election. If the death, withdrawal or disqualification should
occur between the day before the election and mid-day of election day,
said certificate may be filed with any board of election inspectors in the
political subdivision where he is a candidate, or, in the case of
candidates to be voted for by the entire electorate of the country, with
the Commission.
Sec. 78. Petition to deny due course to or cancel a certificate of
candidacy. - A verified petition seeking to deny due course or to cancel
a certificate of candidacy may be filed by the person exclusively on the
ground that any material representation contained therein as required
under Section 74 hereof is false. The petition may be filed at any time
not later than twenty-five days from the time of the filing of the
certificate of candidacy and shall be decided, after due notice and
hearing, not later than fifteen days before the election.
ARTICLE X.
CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION PROPAGANDA
Sec. 79. Definitions. - As used in this Code:
(a) The term "candidate" refers to any person aspiring for or seeking
an elective public office, who has filed a certificate of candidacy by
himself or through an accredited political party, aggroupment, or
coalition of parties;
(b) The term "election campaign" or "partisan political activity" refers
to an act designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular
candidate or candidates to a public office which shall include:
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(1) Forming organizations, associations, clubs, committees or other

groups of persons for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or
undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate;
(2) Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades,
or other similar assemblies, for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or
undertaking any campaign or propaganda for or against a candidate;
(3) Making speeches, announcements or commentaries, or holding
interviews for or against the election of any candidate for public office;
(4) Publishing or distributing campaign literature or materials designed
to support or oppose the election of any candidate; or
(5) Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges or support for or
against a candidate.
The foregoing enumerated acts if performed for the purpose of
enhancing the chances of aspirants for nomination for candidacy to a
public office by a political party, aggroupment, or coalition of parties
shall not be considered as election campaign or partisan election
activity.
Public expressions or opinions or discussions of probable issues in a
forthcoming election or on attributes of or criticisms against probable
candidates proposed to be nominated in a forthcoming political party
convention shall not be construed as part of any election campaign or
partisan political activity contemplated under this Article.
Sec. 80. Election campaign or partisan political activity outside
campaign period. - It shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a
voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to
engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except
during the campaign period: Provided, That political parties may hold
political conventions or meetings to nominate their official candidates
within thirty days before the commencement of the campaign period
and forty-five days for Presidential and Vice-Presidential election.
Sec. 81. Intervention of foreigners. - It shall be unlawful for any
foreigner, whether judicial or natural person, to aid any candidate or
political party, directly or indirectly, or take part in or influence in any
manner any election, or to contribute or make any expenditure in
connection with any election campaign or partisan political activity.
Sec. 82. Lawful election propaganda. - Lawful election propaganda
shall include:
(a) Pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers or other written or
printed materials of a size not more than eight and one-half inches in
width and fourteen inches in length;
(b) Handwritten or printed letters urging voters to vote for or against
any particular candidate;
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(c) Cloth, paper or cardboard posters, whether framed or posted, with

an area exceeding two feet by three feet, except that, at the site and on
the occasion of a public meeting or rally, or in announcing the holding
of said meeting or rally, streamers not exceeding three feet by eight
feet in size, shall be allowed: Provided, That said streamers may not be
displayed except one week before the date of the meeting or rally and
that it shall be removed within seventy-two hours after said meeting or
rally; or
(d) All other forms of election propaganda not prohibited by this Code
as the Commission may authorize after due notice to all interested
parties and hearing where all the interested parties were given an
equal opportunity to be heard: Provided, That the Commission's
authorization shall be published in two newspapers of general
circulation throughout the nation for at least twice within one week
after the authorization has been granted.
Sec. 83. Removal, destruction or defacement of lawful election
propaganda prohibited. - It shall be unlawful for any person during the
campaign period to remove, destroy, obliterate, or in any manner
deface or tamper with, or prevent the distribution of lawful election
propaganda.
Sec. 84. Requirements for published or printed election propaganda. Any newspaper, newsletter, newsweekly, gazette or magazine
advertising, posters, pamphlets, circulars, handbills, bumper stickers,
streamers, simple list of candidates or any published or printed political
matter for or against a candidate or group of candidates to any public
office shall bear and be identified by the words "paid for by" followed
by the true and correct name and address of the payor and by the
words "printed by" followed by the true and correct name and address
of the printer.
Sec. 85. Prohibited forms of election propaganda. - It shall be
unlawful:
(a) To print, publish, post or distribute any poster, pamphlet, circular,
handbill, or printed matter urging voters to vote for or against any
candidate unless they bear the names and addresses of the printer and
payor as required in Section 84 hereof;
(b) To erect, put up, make use of, attach, float or display any billboard,
tinplate-poster, balloons and the like, of whatever size, shape, form or
kind, advertising for or against any candidate or political party;
(c) To purchase, manufacture, request, distribute or accept electoral
propaganda gadgets, such as pens, lighters, fans of whatever nature,
flashlights, athletic goods or materials, wallets, shirts, hats, bandanas,
matches, cigarettes and the like, except that campaign supporters
accompanying a candidate shall be allowed to wear hats and/or shirts
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or T-shirts advertising a candidate;

(d) To show or display publicly any advertisement or propaganda for or
against any candidate by means of cinematography, audio-visual units
or other screen projections except telecasts which may be allowed as
hereinafter provided; and
(e) For any radio broadcasting or television station to sell or give free
of charge air time for campaign and other political purposes except as
authorized in this Code under the rules and regulations promulgated by
the Commission pursuant thereto.
Any prohibited election propaganda gadget or advertisement shall be
stopped, confiscated or torn down by the representative of the
Commission upon specific authority of the Commission.
Sec. 86. Regulation of election propaganda through mass media. - (a)
The Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the
sale of air time for partisan political purposes during the campaign
period to insure the equal time as to duration and quality in available to
all candidates for the same office or political parties at the same rates
or given free of charge; that such rates are reasonable and not higher
than those charged other buyers or users of air time for non-political
purposes; that the provisions of this Code regarding the limitation of
expenditures by candidates and political parties and contributions by
private persons, entities and institutions are effectively enforced; and
to ensure that said radio broadcasting and television stations shall not
unduly allow the scheduling of any program or permit any sponsor to
manifestly favor or oppose any candidate or political party by unduly or
repeatedly referring to or including said candidate and/or political
party in such program respecting, however, in all instances the right of
said stations to broadcast accounts of significant or newsworthy events
and views on matters of public interest.
(b) All contracts for advertising in any newspaper, magazine, periodical
or any form of publication promoting or opposing the candidacy of any
person for public office shall, before its implementation, be registered
by said newspaper, magazine, periodical or publication with the
Commission. In every case, it shall be signed by the candidate
concerned or by the duly authorized representative of the political
party.
(c) No franchise or permit to operate a radio or television station shall
be granted or issued, suspended or cancelled during the election
period.
Any radio or television stations, including that owned or controlled by
the Government, shall give free of charge equal time and prominence
to an accredited political party or its candidates if it gives free of
charge air time to an accredited political party or its candidates for

political purposes.
In all instances, the Commission shall supervise the use and
employment of press, radio and television facilities so as to give
candidates equal opportunities under equal circumstances to make
known their qualifications and their stand on public issues within the
limits set forth in this Code on election spending.
Rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission under and by
authority of this section shall take effect on the seventh day after their
publication in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation.
Prior to the effectivity of said rules and regulations, no political
advertisement or propaganda for or against any candidate or political
party shall be published or broadcast through the mass media.
Violation of the rules and regulations of the Commission issued to
implement this section shall be an election offense punishable under
Section 264 hereof.
Sec. 87. Rallies, meetings and other political activities. - Subject to the
requirements of local ordinances on the issuance of permits, any
political party supporting official candidates or any candidate
individually or jointly with other aspirants may hold peaceful political
rallies, meetings, and other similar activities during the campaign
period: Provided, That all applications for permits to hold meetings,
rallies and other similar political activities, receipt of which must be
acknowledged in writing and which application shall be immediately
posted in a conspicuous place in the city or municipal building, shall be
acted upon in writing by local authorities concerned within three days
after the filing thereof and any application not acted upon within said
period shall be deemed approved: and Provided, further, That denial of
any application for said permit shall be appealable to the provincial
election supervisor or to the Commission whose decision shall be made
within forty-eight hours and which shall be final and executory:
Provided, finally, That one only justifiable ground for denial is a prior
written application by any candidate or political party for the same
purpose has been approved.
Sec. 88. Public rally. - Any political party or candidate shall notify the
election registrar concerned of any public rally said political party or
candidate intends to organize and hold in the city or municipality, and
within seven working days thereafter submit to the election registrar a
statement of expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Sec. 89. Transportation, food and drinks. - It shall be unlawful for any
candidate, political party, organization, or any person to give or accept,
free of charge, directly or indirectly, transportation, food or drinks or
things of value during the five hours before and after a public meeting,
on the day preceding the election, and on the day of the election; or to

give or contribute, directly or indirectly, money or things of value for

such purpose.
Sec. 90. Comelec space. - The Commission shall procure space in at
least one newspaper of general circulation in every province or city:
Provided, however, That in the absence of said newspaper, publication
shall be done in any other magazine or periodical in said province or
city, which shall be known as "Comelec Space" wherein candidates can
announce their candidacy. Said space shall be allocated, free of charge,
equally and impartially by the Commission among all candidates within
the area in which the newspaper is circulated.
Sec. 91. Comelec poster area. - Whenever practicable, the Commission
shall also designate and provide for a common poster are in strategic
places in each town wherein candidates can announce and further their
candidacy through posters, said space to be likewise allocated free of
charge, equally and impartially by the Commission among all the
candidates concerned.
Sec. 92. Comelec time. - The Commission shall procure radio and
television time to be known as "Comelec Time" which shall be allocated
equally and impartially among the candidates within the area of
coverage of all radio and television stations. For this purpose, the
franchise of all radio broadcasting and television station are hereby
amended so as to provide radio television time, free of charge, during
the period of the campaign.
Sec. 93. Comelec information bulletin. - The Commission shall cause
the printing, and supervise the dissemination of bulletins to be known
as "Comelec Bulletin" which shall be of such size as to adequately
contain the picture, bio-data and program of government of every
candidate. Said bulletin shall be disseminated to the voters or
displayed in such places as to give due prominence thereto. Any
candidate may reprint at his expense, any "Comelec Bulletin" upon
prior authority of the Commission: Provided, That the printing of the
names of the different candidates with their bio-data must be in
alphabetical
order
irrespective
of
party
affiliation.
ARTICLE XI.
ELECTORAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
Sec. 94. Definitions. - As used in this Article:
(a) The term "contribution" includes a gift, donation, subscription,
loan, advance or deposit of money or anything of value, or a contract,
promise or agreement to contribute, whether or not legally
enforceable, made for the purpose of influencing the results of the
elections but shall not include services rendered without compensation
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by individuals volunteering a portion or all of their time in behalf of a

candidate or political party. It shall also include the use of facilities
voluntarily donated by other persons, the money value of which can be
assessed based on the rates prevailing in the area.
(b) The term "expenditure" includes the payment or delivery of money
of anything of value, or a contract, promise or agreement to make an
expenditure, for the purpose of influencing the results of the election.
It shall also include the use of facilities personally owned by the
candidate, the money value of the use of which can be assessed based
on the rates prevailing in the area.
(c) The term "person" includes an individual, partnership, committee,
association, corporation, and any other organization or group of
persons.
Sec. 95. Prohibited contributions. - No contribution for purposes of
partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by any of
the following:
(a) Public or private financial institutions: Provided, however, That
nothing herein shall prevent the making of any loan to a candidate or
political party by any such public or private financial institutions legally
in the business of lending money, and that the loan is made in
accordance with laws and regulations and in the ordinary course of
business;
(b) Natural and juridical persons operating a public utility or in
possession of or exploiting any natural resources of the nation;
(c) Natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts
to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or
instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or
other works;
(d) Natural and juridical persons who have been granted franchises,
incentives, exemptions, allocations or similar privileges or concessions
by the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or
instrumentalities,
including
government-owned
or
controlled
corporations;
(e) Natural and juridical persons who, within one year prior to the date
of the election, have been granted loans or other accommodations in
excess of P100,000 by the government or any of its divisions,
subdivisions or instrumentalities including government-owned or
controlled corporations;
(f) Educational institutions which have received grants of public funds
amounting to no less than P100,000.00;
(g) Officials or employees in the Civil Service, or members of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines; and
(h) Foreigners and foreign corporations.
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It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or receive any contribution

from any of the persons or entities enumerated herein.
Sec. 96. Soliciting or receiving contributions from foreign sources. - It
shall be unlawful for any person, including a political party or public or
private entity to solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any aid or
contribution of whatever form or nature from any foreign national,
government or entity for the purposes of influencing the results of the
election.
Sec. 97. Prohibited raising of funds. - It shall be unlawful for any
person to hold dances, lotteries, cockfights, games, boxing bouts,
bingo, beauty contests, entertainments, or cinematographic, theatrical
or other performances for the purpose of raising funds for an election
campaign or for the support of any candidate from the commencement
of the election period up to and including election day; or for any
person or organization, whether civic or religious, directly or indirectly,
to solicit and/or accept from any candidate for public office, or from his
campaign manager, agent or representative, or any person acting in
their behalf, any gift, food, transportation, contribution or donation in
cash or in kind from the commencement of the election period up to
and including election day; Provided, That normal and customary
religious stipends, tithes, or collections on Sundays and/or other
designated collection days, are excluded from this prohibition.
Sec. 98. True name of contributor required. - No person shall make any
contribution in any name except his own nor shall any candidate or
treasurer of a political party receive a contribution or enter or record
the same in any name other than that of the person by whom it was
actually made.
Sec. 99. Report of contributions. - Every person giving contributions to
any candidate, treasurer of the party, or authorized representative of
such candidate or treasurer shall, not later than thirty days after the
day of the election, file with the Commission a report under oath
stating the amount of each contribution, the name of the candidate,
agent of the candidate or political party receiving the contribution, and
the date of the contribution.
Sec. 100. Limitations upon expenses of candidates. - No candidate shall
spend for his election campaign an aggregate amount exceeding one
peso and fifty centavos for every voter currently registered in the
constituency where he filed his candidacy: Provided, That the expenses
herein referred to shall include those incurred or caused to be incurred
by the candidate, whether in cash or in kind, including the use, rental
or hire of land, water or aircraft, equipment, facilities, apparatus and
paraphernalia used in the campaign: Provided, further, That where the
land, water or aircraft, equipment, facilities, apparatus and

paraphernalia used is owned by the candidate, his contributor or

supporter, the Commission is hereby empowered to assess the amount
commensurate with the expenses for the use thereof, based on the
prevailing rates in the locality and shall be included in the total
expenses incurred by the candidate.
Sec. 101. Limitations upon expenses of political parties. - A duly
accredited political party may spend for the election of its candidates in
the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates an
aggregate amount not exceeding the equivalent of one peso and fifty
centavos for every voter currently registered therein. Expenses
incurred by branches, chapters, or committees of such political party
shall be included in the computation of the total expenditures of the
political party.
Expenses incurred by other political parties shall be considered as
expenses of their respective individual candidates and subject to
limitation under Section 100 of this Code.
Sec. 102. Lawful expenditures. - To carry out the objectives of the
preceding sections, no candidate or treasurer of a political party shall,
directly or indirectly, make any expenditure except for the following
purposes:
(a) For travelling expenses of the candidates and campaign personnel
in the course of the campaign and for personal expenses incident
thereto;
(b) For compensation of campaigners, clerks, stenographers,
messengers, and other persons actually employed in the campaign;
(c) For telegraph and telephone tolls, postage, freight and express
delivery charges;
(d) For stationery, printing and distribution of printed matters relative
to candidacy;
(e) For employment of watchers at the polls;
(f) For rent, maintenance and furnishing of campaign headquarters,
office or place of meetings;
(g) For political meetings and rallies and the use of sound systems,
lights and decorations during said meetings and rallies;
(h) For newspaper, radio, television and other public advertisements;
(i) For employment of counsel, the cost of which shall not be taken into
account in determining the amount of expenses which a candidate or
political party may have incurred under Section 100 and 101 hereof;
(j) For copying and classifying list of voters, investigating and
challenging the right to vote of persons registered in the lists the costs
of which shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of
expenses which a candidate or political party may have incurred under
Sections 100 and 101 hereof; or
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(k) For printing sample ballots in such color, size and maximum
number as may be authorized by the Commission and the cost of such
printing shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of
expenses which a candidate or political party may have incurred under
Sections 100 and 101 hereof.
Sec. 103. Persons authorized to incur election expenditures. - No
person, except the candidate, the treasurer of a political party or any
person authorized by such candidate or treasurer, shall make any
expenditure in support of or in opposition to any candidate or political
party. Expenditures duly authorized by the candidate or the treasurer
of the party shall be considered as expenditures of such candidate or
political party.
The authority to incur expenditures shall be in writing, copy of which
shall be furnished the Commission signed by the candidate or the
treasurer of the party and showing the expenditures so authorized, and
shall state the full name and exact address of the person so
designated.
Sec. 104. Prohibited donations by candidates, treasurers of parties or
their agents. - No candidate, his or her spouse or any relative within
the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or his campaign
manager, agent or representative shall during the campaign period, on
the day before and on the day of the election, directly or indirectly,
make any donation, contribution or gift in cash or in kind, or undertake
or contribute to the construction or repair of roads, bridges, school
buses, puericulture centers, medical clinics and hospitals, churches or
chapels cement pavements, or any structure for public use or for the
use of any religious or civic organization: Provided, That normal and
customary religious dues or contributions, such as religious stipends,
tithes or collections on Sundays or other designated collection days, as
well as periodic payments for legitimate scholarships established and
school contributions habitually made before the prohibited period, are
excluded from the prohibition.
The same prohibition applies to treasurers, agents or representatives
of any political party.
Sec. 105. Accounting by agents of candidate or treasurer. - Every
person receiving contributions or incurring expenditures by authority
of the candidate or treasurer of the party shall, on demand by the
candidate or treasurer of the party and in any event within five days
after receiving such contribution or incurring such expenditure, render
to the candidate or the treasurer of the party concerned, a detailed
account thereof with proper vouchers or official receipts.
Sec. 106. Records of contributions and expenditures. - (a) It shall be
the duty of every candidate, treasurer of the political party and person

acting under the authority of such candidate or treasurer to issue a

receipt for every contribution received and to obtain and keep a receipt
stating the particulars of every expenditure made.
(b) Every candidate and treasurer of the party shall keep detailed, full,
and accurate records of all contributions received and expenditures
incurred by him and by those acting under his authority, setting forth
therein all information required to be reported.
(c) Every candidate and treasurer of the party shall be responsible for
the preservation of the records of contributions and expenditures,
together with all pertinent documents, for at least three years after the
holding of the election to which they pertain and for their production
for inspection by the Commission or its duly authorized representative,
or upon presentation of a subpoena duces tecum duly issued by the
Commission. Failure of the candidate or treasurer to preserve such
records or documents shall be deemed prima facie evidence of violation
of the provisions of this Article.
Sec. 107. Statement of contributions and expenditures. - Every
candidate and treasurer of the political party shall, not later than seven
days, or earlier than ten days before the day of the election, file in
duplicate with the office indicated in the following section, full, true
and itemized, statement of all contributions and expenditures in
connection with the election.
Within thirty days after the day of the election, said candidate and
treasurer shall also file in duplicate a supplemental statement of all
contribution and expenditures not included in the statement filed prior
to the day of the election.
Sec. 108. Place for filing statements. - The statements of contributions
and expenditures shall be filed as follows:
(a) Those of candidates for President and Vice-President, with the
Commission.
(b) Those of candidates for Members of the Batasang Pambansa, with
the provincial election supervisor concerned, except those of
candidates in the National Capital Region which shall be filed with the
regional election director of said region.
(c) Those of candidates for provincial offices, with the provincial
election supervisor concerned.
(d) Those of candidates for city, municipal and barangay offices, with
the election registrar concerned.
If the statement is sent by mail, it shall be by registered mail, and the
date on which it was registered with the post office may be considered
as the filing date thereof if confirmed on the same date by telegram or
radiogram addressed to the office or official with whom the statement
should be filed.
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The provincial election supervisors and election registrars concerned

shall, within fifteen days after the last day for the filing of the
statements, send to the Commission duplicate copies of all statements
filed with them.
Sec. 109. Form and contents of statement. - The statement shall be in
writing, subscribed and sworn to by the candidate or by the treasurer
of the party, shall be complete as of the date next preceding the date of
filing and shall set forth in detail (a) the amount of contribution, the
date of receipt, and the full name and exact address of the person from
whom the contribution was received; (b) the amount of every
expenditure, the date thereof, the full name and exact address of the
person to whom payment was made, and the purpose of the
expenditure; (c) any unpaid obligation, its nature and amount, and to
whom said obligation is owing; and (d) such other particulars which
the Commission may require.
If the candidate or treasurer of the party has received no contribution,
made no expenditure, or has no pending obligation, the statement shall
reflect such fact.
Sec. 110. Preservation and inspection of statements. - All statements of
contributions and expenditures shall be kept and preserved at the
office where they are filed and shall constitute part of the public
records thereof for three years after the election to which they pertain.
They shall not be removed therefrom except upon order of the
Commission or of a competent court and shall, during regular office
hours, be subject and open to inspection by the public. The officer incharge thereof, shall, on demand, furnish certified copies of any
statement upon payment of the fee prescribed under Section 270
hereof.
It shall be the duty of the Commission to examine all statements of
contributions and expenditures of candidates and political parties to
determine compliance with the provisions of this Article.
Sec. 111. Effect of failure to file statement. - In addition to other
sanctions provided in this Code, 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 statements required herein
within the period prescribed by this Code.
Sec. 112. Report of contractor and business firms. - Every person or
firm to whom any electoral expenditure is made shall, within thirty
days after the day of the election, file with the Commission a report
setting forth the full names and exact addresses of the candidates,
treasurers of political parties, and other persons incurring such

expenditures, the nature or purpose of each expenditure, the date and

costs thereof, and such other particulars as the Commission may
require. The report shall be signed and sworn to by the supplier or
contractor, or in case of a business firm or association, by its president
or general manager.
It shall be the duty of such person or firm to whom an electoral
expenditure is made to require every agent of a candidate or of the
treasurer of a political party to present written authority to incur
electoral expenditures in behalf of such candidate or treasurer, and to
keep and preserve at its place of business, subject to inspection by the
Commission or its authorized representatives, copies of such written
authority, contracts, vouchers, invoices and other records and
documents relative to said expenditures for a period of three years
after the date of the election to which they pertain.
It shall be unlawful for any supplier, contractor or business firm to
enter
into
contract
involving
election
expenditures
with
representatives of candidates or political parties without such written
authority.
ARTICLE XII.
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
Sec. 113. Permanent List of Voters. - Any provision of Presidential
Decree No. 1896 to the contrary notwithstanding, the list of voters
prepared and used in the election of Members of the Batasang
Pambansa on May 14, 1984, with such additions, cancellations and
corrections as may hereafter be made in accordance with the
provisions of this Code, shall constitute the permanent list of voters in
each city or municipality, as the case may be, until 1996.
For purposes of the next following election, the Commission, through
the election registrars, shall assign the proper precincts and polling
places to the registered voters in said list. Written notice of any such
change shall be made to the affected voters within two weeks
therefrom.
Sec. 114. Renewal of the Permanent List. - The list of voters prepared
in accordance with the preceding section shall be renewed in nineteen
hundred and ninety-six and every twelve years thereafter.
Sec. 115. Necessity of Registration. - In order that a qualified elector
may vote in any election, plebiscite or referendum, he must be
registered in the permanent list of voters for the city or municipality in
which he resides.
Sec. 116. Who may be registered in the list. - All persons having
complied with the requisites herein prescribed for the registration of

voters shall be registered in the list, provided they possess all the
qualifications and none of the disqualifications of a voter. Those who
failed to register in the election of 1984, for any reason whatsoever,
may register in accordance with the provisions of this Code. Any person
who may not have on the date of registration the age or period of
residence required may also be registered upon proof that on the date
of the election, plebiscite or referendum he shall have such
qualifications.
Sec. 117. Qualifications of a voter. - Every citizen of the Philippines, not
otherwise disqualified by law, eighteen years of age or over, who shall
have resided in the Philippines for one year and in the city or
municipality wherein he proposes to vote for at least six months
immediately preceding the election, may be registered as a voter.
Any person who transfers residence to another city, municipality or
country solely by reason of his occupation; profession; employment in
private or public service; educational activities; work in military or
naval reservations; service in the army, navy or air force; the
constabulary or national police force; or confinement or detention in
government institutions in accordance with law, shall be deemed not to
have lost his original residence.
Sec. 118. Disqualifications. - The following shall be disqualified from
voting:
(a) Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer
imprisonment for not less than one year, such disability not having
been removed by plenary pardon or granted amnesty: Provided,
however, That any person disqualified to vote under this paragraph
shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of five
years after service of sentence.
(b) Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by competent
court or tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to
the duly constituted government such as rebellion, sedition, violation
of the anti-subversion and firearms laws, or any crime against national
security, unless restored to his full civil and political rights in
accordance with law: Provided, That he shall regain his right to vote
automatically upon expiration of five years after service of sentence.
(c) Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority.
Sec. 119. Preparation of the permanent list of voters. - For the
preparation of the permanent list of voters in nineteen hundred and
ninety-six and every twelve years thereafter, the board of election
inspectors referred to in Article XIV hereof of each election precinct
shall hold four meetings on the seventh Saturday, seventh Sunday,
sixth Saturday and sixth Sunday preceding the date of the regular
election to be held. At these meetings the board shall prepare eight
chanroblesvirtualla wlibrary

copies of the list of voters of the precinct wherein it shall register the
electors applying for registration.
Sec. 120. Preparation of the list before other regular elections. - For the
preparation of the list before other regular elections, the board of
election inspectors of each election precinct shall meet in the polling
place on the seventh and sixth Saturdays before the day of the election.
At these meetings, the board shall prepare and certify eight copies of
the list of voters of the corresponding precinct transferring thereto the
names of the voters appearing in the list used in the preceding election
and including therein such new qualified voters as may apply for
registration, as provided in Section 126 hereof.
Sec. 121. Preparation of the list before any special election, plebiscite
or referendum. - For the preparation of the list of voters before a
special election, plebiscite or referendum, the board of elections
inspectors of each election precinct shall hold a meeting in the polling
place on the second Saturday following the day of the proclamation
calling such election. At this meeting the board shall transfer the
names of the voters appearing in the list used in the preceding election
and enter those of the newly registered voters.
Sec. 122. Transfer of names of voters from the permanent list to the
current one. - The transfer of the names of the voters of the precinct
already registered in the list used in the preceding election to the list to
be made as provided for in the two preceding sections is a ministerial
duty of the board, and any omission or error in copying shall be
corrected motu proprio, or upon petition of the interested party,
without delay and in no case beyond three days from the time such
error is noticed; and if the board should refuse, the interested party
may apply for such correction to the proper municipal or metropolitan
trial court which shall decide the case without delay and in no case
beyond three days from the date the petition is filed. The decision of
the proper municipal or metropolitan trial court shall be final and
unappealable in whatever form or manner.
To facilitate the transfer of names of voters, the election registrar shall
deliver the book of voters to the board of election inspectors on the day
before the registration of voters, to be returned after the last day of
registration.
Sec. 123. Cancellation and exclusion in the transfer of names. - In
transferring the names of the voters of the precinct from the list used
in the preceding election to the current list, the board shall exclude
those who have applied for the cancellation of their registration, those
who have died, those who did not vote in the immediately preceding
two successive regular elections, those who have been excluded by
court orders issued in accordance with the provisions of this Code, and

those who have been disqualified, upon motion of any member of the
board or of any elector or watcher, upon satisfactory proof to the board
and upon summons to the voter in cases of disqualification. The motion
shall be decided by the board without delay and in no case beyond
three days from its filing. Should the board deny the motion, or fail to
act thereon within the period herein fixed, the interested party may
apply for such exclusion to the municipal or metropolitan trial court
which shall decide the petition without delay and in no case beyond
three days from the date the petition is filed. The decision of the court
shall be final. The poll clerk shall keep a record of these exclusions and
shall furnish three copies thereof to the election registrar who shall, in
turn keep one copy and send the two other copies thereof to the
provincial election supervisor and the Commission, to be attached by
them to the permanent list under their custody.
Sec. 124. Meeting to close the list of voters. - The board of election
inspectors shall also meet on the second Saturday immediately
preceding the day of the regular election, or on the second day
immediately preceding the day of the special election, plebiscite or
referendum whether it be Sunday or a legal holiday, for the purpose of
making such inclusions, exclusions, and corrections as may be or may
have been ordered by the courts, stating opposite every name so
corrected, added, or cancelled, the date of the order and the court
which issued the same; and for the consecutive numbering of the
voters of the election precinct.
Should the board fail to include in the list of voters any person ordered
by competent court to be so included, said person shall, upon
presentation of a certified copy of the order of inclusion and upon
proper identification, be allowed by the board to vote.
Should the board fail to exclude from the list of voters any person
ordered by the court to be so excluded, the board shall not permit said
person to vote upon presentation to it by any interested party of a
certified copy of the order of exclusion.
Sec. 125. Re-registration. - A voter who is registered in the permanent
list of voters need not register anew for subsequent elections unless he
transfer residence to another city or municipality, or his registration
has been cancelled on the ground of disqualification and such
disqualification has been lifted or removed. Likewise a voter whose
registration has been cancelled due to failure to vote in the preceding
regular election may register anew in the city or municipality where he
is qualified to vote.
Sec. 126. Registration of voters. - On the seventh and sixth Saturdays
before a regular election or on the second Saturday following the day
of the proclamation calling for a new special election, plebiscite or

referendum, any person desiring to be registered as a voter shall

accomplish in triplicate before the board of election inspectors a voter's
affidavit in which shall be stated the following data:
(a) Name, surname, middle name, maternal surname;
(b) Date and place of birth;
(c) Citizenship;
(d) Periods of residence in the Philippines and in the place of
registration;
(e) Exact address with the name of the street and house number or in
case there is none, a brief description of the locality and the place;
(f) A statement that the applicant has not been previously registered,
otherwise he shall be required to attach a sworn application for
cancellation of his previous registration; and
(g) Such other information or data which may be required by the
Commission.
The voter's affidavit shall also contain three specimens of the
applicant's signature and clear and legible prints of his left and right
hand thumbmarks and shall be sworn to and filed together with four
copies of the latest identification photograph to be supplied by the
applicant.
The oath of the applicant shall include a statement that he does not
have any of the disqualifications of a voter and that he has not been
previously registered in the precinct or in any other precinct.
Before the applicant accomplishes his voter's affidavit, the board of
election inspectors shall appraise the applicant of the qualifications and
disqualifications prescribed by law for a voter. It shall also see to it
that the accomplished voter's affidavit contain all the data therein
required and that the applicant's specimen signatures, the prints of his
left and right hand thumbmarks and his photograph are properly
affixed in each of the voter's affidavit.
Sec. 127. Illiterate or disabled applicants. - The voter's affidavit of an
illiterate or physically disabled person may be prepared by any relative
within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity of affinity or by any
member of the board of election inspectors who shall prepare the
affidavit in accordance with the data supplied by the applicant.
Sec. 128. Voter's identification. - The identification card issued to the
voter shall serve and be considered as a document for the identification
of each registered voter: Provided, however, That if the voter's identity
is challenged on election day and he cannot present his voter
identification card, his identity may be established by the specimen
signatures, the photograph or the fingerprints in his voter's affidavit in
the book of voters. No extra or duplicate copy of the voter identification
card shall be prepared and issued except upon authority of the
chanroblesvirtualla wlibrary

Commission.
Each identification card shall bear the name and the address of the
voter, his date of birth, sex, civil status, occupation, his photograph,
thumbmark, the city or municipality and number of the polling place
where he is registered, his signature, his voter serial number and the
signature of the chairman of the board of election inspectors.
Any voter previously registered under the provisions of Presidential
Decree Numbered 1896 who desires to secure a voter identification
card shall, on any registration day, provide four copies of his latest
identification photograph to the board of election inspectors which
upon receipt thereof shall affix one copy thereof to the voter's affidavit
in the book of voters, one copy to the voter identification card to be
issued to the voter and transmit through the election registrar, one
copy each to the provincial election supervisor and the Commission to
be respectively attached to the voter's affidavit in their respective
custody.
Sec. 129. Action by the board of election inspectors. - Upon receipt of
the voter's affidavit, the board of election inspectors shall examine the
data therein. If it finds that the applicant possesses all the
qualifications and none of the disqualifications of a voter, he shall be
registered. Otherwise, he shall not be registered.
The name and address of each registered voter shall, immediately upon
his registration, be entered in the proper alphabetical group in the list
after which the voter identification card shall be issued to the voter.
Sec. 130. Provincial central file of registered voters. - There shall be a
provincial central file of registered voters containing the duplicate
copies of all approved voter's affidavits in each city and municipality in
the province which shall be under the custody and supervision of the
provincial election supervisor. The applications shall be compiled
alphabetically by precincts so as to make the file an exact replica of the
book of voters in the possession of the election registrar.
Should the book of voters in the custody of the election registrar be
lost or destroyed at a time so close to the election day that there is no
time to reconstitute the same, the corresponding book of voters in the
provincial file shall be used during the voting.
Sec. 131. National central file of registered voters. - There shall also be
a national central file or registered voters consisting of the triplicate
copies of all approved voters' affidavits in all cities and municipalities
which shall be prepared and kept in the central office of the
Commission. The applications in the national central file shall be
compiled alphabetically according to the surnames of the registered
voters regardless of the place of registration.
Sec. 132. Preservation of voter's affidavits. - A copy of the affidavit of

each voter shall be kept by the board of election inspectors until after
the election when it shall deliver the same to the election registrar
together with the copies of the list of voters and other election papers
for use in the next election. The election registrar shall compile the
voter's affidavits by precinct alphabetically in a book of voters. The
other two copies shall be sent by the board of election inspectors on
the day following the date of the affidavit to the office of the provincial
election supervisor and the Commission in Manila. The provincial
election supervisor and the Commission shall respectively file and
preserve the voter's affidavits by city and municipality and in
alphabetical order of their surnames. The fourth copy shall be given to
the voter as evidence of his registration.
Sec. 133. Columns in the list of voters. - The list of voters shall be
arranged in columns as follows: In the first column there shall be
entered, at the time of closing of the list before the election, a number
opposite the name of each voter registered, beginning with number one
and continuing in consecutive order until the end of the list. In the
second column, the surnames of the registered voters shall be written
in alphabetical order followed by their respective first names, without
abbreviations of any kind. In the third column, the respective
residences of such persons with the name of the street and number, or,
in case there be none, a brief description of the locality or place. In the
fourth column, shall be entered the periods of residence in the
Philippines and in the city or municipality. In the fifth column, there
shall be entered on the day of the election the numbers of the ballots
which were given successively to each voter. In the sixth column, the
voter shall stamp on the day of the election the mark of the thumb of
his right hand and under said mark his signature. And in the seventh
column, the signature of the chairman of the board of election
inspectors who has handed the ballot to the voter. It will be sufficient
that the fifth, sixth, and seventh columns shall be filled in the copy of
the list under the custody of the board of election inspectors which
shall see to it that the thumbmark is stamped plainly.
Sec. 134. Certificate of the board of election inspectors in the list of
voters. - Upon the adjournment of each meeting for the registration of
voters, the board of election inspectors shall close each alphabetical
group of surnames of voters by writing the dates on the next line in
blank, which shall be forthwith signed by each member, and, before
adding a new name on the same page at the next meeting, it shall write
the following: "Added at the _ _ _ meeting" specifying if it is the
second third or fourth meeting of the board, as the case may be. If the
meeting adjourned is the last one for the registration of voters, the
board shall, besides closing each alphabetical group of voters as above

provided, add at the end of the list a certificate (a) of the corrections
and cancellations made in the permanent list, specifying them, or that
there has been none, and (b) of the total number of voters registered
in the precinct.
Sec. 135. Publication of the list. - At the first hour of the working day
following the last day of registration of voters, the poll clerk shall
deliver to the election registrar a copy of the list certified to by the
board of election inspectors as provided in the preceding section;
another copy, also certified, shall be sent to the provincial election
supervisor of the province, and another, likewise certified, shall be sent
to the Commission, in whose offices said copies shall be open to public
inspection during regular office hours. On the same day and hour, the
poll clerk shall also post a copy of the list in the polling place in a
secure place on the door or near the same at a height of a meter and a
half, where it may be conveniently consulted by the interested parties.
The chairman, poll clerk and the two members of the board of election
inspectors shall each keep a copy of the list which may be inspected by
the public in their residence or office during regular office hours.
Immediately after the meeting for the closing of the list, the poll clerk
shall also send a notice to the election registrar, provincial election
supervisor and the Commission regarding the changes and the
numbering above referred to, to be attached to the copy of the list
under their custody.
Sec. 136. Challenge of right to register. - Any person applying for
registration may be challenged before the board of election inspectors
on any registration day be any member, voter, candidate, or watcher.
The board shall then examine the challenged person and shall receive
such other evidence as it may deem pertinent, after which it shall
decide whether the elector shall be included in or excluded from the list
as may be proper. All challenges shall be heard and decided without
delay, and in no case beyond three days from the date the challenge
was made.
After the question has been decided, the board of election inspectors
shall give to each party a brief certified statement setting forth the
challenge and the decision thereon.
Sec. 137. Power of the board of election inspectors to administer oaths
and issue summons. - For the purpose of determining the right of
applicants to be registered as voters in the list, the board of election
inspectors shall have the same power to administer oaths, to issue
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum and to compel witnesses to
appear and testify, but the latter's fees and expenses incident to the
process shall be paid in advance by the party in whose behalf the
summons is issued.

Sec. 138. Jurisdiction in inclusion and exclusion cases. - The municipal

and metropolitan trial courts shall have original and exclusive
jurisdiction over all matters of inclusion and exclusion of voters from
the list in their respective municipalities or cities. Decisions of the
municipal or metropolitan trial courts may be appealed directly by the
aggrieved party to the proper regional trial court within five days from
receipt of notice thereof, otherwise said decision of the municipal or
metropolitan trial court shall become final and executory after said
period. The regional trial court shall decide the appeal within ten days
from the time the appeal was received and its decision shall be
immediately final and executory. No motion for reconsideration shall be
entertained by the courts.
Sec. 139. Petition for inclusion of voters in the list. - Any person whose
application for registration has been disapproved by the board of
election inspectors or whose name has been stricken out from the list
may apply, within twenty days after the last registration day, to the
proper municipal or metropolitan trial court, for an order directing the
board of election inspectors to include or reinstate his name in the list,
together with the certificate of the board of election inspectors
regarding his case and proof of service of notice of his petition upon a
member of the board of election inspectors with indication of the time,
place, and court before which the petition is to be heard.
Sec. 140. Voters excluded through inadvertence or registered with an
erroneous or misspelled name. - Any voter registered in the permanent
list who has not been included in the list prepared for the election or
who has been included therein with a wrong or misspelled name shall
have the right to file an application on any date with the proper
municipal or metropolitan trial court, for an order directing that his
name be reinstated in the list or that he be registered with his correct
name. He shall attach to such application a certified copy of the entry
of his name in the list of the preceding election, together with proof
that he has applied without success to the board of election inspectors
and that he has served notice thereof upon a member of the board.
Sec. 141. Change of name of registered voter. - Any previously
registered voter whose name has been changed by reason of marriage
or by virtue of a court order may request the board of election
inspectors during any of its meetings held under this Article that his
registration in the list be recorded under his or her new name.
Sec. 142. Petition for exclusion of voters from the list. - Any registered
voter in a city or municipality may apply at any time except during the
period beginning with the twenty-first day after the last registration
day of any election up to and including election day with the proper
municipal or metropolitan trial court, for the exclusion of a voter from

the list, giving the name and residence of the latter, the precinct in
which he is registered, and the grounds for the challenge. The petition
shall be sworn to and accompanied by proof of notice to the board of
election inspectors concerned, if the same is duly constituted, and to
the challenged voters.
Sec. 143. Common rules governing judicial proceedings in the matter of
inclusion, exclusion, and correction of names of voters. - (a) Outside of
regular office hours no petition for inclusion, exclusion, or correction of
names of voters shall be received.
(b) Notices to the members of the board of election inspectors and to
challenged voters shall state the place, day and hour in which such
petition shall be heard, and such notice may be made by sending a copy
thereof by registered mail or by personal delivery or by leaving it in the
possession of a person of sufficient discretion in the residence of the
said person or, in the event that the foregoing procedure is not
practicable, by posting a copy in a conspicuous place in the city hall or
municipal building and in two other conspicuous places within the city
or municipality, at least ten days prior to the day set for the hearing.
In the interest of justice and to afford the challenged voter every
opportunity to contest the petition for exclusion, the court concerned
may, when the challenged voter fails to appear in the first day set for
the hearing, order that notice be effected in such manner and within
such period of time as it may decide, which time shall in no case be
more than ten days from the day the respondent is first found in
default.
(c) Each petition shall refer to only one precinct.
(d) No costs shall be assessed in these proceedings. However, if the
court should be satisfied that the application has been filed for the sole
purpose of molesting the adverse party and causing him to incur
expenses, it may condemn the culpable party to pay the costs and
incidental expenses.
(e) Any candidate who may be affected by the proceedings may
intervene and present his evidence.
(f) The decision shall be based on the evidence presented. If the
question is whether or not the voter is real or fictitious, his nonappearance on the day set for hearing shall be prima facie evidence
that the registered voter is fictitious. In no case shall a decision be
rendered upon a stipulation of facts.
(g) These applications shall be heard and decided without delay. The
decision shall be rendered within six hours after the hearing and within
ten days from the date of its filing in court. Cases appealed to the
regional trial court shall be decided within ten days from receipt of the
appeal in the office of the clerk of court. In any case, the court shall

decide these petitions not later than the day before the election and
the decision rendered thereon shall be immediately final and
executory, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 138 on the finality
of decisions.
Sec. 144. Canvass to check registration. - The election registrar shall,
once every two years or more often should the Commission deem it
necessary in order to preserve the integrity of the permanent lists of
voters, conduct verification by mail or house-to-house canvass, or
both, of the registered voters of any barangay for purposes of
exclusion proceedings.
Sec. 145. Annulment of permanent lists of voters. - Any book of voters
not prepared in accordance with the provisions of this Code or the
preparation of which has been effected with fraud, bribery, forgery,
impersonation, intimidation, force, or any other similar irregularity or
which list is statistically improbable may, upon verified petition of any
voter or election registrar, or duly registered political party, and after
notice and hearing, be annulled by the Commission: Provided, That no
order, ruling or decision annulling a book of voters shall be executed
within sixty days before an election.
Sec. 146. Reconstitution of lost or destroyed registration records. - The
Commission shall reconstitute all registration records which have been
lost or destroyed. For this purpose, it shall be the duty of the election
registrar to immediately report to the Commission any case of loss or
destruction of approved applications for registration in their custody.
Such reconstitution shall be made with the use of the corresponding
copies in the national or provincial central files of registered voters:
Provided, That if this is not feasible, the registered voter concerned
may be summoned by the election registrar to effect such
reconstitution by accomplishing a new application. Reconstituted forms
shall be clearly marked with the word "reconstituted".
The reconstitution of any lost or destroyed application for registration
shall not affect the criminal liability of any person or persons who may
be responsible for such loss or destruction.
Sec. 147. Examination of registration records. - All registration records
in the possession of the city or municipal election registrar, the
provincial election supervisor, and the Commission shall, during regular
office hours, be open to examination by the public with legitimate
inquiries for purposes of election.
Law enforcement agencies shall, upon prior authorization by the
Commission, have access to said registration records should the same
be necessary to, or in aid of, their investigative functions and duties,
subject to regulations promulgated by the Commission.
Sec. 148. List of voters. - Fifteen days before the date of the regular

election or special election, referendum or plebiscite, the board of

election inspectors must post the final list of voters in each precinct
with each and every page thereof duly signed or subscribed and sworn
to by the members of the board of election inspectors and that failure
to comply with this provision will constitute an election offense.
Any candidate or authorized representative of an accredited political
party, upon formal request made to an election registrar, shall be
entitled to a certified copy of the most recent list of voters in any
precinct, municipality, city or province, upon payment of a reasonable
fee
as
may
be
prescribed
by
the
Commission.
ARTICLE XIII.
PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES
Sec. 149. Precincts and their establishment. - The unit of territory for
the purpose of voting is the election precinct, and every barangay as of
the approval of this Act shall have at least one such precinct.
The Commission shall establish all election precincts.
The precincts actually established in the preceding regular election
shall be maintained, but the Commission may introduce such
adjustments, changes or new divisions or abolish them, if necessary:
Provided, however, That the territory comprising an election precinct
shall not be altered or a new precinct established within forty-five days
before a regular election and thirty days before a special election or a
referendum or plebiscite.
Sec. 150. Arrangements of election precincts. - (a) Each election
precinct shall have, as far as possible not more than three hundred
voters and shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous and
compact territory.
(b) When it appears that an election precinct contains more than three
hundred voters, the Commission shall, in the interest of orderly
election, and in order to facilitate the casting of votes, be authorized to
divide a precinct not later than one week after the last day of
registration of voters. But the polling place of all the precincts created
thereby shall be located in the same building or compound where the
polling place of the original precinct is located, and if this be not
feasible, in a place as close as possible to the polling place of the
original precinct: Provided, however, That the polling place of the new
precinct may be located elsewhere upon written petition of the
majority of the voters of the new precinct: Provided, further, That when
a precinct is divided into two or more precincts, the registered voters
shall be included in the precinct wherein they reside. Every case of
alteration of a precinct shall be duly published by posting a notice of

any change in conspicuous location in the precinct, and in the

municipal building or city hall, as the case may be.
(c) A municipality which has been merged with another municipality
shall constitute at least one election precinct, if the distance between
the remotest barangay of the merged municipality and the nearest
polling place in the municipality to which it has been merged shall, by
the shortest road, exceed five kilometers.
(d) An island or group of islands having one hundred and fifty or more
voters shall constitute a precinct.
(e) Any alteration of the election precincts or the establishment of new
ones shall be communicated to the provincial election supervisor, the
provincial superintendent of schools, etc. together with the
corresponding maps, which shall be published as prescribed in the next
succeeding sections.
Sec. 151. Publication of maps or precincts. - At least five days before
the first registration day preceding a regular election or special election
or a referendum or a plebiscite, the Commission shall, through its duly
authorized representative, post in the city hall or municipal building
and in three other conspicuous places in the city or municipality and on
the door of each polling place, a map of the city or municipality
showing its division into precincts with their respective boundaries and
indicating therein all streets and alleys in populous areas and the
location of each polling place.
These maps shall be kept posted until after the election, referendum or
plebiscite.
Sec. 152. Polling place. - A polling place is the building or place where
the board of election inspectors conducts its proceedings and where
the voters shall cast their votes.
Sec. 153. Designation of polling places. - The location of polling places
designated in the preceding regular election shall continue with such
changes as the Commission may find necessary, after notice to
registered political parties and candidates in the political unit affected,
if any, and hearing: Provided, That no location shall be changed within
forty-five days before a regular election and thirty days before a special
election or a referendum or plebiscite, except in case it is destroyed or
it cannot be used.
Sec. 154. Requirements for polling places. - Each polling place shall be,
as far as practicable, a ground floor and shall be of sufficient size to
admit and comfortably accommodate forty voters at one time outside
the guard rail for the board of election inspectors. The polling place
shall be located within the territory of the precinct as centrally as
possible with respect to the residence of the voters therein and
whenever possible, such location shall be along a public road. No

designation of polling places shall be changed except upon written

petition of the majority of the voters of the precinct or agreement of all
the political parties or by resolution of the Commission upon prior
notice and hearing.
A public building having the requirements prescribed in the preceding
paragraph shall be preferred as polling place.
Sec. 155. Building that shall not be used as polling places. - No polling
place shall be located in a public or private building owned, leased, or
occupied by any candidate or of any person who is related to any
candidate within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or
any officer of the government or leader of any political party, group or
faction, nor in any building or surrounding premises under the actual
control of a private entity, political party or religious organization. In
places where no suitable public building is available, private school
buildings may be used as polling places. No polling place shall be
located within the perimeter of or inside a military or police camp or
reservation or within a prison compound.
Any registered voter, candidate or political party may petition the
Commission not later than thirty days before the first registration day
for the transfer of the polling place from the prohibited buildings
provided herein. Such petition shall be heard and decided by the
Commission within twenty days from the filing of the petition. Failure
to effect the transfer of the polling place after the Commission found it
to be located in violation of this section within the period prescribed
herein shall be a ground for the postponement of the election in the
polling place concerned.
Sec. 156. Signs and flags of polling places. - On the day of the voting as
well as on any day that the board of election inspectors might meet,
every polling place shall have in front a sign showing the number of the
precinct to which it belongs and the Philippine flag shall be hoisted at
the proper height.
Sec. 157. Arrangement and contents of polling places. - Each polling
place shall conform as much as possible to the sketch on the following
page.
Sec. 158. Voting booth. - During the voting, there shall be in each
polling place a booth for every twenty voters registered in the precinct.
Each booth shall be open on the side fronting the table for the board of
election inspectors and its three sides shall be closed with walls at
least seventy centimeters wide and two meters high. The upper part
shall be covered, if necessary, to preserve the secrecy of the ballot.
Each booth shall have in the background a shelf so placed that voters
can write therein while standing and shall be kept clearly lighted, by
artificial lights, if necessary, during the voting.

The Commission shall post inside each voting booth and elsewhere in
the polling place on the day before the election, referendum and
plebiscite a list containing the names of all the candidates or the issues
or questions to be voted for, and shall at all times during the voting
period keep such list posted in said places.
Sec. 159. Guard rails. - (a) In every polling place there shall be a guard
rail between the voting booths and the table for the board of election
inspectors which shall have separate entrance and exit. The booths
shall be so arranged that they can be accessible only by passing
through the guard rail and by entering through its open side facing the
table of the board of election inspectors.
(b) There shall also be a guard rail for the watchers between the place
reserved for them and the table for the board of election inspectors and
at a distance of not more than fifty centimeters from the latter so that
the watchers may see and read clearly during the counting of the
contents of the ballots and see and count the votes recorded by the
board of election inspectors member on the corresponding tally sheets.
(c) There shall also be, if possible, guard rails separating the table of
the board of election inspectors from the voters waiting for their turn
to cast their votes, with entrance and exit to give them orderly access
to the table and the booths during the voting.
(d) The polling place shall be so arranged that the booths, the table,
the ballot boxes and the whole polling place, except what is being
written within the booths, shall be in plain view of the board of election
inspectors, the watchers and other persons who may be within the
polling place.
Sec. 160. Ballot boxes. - (a) There shall be in each polling place on the
day of the voting a ballot box one side of which shall be transparent
which shall be set in a manner visible to the voting public containing
two compartments, namely, the compartment for valid ballots which is
indicated by an interior cover painted white and the compartment for
spoiled ballots which is indicated by an interior cover painted red. The
boxes shall be uniform throughout the Philippines and shall be solidly
constructed and shall be closed with three different locks as well as
three numbered security locks and such other safety devices as the
Commission may prescribe in such a way that they can not be opened
except by means of three distinct keys and by destroying such safety
devices.
(b) In case of the destruction or disappearance of any ballot box on
election day, the board of election inspectors shall immediately report
it to the city or municipal treasurer who shall furnish another box or
receptacle as equally adequate as possible. The election registrar shall
report the incident and the delivery of a new ballot box by the fastest

means of communication on the same day to the Commission and to

the provincial election supervisor.
Sec. 161. Tally boards. - At the beginning of the counting, there shall be
placed within the plain view of the board of election inspectors,
watchers and the public, a tally board where the names of all the
registered candidates or the issues or questions to be voted upon shall
be written, and the poll clerk shall record thereon the votes received by
each of them as the chairman of the board of election inspectors reads
the ballot.
Sec. 162. Furnishing of ballot boxes, forms, stationeries and materials
for election. - The Commission shall prepare and furnish the ballot
boxes, forms, stationeries and materials necessary for the registration
of voters and the holding of the election.
The provincial, city and municipal treasurer shall have custody of such
election paraphernalia, supplies and materials as are entrusted to him
under the law or rules of the Commission and shall be responsible for
their preservation and storage, and for any loss, destruction,
impairment or damage of any election equipment, material or
document in their possession furnished under this Code.
Sec. 163. Inspection of polling places. - Before the day of the election,
referendum or plebiscite, the Chairman of the Commission shall,
through its authorized representatives, see to it that all polling places
are inspected and such omissions and defects as may be found
corrected. The Commission shall keep the reports on these inspections.
ARTICLE XIV.
BOARD OF ELECTION INSPECTORS
Sec. 164. Composition and appointment of board of election inspectors.
- At least thirty days before the date when the voters list is to be
prepare in accordance with this Code, in the case of a regular election
or fifteen days before a special election, the Commission shall, directly
or through its duly authorized representatives, constitute a board of
election inspectors for each precinct to be composed of a chairman and
a poll clerk who must be public school teachers, priority to be given to
civil service eligibles, and two members, each representing the two
accredited political parties. The appointment shall state the precinct to
which they are assigned and the date of the appointment.
Sec. 165. Oath of the members of the board of election inspectors. The members of the board of election inspectors, whether permanent,
substitute or temporary, shall before assuming their office, take and
sign an oath upon forms prepared by the Commission, before an officer
authorized to administer oaths or, in his absence, before any other

member of the board of election inspectors present, or in case no one is

present, they shall take it before any voter. The oaths shall be sent
immediately to the city or municipal treasurer.
Sec. 166. Qualification of members of the board of election inspectors. No person shall be appointed chairman, member or substitute member
of the board of election inspectors unless he is of good moral character
and irreproachable reputation, a registered voter of the city or
municipality, has never been convicted of any election offense or of any
other crime punishable by more than six months of imprisonment, or if
he has pending against him an information for any election offense. He
must be able to speak and write English or the local dialect.
Sec. 167. Disqualification. - No person shall serve as chairman or
member of the board of election inspectors if he is related within the
fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any member of the
board of election inspectors or to any candidate to be voted for in the
polling place or his spouse.
Sec. 168. Powers of the board of election inspectors. - The board of
election inspectors shall have the following powers and functions:
a. Conduct the voting and counting of votes in their respective polling
places;
b. Act as deputies of the Commission in the supervision and control of
the election in the polling places wherein they are assigned, to assure
the holding of the same in a free, orderly and honest manner; and
c. Perform such other functions prescribed by this Code or by the rules
and regulations promulgated by the Commission.
Sec. 169. Voting privilege of members of board of election inspectors. Members of the board of election inspectors and their substitutes may
vote in the polling place where they are assigned on election day:
Provided, That they are registered voters within the province, city or
municipality where they are assigned: and Provided, finally, That their
voting in the polling places where they are not registered voters be
noted in the minutes of the board of election inspectors.
Sec. 170. Relief and substitution of members of the board of election
inspectors. - Public school teachers who are members of the board of
election inspectors shall not be relieved nor disqualified from acting as
such members, except for cause and after due hearing.
Any member of the board of election inspectors, nominated by a
political party, as well as his substitute may at any time be relieved
from office and substituted with another having the legal qualifications
upon petition of the authorized representative of the party upon whose
nomination the appointment was made, and it shall be unlawful to
prevent said person from, or disturb him in, the performance of the
duties of the said office. A record of each case of substitution shall be
chanroblesvirtualla wlibrary

made, setting forth therein the hour in which the replaced member has
ceased in the office and the status of the work of the board of election
inspectors. Said record shall be signed by each member of the board of
election inspectors including the incoming and outgoing officers.
Sec. 171. Vacancy in the board of election inspectors. - Every vacancy
in the board of election inspectors shall be filled for the remaining
period in the manner hereinbefore prescribed.
Sec. 172. Proceedings of the board of election inspectors. - The
meetings of the board of election inspectors shall be public and shall be
held only in the polling place authorized by the Commission.
The board of election inspectors shall have full authority to maintain
order within the polling place and its premises, to keep access thereto
open and unobstructed, and to enforce obedience to its lawful orders.
If any person shall refuse to obey lawful orders of the board of election
inspectors, or shall conduct himself in a disorderly manner in its
presence or within its hearing and thereby interrupt or disturb its
proceedings, the board of election inspectors may issue an order in
writing directing any peace officer to take such person into custody
until the adjournment of the meeting, but such order shall not be
executed as to prevent any person so taken into custody from
exercising his right to vote. Such order shall be executed by any peace
officer to whom it may be delivered, but if none be present, by any
other person deputized by the board of election inspectors in writing.
Sec. 173. Prohibition of political activity. - No member of the board of
election inspectors shall engage in any partisan political activity or take
part in the election except to discharge his duties as such and to vote.
Sec. 174. Functioning of the board of election inspectors. - The board of
election inspectors shall act through its chairman, and shall decide
without delay by majority vote all questions which may arise in the
performance of its duties.
Sec. 175. Temporary vacancies. - If, at the time of the meeting of the
board of election inspectors, any member is absent, or the office is still
vacant, the members present shall call upon the substitute or the
absent members to perform the duties of the latter; and, in case such
substitute cannot be found, the members present shall appoint any
non-partisan registered voter of the polling place to temporarily fill
said vacancy until the absent member appears or the vacancy is filled.
In case there are two or more members present, they shall act jointly:
Provided, That if the absent member is one who has been proposed by
an accredited political party, the representative of said political party
or in his absence the watchers belonging to said party shall designate a
registered voter of the polling place to temporarily fill said vacancy:
Provided, further, That in the event or refusal or failure of either

representative or watchers of said political party to make the

designation, the members of the board of election inspectors present
shall choose a non-partisan registered voter of the polling place to fill
the vacancy.
Sec. 176. Temporary designation of members of the board of election
inspectors by watchers. - If at the time the board of election inspectors
must meet, all the positions in the board of election inspectors are
vacant, or if not one of the appointed members shall appear, the
watchers present may designate voters of the polling place to act in the
place of said members until the absentees shall appear or the
vacancies are filled.
Sec. 177. Arrest of absent members. - The member or members of the
board of election inspectors present may order the arrest of any other
member or substitute thereof, who in their judgment, has absented
himself with intention of obstructing the performance of duties of the
board
of
election
inspectors.
ARTICLE XV.
WATCHERS
Sec. 178. Official watchers of candidates. - Every registered political
party, coalition of political parties and every independent candidate
shall each be entitled to one watcher in every polling place.
No person shall be appointed watcher unless he is a qualified voter of
the city or municipality, of good reputation and shall not have been
convicted by final judgment of any election offense or of any other
crime, must know how to read and write Pilipino, English, Spanish or
any of the prevailing local dialects, and not related within the fourth
civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the chairman or any member
of the board of election inspectors in the polling place where he seeks
appointment as a watcher.
Each candidate, political party or coalition of political parties shall
designate in every province, highly urbanized city or district in the
Metropolitan Manila area, a representative authorized to appoint
watchers, furnishing the provincial election supervisor or the city
election registrar, as the case may be, the names of such
representatives. The provincial election supervisors shall furnish the
municipal election registrars and election registrars of component
cities with the list of such representatives.
In the case of Metropolitan Manila, the designation of the persons
authorized to appoint watchers shall be filed with the Commission,
which shall furnish the list of such representatives to the respective
city and municipal election registrars.

Sec. 179. Rights and duties of watchers. - Upon entering the polling
place, the watchers shall present and deliver to the chairman of the
board of election inspectors his appointment, and forthwith, his name
shall be recorded in the minutes with a notation under his signature
that he is not disqualified under the second paragraph of Section 178.
The appointments of the watchers shall bear the personal signature or
the facsimile signature of the candidate or the duly authorized
representatives of the political party or coalition of political parties who
appointed him or of organizations authorized by the Commission under
Section 180. The watchers shall have the right to stay in the space
reserved for them inside the polling place. They shall have the right to
witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the board of
election inspectors, including its proceedings during the registration of
voters, to take notes of what they may see or hear, to take
photographs of the proceedings and incidents, if any, during the
counting of votes, as well as of election returns, tally boards and ballot
boxes, to file a protest against any irregularity or violation of law which
they believe may have been committed by the board of election
inspectors or by any of its members or by any persons, to obtain from
the board of election inspectors a certificate as to the filing of such
protest and/or of the resolution thereon, to read the ballots after they
shall have been read by the chairman, as well as the election returns
after they shall have been completed and signed by the members of the
board of election inspectors without touching them, but they shall not
speak to any member of the board of election inspectors, or to any
voter, or among themselves, in such a manner as would distract the
proceedings, and to be furnished with a certificate of the number of
votes in words and figures cast for each candidate, duly signed and
thumbmarked by the chairman and all the members of the board of
election inspectors. Refusal of the chairman and the members of the
board of election inspectors to sign and furnish such certificate shall
constitute an election offense and shall be penalized under this Code.
Sec. 180. Other watchers. - The duly accredited citizens arm of the
Commission shall be entitled to appoint a watcher in every polling
place. Other civic, religious, professional, business, service, youth and
any other similar organizations, with prior authority of the Commission,
shall be entitled collectively to appoint one watcher in every polling
place.
ARTICLE XVI.
OFFICIAL BALLOTS AND ELECTION RETURNS
Sec. 181. Official ballots. - Ballots for national and local offices shall be

of uniform size and color and shall be provided at public expense. They
shall be printed on paper with watermarks or other marks that will
readily distinguish the ballot paper 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 on 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 election is held, the date of the
election, and the following notice: "Fill out this ballot secretly inside
the voting booth. Do not put any distinctive mark on any part of this
ballot."
The 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 the individual candidates voted for by him.
There shall not be anything on the reverse side of the ballot.
Ballots in cities and municipalities where Arabic is of general use shall
have each of the titles of offices to be voted printed in Arabic in
addition to and immediately below the English title.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, the
Commission is hereby empowered to prescribe a different form of
ballot to facilitate voting by illiterate voters and to use or adopt the
latest technological and electronic devices as authorized under
paragraph (i) of Section 52 hereof.
Sec. 182. Emergency ballots. - No ballots other than the official ballots
shall be used or counted, except in the event of failure to receive the
official ballots on time, or where there are no sufficient ballots for all
registered voters or where they are destroyed at such time as shall
render it impossible to provide other official ballots, in which cases the
city or municipal treasurer shall provide other ballots which shall be as
similar to the official ones as circumstances will permit and which shall
be uniform within each polling place. The treasurer shall immediately
report such action to the Commission.
The municipal treasurer shall not undertake the preparation of the
emergency ballots unless the political parties, candidates and the
organizations collectively authorized by the Commission to designate
watchers have been sufficiently notified to send their representatives
and have agreed in writing to the preparation and use of emergency
ballots.
Sec. 183. Requisition of official ballots and election returns. - Official
ballots and election returns shall be printed upon orders of the
Commission. Requisition of official ballots shall be for each city and

municipality, at the rate of one and one-fifth ballots for every

registered voter in the next preceding election; and for election
returns, at one set thereof for every polling place.
Sec. 184. Printing of official ballots and elections returns. - The official
ballots and election returns shall be printed by the Government
Printing Office and/or the Central Bank printing facilities exclusively,
under the exclusive supervision and control of the Commission which
shall determine and provide the necessary security measures in the
printing, storage and distribution thereof.
Each ballot shall be joined by a perforated line to a stub numbered
consecutively, beginning with number "1" in each city and municipality.
Each ballot shall also have at the bottom a detachable coupon bearing
the same number of the stub. Each pad of ballots shall bear on its cover
the name of the city or municipality in which the ballots are to be used
and the inclusive serial numbers of the ballots contained therein.
The official ballots shall be bound in separate pads of fifty or one
hundred ballots each as may be required.
The election returns shall be prepared in sets of six copies per set and
shall be numbered consecutively, beginning with number "1" in each
city and municipality. Each set of the election returns shall be printed
in such a manner that will ensure that the entries on the original of the
returns are clearly reproduced on the other copies thereof and shall
bear the name of the city or municipality in which the returns are to be
used. For this purposes, the Commission shall acquire, if necessary, a
special kind of carbon paper or chemically treated paper.
Sec. 185. Sample official ballots. - The Commission shall provide the
board of election inspectors with sample official ballots at the rate of
thirty ballots per polling place. The sample official ballots shall be
printed on colored paper, in all respects like the official ballots but
bearing instead the words "Sample Official Ballot", to be shown to the
public and used in demonstrating how to fill out and fold the official
ballots properly. No name of any actual candidate shall be written on
the spaces for voting on the sample official ballots provided by the
Commission, nor shall they be used for voting.
Sec. 186. Distribution of official ballots and election returns. - The
official ballots and the election returns shall be distributed by the
Commission to each city and municipality at the rate of one and onefifth ballots for every voter registered in each polling place; and for
election returns, at the rate of one set each for every polling place.
The provincial, city or municipal treasurer shall respectively keep a
record of the quantity and serial numbers of official ballots and election
returns furnished the various provinces, cities, municipalities and
polling places, as the case may be, legible copies of which record shall

be furnished the duly authorized provincial, city or municipal

representatives of the ruling party and the dominant opposition party,
and the Commission immediately after the distribution is made of such
official ballots and election returns.
The Commission shall prescribe the use of official delivery receipts to
be signed by the election registrar and the chairman of the board of
canvassers upon receipt of the election returns.
No official ballots or election returns shall be delivered to the board of
election inspectors earlier than the first hour of election day: Provided,
however, That the Commission, after written notice to the registered
political parties and the candidates, may, for justifiable reasons,
authorize the delivery of said official ballots and election returns to the
board of election inspectors of any particular polling place at an earlier
date.
Sec. 187. Committee on printing, storage, and distribution of official
ballots and election returns. - The Commission shall appoint a
committee of five members, two of whom shall be from among its
personnel, the third to be designated by the Commission on Audit, and
the last two to be designated by the ruling party and the dominant
opposition party to act as its representatives in supervising the
printing, storage and distribution of official ballots and election
returns.
Upon the request of any candidate, political party or of civic, religious,
professional, business, service, youth or any similar organizations
collectively designated by the Commission, the latter shall allow any
person designated by any of the former as watcher to observe the
proceedings of the committee on the printing of official ballots and
election returns, file objections, if any, witness the printing and
distribution of the ballots and the returns and guard the premises of
the printer.
Sec. 188. Duties of the committee on printing of official ballots and
election returns. - Under such orders or instructions as the Commission
may issue, and in addition to general supervision and control over the
printing and shipment of official ballots and election returns, the
committee on printing of official ballots and election returns shall (a)
take charge of the room or rooms where the paper and paraphernalia
used in the printing of official ballots and election returns are stored
and where printed official ballots and election returns are packed and
prepared for shipment, (b) supervise all aspects relating to the
printing, storage and shipment of official ballots and election returns
and report to the Commission any irregularity which they believe may
have been committed, and (c) perform such other related functions as
the Commission may direct.

Sec. 189. Representatives of the registered political parties in the

verification and distribution of official ballots and election returns. The ruling party and the dominant opposition party or their respective
duly authorized representatives in the different provinces, cities and
municipalities, shall submit the names of their respective watchers
who, together with the representatives of the Commission and the
provincial, city and municipal treasurer shall verify the contents of the
boxes containing the shipment of official ballots, election returns and
sample official ballots received by the said treasurers. The provincial
treasurers shall keep a record of their receipt and distribution to each
municipal treasurer, while the city and municipal treasurer shall each
keep a record of their distribution to the board of election inspectors.
ARTICLE XVII.
CASTING OF VOTES
Sec. 190. Voting hours. - The casting of votes shall start at seven
o'clock in the morning and shall end at three o'clock in the afternoon,
except when there are voters present within thirty meters in front of
the polling place who have not yet cast their votes, in which case the
voting shall continue but only to allow said voters to cast their votes
without interruption. The poll clerk shall, without delay, prepare a
complete list containing the names of said voters consecutively
numbered, and the voters so listed shall be called to vote by
announcing each name repeatedly three times in the order in which
they are listed. Any voter in the list who is not present when his name
is called out shall not be permitted to vote.
Sec. 191. Preliminaries to the voting. - (a) The board of election
inspectors shall meet at the polling place at six-thirty o'clock in the
morning of election day and shall have the book of voters containing all
the approved applications of registration of voters pertaining to the
polling place, the certified list of voters, the certified list of candidates,
the ballot box, the official ballots, sufficient indelible pencils or ball
pens for the use of the voters, the forms to be used, and all other
materials which may be necessary.
(b) Immediately thereafter, the chairman of the board of election
inspectors shall open the ballot box, empty both of its compartments,
exhibit them to all those present and being empty, lock its interior
covers with three padlocks.
(c) The chairman shall forthwith show to the public and the watchers
present the package of official ballots received from the city, or
municipal treasurer duly wrapped and sealed and the number of pads,
the serial numbers and the type forms of the ballots in each pad

appearing on the cover, and the book of voters duly sealed. The board
of election inspectors shall then break the seals of the package of
official ballots and the book of voters. The board of election inspectors
shall enter in the minutes the fact that the package of ballots, and the
book of voters were shown to the public with their wrapping and
corresponding seals intact and/or if they find that the wrapping and
seals are broken, such fact must be stated in the minutes as well as the
number of pads and the serial numbers of ballots that they find in the
package.
Ballots with separately printed serial numbers shall be deemed
spurious and shall not be utilized by the board of election inspectors
unless the Commission representative shall order their use in writing,
stating the reasons therefor.
(d) The chairman and the two party members of the board of election
inspectors shall retain in their possession their respective keys to the
padlocks during the voting.
(e) The box shall remain locked until the voting is finished and the
counting begins. However, if it should become necessary to make room
for more ballots, the board of election inspectors may open the box in
the presence of the whole board of election inspectors and the
watchers, and the chairman shall press down with his hands the ballots
contained therein without removing any of them, after which the board
of election inspectors shall close the box and lock it with three
padlocks as hereinbefore provided.
Sec. 192. Persons allowed in and around the polling place. - During the
voting, no person shall be allowed inside the polling place, except the
members of the board of election inspectors, the watchers, the
representatives of the Commission, the voters casting their votes, the
voters waiting for their turn to get inside the booths whose number
shall not exceed twice the number of booths and the voters waiting for
their turn to cast their votes whose number shall not exceed twenty at
any one time. The watchers shall stay only in the space reserved for
them, it being illegal for them to enter places reserved for the voters or
for the board of election inspectors or to mingle and talk with the
voters within the polling place.
It shall be unlawful for any officer or member of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines including the Philippine Constabulary or the Integrated
National Police or peace officer or any armed person belonging to any
extra-legal police agency, special forces, reaction forces, strike forces,
home defense units, barangay tanod, or other similar forces or paramilitary forces, including special forces, security guards, special
policeman, and all other kinds of armed or unarmed extra-legal police
officers, to enter any polling place, unless it is his polling place where

he will vote but in such case he should immediately leave the polling
place, no policeman or peace officer shall be allowed to enter or stay
inside the polling place except when there is an actual disturbance of
the peace and order therein. However, the board of election inspectors
upon majority vote, if it deems necessary, may make a call in writing,
duly entered in the minutes, for the detail of a policeman or any peace
officer for their protection or for the protection of the election
documents and paraphernalia, in which case, the said policeman or
peace officer shall stay outside the polling place within a radius of
thirty meters near enough to be easily called by the board of election
inspectors at any time, but never at the door, and in no case shall the
said policeman or peace officer hold any conversation with any voter or
disturb or prevent or in any manner obstruct the free access of the
voters to the polling place. It shall likewise be unlawful for any
barangay official to enter and stay inside any polling place except to
vote or except when serving as a watcher or member of the board of
election inspectors, in which case, he shall leave the polling place
immediately after voting.
Sec. 193. Order of voting. - The voters shall vote in the order of their
entrance into the polling place. The voters shall have the right to freely
enter the polling place as soon as they arrive unless there are voters
waiting inside, in which case they shall fall in line in the order of their
arrival and shall not crowd around the table of the board of election
inspectors. The voters after having cast their votes shall immediately
depart.
Sec. 194. Manner of obtaining ballots. - The voter shall approach the
chairman and shall give his name and address together with other data
concerning his person. In case any member of the board of election
inspectors doubts the identity of the voter, the board of election
inspectors shall check his voter's identification card or, if he does not
have any, the board of election inspectors shall refer to his photograph
and signature in the voter's application for registration. If the board of
election inspectors is satisfied with his identity, the chairman shall
distinctly announce the voter's name in a tone loud enough to be
plainly heard throughout the polling place. If such voter has not been
challenged, or if having been challenged, the question has been
decided in his favor, the voter shall forthwith affix his signature in the
proper space in the voting record, and the chairman shall, after first
entering the number of the ballot in the corresponding space of the
voting record, deliver to the voter one ballot correctly folded. No
person other than the chairman shall deliver official ballots nor shall
more than one ballot be delivered at one time.
Sec. 195. Manner of preparing the ballot. - The voter, upon receiving

his folded ballot, shall forthwith proceed to one of the empty voting
booths and shall there fill his ballot by writing in the proper space for
each office the name of the individual candidate for whom he desires to
vote.
No voter shall be allowed to enter a booth occupied by another, nor
enter the same accompanied by somebody, except as provided for in
the succeeding section hereof, nor stay therein for a longer time than
necessary, nor speak with anyone other than as herein provided while
inside the polling place. It shall be unlawful to prepare the ballot
outside the voting booth, or to exhibit its contents to any person, or to
erase any printing from the ballot, or to intentionally tear or deface the
same or put thereon any distinguishing mark. It shall likewise be
unlawful to use carbon paper, paraffin paper, or other means for
making a copy of the contents of the ballot or make use of any other
means to identify the vote of the voter.
Sec. 196. Preparation of ballots for illiterate and disabled persons. - A
voter who is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by
himself may be assisted in the preparation of his ballot by a relative, by
affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree or if he has
none, by any person of his confidence who belong to the same
household or any member of the board of election inspectors, except
the two party members: Provided, That no voter shall be allowed to
vote as illiterate or physically disabled unless it is so indicated in his
registration record: Provided, further, That in no case shall an assistor
assist more than three times except the non-party members of the
board of election inspectors. The person thus chosen shall prepare the
ballot for the illiterate or disabled voter inside the voting booth. The
person assisting shall bind himself in a formal document under oath to
fill out the ballot strictly in accordance with the instructions of the
voter and not to reveal the contents of the ballot prepared by him.
Violation of this provision shall constitute an election offense.
Sec. 197. Spoiled ballots. - If a voter should accidentally spoil or deface
a ballot in such a way that it cannot lawfully be used, he shall
surrender if folded to the chairman who shall note in the corresponding
space in the voting record that said ballot is spoiled. The voter shall
then be entitled to another ballot which the chairman shall give him
after announcing the serial number of the second ballot and recording
said serial number in the corresponding spaces in the voting record. If
the second ballot is again spoiled or defaced in such a way that it
cannot lawfully be used, the same shall be surrendered to the chairman
and recorded in the same manner as the first spoiled or defaced ballot.
However, no voter shall change his ballot more than twice.
The spoiled ballot shall, without being unfolded and without removing

the detachable coupon, be distinctly marked with the word "spoiled"

and signed by the board of election inspectors on the endorsement fold
thereof and immediately placed in the compartment for spoiled ballots.
Sec. 198. Voting. - (a) After the voter has filled his ballot he shall fold it
in the same manner as when he received it and return it to the
chairman.
(b) In the presence of all the members of the board of election
inspectors, he shall affix his thumbmark on the corresponding space in
the coupon, and deliver the folded ballot to the chairman.
(c) The chairman, in the presence and view of the voter and all the
members of the board of election inspectors, without unfolding the
ballot or seeing its contents, shall verify its number from the voting
record where it was previously entered.
(d) The voter shall fortwith affix his thumbmark by the side of his
signature in the space intended for that purpose in the voting record
and the chairman shall apply silver nitrate and commassie blue on the
right forefinger nail or on any other available finger nail, if there be no
forefinger nail.
(e) The chairman shall sign in the proper space beside the thumbmark
of the voter.
(f) The chairman, after finding everything to be in order, shall then
detach the coupon in the presence of the board of election inspectors
and of the voter and shall deposit the folded ballot in the compartment
for valid ballots, and the detached coupon in the compartment for
spoiled ballots.
(g) The voter shall then depart.
Any ballot returned to the chairman whose detachable coupon has been
removed not in the presence of the board of election inspectors and of
the voter, or any ballot whose number does not coincide with the
number of the ballot delivered to the voter, as entered in the voting
record, shall be considered as spoiled and shall be so marked and
signed by the members of the board of election inspectors.
Sec. 199. Challenge of illegal voters. - (a) Any voter, or watcher may
challenge any person offering to vote for not being registered, for using
the name of another or suffering from existing disqualification. In such
case, the board of election inspectors shall satisfy itself as to whether
or not the ground for the challenge is true by requiring proof of
registration or the identity of the voter; and
(b) No voter shall be required to present his voter's affidavit on
election day unless his identity is challenged. His failure or inability to
produce his voter's affidavit upon being challenged, shall not preclude
him from voting if his identity be shown from the photograph,
fingerprints, or specimen signatures in his approved application in the

book of voters or if he is identified under oath by a member of the

board of election inspectors and such identification shall be reflected in
the minutes of the board.
Sec. 200. Challenge based on certain illegal acts. - Any voter or watcher
may challenge any voter offering to vote on the ground that the
challenged person has received or expects to receive, has paid, offered
or promised to pay, has contributed, offered or promised to contribute
money or anything of value as consideration for his vote or for the vote
of another; that he has made or received a promise to influence the
giving or withholding of any such vote or that he has made a bet or is
interested directly or indirectly in a bet which depends upon the result
of the election. The challenged person shall take a prescribed oath
before the board of election inspectors that he has not committed any
of the acts alleged in the challenge. Upon the taking of such oath, the
challenge shall be dismissed and the challenged voter shall be allowed
to vote, but in case of his refusal to take such oath, the challenge shall
be sustained and he shall not be allowed to vote.
Sec. 201. Admission of challenged vote immaterial in criminal
proceedings. - The admission of the challenged vote under the two
preceding sections shall not be conclusive upon any court as to the
legality of the registration of the voter challenged or his vote in a
criminal action against such person for illegal registration or voting.
Sec. 202. Record of challenges and oaths. - The poll clerk shall keep a
prescribed record of challenges and oaths taken in connection
therewith and the resolution of the board of election inspectors in each
case and, upon the termination of the voting, shall certify that it
contains all the challenges made. The original of this record shall be
attached to the original copy of the minutes of the voting as provided in
the succeeding section.
Sec. 203. Minutes of voting and counting of votes. - The board of
election inspectors shall prepare and sign a statement in four copies
setting forth the following:
1. The time the voting commenced and ended;
2. The serial numbers of the official ballots and election returns, special
envelopes and seals received;
3. The number of official ballots used and the number left unused;
4. The number of voters who cast their votes;
5. The number of voters challenged during the voting;
6. The names of the watchers present;
7. The time the counting of votes commenced and ended;
8. The number of official ballots found inside the compartment for valid
ballots;
9. The number of valid ballots, if any, retrieved from the compartment
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for spoiled ballots;

10. The number of ballots, if any, found folded together;
11. The number of spoiled ballots withdrawn from the compartment for
valid ballots;
12. The number of excess ballots;
13. The number of marked ballots;
14. The number of ballots read and counted;
15. The time the election returns were signed and sealed in their
respective special envelopes;
16. The number and nature of protests made by watchers; and
17. Such other matters that the Commission may require.
Copies of this statement after being duly accomplished shall be sealed
in separate envelopes and shall be distributed as follows: (a) the
original to the city or municipal election registrar; (b) the second copy
to be deposited inside the compartment for valid ballots of the ballot
box; and (c) the third and fourth copies to the representatives of the
accredited political parties.
Sec. 204. Disposition of unused ballots at the close of the voting hours.
- The chairman of the board of election inspectors shall prepare a list
showing the number of unused ballots together with the serial
numbers. This list shall be signed by all the members of the board of
election inspectors, after which all the unused ballots shall be torn
halfway in the presence of the members of the board of election
inspectors.
Sec. 205. Prohibition of premature announcement of voting. - No
member of the board of election inspectors shall, before the
termination of the voting, make any announcement as to whether a
certain registered voter has already voted or not, as to how many have
already voted or how many so far have failed to vote, or any other fact
tending to show or showing the state of the polls, nor shall he make
any statement at any time, except as witness before a court, as to how
any
person
voted.
ARTICLE XVIII.
COUNTING OF VOTES
Sec. 206. Counting to be public and without interruption. - As soon as
the voting is finished, the board of election inspectors shall publicly
count in the polling place the votes cast and ascertain the results. The
board of election inspectors shall not adjourn or postpone or delay the
count until it has been fully completed, unless otherwise ordered by the
Commission.
The Commission, in the interest of free, orderly, and honest elections,

may order the board of election inspectors to count the votes and to
accomplish the election returns and other forms prescribed under this
Code in any other place within a public building in the same
municipality or city: Provided, That the said public building shall not be
located within the perimeter of or inside a military or police camp or
reservation nor inside a prison compound.
Sec. 207. Excess ballots. - Before proceeding to count the votes the
board of election inspectors shall count the ballots in the compartment
for valid ballots without unfolding them or exposing their contents,
except so far as to ascertain that each ballot is single, and compare the
number of ballots in the box with the number of voters who have
voted. If there are excess ballots, they shall be returned in the box and
thoroughly mixed therein, and the poll clerk, without seeing the ballots
and with his back to the box, shall publicly draw out as may ballots as
may be equal to the excess and without unfolding them, place them in
an envelope which shall be marked "excess ballots" and which shall be
sealed and signed by the members of the board of election inspectors.
The envelope shall be placed in the compartment for valid ballots, but
its contents shall not be read in the counting of votes. If in the course
of the examination ballots are found folded together before they were
deposited in the box, they shall be placed in the envelope for excess
ballots. In case ballots with their detachable coupons be found in the
box, such coupons shall be removed and deposited in the compartment
for spoiled ballots, and the ballots shall be included in the file of valid
ballots. If ballots with the words "spoiled" be found in the box, such
ballots shall likewise be placed in the compartment for spoiled ballots.
Sec. 208. Marked ballots. - The board of election inspectors shall then
unfold the ballots and determine whether there are any marked ballots,
and, if any be found, they shall be placed in an envelope labelled
"marked ballots" which shall be sealed and signed by the members of
the board of election inspectors and placed in the compartment for
valid ballots and shall not be counted. A majority vote of the board of
election inspectors shall be sufficient to determine whether any ballot
is marked or not. Non-official ballots which the board of election
inspectors may find, except those which have been used as emergency
ballots, shall be considered as marked ballots.
Sec. 209. Compartment for spoiled ballots. - The ballots deposited in
the compartment for spoiled ballots shall be presumed to be spoiled
ballots, whether or not they contain such notation; but if the board of
election inspectors should find that during the voting any valid ballot
was erroneously deposited in this compartment, or if any ballot
separated as excess or marked had been erroneously deposited
therein, the board of election inspectors shall open said compartment

after the voting and before the counting of votes for the sole purpose
of drawing out the ballots erroneously deposited therein. It shall then
prepare and sign a statement of such fact and lock the box with its
three keys immediately thereafter. The valid ballots so withdrawn shall
be mixed with the other valid ballots, and the excess or marked ballots
shall be placed in their proper envelopes which shall for such purposes
be opened and again labelled, sealed, signed and kept as hereinafter
provided.
Sec. 210. Manner of counting votes. - The counting of votes shall be
made in the following manner: the board of election inspectors shall
unfold the ballots and form separate piles of one hundred ballots each,
which shall be held together with rubber bands, with cardboard of the
size of the ballots to serve as folders. The chairman of the board of
election inspectors shall take the ballots of the first pile one by one and
read the names of candidates voted for and the offices for which they
were voted in the order in which they appear thereon, assuming such a
position as to enable all of the watchers to read such names. The
chairman shall sign and affix his right hand thumbmark at the back of
the ballot immediately after it is counted. The poll clerk, and the third
member, respectively, shall record on the election returns and the tally
board or sheet each vote as the names voted for each office are read.
Each vote shall be recorded by a vertical line, except every fifth vote
which shall be recorded by a diagonal line crossing the previous four
vertical lines. One party member shall see to it that the chairman reads
the vote as written on the ballot, and the other shall check the
recording of the votes on the tally board or sheet and the election
returns seeing to it that the same are correctly accomplished. After
finishing the first pile of ballots, the board of election inspectors shall
determine the total number of votes recorded for each candidate, the
sum being noted on the tally board or sheet and on the election
returns. In case of discrepancy such recount as may be necessary shall
be made. The ballots shall then be grouped together again as before
the reading. Thereafter, the same procedure shall be followed with the
second pile of ballots and so on successively. After all the ballots have
been read, the board of election inspectors shall sum up the totals
recorded for each candidate, and the aggregate sum shall be recorded
both on the tally board or sheet and on the election returns. It shall
then place the counted ballots in an envelope provided for the purpose,
which shall be closed signed and deposited in the compartment for
valid ballots. The tally board or sheet as accomplished and certified by
the board of election inspectors shall not be changed or destroyed but
shall be kept in the compartment for valid ballots.
Sec. 211. Rules for the appreciation of ballots. - In the reading and

appreciation of ballots, every ballot shall be presumed to be valid

unless there is clear and good reason to justify its rejection. The board
of election inspectors shall observe the following rules, bearing in mind
that the object of the election is to obtain the expression of the voter's
will:
1. Where only the firs name of a candidate or only his surname is
written, the vote for such candidate is valid, if there is no other
candidate with the same first name or surname for the same office.
2. Where only the first name of a candidate is written on the ballot,
which when read, has a sound similar to the surname of another
candidate, the vote shall be counted in favor of the candidate with such
surname. If there are two or more candidates with the same full name,
first name or surname and one of them is the incumbent, and on the
ballot is written only such full name, first name or surname, the vote
shall be counted in favor of the incumbent.
3. In case the candidate is a woman who uses her maiden or married
surname or both and there is another candidate with the same
surname, a ballot bearing only such surname shall be counted in favor
of the candidate who is an incumbent.
4. When two or more words are written on the same line on the ballot,
all of which are the surnames of two or more candidates, the same
shall not be counted for any of them, unless one is a surname of an
incumbent who has served for at least one year in which case it shall
be counted in favor of the latter.
When two or more words are written on different lines on the ballot all
of which are the surnames of two or more candidates bearing the same
surname for an office for which the law authorizes the election of more
than one and there are the same number of such surnames written as
there are candidates with that surname, the vote shall be counted in
favor of all the candidates bearing the surname.
5. When on the ballot is written a single word which is the first name of
a candidate and which is at the same time the surname of his
opponent, the vote shall be counted in favor of the latter.
6. When two words are written on the ballot, one of which is the first
name of the candidate and the other is the surname of his opponent,
the vote shall not be counted for either.
7. A name or surname incorrectly written which, when read, has a
sound similar to the name or surname of a candidate when correctly
written shall be counted in his favor;
8. When a name of a candidate appears in a space of the ballot for an
office for which he is a candidate and in another space for which he is
not a candidate, it shall be counted in his favor for the office for which
he is a candidate and the vote for the office for which he is not a
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candidate shall be considered as stray, except when it is used as a

means to identify the voter, in which case, the whole ballot shall be
void.
If the word or words written on the appropriate blank on the ballot is
the identical name or surname or full name, as the case may be, of two
or more candidates for the same office none of whom is an incumbent,
the vote shall be counted in favor of that candidate to whose ticket
belong all the other candidates voted for in the same ballot for the
same constituency.
9. When in a space in the ballot there appears a name of a candidate
that is erased and another clearly written, the vote is valid for the
latter.
10. The erroneous initial of the first name which accompanies the
correct surname of a candidate, the erroneous initial of the surname
accompanying the correct first name of a candidate, or the erroneous
middle initial of the candidate shall not annul the vote in favor of the
latter.
11. The fact that there exists another person who is not a candidate
with the first name or surname of a candidate shall not prevent the
adjudication of the vote of the latter.
12. Ballots which contain prefixes such as "Sr.", "Mr.", "Datu", "Don",
"Ginoo", "Hon.", "Gob." or suffixes like "Hijo", "Jr.", "Segundo", are
valid.
13. The use of the nicknames and appellations of affection and
friendship, if accompanied by the first name or surname of the
candidate, does not annul such vote, except when they were used as a
means to identify the voter, in which case the whole ballot is invalid:
Provided, That if the nickname used is unaccompanied by the name or
surname of a candidate and it is the one by which he is generally or
popularly known in the locality, the name shall be counted in favor of
said candidate, if there is no other candidate for the same office with
the same nickname.
14. Any vote containing initials only or which is illegible or which does
not sufficiently identify the candidate for whom it is intended shall be
considered as a stray vote but shall not invalidate the whole ballot.
15. If on the ballot is correctly written the first name of a candidate but
with a different surname, or the surname of the candidate is correctly
written but with different first name, the vote shall not be counted in
favor of any candidate having such first name and/or surname but the
ballot shall be considered valid for other candidates.
16. Any ballot written with crayon, lead pencil, or in ink, wholly or in
part, shall be valid.
17. Where there are two or more candidates voted for in an office for

which the law authorizes the election of only one, the vote shall not be
counted in favor of any of them, but this shall not affect the validity of
the other votes therein.
18. If the candidates voted for exceed the number of those to be
elected, the ballot is valid, but the votes shall be counted only in favor
of the candidates whose names were firstly written by the voter within
the spaces provided for said office in the ballot until the authorized
number is covered.
19. Any vote in favor of a person who has not filed a certificate of
candidacy or in favor of a candidate for an office for which he did not
present himself shall be considered as a stray vote but it shall not
invalidate the whole ballot.
20. Ballots containing the name of a candidate printed and pasted on a
blank space of the ballot or affixed thereto through any mechanical
process are totally null and void.
21. Circles, crosses or lines put on the spaces on which the voter has
not voted shall be considered as signs to indicate his desistance from
voting and shall not invalidate the ballot.
22. Unless it should clearly appear that they have been deliberately put
by the voter to serve as identification marks, commas, dots, lines, or
hyphens between the first name and surname of a candidate, or in
other parts of the ballot, traces of the letter "T", "J", and other similar
ones, the first letters or syllables of names which the voter does not
continue, the use of two or more kinds of writing and unintentional or
accidental flourishes, strokes, or strains, shall not invalidate the ballot.
23. Any ballot which clearly appears to have been filled by two distinct
persons before it was deposited in the ballot box during the voting is
totally null and void.
24. Any vote cast in favor of a candidate who has been disqualified by
final judgment shall be considered as stray and shall not be counted
but it shall not invalidate the ballot.
25. Ballots wholly written in Arabic in localities where it is of general
use are valid. To read them, the board of election inspectors may
employ an interpreter who shall take an oath that he shall read the
votes correctly.
26. The accidental tearing or perforation of a ballot does not annul it.
27. Failure to remove the detachable coupon from a ballot does not
annul such ballot.
28. A vote for the President shall also be a vote for the Vice-President
running under the same ticket of a political party, unless the voter
votes for a Vice-President who does not belong to such party.
Sec. 212. Election returns. - The board of election inspectors shall
prepare the election returns simultaneously with the counting of the

votes in the polling place as prescribed in Section 210 hereof. The

return shall be prepared in sextuplicate. The recording of votes shall be
made as prescribed in said section. The entry of votes in words and
figures for each candidate shall be closed with the signature and the
clear imprint of the thumbmark of the right hand of all the members,
likewise to be affixed in full view of the public, immediately after the
last vote recorded or immediately after the name of the candidate who
did not receive any vote.
The returns shall also show the date of the election, the polling place,
the barangay and the city of municipality in which it was held, the total
number of ballots found in the compartment for valid ballots, the total
number of valid ballots withdrawn from the compartment for spoiled
ballots because they were erroneously placed therein, the total number
of excess ballots, the total number of marked or void ballots, and the
total number of votes obtained by each candidate, writing out the said
number in words and figures and, at the end thereof, the board of
election inspectors shall certify that the contents are correct. The
returns shall be accomplished in a single sheet of paper, but if this is
not possible, additional sheets may be used which shall be prepared in
the same manner as the first sheet and likewise certified by the board
of election inspectors.
The Commission shall take steps so that the entries on the first copy of
the election returns are clearly reproduced on the second, third, fourth,
fifth, and sixth copies thereof, and for this purpose the Commission
shall use a special kind of paper.
Immediately upon the accomplishment of the election returns, each
copy thereof shall be sealed in the presence of the watchers and the
public, and placed in the proper envelope, which shall likewise be
sealed and distributed as herein provided.
Any election return with a separately printed serial number or which
bears a different serial number from that assigned to the particular
polling place concerned shall not be canvassed. This is to be
determined by the board of canvassers prior to its canvassing on the
basis of the certification of the provincial, city or municipal treasurer as
to the serial number of the election return assigned to the said voting
precinct, unless the Commission shall order in writing for its
canvassing, stating the reason for the variance in serial numbers.
If the signatures and/or thumbmarks of the members of the board of
election inspectors or some of them as required in this provision are
missing in the election returns, the board of canvassers may summon
the members of the board of election inspectors concerned to complete
the returns.
Sec. 213. Proclamation of the result of the election in the polling place.

- Upon the completion of the election returns, the chairman of the

board of election inspectors shall orally and publicly announce the total
number of votes received in the election in the polling place by each
and every one of the candidates, stating their corresponding office.
Sec. 214. Disposition of election returns. - (1) In a presidential
election: the board of election inspectors shall prepare in handwriting
and sign the returns of the election in sextuplicate in their respective
polling place in a form to be prescribed by the Commission. One copy
shall be deposited in the compartment of the ballot box for valid
ballots, and in the case of municipalities two copies including the
original copy shall be handed to the municipal election registrar who
shall immediately deliver the original copy to the provincial election
supervisor and forward the other copy to the Commission, and one
copy each to the authorized representatives of the accredited political
parties. In the case of the cities, the city registrar shall retain the
original copy for submission to the provincial election supervisor, and
forward the other copy to the Commission.
(2) In the election for Members of the Batasang Pambansa: the original
of the election returns shall be delivered to the election registrar of the
city or municipality for transmittal to the chairman of the provincial
board of canvassers, and direct to the chairman of the city or district
board of canvassers in the urbanized cities and the districts of
Metropolitan Manila, as the case may be, for use in the canvass. The
second copy shall likewise be delivered to the election registrar for
transmittal to the Commission. The third copy shall be deposited in the
compartment for valid ballots. The fourth copy shall be delivered to the
election registrar who shall use said copy in the tabulation of the
advance results of the election in the city or municipality. The fifth and
sixth copies shall each respectively be delivered to the members
representing political parties represented in the board of election
inspectors.
(3) In local elections: the original copy of the election returns shall be
delivered to the city or municipal board of canvassers as a body for its
use in the city of municipal canvass. The second copy shall be delivered
to the election registrar of the city or municipality for transmittal to the
provincial board of canvassers as a body for its use in the provincial
canvass. The third copy shall likewise be delivered to the election
registrar for transmittal to the Commission. The fourth copy shall be
deposited in the compartment for valid ballots. The fifth and sixth
copies shall each respectively be delivered to the members
representing the political parties represented in the board of election
inspectors.
The Commission shall promulgate rules for the speedy and safe

delivery of the election returns.

Sec. 215. Board of election inspectors to issue a certificate of the
number of votes polled by the candidates for an office to the watchers.
- After the announcement of the results of the election and before
leaving the polling place, it shall be the duty of the board of election
inspectors to issue a certificate of the number of the votes received by
a candidate upon request of the watchers. All the members of the
board of election inspectors shall sign the certificate.
Sec. 216. Alterations and corrections in the election returns. - Any
correction or alteration made in the election, returns by the board of
election inspectors before the announcement of the results of the
election in the polling place shall be duly initialed by all the members
thereof.
After the announcement of the results of the election in the polling
place has been made, the board of election inspectors shall not make
any alteration or amendment in any of the copies of the election
returns, unless so ordered by the Commission upon petition of the
members of the board of election inspectors within five days from the
date of the election or twenty-four hours from the time a copy of the
election returns concerned is opened by the board of canvassers,
whichever is earlier. The petition shall be accompanied by proof of
service upon all candidates affected. If the petition is by all members of
the board of election inspectors and the results of the election would
not be affected by said correction and none of the candidates affected
objects thereto, the Commission, upon being satisfied of the veracity of
the petition and of the error alleged therein, shall order the board of
election inspectors to make the proper correction on the election
returns.
However, if a candidate affected by said petition objects thereto,
whether the petition is filed by all or only a majority of the members of
the board of election inspectors and the results of the election would
be affected by the correction sought to be made, the Commission shall
proceed summarily to hear the petition. If it finds the petition
meritorious and there are no evidence or signs indicating that the
identity and integrity of the ballot box have been violated, the
Commission shall order the opening of the ballot box. After satisfying
itself that the integrity of the ballots therein has also been duly
preserved, the Commission shall order the recounting of the votes of
the candidates affected and the proper corrections made on the
election returns, unless the correction sought is such that it can be
made without need of opening the ballot box.
Sec. 217. Delivery of the ballot boxes, keys and election supplies and
documents. - Upon the termination of the counting of votes, the board

of election inspectors shall place in the compartment for valid ballots,

the envelopes for used ballots hereinbefore referred to, the unused
ballots, the tally board or sheet, a copy of the election returns, and the
minutes of its proceedings, and then shall lock the ballot box with three
padlocks and such safety devices as the Commission may prescribe.
Immediately after the box is locked, the three keys of the padlocks
shall be placed in three separate envelopes and shall be sealed and
signed by all the members of the board of election inspectors. The
authorized representatives of the Commission shall forthwith take
delivery of said envelopes, signing a receipt therefor, and deliver
without delay one envelope to the provincial treasurer, another to the
provincial fiscal and the other to the provincial election supervisor.
The ballot box, all supplies of the board of election inspectors and all
pertinent papers and documents shall immediately be delivered by the
board of election inspectors and the watchers to the city or municipal
treasurer who shall keep his office open all night on the day of election
if necessary for this purpose, and shall provide the necessary facilities
for said delivery at the expense of the city or municipality. The book of
voters shall be returned to the election registrar who shall keep it
under his custody. The treasurer and the election registrar, as the case
may be, shall on the day after the election require the members of the
board of election inspectors who failed to send the objects referred to
herein to deliver the same to him immediately and acknowledge receipt
thereof in detail.
Sec. 218. Preservation of the voting record. - The voting record of each
polling place shall be delivered to the election registrar who shall have
custody of the same, keeping them in a safe place, until such time that
the Commission shall give instructions on their disposition.
Sec. 219. Preservation of the ballot boxes, their keys and disposition of
their contents. - (a) The provincial election supervisor, the provincial
treasurer and the provincial fiscal shall keep the envelope containing
the keys in their possession intact during the period of three months
following the election. Upon the lapse of this period, unless the
Commission has ordered otherwise, the provincial election supervisor
and the provincial fiscal shall deliver to the provincial treasurer the
envelope containing the keys under their custody.
(b) The city and municipal treasurer shall keep the ballot boxes under
their responsibility for three months and stored unopened in a secure
place, unless the Commission orders otherwise whenever said ballot
boxes are needed in any political exercise which might be called within
the said period, provided these are not involved in any election contest
or official investigation, or the Commission or other competent
authority shall demand them sooner or shall order their preservation

for a longer time in connection with any pending contest or

investigation. However, upon showing by any candidate that the boxes
will be in danger of being violated if kept in the possession of such
officials, the Commission may order them kept by any other official
whom it may designate. Upon the lapse of said time and if there should
be no order to the contrary, the Commission may authorize the city and
municipal treasurer in the presence of its representative to open the
boxes and burn their contents, except the copy of the minutes of the
voting and the election returns deposited therein which they shall take
and keep.
(c) In case of calamity or fortuitous event such as fire, flood, storm, or
other similar calamities which may actually cause damage to the ballot
boxes and/or their contents, the Commission may authorize the
opening of said ballot boxes to salvage the ballots and other contents
by placing them in other ballot boxes, taking such other precautionary
measures as may be necessary to preserve such documents.
Sec. 220. Documents and articles omitted or erroneously placed inside
the ballot box. - If after the delivery of the keys of the ballot box to the
proper authorities, the board of election inspectors shall discover that
some documents or articles required to be placed in the ballot box were
not placed therein, the board of election inspectors, instead of opening
the ballot box in order to place therein said documents or articles, shall
deliver the same to the Commission or its duly authorized
representatives. In no instance shall the ballot box be reopened to
place therein or take out therefrom any document or article except to
retrieve copies of the election returns which will be needed in any
canvass and in such excepted instances, the members of the board of
election inspectors and watchers of the candidates shall be notified of
the time and place of the opening of said ballot box: Provided,
however, That if there are other copies of the election returns outside
of the ballot box which can be used in canvass, such copies of the
election returns shall be used in said canvass and the opening of the
ballot box to retrieve copies of the election returns placed therein shall
then
be
dispensed
with.
ARTICLE XIX.
CANVASS AND PROCLAMATION
Sec. 221. Board of canvassers. - There shall be a board of canvassers
for each province, city, municipality, and district of Metropolitan Manila
as follows:
(a) Provincial board of canvassers. - the provincial board of canvassers
shall be composed of the provincial election supervisor or a senior
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lawyer in the regional office of the Commission, as chairman, the

provincial fiscal, as vice-chairman, and the provincial superintendent of
schools, and one representative from each of the ruling party and the
dominant opposition political party in the constituency concerned
entitled to be represented, as members.
(b) City board of canvassers. - the city board of canvassers shall be
composed of the city election registrar or a lawyer of the Commission,
as chairman, the city fiscal and the city superintendent of schools, and
one representative from each of the ruling party and the dominant
opposition political party entitled to be represented, as members.
(c) District board of canvassers of Metropolitan Manila - the district
board of canvassers shall be composed of a lawyer of the Commission,
as chairman, and a ranking fiscal in the district and the most senior
district school supervisor in the district to be appointed upon
consultation with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education,
Culture and Sports, respectively, and one representative from each of
the ruling party and the dominant opposition political party in the
constituency concerned, as members.
(d) Municipal board of canvassers. - the municipal board of canvassers
shall be composed of the election registrar or a representative of the
Commission, as chairman, the municipal treasurer, and the district
supervisor or in his absence any public school principal in the
municipality and one representative from each of the ruling party and
the dominant opposition political party entitled to be represented, as
members.
(e) Board of canvassers for newly created political subdivisions - the
Commission shall constitute a board of canvassers and appoint the
members thereof for the first election in a newly created province, city
or municipality in case the officials who shall act as members thereof
have not yet assumed their duties and functions.
Sec. 222. Relationship with candidates and other members. - The
chairman and the members of the board of canvassers shall not be
related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any
of the candidates whose votes will be canvassed by said board, or to
any member of the same board.
Sec. 223. Prohibition against leaving official station. - During the period
beginning election day until the proclamation of the winning
candidates, no member or substitute member of the different boards of
canvassers shall be transferred, assigned or detailed outside of his
official station, nor shall he leave said station without prior authority of
the Commission.
Sec. 224. Feigned illness. - Any member of the board of canvassers
feigning illness in order to be substituted on election day until the

proclamation of the winning candidates shall be guilty of an election

offense.
Sec. 225. Vote required. - A majority vote of all the members of the
board of canvassers shall be necessary to render a decision.
Sec. 226. Incapacity and substitution of members of boards of
canvassers. - In case of non-availability, absence, disqualification due
to relationship, or incapacity for any cause of the chairman, the
Commission shall designate the provincial or city fiscal to act as
chairman.
Likewise,
in
case
of
non-availability,
absence,
disqualification due to relationship, or incapacity for any cause, of such
designee, the next ranking provincial or city fiscal shall be designated
by the Commission and such designation shall pass to the next in rank
until the designee qualifies. With respect to the other members of the
board of canvassers, the Commission shall appoint as substitute the
provincial, city or municipal officers of other government agencies in
the province, city or municipality, as the case may be, and with respect
to the representatives of the accredited political parties, the
Commission shall appoint as substitutes those nominated by the said
political parties.
Sec. 227. Supervision and control over board of canvassers. - The
Commission shall have direct control and supervision over the board of
canvassers.
Any member of the board of canvassers may, at any time, be relieved
for cause and substituted motu proprio by the Commission.
Sec. 228. Notice of meeting of the board. - At least five days before the
meeting of the board, the chairman of the board shall give notice to all
members thereof and to each candidate and political party of the date,
time and place of the meeting.
Sec. 229. Manner of delivery and transmittal of election returns. - (a)
For the city and municipal board of canvassers, the copy of the election
returns of a polling place intended for the city or municipal board of
canvassers, duly placed inside a sealed envelope signed and affixed
with the imprint of the thumb of the right hand of all the members of
the board of election inspectors, shall be personally delivered by the
members of the board of election inspectors to the city or municipal
board of canvassers under proper receipt to be signed by all the
members thereof.
(b) For the provincial and district boards of canvassers in Metropolitan
Manila, the copy of the election returns of a polling place intended for
the provincial or district board of canvassers in the case of
Metropolitan Manila, shall be personally delivered by the members of
the board of election inspectors to the election registrar for transmittal
to the proper board of canvassers under proper receipt to be signed by

all the members thereof.

The election registrar concerned shall place all the returns intended for
the board of canvassers inside a ballot box provided with three
padlocks whose keys shall be kept as follows: one by the election
registrar, another by the representative of the ruling party and the
third by the representative of the dominant political opposition party.
For this purpose, the two political parties shall designate their
representatives whose names shall be submitted to the election
registrar concerned on or before the tenth day preceding the election.
The three in possession of the keys shall personally transmit the ballot
box, properly locked, containing the election returns to the board of
canvassers. Watchers of political parties, coalition of political parties,
and of organizations collectively authorized by the Commission to
designate watchers shall have the right to accompany transmittal of
the ballot boxes containing the election returns.
It shall be unlawful for any person to delay, obstruct, impede or
prevent through force, violence, coercion, intimidation or by any means
which vitiates consent, the transmittal of the election returns or to take
away, abscond with, destroy, deface or mutilate or substitute the
election returns or the envelope or the ballot box containing the
election returns or to violate the right of the watchers.
The watchers of the political parties, coalition of political parties and
the candidates shall have the right to accompany the members of the
board of election inspectors or the election registrar in making the
delivery to the boards of canvassers.
Sec. 230. Safekeeping of transmitted election returns. - The board of
canvassers shall keep the ballot boxes containing the election returns
in a safe and secure room before and after the canvass. The door to the
room must be padlocked by three locks with the keys thereof kept as
follows: one with the chairman, the other with the representative of
the ruling party, and the other with the representative of the dominant
opposition political party. The watchers of candidates, political parties,
coalition of political parties and organization collectively authorized by
the Commission to appoint watchers shall have the right to guard the
room. Violation of this right shall constitute an election offense.
Sec. 231. Canvass by the board. - The board of canvassers shall meet
not later than six o'clock in the afternoon of election day at the place
designated by the Commission to receive the election returns and to
immediately canvass those that may have already been received. It
shall meet continuously from day to day until the canvass is completed,
and may adjourn but only for the purpose of awaiting the other election
returns from other polling places within its jurisdiction. Each time the
board adjourns, it shall make a total of all the votes canvassed so far

for each candidate for each office, furnishing the Commission in Manila
by the fastest means of communication a certified copy thereof, and
making available the data contained therein to the mass media and
other interested parties. As soon as the other election returns are
delivered, the board shall immediately resume canvassing until all the
returns have been canvassed.
The respective board of canvassers shall prepare a certificate of
canvass duly signed and affixed with the imprint of the thumb of the
right hand of each member, supported by a statement of the votes
received by each candidate in each polling place and, on the basis
thereof, shall proclaim as elected the candidates who obtained the
highest number of votes cast in the province, city, municipality or
barangay. Failure to comply with this requirement shall constitute an
election offense.
Subject to reasonable exceptions, the board of canvassers must
complete their canvass within thirty-six hours in municipalities, fortyeight hours in cities and seventy-two hours in provinces. Violation
hereof shall be an election offense punishable under Section 264
hereof.
With respect to the election for President and Vice-President, the
provincial and city boards of canvassers shall prepare in quintuplicate a
certificate of canvass supported by a statement of votes received by
each candidate in each polling place and transmit the first copy thereof
to the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa. The second copy shall be
transmitted to the Commission, the third copy shall be kept by the
provincial election supervisor or city election registrar; the fourth and
the fifth copies to each of the two accredited political parties.
Sec. 232. Persons not allowed inside the canvassing room. - It shall be
unlawful for any officer or member of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, including the Philippine Constabulary, or the Integrated
National Police or any peace officer or any armed or unarmed persons
belonging to an extra-legal police agency, special forces, reaction
forces, strike forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units,
barangay tanod, or of any member of the security or police
organizations of government ministries, commissions, councils,
bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, or government-owned or controlled
corporations or their subsidiaries or of any member of a privately
owned or operated security, investigative, protective or intelligence
agency performing identical or similar functions to enter the room
where the canvassing of the election returns are held by the board of
canvassers and within a radius of fifty meters from such room:
Provided, however, That the board of canvassers by a majority vote, if
it deems necessary, may make a call in writing for the detail of

policemen or any peace officers for their protection or for the

protection of the election documents and paraphernalia in the
possession of the board, or for the maintenance of peace and order, in
which case said policemen or peace officers, who shall be in proper
uniform, shall stay outside the room within a radius of thirty meters
near enough to be easily called by the board of canvassers at any time.
Sec. 233. When the election returns are delayed, lost or destroyed. - In
case its copy of the election returns is missing, the board of canvassers
shall, by messenger or otherwise, obtain such missing election returns
from the board of election inspectors concerned, or if said returns have
been lost or destroyed, the board of canvassers, upon prior authority of
the Commission, may use any of the authentic copies of said election
returns or a certified copy of said election returns issued by the
Commission, and forthwith direct its representative to investigate the
case and immediately report the matter to the Commission.
The board of canvassers, notwithstanding the fact that not all the
election returns have been received by it, may terminate the canvass
and proclaim the candidates elected on the basis of the available
election returns if the missing election returns will not affect the
results of the election.
Sec. 234. Material defects in the election returns. - If it should clearly
appear that some requisites in form or data had been omitted in the
election returns, the board of canvassers shall call for all the members
of the board of election inspectors concerned by the most expeditious
means, for the same board to effect the correction: Provided, That in
case of the omission in the election returns of the name of any
candidate and/or his corresponding votes, the board of canvassers
shall require the board of election inspectors concerned to complete
the necessary data in the election returns and affix therein their
initials: Provided, further, That if the votes omitted in the returns
cannot be ascertained by other means except by recounting the ballots,
the Commission, after satisfying itself that the identity and integrity of
the ballot box have not been violated, shall order the board of election
inspectors to open the ballot box, and, also after satisfying itself that
the integrity of the ballots therein has been duly preserved, order the
board of election inspectors to count the votes for the candidate whose
votes have been omitted with notice thereof to all candidates for the
position involved and thereafter complete the returns.
The right of a candidate to avail of this provision shall not be lost or
affected by the fact that an election protest is subsequently filed by any
of the candidates.
Sec. 235. When election returns appear to be tampered with orfalsified.
- If the election returns submitted to the board of canvassers appear to

be tampered with, altered or falsified after they have left the hands of
the board of election inspectors, or otherwise not authentic, or were
prepared by the board of election inspectors under duress, force,
intimidation, or prepared by persons other than the member of the
board of election inspectors, the board of canvassers shall use the
other copies of said election returns and, if necessary, the copy inside
the ballot box which upon previous authority given by the Commission
may be retrieved in accordance with Section 220 hereof. If the other
copies of the returns are likewise tampered with, altered, falsified, not
authentic, prepared under duress, force, intimidation, or prepared by
persons other than the members of the board of election inspectors,
the board of canvassers or any candidate affected shall bring the
matter to the attention of the Commission. The Commission shall then,
after giving notice to all candidates concerned and after satisfying itself
that nothing in the ballot box indicate that its identity and integrity
have been violated, order the opening of the ballot box and, likewise
after satisfying itself that the integrity of the ballots therein has been
duly preserved shall order the board of election inspectors to recount
the votes of the candidates affected and prepare a new return which
shall then be used by the board of canvassers as basis of the canvass.
Sec. 236. Discrepancies in election returns. - In case it appears to the
board of canvassers that there exists discrepancies in the other
authentic copies of the election returns from a polling place or
discrepancies in the votes of any candidate in words and figures in the
same return, and in either case the difference affects the results of the
election, the Commission, upon motion of the board of canvassers or
any candidate affected and after due notice to all candidates
concerned, shall proceed summarily to determine whether the integrity
of the ballot box had been preserved, and once satisfied thereof shall
order the opening of the ballot box to recount the votes cast in the
polling place solely for the purpose of determining the true result of the
count of votes of the candidates concerned.
Sec. 237. When integrity of ballots is violated. - If upon the opening of
the ballot box as ordered by the Commission under Sections 234, 235
and 236, hereof, it should appear that there are evidence or signs of
replacement, tampering or violation of the integrity of the ballots, the
Commission shall not recount the ballots but shall forthwith seal the
ballot box and order its safekeeping.
Sec. 238. Canvass of remaining or unquestioned returns to continue. In cases under Sections 233, 234, 235 and 236 hereof, the board of
canvassers shall continue the canvass of the remaining or
unquestioned election returns. If, after the canvass of all the said
returns, it should be determined that the returns which have been set

aside will affect the result of the election, no proclamation shall be

made except upon orders of the Commission after due notice and
hearing. Any proclamation made in violation hereof shall be null and
void.
Sec. 239. Watchers. - Each candidate, political party or coalition of
political parties shall be entitled to appoint one watcher in the board of
canvassers. The watcher shall have the right to be present at, and take
note of, all the proceedings of the board of canvassers, to read the
election returns without touching them, to file a protest against any
irregularity in the election returns submitted, and to obtain from the
board of canvassers a resolution thereon.
Sec. 240. Election resulting in tie. - Whenever it shall appear from the
canvass that two or more candidates have received an equal and
highest number of votes, or in cases where two or more candidates are
to be elected for the same position and two or more candidates
received the same number of votes for the last place in the number to
be elected, the board of canvassers, after recording this fact in its
minutes, shall by resolution, upon five days notice to all the tied
candidates, hold a special public meeting at which the board of
canvassers shall proceed to the drawing of lots of the candidates who
have tied and shall proclaim as elected the candidates who may be
favored by luck, and the candidates so proclaimed shall have the right
to assume office in the same manner as if he had been elected by
plurality of vote. The board of canvassers shall forthwith make a
certificate stating the name of the candidate who had been favored by
luck and his proclamation on the basis thereof.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as depriving a candidate of
his
right
to
contest
the
election.
ARTICLE XX.
PRE-PROCLAMATION CONTROVERSIES
Sec. 241. Definition. - A pre-proclamation controversy refers to any
question pertaining to or affecting the proceedings of the board of
canvassers which may be raised by any candidate or by any registered
political party or coalition of political parties before the board or
directly with the Commission, or any matter raised under Sections 233,
234, 235 and 236 in relation to the preparation, transmission, receipt,
custody and appreciation of the election returns.
Sec. 242. Commission's exclusive jurisdiction of all pre-proclamation
controversies. - The Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all
pre-proclamation controversies. It may motu proprio or upon written
petition, and after due notice and hearing, order the partial or total

suspension of the proclamation of any candidate-elect or annual

partially or totally any proclamation, if one has been made, as the
evidence shall warrant in accordance with the succeeding sections.
Sec. 243. Issues that may be raised in pre-proclamation controversy. The following shall be proper issues that may be raised in a preproclamation controversy:
(a) Illegal composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers;
(b) The canvassed election returns are incomplete, contain material
defects, appear to be tampered with or falsified, or contain
discrepancies in the same returns or in other authentic copies thereof
as mentioned in Sections 233, 234, 235 and 236 of this Code;
(c) The election returns were prepared under duress, threats, coercion,
or intimidation, or they are obviously manufactured or not authentic;
and
(d) When substitute or fraudulent returns in controverted polling
places were canvassed, the results of which materially affected the
standing of the aggrieved candidate or candidates.
Sec. 244. Contested composition or proceedings of the board. - When
the composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers are
contested, the board of canvassers shall, within twenty-four hours,
make a ruling thereon with notice to the contestant who, if adversely
affected, may appeal the matter to the Commission within five days
after the ruling with proper notice to the board of canvassers. After due
notice and hearing, the Commission shall decide the case within ten
days from the filing thereof. During the pendency of the case, the board
of canvassers shall suspend the canvass until the Commission orders
the continuation or resumption thereof and citing their reasons or
grounds therefor.
Sec. 245. Contested election returns. - 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
this article or in Sections 234, 235 and 236 of Article XIX shall submit
their verbal objections to the chairman of the board of canvassers at
the time the questioned returns is presented for inclusion or exclusion,
which objections shall be noted in the minutes of the canvassing.
The board of canvassers upon receipt of any such objections shall
automatically defer the canvass of the contested returns and shall
proceed to canvass the rest of the returns which are not contested by
any party.
Within twenty-four hours from and after the presentation of a verbal
objection, the same shall be submitted in written form to the board of
canvassers. Thereafter, the board of canvassers shall take up each
contested return, consider the written objections thereto and
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summarily rule thereon. Said ruling shall be made oral initially and then
reduced to writing by the board within twenty-four hours from the time
the oral ruling is made.
Any party adversely affected by an oral ruling on its/his objection shall
immediately state orally whether it/he intends to appeal said ruling.
The said intent to appeal shall be stated in the minutes of the
canvassing. If a party manifests its intent to appeal, the board of
canvassers shall set aside the return and proceed to rule on the other
contested returns. When all the contested returns have been ruled
upon by it, the board of canvassers shall suspend the canvass and shall
make an appropriate report to the Commission, copy furnished the
parties.
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 and 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. 246. Summary proceedings before the Commission. - All preproclamation controversies shall be heard summarily by the
Commission after due notice and hearing, and its decisions shall be
executory after the lapse of five days from receipt by the losing party
of the decision of the Commission, unless restrained by the Supreme
Court.
Sec. 247. Partial proclamation. - Notwithstanding the pendency of any
pre-proclamation controversy, the Commission may, motu proprio or
upon the filing of a verified petition and after due notice and hearing,
order the proclamation of other winning candidates whose election will
not be affected by the outcome of the controversy.
Sec. 248. Effect of filing petition to annual or to suspend the
proclamation. - The filing with the Commission of a petition to annual
or to suspend the proclamation of any candidate shall suspend the
running of the period within which to file an election protest or quo
warranto
proceedings.
ARTICLE XXI.
ELECTION CONTESTS
Sec. 249. Jurisdiction of the Commission. - The Commission shall be the
sole judge of all contests relating to the elections, returns, and
qualifications of all Members of the Batasang Pambansa, elective
regional, provincial and city officials.
Sec. 250. Election contests for Batasang Pambansa, regional, provincial
and city offices. - A sworn petition contesting the election of any

Member of the Batasang Pambansa or any regional, provincial or city

official shall be filed with the Commission by any candidate who has
duly filed a certificate of candidacy and has been voted for the same
office, within ten days after the proclamation of the results of the
election.
Sec. 251. Election contests for municipal offices. - A sworn petition
contesting the election of a municipal officer shall be filed with the
proper regional trial court by any candidate who has duly filed a
certificate of candidacy and has been voted for the same office, within
ten days after proclamation of the results of the election.
Sec. 252. Election contest for barangay offices. - A sworn petition
contesting the election of a barangay officer shall be filed with the
proper municipal or metropolitan trial court by any candidate who has
duly filed a certificate of candidacy and has been voted for the same
office, within ten days after the proclamation of the results of the
election. The trial court shall decide the election protest within fifteen
days after the filing thereof. The decision of the municipal or
metropolitan trial court may be appealed within ten days from receipt
of a copy thereof by the aggrieved party to the regional trial court
which shall decide the case within thirty days from its submission, and
whose decisions shall be final.
Sec. 253. Petition for quo warranto. - Any voter contesting the election
of any Member of the Batasang Pambansa, regional, provincial, or city
officer on the ground of ineligibility or of disloyalty to the Republic of
the Philippines shall file a sworn petition for quo warranto with the
Commission within ten days after the proclamation of the results of the
election.
Any voter contesting the election of any municipal or barangay officer
on the ground of ineligibility or of disloyalty to the Republic of the
Philippines shall file a sworn petition for quo warranto with the
regional trial court or metropolitan or municipal trial court,
respectively, within ten days after the proclamation of the results of
the election.
Sec. 254. Procedure in election contests. - The Commission shall
prescribe the rules to govern the procedure and other matters relating
to election contests pertaining to all national, regional, provincial, and
city offices not later than thirty days before such elections. Such rules
shall provide a simple and inexpensive procedure for the expeditious
disposition of election contests and shall be published in at least two
newspapers of general circulation.
However, with respect to election contests involving municipal and
barangay offices the following rules of procedure shall govern:
(a) Notice of the protest contesting the election of a candidate for a
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municipal or barangay office shall be served upon the candidate by

means of a summons at the postal address stated in his certificate of
candidacy except when the protestee, without waiting for the
summons, has made the court understand that he has been notified of
the protest or has filed his answer hereto;
(b) The protestee shall answer the protest within five days after receipt
of the summons, or, in case there has been no summons from the date
of his appearance and in all cases before the commencement of the
hearing of the protest or contest. The answer shall deal only with the
election in the polling places which are covered by the allegations of
the contest;
(c) Should the protestee desire to impugn the votes received by the
protestant in other polling places, he shall file a counter-protest within
the same period fixed for the answer serving a copy thereof upon the
protestant by registered mail or by personal delivery or through the
sheriff;
(d) The protestant shall answer the counter-protest within five days
after notice;
(e) Within the period of five days counted from the filing of the protest
any other candidate for the same office may intervene in the case as
other contestants and ask for affirmative relief in his favor by a petition
in intervention, which shall be considered as another contest, except
that it shall be substantiated within the same proceedings. The
protestant or protestee shall answer the protest in intervention within
five days after notice;
(f) If no answer shall be filed to the contest, counter-protest, or to the
protest in intervention, within the time limits respectively fixed, a
general denial shall be deemed to have been entered;
(g) In election contest proceedings, the permanent registry list of
voters shall be conclusive in regard to the question as to who had the
right to vote in said election.
Sec. 255. Judicial counting of votes in election contest. - Where
allegations in a protest or counter-protest so warrant, or whenever in
the opinion of the court the interests of justice so require, it shall
immediately order the book of voters, ballot boxes and their keys,
ballots and other documents used in the election be brought before it
and that the ballots be examined and the votes recounted.
Sec. 256. Appeals. - Appeals from any decision rendered by the
regional trial court under Section 251 and paragraph two, Section 253
hereof with respect to quo warranto petitions filed in election contests
affecting municipal officers, the aggrieved party may appeal to the
Intermediate Appellate Court within five days after receipt of a copy of
the decision. No motion for reconsideration shall be entertained by the

court. The appeal shall be decided within sixty days after the case has
been submitted for decision.
Sec. 257. Decision in the Commission. - The Commission shall decide all
election cases brought before it within ninety days from the date of
their submission for decision. The decision of the Commission shall
become final thirty days after receipt of judgment.
Sec. 258. Preferential disposition of contests in courts. - The courts, in
their respective cases, shall give preference to election contests over
all other cases, except those of habeas corpus, and shall without delay,
hear and, within thirty days from the date of their submission for
decision, but in every case within six months after filing, decide the
same.
Sec. 259. Actual or compensatory damages. - Actual or compensatory
damages may be granted in all election contests or in quo warranto
proceedings in accordance with law.
Sec. 260. Notice of decisions. - The clerk of court and the
corresponding official in the Commission before whom an election
contest or a quo warranto proceeding has been instituted or where the
appeal of said case has been taken shall notify immediately the
President of the Philippines of the final disposition thereof. In election
contests involving provincial, city, municipal, or barangay offices,
notice of such final disposition shall also be sent to the secretary of the
local sanggunian concerned. If the decision be that none of the parties
has been legally elected, said official shall certify such decision to the
President of the Philippines and, in appropriate cases, to the
Commission.
ARTICLE XXII.
ELECTION OFFENSES
Sec. 261. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be guilty of an election
offense:
(a) Vote-buying and vote-selling. (1) Any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of
value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant,
public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or
indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person,
association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce
anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or
withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant
for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar
selection process of a political party.
(2) Any person, association, corporation, group or community who
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solicits or receives, directly or indirectly, any expenditure or promise of

any office or employment, public or private, for any of the foregoing
considerations.
(b) Conspiracy to bribe voters. - Two or more persons, whether
candidates or not, who come to an agreement concerning the
commission of any violation of paragraph (a) of this section and decide
to commit it.
(c) Wagering upon result of election. - Any person who bets or wagers
upon the outcome of, or any contingency connected with an election.
Any money or thing of value or deposit of money or thing of value
situated anywhere in the Philippines put as such bet or wager shall be
forfeited to the government.
(d) Coercion of subordinates. (1) Any public officer, or any officer of any public or private corporation
or association, or any head, superior, or administrator of any religious
organization, or any employer or land-owner who coerces or
intimidates or compels, or in any manner influence, directly or
indirectly, any of his subordinates or members or parishioners or
employees or house helpers, tenants, overseers, farm helpers, tillers,
or lease holders to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate
or any aspirant for the nomination or selection of candidates.
(2) Any public officer or any officer of any commercial, industrial,
agricultural, economic or social enterprise or public or private
corporation or association, or any head, superior or administrator of
any religious organization, or any employer or landowner who
dismisses or threatens to dismiss, punishes or threatens to punish be
reducing his salary, wage or compensation, or by demotion, transfer,
suspension, separation, excommunication, ejectment, or causing him
annoyance in the performance of his job or in his membership, any
subordinate member or affiliate, parishioner, employee or house
helper, tenant, overseer, farm helper, tiller, or lease holder, for
disobeying or not complying with any of the acts ordered by the former
to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate, or any aspirant
for the nomination or selection of candidates.
(e) Threats, intimidation, terrorism, use of fraudulent device or other
forms of coercion. - Any person who, directly or indirectly, threatens,
intimidates or actually causes, inflicts or produces any violence, injury,
punishment, damage, loss or disadvantage upon any person or persons
or that of the immediate members of his family, his honor or property,
or uses any fraudulent device or scheme to compel or induce the
registration or refraining from registration of any voter, or the
participation in a campaign or refraining or desistance from any
campaign, or the casting of any vote or omission to vote, or any

promise of such registration, campaign, vote, or omission therefrom.

(f) Coercion of election officials and employees. - Any person who,
directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates, terrorizes or coerces any
election official or employee in the performance of his election
functions or duties.
(g) Appointment of new employees, creation of new position,
promotion, or giving salary increases. - During the period of forty-five
days before a regular election and thirty days before a special election,
(1) any head, official or appointing officer of a government office,
agency or instrumentality, whether national or local, including
government-owned or controlled corporations, who appoints or hires
any new employee, whether provisional, temporary or casual, or
creates and fills any new position, except upon prior authority of the
Commission. The Commission shall not grant the authority sought
unless, it is satisfied that the position to be filled is essential to the
proper functioning of the office or agency concerned, and that the
position shall not be filled in a manner that may influence the election.
As an exception to the foregoing provisions, a new employee may be
appointed in case of urgent need: Provided, however, That notice of the
appointment shall be given to the Commission within three days from
the date of the appointment. Any appointment or hiring in violation of
this provision shall be null and void.
(2) Any government official who promotes, or gives any increase of
salary or remuneration or privilege to any government official or
employee, including those in government-owned or controlled
corporations.
(h) Transfer of officers and employees in the civil service. - Any public
official who makes or causes any transfer or detail whatever of any
officer or employee in the civil service including public school teachers,
within the election period except upon prior approval of the
Commission.
(i) Intervention of public officers and employees. - Any officer or
employee in the civil service, except those holding political offices; any
officer, employee, or member or the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or
any police force, special forces, home defense forces, barangay selfdefense units and all other para-military units that now exist or which
may hereafter be organized who, directly or indirectly, intervenes in
any election campaign or engages in any partisan political activity,
except to vote or to preserve public order, if he is a peace officer.
(j) Undue influence. - It is unlawful for any person to promise any
office or employment, public or private, or to make or offer to make an
expenditure, directly or indirectly, or to cause an expenditure to be
made to any person, association, corporation or entity, which may

induce anyone or the public in general either to vote or withhold his

vote, or to vote for or against any candidate in any election or any
aspirant for the nomination or selection of an official candidate in a
convention of a political party. It is likewise unlawful for any person,
association, corporation or community, to solicit or receive, directly or
indirectly, any expenditure or promise or any office, or employment,
public or private, for any of the foregoing considerations.
(k) Unlawful electioneering. - It is unlawful to solicit votes or
undertake any propaganda on the day of registration before the board
of election inspectors and on the day of election, for or against any
candidate or any political party within the polling place and with a
radius of thirty meters thereof.
(l) Prohibition against dismissal of employees, laborers, or tenants. No employee or laborer shall be dismissed, nor a tenant be ejected
from his landholdings for refusing or failing to vote for any candidate of
his employer or landowner. Any employee, laborer or tenant so
dismissed or ejected shall be reinstated and the salary or wage of the
employee or laborer, or the share of the harvest of the tenant, shall be
restored to the aggrieved party upon application to the proper court.
(m) Appointment or use of special policemen, special agents,
confidential agents or the like. - During the campaign period, on the
day before and on election day, any appointing authority who appoints
or any person who utilizes the services of special policemen, special
agents, confidential agents or persons performing similar functions;
persons previously appointed as special policemen, special agents,
confidential agents or persons performing similar functions who
continue acting as such, and those who fail to turn over their firearms,
uniforms, insignias and other badges of authority to the proper officer
who issued the same.
At the start of the aforementioned period, the barangay chairman,
municipal mayor, city mayor, provincial governor, or any appointing
authority shall submit to the Commission a complete list of all special
policemen, special agents, confidential agents or persons performing
similar functions in the employ of their respective political
subdivisions, with such particulars as the Commission may require.
(n) Illegal release of prisoners before and after election. - The Director
of the Bureau of Prisons, any provincial warden, the keeper of the jail
or the person or persons required by law to keep prisoners in their
custody who illegally orders or allows any prisoner detained in the
national penitentiary, or the provincial, city or municipal jail to leave
the premises thereof sixty days before and thirty days after the
election. The municipal or city warden, the provincial warden, the
keeper of the jail or the person or persons required by law to keep

prisoners in their custody shall post in three conspicuous public places

a list of the prisoners or detention prisoners under their care.
Detention prisoners must be categorized as such.
(o) Use of public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities
owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign. - Any
person who uses under any guise whatsoever, directly or indirectly, (1)
public funds or money deposited with, or held in trust by, public
financing institutions or by government offices, banks, or agencies; (2)
any printing press, radio, or television station or audio-visual
equipment operated by the Government or by its divisions, subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned
or controlled corporations, or by the Armed Forces of the Philippines;
or (3) any equipment, vehicle, facility, apparatus, or paraphernalia
owned by the government or by its political subdivisions, agencies
including government-owned or controlled corporations, or by the
Armed Forces of the Philippines for any election campaign or for any
partisan political activity.
(p) Deadly weapons. - Any person who carries any deadly weapon in
the polling place and within a radius of one hundred meters thereof
during the days and hours fixed by law for the registration of voters in
the polling place, voting, counting of votes, or preparation of the
election returns. However, in cases of affray, turmoil, or disorder, any
peace officer or public officer authorized by the Commission to
supervise the election is entitled to carry firearms or any other weapon
for the purpose of preserving order and enforcing the law.
(q) Carrying firearms outside residence or place of
business. - Any person who, although possessing a permit to carry
firearms, carries any firearms outside his residence or place of
business during the election period, unless authorized in writing by the
Commission: Provided, That a motor vehicle, water or air craft shall not
be considered a residence or place of business or extension hereof.
This prohibition shall not apply to cashiers and disbursing officers
while in the performance of their duties or to persons who by nature of
their official duties, profession, business or occupation habitually carry
large sums of money or valuables.
(r) Use of armored land, water or air craft. - Any person who uses
during the campaign period, on the day before and on election day, any
armored land, water or air craft, provided with any temporary or
permanent equipment or any other device or contraption for the
mounting or installation of cannons, machine guns and other similar
high caliber firearms, including military type tanks, half trucks, scout
trucks, armored trucks, of any make or model, whether new,
reconditioned, rebuilt or remodelled: Provided, That banking or

financial institutions and all business firms may use not more than two
armored vehicles strictly for, and limited to, the purpose of
transporting cash, gold bullion or other valuables in connection with
their business from and to their place of business, upon previous
authority of the Commission.
(s) Wearing of uniforms and bearing arms. - During the campaign
period, on the day before and on election day, any member of security
or police organization of government agencies, commissions, councils,
bureaus, offices, or government-owned or controlled corporations, or
privately-owned or operated security, investigative, protective or
intelligence agencies, who wears his uniform or uses his insignia,
decorations or regalia, or bears arms outside the immediate vicinity of
his place of work: Provided, That this prohibition shall not apply when
said member is in pursuit of a person who has committed or is
committing a crime in the premises he is guarding; or when escorting
or providing security for the transport of payrolls, deposits, or other
valuables; or when guarding the residence of private persons or when
guarding private residences, buildings or offices: Provided, further,
That in the last case prior written approval of the Commission shall be
obtained. The Commission shall decide all applications for authority
under this paragraph within fifteen days from the date of the filing of
such application.
During the same period, and ending thirty days thereafter any member
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, special, forces, home defense
forces, barangay self-defense units and all other para-military units
that now exist or which may hereafter be organized who wears his
uniform or bears arms outside the camp, garrison or barracks to which
he is assigned or detailed or outside their homes, in case of members
of para-military units, unless (1) the President of the Philippines shall
have given previous authority therefor, and the Commission notified
thereof in writing, or (2) the Commission authorizes him to do so,
which authority it shall give only when necessary to assist it in
maintaining free, orderly and honest elections, and only after notice
and hearing. All personnel of the Armed Forces authorized by the
President or the Commission to bear arms or wear their uniforms
outside their camps and all police and peace officers shall bear their
true name, rank and serial number, if any, stitched in block letters on a
white background on the left breast of their uniform, in letters and
numbers of a clearly legible design at least two centimeters tall, which
shall at all times remain visible and uncovered.
During the election period, whenever the Commission finds it necessary
for the promotion of free, orderly, honest and peaceful elections in a
specific area, it shall confiscate or order the confiscation of firearms of

any member or members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, police

forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units, and all other
para-military units that now exist, or which may hereafter be
organized, or any member or members of the security or police
organization, government ministries, commissions, councils, bureaus,
offices, instrumentalities, or government-owned or controlled
corporations and other subsidiaries, or of any member or members of
privately owned or operated security, investigative, protective or
intelligence agencies performing identical or similar functions.
(t) Policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security
guards. - During the campaign period, on the day before and on
election day, any member of the city or municipal police force, any
provincial or sub-provincial guard, any member of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines, special forces, home defense forces, barangay selfdefense units and all other para-military units that now exist or which
may hereafter be organized who acts as bodyguard or security guard of
any public official, candidate or any other person, and any of the latter
who utilizes the services of the former as bodyguard or security guard:
Provided, That, after due notice and hearing, when the life and security
of a candidate is in jeopardy, the Commission is empowered to assign
at the candidate's choice, any member of the Philippine Constabulary
or the police force of any municipality within the province to act as his
bodyguard or security guard in a number to be determined by the
Commission but not to exceed three per candidate: Provided, however,
That when the circumstances require immediate action, the
Commission may issue a temporary order allowing the assignment of
any member of the Philippine Constabulary or the local police force to
act as bodyguard or security guard of the candidate, subject to
confirmation or revocation.
(u) Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or
other similar forces. - Any person who organizes or maintains a
reaction force, strike force or similar force during the election period.
The heads of all reaction forces, strike forces, or similar forces shall,
not later than forty-five days before the election, submit to the
Commission a complete list of all members thereof with such
particulars as the Commission may require.
(v) Prohibition against release, disbursement or expenditure of public
funds. - Any public official or employee including barangay officials and
those of government-owned or controlled corporations and their
subsidiaries, who, during forty-five days before a regular election and
thirty days before a special election, releases, disburses or expends
any public funds for:
(1) Any and all kinds of public works, except the following:
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(a) Maintenance of existing and/or completed public works project:

Provided, That not more than the average number of laborers or
employees already employed therein during the six-month period
immediately prior to the beginning of the forty-five day period before
election day shall be permitted to work during such time: Provided,
further, That no additional laborers shall be employed for maintenance
work within the said period of forty-five days;
(b) Work undertaken by contract through public bidding held, or by
negotiated contract awarded, before the forty-five day period before
election: Provided, That work for the purpose of this section
undertaken under the so-called "takay" or "paquiao" system shall not
be considered as work by contract;
(c) Payment for the usual cost of preparation for working drawings,
specifications, bills of materials, estimates, and other procedures
preparatory to actual construction including the purchase of materials
and equipment, and all incidental expenses for wages of watchmen and
other laborers employed for such work in the central office and field
storehouses before the beginning of such period: Provided, That the
number of such laborers shall not be increased over the number hired
when the project or projects were commenced; and
(d) Emergency work necessitated by the occurrence of a public
calamity, but such work shall be limited to the restoration of the
damaged facility.
No payment shall be made within five days before the date of election
to laborers who have rendered services in projects or works except
those falling under subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d), of this
paragraph.
This prohibition shall not apply to ongoing public works projects
commenced before the campaign period or similar projects under
foreign agreements. For purposes of this provision, it shall be the duty
of the government officials or agencies concerned to report to the
Commission the list of all such projects being undertaken by them.
(2) The Ministry of Social Services and Development and any other
office in other ministries of the government performing functions
similar to said ministry, except for salaries of personnel, and for such
other routine and normal expenses, and for such other expenses as the
Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing. Should a
calamity or disaster occur, all releases normally or usually coursed
through the said ministries and offices of other ministries shall be
turned over to, and administered and disbursed by, the Philippine
National Red Cross, subject to the supervision of the Commission on
Audit or its representatives, and no candidate or his or her spouse or

member of his family within the second civil degree of affinity or

consanguinity shall participate, directly or indirectly, in the distribution
of any relief or other goods to the victims of the calamity or disaster;
and
(3) The Ministry of Human Settlements and any other office in any
other ministry of the government performing functions similar to said
ministry, except for salaries of personnel and for such other necessary
administrative or other expenses as the Commission may authorize
after due notice and hearing.
(w) Prohibition against construction of public works, delivery of
materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants and
similar devices. - During the period of forty-five days preceding a
regular election and thirty days before a special election, any person
who (a) undertakes the construction of any public works, except for
projects or works exempted in the preceding paragraph; or (b) issues,
uses or avails of treasury warrants or any device undertaking future
delivery of money, goods or other things of value chargeable against
public funds.
(x) Suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay
officer. - The provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding during
the election period, any public official who suspends, without prior
approval of the Commission, any elective provincial, city, municipal or
barangay officer, unless said suspension will be for purposes of
applying the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act" in relation to the
suspension and removal of elective officials; in which case the
provisions of this section shall be inapplicable.
(y) On Registration of Voters:
(1) Any person who, having all the qualifications and none of the
disqualifications of a voter, fails without justifiable excuse to register
as a voter in an election, plebiscite or referendum in which he is
qualified to vote.
(2) Any person who knowingly makes any false or untruthful statement
relative to any of the data or information required in the application for
registration.
(3) Any person who deliberately imprints or causes the imprinting of
blurred or indistinct fingerprints on any of the copies of the application
for registration or on the voter's affidavit; or any person in charge of
the registration of voters who deliberately or through negligence,
causes or allows the imprinting of blurred or indistinct fingerprints on
any of the aforementioned registration forms, or any person who
tampers with the fingerprints in said registration records.
(4) Any member of the board of election inspectors who approves any
application which on its face shows that the applicant does not possess
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all the qualifications prescribed by law for a voter; or who disapproves

any application which on its face shows that the applicant possesses all
such qualifications.
(5) Any person who, being a registered voter, registers anew without
filing an application for cancellation of his previous registration.
(6) Any person who registers in substitution for another whether with
or without the latter's knowledge or consent.
(7) Any person who tampers with or changes without authority any
data or entry in any voter's application for registration.
(8) Any person who delays, hinders or obstruct another from
registering.
(9) Any person who falsely certifies or identifies another as a bona fide
resident of a particular place or locality for the purpose of securing the
latter's registration as a voter.
(10) Any person who uses the voter's affidavit of another for the
purpose of voting, whether or not he actually succeeds in voting.
(11) Any person who places, inserts or otherwise includes, as approved
application for registration in the book of voters or in the provincial or
national central files of registered voters, the application of any
fictitious voter or any application that has not been approved; or
removes from, or otherwise takes out of the book of voters or the
provincial or national central files of registered voters any duly
approved voter's application, except upon lawful order of the
Commission, or of a competent court or after proper cancellation as
provided in Sections 122, 123, 124 and 125 hereof.
(12) Any person who transfers or causes the transfer of the
registration record of a voter to the book of voters of another polling
place, unless said transfer was due to a change of address of the voter
and the voter was duly notified of his new polling place.
(13) Any person who asks, demands, takes, accepts or possesses,
directly or indirectly, the voter's affidavit of another, in order to induce
the latter to withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate
in an election or any issue in a plebiscite or referendum. It shall be
presumed prima facie that the asking, demanding, taking, accepting, or
possessing is with such intent if done within the period beginning ten
days before election day and ending ten days after election day, unless
the voter's affidavit of another and the latter are both members of the
same family.
(14) Any person who delivers, hands over, entrusts, gives, directly or
indirectly his voter's affidavit to another in consideration of money or
other benefit or promises thereof, or takes or accepts such voter's
affidavit directly or indirectly, by giving or causing the giving of money
or other benefit or making or causing the making of a promise thereof.

(15) Any person who alters in any manner, tears, defaces, removes or
destroys any certified list of voters.
(16) Any person who takes, carries or possesses any blank or unused
registration form already issued to a city or municipality outside of said
city or municipality except as otherwise provided in this Code or when
directed by express order of the court or of the Commission.
(17) Any person who maliciously omits, tampers or transfers to
another list the name of a registered voter from the official list of
voters posted outside the polling place.
(z) On voting:
(1) Any person who fails to cast his vote without justifiable excuse.
(2) Any person who votes more than once in the same election, or who,
not being a registered voter, votes in an election.
(3) Any person who votes in substitution for another whether with or
without the latter's knowledge and/or consent.
(4) Any person who, not being illiterate or physically disabled, allows
his ballot to be prepared by another, or any person who prepares the
ballot of another who is not illiterate or physically disabled, with or
without the latter's knowledge and/or consent.
(5) Any person who avails himself of any means of scheme to discover
the contents of the ballot of a voter who is preparing or casting his vote
or who has just voted.
(6) Any voter who, in the course of voting, uses a ballot other than the
one given by the board of election inspectors or has in his possession
more than one official ballot.
(7) Any person who places under arrest or detains a voter without
lawful cause, or molests him in such a manner as to obstruct or prevent
him from going to the polling place to cast his vote or from returning
home after casting his vote, or to compel him to reveal how he voted.
(8) Any member of the board of election inspectors charged with the
duty of reading the ballot during the counting of votes who deliberately
omits to read the vote duly written on the ballot, or misreads the vote
actually written thereon or reads the name of a candidate where no
name is written on the ballot.
(9) Any member of the board of election inspectors charged with the
duty of tallying the votes in the tally board or sheet, election returns or
other prescribed form who deliberately fails to record a vote therein or
records erroneously the votes as read, or records a vote where no such
vote has been read by the chairman.
(10) Any member of a board of election inspectors who has made
possible the casting of more votes than there are registered voters.
(11) Any person who, for the purpose of disrupting or obstructing the
election process or causing confusion among the voters, propagates
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false and alarming reports or information or transmits or circulates

false orders, directives or messages regarding any matter relating to
the printing of official ballots, the postponement of the election, the
transfer of polling place or the general conduct of the election.
(12) Any person who, without legal authority, destroys, substitutes or
takes away from the possession of those having legal custody thereof,
or from the place where they are legally deposited, any election form or
document or ballot box which contains official ballots or other
documents used in the election.
(13) Any person having legal custody of the ballot box containing the
official ballots used in the election who opens or destroys said box or
removes or destroys its contents without or against the order of the
Commission or who, through his negligence, enables any person to
commit any of the aforementioned acts, or takes away said ballot box
from his custody.
(14) Any member of the board of election inspectors who knowingly
uses ballots other than the official ballots, except in those cases where
the use of emergency ballots is authorized.
(15) Any public official who neglects or fails to properly preserve or
account for any ballot box, documents and forms received by him and
kept under his custody.
(16) Any person who reveals the contents of the ballot of an illiterate
or disabled voter whom he assisted in preparing a ballot.
(17) Any person who, without authority, transfers the location of a
polling place.
(18) Any person who, without authority, prints or causes the printing
of any ballot or election returns that appears as official ballots or
election returns or who distributes or causes the same to be distributed
for use in the election, whether or not they are actually used.
(19) Any person who, without authority, keeps, uses or carries out or
causes to be kept, used or carried out, any official ballot or election
returns or printed proof thereof, type-form mould, electro-type printing
plates and any other plate, numbering machines and other printing
paraphernalia being used in connection with the printing of official
ballots or election returns.
(20) Any official or employee of any printing establishment or of the
Commission or any member of the committee in charge of the printing
of official ballots or election returns who causes official ballots or
election returns to be printed in quantities exceeding those authorized
by the Commission or who distributes, delivers, or in any manner
disposes of or causes to be distributed, delivered, or disposed of, any
official ballot or election returns to any person or persons not
authorized by law or by the Commission to receive or keep official

ballots or election returns or who sends or causes them to be sent to

any place not designated by law or by the Commission.
(21) Any person who, through any act, means or device, violates the
integrity of any official ballot or election returns before or after they
are used in the election.
(22) Any person who removes, tears, defaces or destroys any certified
list of candidates posted inside the voting booths during the hours of
voting.
(23) Any person who holds or causes the holding of an election on any
other day than that fixed by law or by the Commission, or stops any
election being legally held.
(24) Any person who deliberately blurs his fingerprint in the voting
record.
(aa) On Canvassing:
(1) Any chairman of the board of canvassers who fails to give due
notice of the date, time and place of the meeting of said board to the
candidates, political parties and/or members of the board.
(2) Any member of the board of canvassers who proceeds with the
canvass of the votes and/or proclamation of any candidate which was
suspended or annulled by the Commission.
(3) Any member of the board of canvassers who proceeds with the
canvass of votes and/or proclamation of any candidate in the absence
of quorum, or without giving due notice of the date, time and place of
the meeting of the board to the candidates, political parties, and/or
other members of the board.
(4) Any member of the board of canvassers who, without authority of
the Commission, uses in the canvass of votes and/or proclamation of
any candidate any document other than the official copy of the election
returns.
(bb) Common to all boards of election inspectors and boards of
canvassers:
(1) Any member of any board of election inspectors or board of
canvassers who deliberately absents himself from the meetings of said
body for the purpose of obstructing or delaying the performance of its
duties or functions.
(2) Any member of any board of election inspectors or board of
canvassers who, without justifiable reason, refuses to sign and certify
any election form required by this Code or prescribed by the
Commission although he was present during the meeting of the said
body.
(3) Any person who, being ineligible for appointment as member of any
board of election inspectors or board of canvassers, accepts an
appointment to said body, assumes office, and actually serves as a
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member thereof, or any of public officer or any person acting in his

behalf who appoints such ineligible person knowing him to be
ineligible.
(4) Any person who, in the presence or within the hearing of any board
of election inspectors or board of canvassers during any of its
meetings, conducts himself in such a disorderly manner as to interrupt
or disrupt the work or proceedings to the end of preventing said body
from performing its functions, either partly or totally.
(5) Any public official or person acting in his behalf who relieves any
member of any board of election inspectors or board of canvassers or
who changes or causes the change of the assignments of any member
of said board of election inspectors or board of canvassers without
authority of the Commission.
(cc) On candidacy and campaign:
(1) Any political party which holds political conventions or meetings to
nominate its official candidates earlier that the period fixed in this
Code.
(2) Any person who abstracts, destroys or cancels any certificate of
candidacy duly filed and which has not been cancelled upon order of
the Commission.
(3) Any person who misleads the board of election inspectors by
submitting any false or spurious certificate of candidacy or document
to the prejudice of a candidate.
(4) Any person who, being authorized to receive certificates of
candidacy, receives any certificate of candidacy outside the period for
filing the same and makes it appear that said certificate of candidacy
was filed on time; or any person who, by means of fraud, threat,
intimidation, terrorism or coercion, causes or compels the commission
of said act.
(5) Any person who, by any device or means, jams, obstructs or
interferes with a radio or television broadcast of any lawful political
program.
(6) Any person who solicits votes or undertakes any propaganda, on
the day of election, for or against any candidate or any political party
within the polling place or within a radius of thirty meters thereof.
(dd) Other prohibitions:
(1) Any person who sells, furnishes, offers, buys, serves or takes
intoxicating liquor on the days fixed by law for the registration of
voters in the polling place, or on the day before the election or on
election day: Provided, That hotels and other establishments duly
certified by the Ministry of Tourism as tourist oriented and habitually in
the business of catering to foreign tourists may be exempted for
justifiable reasons upon prior authority of the Commission: Provided,
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further, That foreign tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said

authorized hotels or establishments are exempted from the provisions
of this subparagraph.
(2) Any person who opens in any polling place or within a radius of
thirty meters thereof on election day and during the counting of votes,
booths or stalls of any kind for the sale, dispensing or display of wares,
merchandise or refreshments, whether solid or liquid, or for any other
purposes.
(3) Any person who holds on election day, fairs, cockfights, boxing,
horse races, jai-alai or any other similar sports.
(4) Refusal to carry election mail matter. - Any operator or employee of
a public utility or transportation company operating under a certificate
of public convenience, including government-owned or controlled
postal service or its employees or deputized agents who refuse to carry
official election mail matters free of charge during the election period.
In addition to the penalty prescribed herein, such refusal shall
constitute a ground for cancellation or revocation of certificate of
public convenience or franchise.
(5) Prohibition against discrimination in the sale of air time. - Any
person who operates a radio or television station who without
justifiable cause discriminates against any political party, coalition or
aggroupment of parties or any candidate in the sale of air time. In
addition to the penalty prescribed herein, such refusal shall constitute
a ground for cancellation or revocation of the franchise.
Sec. 262. Other election offenses. - Violation of the provisions, or
pertinent portions, of the following sections of this Code shall
constitute election offenses: Sections 9, 18, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83,
84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105,
106 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 122, 123, 127, 128, 129, 132, 134,
135, 145, 148, 150, 152, 172, 173, 174, 178, 180, 182, 184, 185, 186,
189, 190, 191, 192, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206,
207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220,
223, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236, 239 and 240.
Sec. 263. Persons criminally liable. - The principals, accomplices, and
accessories, as defined in the Revised Penal Code, shall be criminally
liable for election offenses. If the one responsible be a political party or
an entity, its president or head, the officials and employees of the
same, performing duties connected with the offense committed and its
members who may be principals, accomplices, or accessories shall be
liable, in addition to the liability of such party or entity.
Sec. 264. Penalties. - Any person found guilty of any election offense
under this Code shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than
one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to

probation. In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer

disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of
suffrage. If he is a foreigner, he shall be sentenced to deportation
which shall be enforced after the prison term has been served. Any
political party found guilty shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less
than ten thousand pesos, which shall be imposed upon such party after
criminal action has been instituted in which their corresponding
officials have been found guilty.
In case of prisoner or prisoners illegally released from any penitentiary
or jail during the prohibited period as provided in Section 261,
paragraph (n) of this Code, the director of prisons, provincial warden,
keeper of the jail or prison, or persons who are required by law to keep
said prisoner in their custody shall, if convicted by a competent court,
be sentenced to suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum
period if the prisoner or prisoners so illegally released commit any act
of intimidation, terrorism of interference in the election.
Any person found guilty of the offense of failure to register or failure to
vote shall, upon conviction, be fined one hundred pesos. In addition, he
shall suffer disqualification to run for public office in the next
succeeding election following his conviction or be appointed to a public
office for a period of one year following his conviction.
Sec. 265. Prosecution. - The Commission shall, through its duly
authorized legal officers, have the exclusive power to conduct
preliminary investigation of all election offenses punishable under this
Code, and to prosecute the same. The Commission may avail of the
assistance of other prosecuting arms of the government: Provided,
however, That in the event that the Commission fails to act on any
complaint within four months from his filing, the complainant may file
the complaint with the office of the fiscal or with the Ministry of Justice
for proper investigation and prosecution, if warranted.
Sec. 266. Arrest in connection with the election campaign. - No person
shall be arrested and/or detained at any time for any alleged offense
committed during and in connection with any election through any act
or language tending to support or oppose any candidate, political party
or coalition of political parties under or pursuant to any order of
whatever name or nature and by whomsoever issued except only upon
a warrant of arrest issued by a competent judge after all the
requirements of the Constitution shall have been strictly complied with.
If the offense charged is punishable under a presidential decree
whether originally or by amendment of a previous law, the death
penalty shall not be imposed upon the offender except where murder,
rape or arson is involved. In all cases, the penalty shall not be higher
than reclusion perpetua and the offender shall be entitled to

reasonable bail upon sufficient sureties to be granted speedily by the

competent court. Moreover, loss of the right of citizenship and
confiscation of property shall not be imposed.
Any officer or a person who shall violate any provision of this section
shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and
one (1) day nor more than twelve (12) years, with the accessory
penalties for election offenses. The provision of Section 267 of this
Code shall not apply to prosecution under this section.
Sec. 267. Prescription. - Election offenses shall prescribe after five
years from the date of their commission. If the discovery of the offense
be made in an election contest proceedings, the period of prescription
shall commence on the date on which the judgment in such
proceedings becomes final and executory.
Sec. 268. Jurisdiction of courts. - The regional trial court shall have the
exclusive original jurisdiction to try and decide any criminal action or
proceedings for violation of this Code, except those relating to the
offense of failure to register or failure to vote which shall be under the
jurisdiction of the metropolitan or municipal trial courts. From the
decision of the courts, appeal will lie as in other criminal cases.
Sec. 269. Preferential disposition of election offenses. - The
investigation and prosecution of cases involving violations of the
election laws shall be given preference and priority by the Commission
on Elections and prosecuting officials. Their investigation shall be
commenced without delay, and shall be resolved by the investigating
officer within five days from its submission for resolution. The courts
shall likewise give preference to election offenses over all other cases,
except petitions for writ of habeas corpus. Their trial shall likewise be
commenced without delay, and shall be conducted continuously until
terminated, and the case shall be decided within thirty days from its
submission
for
decision.
ARTICLE XXIII.
LEGAL FEES
Sec. 270. Collection of legal fees. - The Commission is hereby
authorized to collect fees as follows:
(a) For furnishing certified transcript of records or copies of any
record, decision or ruling or entry of which any person is entitled to
demand and receive a copy, for every page P 2.00
(b) For every certificate or writ or process 10.00
(c) For each certificate not on process 2.00
(d) In appropriate cases, for filing a second and succeeding motions for
reconsideration 50.00
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(e) For every search of any record of more than one year's standing
and reading the same 10.00
Sec. 271. Payment of Fees. - The fees mentioned in the preceding
section shall be paid to the cashier of the Commission who shall in all
cases issue a receipt for the same and shall enter the amount received
upon his book specifying the date when received, the fee, and the
person from whom received. The cashier shall immediately report such
payment
to
the
Commission.
ARTICLE XXIV.
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Sec. 272. Pending actions. - Pending actions and causes of action
arising before the effectivity of this Code shall be governed by the laws
then in force.
Sec. 273. Designation of certain pre-election acts immediately after the
approval of this Code. - If it should no longer be reasonably possible to
observe the periods and dates herein prescribed for certain preelection acts in the election immediately following the approval of this
Code, the Commission shall fix other periods in order to ensure that
voters shall not be deprived of their right of suffrage.
Sec. 274. Accreditation of dominant opposition party. - For purposes of
the next local elections in 1986 and the next presidential elections in
1987 or earlier, the dominant opposition party shall be that political
party, group or organization or coalition of major national or regional
political parties opposed to the majority party which has the capability
to wage a bona fide nationwide campaign as shown by the extent of its
organization and the number of Members of Parliament affiliated with
it: Provided, however, That with specific reference to the next local
elections in constituencies which are represented in the Batasang
Pambansa by Members who do not belong either to the majority party
or to the political party or coalition of political parties described above,
the representatives of the opposition in the board of election
inspectors, board of canvassers or other similar bodies shall be
proposed exclusively by the party to which said Member of the
Batasang Pambansa belong: Provided, however, That it is registered
before the next local elections.
Any political party, group or organization or coalition of political parties
seeking accreditation under this section shall file a verified petition
with the Commission on Elections stating therein such information as
may be necessary to enable the Commission to determine the
qualifications for accreditation in accordance with the standard herein
provided.

The Commission on Elections shall accredit the dominant opposition

party not later than thirty days before the campaign period in every
election.
In case a presidential election is held before the next local elections or
before the presidential election in 1987, the provisions of the
Constitution shall be enforced in determining which shall be the
dominant opposition party for purposes of the next local elections.
Sec. 275. Party representatives in the board of election inspectors. Until such time as the two accredited political parties are determined in
accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the two members
shall each be proposed by the ruling party and the dominant opposition
party as may be determined by the Commission pursuant to the
provisions of this Code.
Sec. 276. Appropriations, and insurance for board of electioninspectors.
- The cost of holding the next local elections provided in this Code shall
be funded out of the current appropriations of the Commission on
Elections provided for this purpose. In case of deficiency, additional
funding may be provided out of the special activities fund intended for
special priority activities authorized in the General Appropriations Act.
The chairman and the poll clerk of the board of election inspectors shall
receive per diem at the rate of one hundred pesos on election day and
fifty pesos on each of the registration and revision days. The inspectors
of the political parties shall be granted a per diem of fifty pesos on
election day and twenty-five pesos on each of the registration and
revision days. Education support personnel of the Ministry of Education,
Culture and Sports shall receive a per diem of twenty-five pesos during
election day.
Supervisors, principals and other administrators of the Ministry of
Education, Culture and Sports who may be asked by the Commission,
and actually report, for supervisory assignment during registration and
election day shall be entitled to a per diem of fifty pesos.
The provincial, city and municipal treasurers shall receive per diem at
the rate of one hundred pesos on election day.
Payments of per diems under this section shall be made within
seventy-two hours after the election or registration day.
The chairman, poll clerk and party representatives in the board of
election inspectors shall be insured with the government Service
Insurance System at fifty thousand pesos each under terms and
conditions that shall be agreed upon by the Chairman of the
Commission, the Ministries of the Budget, and the Minister of
Education, Culture and Sports.
Sec. 277. Special election for President before 1987. - In case a
vacancy in the Office of the President occurs before the presidential

election in 1987, the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa shall act as

President until a President and a Vice-President or either of them shall
have been elected and shall have qualified. Their term of office shall
commence at noon of the tenth day following their proclamation, and
shall end at noon on the thirtieth day of June of the sixth year
thereafter.
The Acting President may not declare martial law or suspend the
privilege of the writ of habeas corpus without the prior consent of at
least a majority of all the Members of the Batasang Pambansa, or issue
any decree, order or letter of instructions while the lawmaking power
of the President is in force. He shall be deemed automatically on leave
and the Speaker Pro-Tempore shall act as Speaker. While acting as
President, the Speaker may not be removed. He shall not be eligible for
election in the immediately succeeding election for President and VicePresident.
The Batasang Pambansa shall, at ten o'clock in the morning of the third
day after the vacancy occurs, convene in accordance with its rules
without need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for a
special election to elect a President and a Vice-president to be held not
earlier than forty-five days nor later than sixty days from the time of
such call. The bill calling such special election shall be deemed certified
under paragraph (2), Section 19, Article VIII of the Constitution and
shall become law upon its approval on third reading by the Batasang
Pambansa. Appropriations for the special election shall be charged
against any current appropriations and shall be exempt from the
requirements of paragraph (4), Section 16 of Article VIII of the
Constitution. As provided in the third paragraph, Section 9 of Article
VII thereof, the convening of the Batasang Pambansa cannot be
suspended nor the special election postponed. No special election shall
be called if the vacancy occurs within seventy days before the date of
the presidential election of 1987.
Appointments extended by the Acting President shall remain effective,
unless revoked by the newly elected President within ninety days from
his assumption of office.
Sec. 278. Special election to fill existing vacancies in the Batasang
Pambansa. - The election of Members to fill existing vacancies in the
Batasang Pambansa shall be held simultaneously with the next local
election in 1986 or in the next special national election for President
and Vice-President if one is held earlier.
Sec. 279. Elective officials in existing sub-provinces. - The election of
elective public officials in existing sub-provinces shall likewise be held
simultaneously with the next local elections of 1986 and 1990 in
accordance with their respective charters, subject to the same term,

qualifications, manner of election and resolution of election

controversies as are herein provided for comparable provincial elective
officials.
ARTICLE XXV.
FINAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 280. Reorganization of the Commission on Elections. - In order to
promote maximum efficiency in carrying out its constitutional duty to
insure free, orderly and honest elections and in discharging its judicial
powers and functions under the Constitution, the Commission is hereby
authorized to reorganize its office within twelve months after the first
election to be held under this Code. It may create, merge, or abolish
departments, offices, divisions or units, redistribute functions and
reassign personnel, change designations of existing positions subject
to pertinent existing laws and regulations. It may recommend the
levels and rates of salaries of its subordinate officials and employees
subject to the laws and regulations on civil service and compensation,
position classification and standardization of salaries: Provided, That
no permanent official or employee already in the service of the
Commission, upon approval of this Code, shall be laid off, or demoted in
rank or salary.
Sec. 281. Separability clause. - If for any reason any section or
provision of this Code, or any portion thereof, or the application of such
section, provision or portion to any person, group or circumstance is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Code or the
application of such section, provision or portion thereof to other
persons, groups or circumstances shall not be affected by such
declaration.
Sec. 282. Repealing clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1296, otherwise
known as The 1978 Election Code, as amended, is hereby repealed. All
other election laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Code are hereby
repealed, except Presidential Decree No. 1618 and Batas Pambansa
Blg. 20 governing the election of the members of the Sangguniang
Pampook of Regions IX and XII.
Sec. 283. Effectivity. - This Code shall take effect upon its approval.

Back to Top

Approved: December 3, 1985

- Back to Main Index - Election Laws of the Philippines - Back to Home
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CLGP Retreat
PERSONAL INTEGRITY FOR PUBLIC LEADERSHIP
March 8, 2016, Heritage Hotel
With Fr. Albert E. Alejo, SJ
Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University
Time
08:30 am

Activity/ Session
Session 1: Introduction to Retreat for Busy Public
Officials
Session 2: Personal Integrity in Public Leadership:
A Guided Reflection

10:15 am

Break

10:45 am

Session 3: Beyond Personal Integrity in Public

Health Leadership: A Guided Reflection

12:00 nn

Lunch

01:30 pm

Session 4: Small Group Sharing, Exchange of

Experiences and Insights

02:45 pm

Break

03:00 pm

Session 5: My Personal Credo: Articulating

Individual Expressions of
Commitment

04:00 pm

Closing Ecumenical Prayer

Participants Retreat
The City Leadership and Governance Program (CLGP) Participants Retreat with the
theme, Personal Integrity for Public Leadership was conducted on March 08, 2016 at
the Heritage Hotel. It was facilitated by Fr. Albert Alejo S.J. of the Loyola School of
Theoloy at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Highlights of the Activity
The retreat was opened by Ms. Melonie Tejol of the Development Academy of the
Philippines who welcomed all the attendees in the activity. She introduced each of
the CLGP teams coming from the following cities: (1) Cagayan de Oro City; (2)
Zamboanga City; (3) Batangas City; (4) Davao City; (5) Pasay City; (6) Cotabato
City; (7) Puerto Princesa City; and (8) Quezon City.
In order to prime them of the modules that will be delivered later on, she told them
that this retreat will be different from all the other retreats they have gone through
before. She emphasized the main objective of the retreat which is for the
participants to reflect on their leadership journey, their leadership challenges, and
to reaffirm their leadership commitment. This is an opportunity for them to be
reflect on a personal level of their experiences and motivations moving forward.
Ms. Tejol presented the schedule of sessions for the day. Three sessions will be
conducted in the morning while Sessions 4 and 5 will be conducted in the afternoon.
A mass will follow and everyone is invited. She then introduced members of the DAP
and Zuellig Family Foundation who will be with them during the retreat and lead
facilitator, Fr. Alejo who is a Jesuit priest, poet philosopher and a teacher of
anthropology and theology. He has also devoted his life in development work.
Session 1: Introduction to Retreat for Busy Public Officials
After the introductions, Session 1 took place. Fr. Alejo introduced himself. He said
that they should relax because although he is a priest, he will not give any sermons.
He also got to know the participants by asking them personal questions such as who
has the following traits or descriptions: high blood, eldest child, happy, sad,
vegetarian,
He said that we come in here with a lot baggage but this is a privileged moment. He
invited them to reflect with him. Reflection is a basic human requirement as if we do
not do it, our lives become garbled. We makes ourselves whole. He reiterated his
invitation by presenting some words of wisdom and thoughts of philosophers He
invited Invite to the habit of reflection can be done anywhere. Leaders thrive by
understanding who they are and what they value, following the habit of continuous
reflection. (Heroic Leadership).
He presented them an outline of how he intends the retreat to happen. He intends
to start images of retreat, call to personal integrity in public leadership, guided
reflection, small group sharing, joy of shared service. We make this place a holy
one, connecting what we are doing to the ones in the communities. There are so

many things happening in the country. Showing images of the flag, to inspire them
and set the tone for retreat.
primed them of what awaits them and gave quotes that could guide them in the
activities, showed the outline.
He started with the images of retreat to underscore its importance. He presented
the following images:
(1) high jump athlete (buwelo) who gains strength before making a high jump. (2)
visual artist (perspective) artist paints who sometimes takes a step back to see how
things in his painting interconnect and which parts are more important/less
important. (3) military strategist (reinforcement) who retreats while waiting for
reinforcement (4) business executive (inventory) who checks and counts
assets/stocks; (5) expert cook- pagtitimpla timpla who sometimes needs to taste
the food, even closing the eyes to defocus on one sense and sharpen the other
senses; (6) House cleaner sorter who finds heirloom but also finds things that
needs to be let go.
A retreat is a spiritual check-up. And our prayer is to be like those people who have
developed so much wisdom in their lives as some people who took the opportunity
to love, grow in wisdom, to determine important things in life, who can smile in the
pain, our prayer is that along the way, we will have a love that produces knowledge
to determine what is important. This is a chance to reflect and assert principled and
values.
Session 2: Personal Integrity in Public Leadership: A Guided Reflection
Fr. Alejo further introduced himself by sharing his background, how he got into
priesthood and his experiences in development work and public service. He said
that his main sadness is that after three decades of devoting his life, there are still
so many poor people. Hunger is disturbing, there is vast inequality. I put more than
30 years of my life with good intention. It is an invitation that it might not be
enough, that we should do more. The church and all our institutions are not doing
enough. But these things should not encourage cynicism but instead challenge us to
do something more!
In order to reflect on personal wholeness and understand what the value of integrity
and public service. He presented to them common meanings of integrity. He
compared integrity to honesty saying honesty is a good quality but not sufficient.
Honesty that does not demand equal honesty from others is not sufficient. It is not
enough that you are honest, if the rest of the society is not honest and you are
tolerating the dishonesty of others. Demand that others are equally honest.
Some of the important points in the integrity. Integrity is derived from integer
(whole number), wholeness as a person, a willingness not to violate ones identity.
Integrity is not what we profess in public but what we practice in secret, being able
to sleep at night. Integrity is good modeling that children will pick up. , choice
between what is convenient and what is right, I know what is right but not it is
impractical. I hope when your children think of integrity, I hope they think of you

and to live in a way Live in a way that if anyone would spread chismis of you, no
one would believe.
Session 3: Beyond Personal Integrity in Public Health Leadership: A
Guided Reflection
The next session was an invitation for the participants to go deeper. He quoted the
pope said one must purify the right intention, because nobody not even those who
discovered themselves called responds with complete integrity, the response is
always a mixture because we are all sinners. Our struggle for integrity is blessing
because it allows us to pursue and study ourselves, our being wounded also helps
us understand what other people are going through.
He then gave the following Reflection Questions:
1. Do you remember that moment when it became clear that you were going to
be a leader? A manager? Were you not also given a gift, a mission, a
challenge, a promise? Do you remember the moment when you were called?
That moment was so grace filled, that you were given a gift accompanied by
a threat and a promise that I will be with you. Do not be afraid, you will have
reinforcements. Who are you now?
2. How have I changed as a person since I took a public post? What do people
who really know me tell me about myself? (Iba ka na talaga! or Ikaw na
ikaw pa rin yung nakilala namin noon.) Decide whetehr than change is a
product of your own decision or you are carried away. It is good to treasure an
authentic, synthetic critic that will allow us to direct our paths.
3. What kind of joy do I experience in my work? Ano ang nagpapasaya sa
trabaho ko? How do I express it? How do I sustain it? Part of being a woman
with integrity is to be happy!
4. What are my fears in my public office? What are my insecurities? Mga takot?
To whom do I share my fears and insecurities? Kanino ko ito naibubukas? You
can learn and you can ask for help. There are people with insecurities, who
will be strict so their insecurities will not show. You ask for people who do not
reflect you but only further manifest your shortcomings. There should be
people to whom you can confide your problems/ insecurities.
5. Do I pray? How? Paano ako nagdadasal? How important is religious faith in
my personal life in my public service? And human beings we are, we do not
know the consequences of our decisions, it would be good to pause for a
while to let god be part of our decision.
6. I look at my house. What does my house say about me as a public servant?
My car? My recreation? My office? My gun?Yung mga pinapalamuti mo
sa paligid mo, magsasabi kung sino ka.
7. How do I improve myself? When was the last time I read a whole book?
What new skills have I learned the past year? What new ideas am I

developing? What do I do to help me make good analysis? How do I improve

my capacity to improve my decision, good analysis needs good data, do I
know where to find good data
8. What in my past gives me confidence in being who I am today? How do I
handle failure? Rejection? Blunder? Success? How have I treated my critics?
My enemies?
9. How do I feel about my body? My health? What is my form of relaxation? How
is my body related to my job as public servant? How can you be whole if your
body is decaying? Saludo ako sa mga leader na iniingatan ang katawan.
Vacation, diet, exercise. Some officials do not want to go because their
body is tired/mabigat.
10.How do I feel about my lifestyle? What does my lifestyle say about my
principles? About my priorities? How do I feel about the lifestyle of my family?
My spouse? My kids? My relatives? How does the lifestyle of my relatives and
friends affect my decisions as a public servant?
11.How do I look at gifts? How do I classify them? How am I affected by them? To
whom do I owe utang na loob?
12.How do I relate with WORDS? Sa taong may hiya, bawat salita ay
panunumpa. ---Kartilya ng Katipunan. As leaders we have to be careful with
words.
13.Do I believe that the Filipino way of life and thinking can support a scientific
culture? How familiar am I with the new technologies, especially information
technologies? Sad that there is not budget for science. Seaweeds as food for
disaster, allowance for science research
14.Does my office promote a culture of efficiency, transparency and service? Or
does it tolerate a culture of mediocrity, ambiguity, and exclusion in its design,
formulation, implementation monitoring, and evaluation of programs and
projects. How do I show appreciation for my peoples strength of character?
Was there a point when I took advantage of their weakness? For the poor? Do
I do benchmarking based on award-winning practices?
15.Who is my model in public leadership? What would really give meaning to my
life as a public servant? Will I become the model of integrity in my childrens
eyes? What do I really want to leave as my legacy?
16.How have I struggled to institutionalize the good things that I am doing? Do I
believe in strengthening institutions, or is everything centered on my direct
and personal acts of achievement? Are there good things in the previous
administration that I deliberately neglected? Do I have a personal vision for
my people? Is this vision aligned with their expressed needs and interests?
17.Do I think of death? How do I feel about death? What if death becomes part of
my work as public servant? How many decisions have I made because of fear

of death? kung di ko pa namatay hindi ko namalayan na binibigay mo sa amin

more precious gift, good name
Intangible forces that make the nation great primordial forces that make this
nation great!
Sometimes you just have to pick yourself up and carry on!
Session 4: Small Group Sharing, Exchange of Experiences and Insights
Next to integrity is discernment which knowing the difference between right and
almost right. , how safe is your moral software? Database. Road thickness, what
about my moral structure?
Territorial integrity - boundary where I can protect myself, beyond that I do not have
powers. Integrity of creation not just being whole but being part of a bigger of
whole. Not normally discussed because it is mystical you feel in harmony in the rest
of creation and you are filled with gratitude. You are not at peace with being a child
of the universe.
After the short sharing, the participants were asked to form six small groups to also
encourage interaction from members of the program other than CLGP city teams. In
these small groups, each one will be given the chance to share what struck them
the most or which part of the guided reflection or the sessions have resonated to
their hearts the most. About fifteen minutes were given to this part. Their individual
reflections sharing were recorded.
Once the small group sharing were done, the participants were tasked to come back
in plenary and if possible only share. Since not a lot of people were willing to share,
Fr. Albert just asked them to provide one word which summarizes their reflections.
The following words came out: steadfast, integrity, conviction, gratitude, public
servant, challenges, step back, change, transformation, and discernment. He then
ended the session encouraging them to reflect on these things that are meaningful
to them and to enrich peoples lives with your struggles and principles.
Session 5: My Personal Credo: Articulating Individual Expressions of
Commitment
In the last session Fr. Albert focused on the joy of shared integrity which answers
the call to service. He also shared an important passage in the bible, Healing of
paralytic Jesus heals paralytic Mark 2: 11 which to emphasize a lively faith that
brings service to the needy and brings leaders near to those who are far from the
centers of power/ opportunities/ margins.
He focused on how these can and even used the tagalog language to make it more
heartfelt and meaningful (1) Malapit sa nangangailangan our joy and faith gives us
the motivation near to those who are in need and expand our heart to reach the
fragments of society; (2) Magaling humanap ng paraan our joy and faith gives us
patience and creativity to make resources close to people who need them and
bridge the gap between needs and resources, margin and center; (3) Mapanghamon
sa estruktura our joy and faith that challenges structure but does not destroy it

and provides some amount of flexibility/ affirmative action and lastly (4) May
kasiyahan sa pagtutulungan our joy and faith should lead to shared joy, collective
achievement, a deeper meaning that looks after our own brother and sisters, friends
and strangers.
He ended. As an assignment he challenged them to write their own personal credo.
He asked them to reflect on what the meaning of joy of integrity and what life
means to them. and to remember what they have written as they continue their
journey in leadership.

Personal Sharing of the Different Small Groups

Group 1
Name

City

Mr.
Diosdado
Oro

Cotabat
o

What
struck you
the most?
Sin of
commission

Ms.
Miriam
Pineda

Quezon
City

Woundedne
ss

Ms. Rosie
Panganiba
n

Batang
as

To be an
instrument
to do what
is right.
Prinsipyo.

Dr. Ramon
Nery

CDO

Defining
moment ng
buhay mo:
may

Why?

Meron pala tayong ginagawang kasalanan, yung sin of

commission, yung walang ginagawa. Pag may nakita
akong mali, wala akong ginawa, mas malaki pala
kasalanan ko, na wala kang ginagawa. From then on,
naging aktibista ako to the point na ako yung nag
agitate ng driver's strike sa Cotabato. Natatakot mga
tao dun. Nadala ko ito hanggang sa pagwork ko sa
government. Di ako nasama sa korupsyon. Di ako
yumaman sa gobyerno. Mga walong (8) tao
napatanggal ko sa gobyerno, kumbaga naging
whistleblower ako. Dun ko nakita na natakot mga tao sa
akin. Kaya may may maling sistema sa auditing;
ginagamit lang sa mga kalaban, pag kaibigan di kita
iauudit, pag kalaban ka, iaudit ka. It became a devil's
tool.
[Woundedness] will make you stand, it will make you
strong. Eto yung everyday na nangyayari sa atin. Kahit
maliit lang na bagay parang ikaw ay nasaktan ibig
sabihin ikaw ay tinouch sa part na yan na ikaw ay
magising. Weather sa health, sa office, sa ego mo, nabypass sa office. These are small instances that they
are just small pero nakakagising, parang kinurot ka. I've
been through a lot of medical operations, yun gumising
sa akin na maging mas malapit [sa diyos]. In
everything I do, in small thing, na dumating sa akin.
Nagpapasalamat po ako. Ibinabalik ko po sa lahat.
Panindigan mo, buhayin mo. May instances nung
naging DepEd Supervisor. May teacher na pasaway,
laging absent. Dumating sa point na laging wala siya,
at di naiinform ang principal. Marami pong complaint sa
kanya. Sinama ko po sa superintendent dahil wala po
akong authority na tanggalin siya. Nakausap ko po
lahat ng magulang, na sa akin an yung evidence pero
di po tinanggal sa civil service. Ako po yung naging
instrumento na nagpatanggal sa serbisyo nung gurong
yon. Ako raw po yung unang district superintendent na
nagdrop ng guro. Yung principal ay ayaw magsign dahil
hindi nila ginagawa noon. Hindi ako strict, naniniwala
lang ako sa tama. Tama ba ang ginawa ko? Sabi sa
akin, hindi ako ang nagdesisyon, naging instrumento
lang ako sa kung ano ang tama. Bilang lider, mahirap
magdesisyon lalo na kung may maapektuhan sa
desisyon mo. Kailangan ng prinsipyo.
Dati duktor ng tao, ngayon duktor ng tao at ospital.
Marelate ko lang yung sinabi ni father, na yung defining
moment mo na inatas ng nakatataas. Mula sa isang
manggagamot ng tao, naging manggagamot [ako] ng
ospital. Dati nasa DOH ako, 25 years na po ako dun.
Tinawagan ako noon ng Prov Health Officer ng Misamis

kailangan
ipaglingkod
ayon sa
Diyos.

Ms. Che
dela
Victoria

Davao

Integrity
and
accountabil
ity
[demandin
g honesty
of others]

Mr. Cesar
Encinares

Pasay

Integrity

Ms. Rosie
Panganiba
n
Ms. Fe
Sumandal

Batang
as

Integrity

QC

Ms. Ofelia
Aguilar

PPC

The gift of
creation;
connection
natin sa
creator
Integrity
[demandin
g honesty
of others]

Oriental at dating governor ng Misamis Oriental.

Inuupgrade raw nila yung walong (8) hospitals nila.
Tatanggapin ko ba kasi ang alok lang nila sa akin:
"walang promise na financial gains, only the legacy of
the transformation". Malaki ang karamdaman ng mga
ospital. Tinanggap ko partly kasi dinamdam ko yung
ginawa sa akin sa DOH. Ako lang yung sa mga
napagpilian na may Civil Service Eligible. Nalipat po ako
sa Misamis Oriental. Nangarap kami na gamutin yung
mga ospital nila. Nangarap kami na maging model ang
Misamis Oriental sa pagkakaroon ng Hospital Network
System ng 2008. Nalipat po kami sa City Government
ng Cagayan de Oro dahil sa pulitika. Ginawa namin
yung nagawa namin sa Misamis Oriental provincial
hospitals sa Cagayan de Oro. Dahil sa pangarap na ito,
sa maniwala kayo sa hindi, libre po ang hospitalization
sa CDO. Naniwala kami na may direksyon ang buhay
namin; with the things we love to do, naging blessing
hospital namin.
Maraming pera ang gobyerno pero di umaabot sa mga
tao. Nasa veterinary office po ako. Once na pumupunta
ako sa indigenous areas, ang hirap talaga ng buhay
nila. Kapag lahat ng nasa gobyerno gagawin yung
serbisyo nila, mau-uplift natin buhay ng tao. Tulad
namin, pumupunta kami sa sa kanila, mga 4-5 hours,
tinuturuan namin ng livelihood programs. Ang
problema, may produce sila kaya lang di nila
matransport sa city. Pagbalik namin ganun pa rin
problema nila. Ang problema naman nila is kalsada.
Nawawalan sila ng gana mag produce. Pag ginawa ng
lahat ng mandate nila, gaganda ang buhay ng mga tao.
Kung minsan gusto mo rin gawin, kaso tied ka. Gusto
mo gumawa, kumilos, pero reality is philippine politics.
Mag-iingat ka lagi sa mga sinasabi mo kasi minsan
yung kausap mo, iba ang dating sa kanila. May
magpapatuloy ng programa, at maalis ang politics, mas
gaganda serbisyo nila.
Yung accountability ng mga task, nasa yo [bilang
opisyal ng LGU] [kapag sumalungat ka] ililipat ka sa
ibang destino.
Pag nagpapasalamat ka, may peace akong
nararamdaman. Dahil sa Elderly Program, natutunan ko
ang best practices sa pagkain ng iba-ibang klase ng
gulay. Para sa akin, malaking bagay na meron kang
peace. Enriching din na nakaattend ako [sa CLGP
retreat] at nagpapasaalmat rin ako.
Hardwork naging puhunan ko, pero kulang pa rin at
malalamangan ka ng ibang mas bago Labag sa
kalooban ko, na sumabay lang sa flow Natatamad na
ko kasi projects di natutuloy dahil lang sa pulitika
Narealize ko na di lang dapat honest, but demand
honesty

Group 2
Name

City

What
struck you
the most?
To add
more
integrity to
creation.

Why?

Dr.
Verdadez
Linga

Quezon
City

Ms.
Sweetie
Buenavent
ura

Quezon
City

In life, wag
magmadali.
Pag
naglalakad
ngmatulin,
pagmadapa
,
malalim

Thats what happened to me when I was still young.

Nagmamadali ako sa buhay ko noon. I graduated in a
good school and right after college, I decided to enter
in a convent. Nagmamadali akong magdesisyon noon.
But it took me 5 years to realize, I was planted in a
wrong soil. Sa sobra kong pagmamadali, nagkamali na
pala ako. Nong lumabas ako, doon ko narealize na
theres a calling for me to lead, hindi sa religious life,
kung hindi sa community. Dito ko nakita ang aking
pagiging leader and my responsibility to lead. Kung
hindi ako nagmadali noon, I should have gone a long
way instead of waiting for 5 years to realize my
calling.

Ms. Bing
Dela
Victoria

Davao
City

What kind
of joy do I
experience
in life?

I am single and soon to be 60 years old. But I find joy

in my work because the Planning Office is a
coordinating agency. We do not implement projects,
but I find joy as we are involved in the development
process. We go to the grassroots. Thats how I find
contentment and joy in my work. There is a sense of
belongingness. When you see that what you formulate
in papers are implemented and making a difference in
the grassroots level.

Ms. Nice
Bingona

CDO

On
leadership:
Kelan mo
nalaman na
may calling
ka to lead?

Even when I was still new in the City Health Office, my

supervisors saw my potentials already. Kapag may
mga activities, ako yong kinukuha. Up to this time, I
am thankful and blessed with these opportunities. If
you are a leader, there are a lot of problems and
challenges. Gaya ng position ko ngayon, supervising
midwives and nurses, maraming mga obstacles, but I
really have to do something and do it in the right way
so that as a leader, they will trust in me, that things
will be settled. And that I can help in confirming
decisions that will help management do what is
expected from the system. My motto is everything is
done for the best. Whatever happens, I offer it to God.
So I am asking His guidance that whatever decisions I
make, galling yan with the blessings of God.

In all my life, I have been very thankful and contented

for what God has given me. My motto in life I s
simplicity, simple in everything. Whatever I have now,
I pray to my God that I am so thankful. Whatever I
would like to have pa or any situation, I always leave it
to Him. Contentment is always here in my heart, but it
should jibe with the integrity of creation. I am already
contented for what I have now, (e.g. asawa, anak,
profession, cash, resources, etc), I already feel
complete. I hope I can add more integrity to creation.

Dr.
Josephine
Villafuerte

Davao
City

When did
you know
that you
are going
to be what
you are
now?

Noong una, ayokong maging doctor. Noong nag-aaral

pa lang ako, nag asawa ako at nanganak. I told my
father, ayokong maging doctor. Sabi nya, sige kung
ayaw mong maging doctor, maghirap ka. Kaya
nagpatuloy ako.At nong naging doctor ako, mahirap
pa rin talaga. I could have been in private practice
because I have a lot of experiences of doing 24-hours
duty. Ang hirap ng ganun. Kaya I applied in public
health. But when I worked as a Medical Officer, I was
asked to do beyond my tasks. I was assigned the tasks
by the City Health Officer because the CHO always
attended meetings. So even before becoming a CHO, I
already know the job. Kaya, when I was asked already
to be a CHO, tinanggihan ko 3 times. Ayoko kasing
maging CHO na alanganin sa mga bagay-bagay.
Because becoming a CHO is a great task and
responsibility. Nakatutok ang mga tao sa yo.
Kaya when I was already appointed as CHO,
nakakahiya sa appointing officer na hindi ako
magtrabaho. Kaya inayos ko ang dapat maayos. Kaya I
got 5 awards in 1 year. I still maintain talking to my
people, listening to them. Tinatanong ko nga sila, may
nagbago ba sa akin. And they told me, ganoon pa rin
daw ako, nalalapitan pa naman daw nila ako. I always
try to motivate them.
Wala naman na akong masyadong kailangan na. My
children are already finished. What I need to do now is
more time for public service. I find joy and fulfillment
in helping others, most especially the IPs. Thats why I
work with a lot of development programs and NGOs.

Dr.
Mannuel
Dubongco

Pasay
City

Kapag
pinanganak
ang bata,
ano ang
una nyang
kailangan?
Oxygen
return to
the basic.

Sa public health, matagal na rin ako. Noong nag aaral

ako sa medical school, sumulat din ako sa
mgamagulang ko kasi muntik naako bumagsak sa
calculus. Ayoko non kasi maganda yong academic
records ko. Pero bumalik pa rin ako sa UST kasi
nakonsencya ako. Sabi ko everything has a reason,
even if nahirapan ako sa isang subject, maganda
naman ang aking academic records kaya naging
subliminal inspiration sa akin yon para magpatuloy.
Nong pumasok ako sa public health, akala ko ganon
lang kadali. Konsu-kunsulta lang. Tapos nag-MPH ako.
At lumipat ako sa DOH. Hindi ko alam kung saan
pupunta. There is this uneasiness of youth. I also had
the chance to go to Africa and saw the actual situation
of people there. And it was there that I realized that I
was so blessed at lumawak ang pagtingin ko sa public
health. Iba talaga ang experiential learning at
nakatulong sa akin para maging malinaw ang
pananaw ko. Pag sinabi mong maging mabait ka sa
pasyente, hindi lang basta lip service. Dapat maging
pasyente ka o tumutok ka sa isang pasyente. Gaya sa
TB management, naging treatment partner ako sa
isang relative. Maiintindihan mo talaga yong pasyente.

You really need to put yourself into the shoes of the

patients.
Kaya ngayon na nasa Operations ako, pag may
pasaway na pasyente, iniintindi ko sila at kinakausap
talaga. Experience really is the best teacher.
Hindi man ako kasing kuntento gaya ni Dr. Linga,
pagnagdarasal ako, sinasabi ko sa Diyos, your will be
done. But help me to understand your will. Even if I
am a Catholic, I believe in reincarnation. From the
book, Conversation with God, each will be given a
chance. If during your existence, hindi ka naging
mabuti, babalik ka, you will still be given a second
chance, until sa ultimate perfection. I dont believe in
damnation in hell. Everybody is given the chance to
perfect yourself. I appreciate the other religions when I
was in Africa. Like in Buddhism, it is very simple, what
is good is good.
I can say that in my life, I may not be too contented
but I am already solved.

Mayor
Oscar
Moreno

CDO

I came from the private sector, 20 years from the

corporate world. My father was a rural doctor in
Mizamiz Oriental. He loved being a doctor and became
very popular. He involved all of us to assist him. In the
early 70s, he was instrumental in putting up a local
hospital. He never worked there because he
concentrated working in his own clinic. Pero later on,
napabayaan yong hospital. It was in that hospital that
he passed away, and he died in my arms. It was a
very traumatic experience. Nanghihinayang ako sa
hospital na yon.
Noong nakapasok ako sa gobyerno, una as
Congressman, yon na ang gusto kong ayusin. Pero
noong una that was in 1998, hindi pa pwedeng
humingi ng support sa devolved functions. Then I
became Governor in 2004, health became my priority.
Inayos ko yong 7 hospitals in the province, na-upgrade
ko lahat. We even received GalingPook award
because of that. May ginawa pa akong isang hospital
worth 100M, in partnership with OWWA.
Even in the city now, I am very biased with health.
Because of my traumatic experience, I became very
passionate in health programs, including education.

Dr. Ricardo
Panganiba
n

Puerto
Princes
a

Honesty
builds
Integrity

Be honest even if others are not, even if others will not

or even if others cannot. I can relate with that because
that is our motto in our brotherhood (Brotherhood of
Christian Businessmen and Professionals).
I agree with that statement of Father Bert. Hindi
pwedeng ikaw lang ang honest, pero yong iba hindi. It
is very important that everybody should embrace that
virtue of honesty.

Ms. Lydia

Puerto

You have

I am a social worker. I am an OIC, because my boss is

del Rosario

Princes
a

to step
backward,
in order to
move
forward
and go
farther to
your
goals.

in a floating status. But we still work together well.

Natuwa ako dahil kahit bago lang ako at assistant lang
ako, sinama ako ng boss ko dito sa CLGP. When I
received my appointment as OIC, nanginig ako kasi it
is a big responsibility. The first thing that I thought is
paano ko gagawin ang responsibility ko. Kaya I took
time to reflect what should be done. Hindi naman
pwedeng ipagpatuloy ko lang yong dating ginagawa
kasi alam ko namang may mga loopholes din. Kaya I
have to reflect and think of new strategies. I have to
consult and understand the staff and the people in my
work. Also, I also need to be simple and contented and
humble in life.

Group 3
Name

City

What
struck you
the most?

Why?

Ana
Pineda

Quezon
City

Stretched na pusa. Hindi pala siya cracks. Sign of old

age, ginawa niyang positive yung negative. Yung nasusustain, diretso yung takbo. Ikaw mismo, hindi mo
kayang isustain ang sarili mong energy. You have to reinvigorate. You have to make time for yourself and
emotionally. Para ma-sustain mo yung ginagawa mo
ngayon. Kung nasa peak ka ng career mo, may
tendency din talagang bumigay. Kailangan. Positive
yung feelings natin ngayon. We still need
reinforcements for the next years.

Rachel
Dilla

Cagaya
n de
Oro City

When I was in medical school, ako lang yung. May

brother ako with me, ang tawag niya sa akin Manang.
Lahat Manang ang tawag sa akin. Any problem, may
problem sila with their girlfriends dadaan yan sa kwarto
ko, mag knock. And we will talk about their problems.
There was one time, yung isa sa dorm was about to
commit suicide. Ang katok sa dorm ko at saka yung 4th
year law student na. ang sabi Manang can we talk?
So kinabahan ako. Kung ang lalaki, magsabi sa iyo ng
Can we talk? Very serious yun di ba. Ano nangyari? So I
was thinking bakit sa akin ako yung pinaka bata? Any
decision doon sa second floor nay un, parang lahat
dadaan sa akin. I really have to make decisions for
them, kahit yung damit nila when they will visit their
girlfriends. Consultant, parang ganun. Even sa mga
problems na very small and very big, like that
somebody who was about to commit suicide. We went
to the grandstand, mag jump. So I went there, talked to
the person. So that was the time. And to think I was
first year medicine.

Fe
Bongcas

Cagaya
n de
Oro City

For me, as what Fr. told us, the change that we had,
before I became a city health officer, I became too
busy. I really experienced what fr. Said some who I
have not ime. Everytime my friends would visit me,
feeling nila hard to reach na. But its really not that one.
Lessons learned ko, have time also for yourself for your
friends. Being busy is really not an excuse. You should
really manage your time so you will have time for your
family, your friends, your work. With our present setup. Too busy with public health and hospital. I really
have learned from Pr. Bert, time management. From
that level, reflect upon myself ang aking usual
activities. We should have the time for everything.

Daved
Aguado

Batanga
s City

Kayo ang strongest link naming sa LGU. Kayo ang

mukha naming sa LGU. From that statement po, yan
ang biggest challenge sa akin. Kasi nga po, bata pa.
Nasanay yung LGU na mga beterana po yung DOH
representatives na humaharap sa kanila. Malaking

challenge po kasi, sino si totoy na humaharap. Sa

Batangas City po kasi, pagpasok ko ang mga tao doon
ang tawag po sa akin ay Toy. Tapos ginamit ko na lang
po yung pagiging close ko, nagging Tita ko sa kanila.
Mas madali po yung approach na ganun. Nagamit ko
po yung pagiging bata ko in a way na hindi nila
napapansin. Unti unti na akong nagging. Yun po kasi
yung challenge sa akin yung haharap sa Mayor, Malaki
po kasing issue pag bata ka.
What struck me most is yung sabi ni Fr. Bert, yung
feedback. Yung negative and yung positive. Talaga
naman minsan pag nakakarinig tayo ng negative
feedback, parang ayaw natin. Giusto talaga natin
positive. Hindi lang pala yung positive feedback. Di ba
sabi niya you treasure both negative and positive
feedback. Kung minsan kasi sa akin, mas maganda na
itreasure yung mga positive feedback. But dapat pala
talaga pati negative. Yun yung natutunan ko, siguro
mas yung negative ite-treasure ko na feedback kasi
yun ang makakatulong sa to be more challenged in
life. Mas maiimprove mo yung personal life mo, yung
trabaho mo, yung ganito ka. Yung magsasabi sa iyo
yung mahal ka.

Digna
Salmasan

Davao
City

Liza
Madrazo

Davao
City

Yung what kind of joy do you experience in your. Kung

meron akong accomplishment or output. And the
challenge was when Mayor Duterte said, give me one
project where people will not forget me. Yung hindi nila
ako makakalimutan ng tao, sbai niya. Yung
development ng park. I conceptualized the peoples
park in davao city. And now, kami parin ang
nagmamaintain. Nung natapos yung park, andaming
pumupunta as far as the. May mga klakbay aral, it is
now one of the tourist destinations. Yung nakikita mo
yung trabaho mo na madaming nageenjoy. And now
its a challenge for me to creat more na mga area kaya
pinagaaralan namin sa Davao city yung green space,
idikit sa urban plan. Good that the mayor vetoed for it
kasi may mga coalition, siyempre kasama na din ako
dun, asking your opinion. Being the environmental
office, I really have to give my opinion. Siyempre kapag
wala ka binigay sasabihin naman ng media na you did
not stand for. Mga green spaces, pinaguusapan natin
climate change, mga ganyan. The city really needs
that. Kasi si Mayor Duterte yung type na magpropose
ka lang sa kanya, then justify it and he will give you the
approval. Yun ang nangyari sa park as well as other
beautification and projects naming sa environment.
Actually, agcooncentrate din kami saenergy. Para
another accomplishment na naman for the city, its not
for myself but thecity.

Zul Abas

Cotabat
o City

Nagstrik sa akin na lecture na Fr. Yung concept ng

success sa mga bata, hindi lang po sa bata, pati sa
youth, papasok sa school na nakasasakyan. Because
ang kabataan ngayon, yung concept nila ng success is
masyadong materialistic. Yung kabataan for example,

meron sila biningyan ng parents na gadget na

mamahalin, nakakadagdag yun sa kanilang personality.
Kahit hindi masyadong maganda performance nila
saschool .Basta may gadgetsila maganda tingin sa
knila ng kanilang mga kaklase. Pag tanungin m naman
parents bakit mo pinaaral sa ganitong prestigious na
school to be successful! O paglaki mo anak, magaral
ka dun para madaming pera, hindi tumutulong sa
kapwa. Pagka graduate ng school, successful high
school student successful college, hindi masyadong
focus sa spiritual aspect. Masyaodng materialistic. The
world is not the end all or be all.

Mona
Abarquez

Quezon
City

Ang biggest na nabanggit niya ulit ulit yung integrity.

Ang integiry kasi for me yung kaht walang nanonood
yung true, kahit walang nanoonood. Simple na
magtime in. Simple as that minsan pagaawayan pa ng
staff sa health center na mag time in-time out. Pera,
being a treasurer sa family. Minsan masaya ka na. Yung
masasabi ba ng anak mo iikaw ay truthful. Minsan
kabataan ngayon pag kausapin minsan nottelling the
truth. Pero kailangan may time ka. Being a good
leader, pagiging malapit sa Diyos. Records lang, if you
are true to the records. Para magawa mo yung tama,
malagyan mo ng aksyon. If you are not true to yourself,
mali mali ang data na binibigay mo, papakita moa ng
maganda. Hindi ka makakagawa ng tama. Hindi mo
maaksyunan. Pero pag nagsabi ng totoo, connect
connect nay an eh. Kung nagkamali ka sa isa, mali na
kasi magtatanong paano nangyari ito? Yung isa tumaas
pero ito mababa. DApat mas maganda yung meron
kang plan at masasabi mong totoo. Kaya para sa akin,
integrity pa rin ang being a good leader. Yung angnagano saken, kanina kasi puro integrity tas napunta sa
discernment. Lalong mas mahirap si discernment. Sa
akin, integrity as simple as guidance lang yan eh,
magsabi ka ng totoo. Kasi makakafind ng way, yang
trueto youtself kahit ikaw lang. Meron nanonood. Mas
madaming naonood sayo.

Beda Elot

Cagaya
n de
Oro City

Madaming discussion considering lahat naman very

busy. Taking astep back to see rflect to be able to
disern see things, for what you have. Kung minsan kasi
hindi natin naappreciate the things that we have! Kung
minsan kasi hindi natin madaminila.

Maricel
Casino

Cagaya
n de
Oro City

What sruck me most sa discussion. Madami but I think

what struck me the most is yung integrity. My father is
a public servant and for 30 years nagretire siya lumaki
na government employee, nagmamadali sa umaga
tapos simple buhay. While we were growing up,
siyempre ikaw yung bata, you have dreamsof a better
life. I remember, yun. There was this moment. Pero
hindi kamimayaman. Anong gusto mo? Kasi when you
are in government, napagusapan kanina. Pag pang
tuition mangngutang. I wont work in government. And
yet I am in government. I realize Im still young siguro

andun ka pa din sa mga crossroads. Might as well lead

the life, kahit walang nakatingin. Sa amin

Teddy
Saboga-a
Malou
Espaldon

Cagaya
n de
Oro City
Quezon
City

Maiksi lang yung sa akin. Lahat tumatak naman sa

akin. Naalala ko yung sa itlog, hindi mo naman talaga
siya mapapatayo kung wala siyang crack. Parang sa
leader, hindi naman din siya magsstand kung wala din
siyang experiences, hindii din siya nasaktan. Hindi din
siya magiging good leader kung wala din siyang
experiences na pangit na natake niya. Di ba nga sabi
niya, learn from your mistakes. Yung mga masasma
nating experience.

Group 4
Name

City

What struck you

the most?

Ms.
Josefina
Mendoza

Cotabato
City

Timpla ng buhay

Ms.
Zenaida
Soriano
Dr.
Rolando
Lilienthal
Bucoy

Davao
City

My scars are my stars.

Zamboan
ga City

The image of workers

in the government is
tarnished.

Dr. William
D.
Bernardo

Cagayan
de Oro
City

Atty. Percy
Salazar

Ms. Lolita
Yulo

Cagayan
de Oro
City

Puerto
Princesa

Live so that when your

children think of
integrity, they will think
of you.

Timpla ng buhay

Why?
Ms. Mendoza feels that she is still on a
journey towards a lot of things. The change in
her career brought changes in her life in
general. She learnt that it is not necessary to
just conform to what is there, rather, dance
and embrace the rhythm and trust that the
Lord will always be there in every step.
This is a very catchy line for Ms. Soriano. It
serves as an inspiration to never give up; to
use her scars as fuel to fire her up.
Once in a while, civil workers are tarnished by
numerous things. One erroneous deed from a
single person in the bureaucracy can make
the rest suffer. It is then a challenge to aspire
for good governance and transcend political
customs, to serve the people. Government
employees must use their experiences as
medals (inspiration) to transform the wrong
image of the government as a whole.
Dr. Bernardo has been moving around
different LGUs for the past two years. He was
asked by previous LCEs he has worked with to
do something that is not aligned with his
principles. Dr. Bernardo is firm with his values
and principles in life. Doing the right thing is
his way of living.
Given his experiences and constant struggle
to uphold and instill to others what he believe
is right, Dr. Bernardo finds himself still on a
retreat. He is still organizing his thoughtswhere exactly am I? Where am I headed to?
As for his work, Dr. Bernardo wants to see
tangible and concrete outputs that will make
an impact to people.
Atty. Salazar has been in the government for
more than 30 years. She followed her
parents, who were also in the government
service for a long time prior to their
retirement. Her parents are her role model.
Atty. Salazar shared the crisis in Cagayan de
Oro sometime in 2015 involving their local
chief executive. She was touched by her sons
post in Facebook defending the mayor, which
reads, I can testify that the mayor is good
because my mom is there. My mom really
sacrificed a lot for the government. The
mayor must be really good because my mom
transferred to that LGU.
There are times when Ms. Lolita feels
exhausted at work. No matter how hard she

works to help the people and the country, she

can only do so much. However, for every
instance that she thinks about quitting, she
would always think of the benefits of social
work as well as the numerous people who
need her help.

City

Ms. Lolita helps people in many more ways

than government work. She is a pastor in
church. She volunteers in other government
and non-government agencies. She is a
counselor for the youth. Ms. Lolita feels her
significance when someone is expecting her.
She got to know the Lord deeply thru social
work. In return, she is able to improve herself.
Ms. Lolita lives by the words in Ezekiel
Chapter 36. She had a close encounter with
God twice. Now, she values life much more
than before and inspires everyone to do so.

Ms. Malou
Bermudo

Davao
City

Integrity as a public
leader
Self-improvement
before retirement

Lastly, Ms. Lolita asked the group to always

do everything with love.
Ms. Bermudo has the following questions in
her mind:

I have been with the government for

35 years; do I leave a mark now that I
am near retirement?
Am I contented with the programs in
Davao?
Are the programs making an impact
to the people?

Ms. Bermudo has done a lot of programs but

she feels that there is still so much to do.
Something is still lacking. She believes that
she will be able to affirm the bearing of their
programs when people come to her and say
that, yes the programs have impact. Lastly,
she hopes that there will be people who will
assume the responsibilities after her
retirement.

Dr. Lucky
Rachela
Lego

Zamboan
ga City

Mr. Pedro

Pasay

When we open our

doors to our hearts or
souls, will we find a
medicine that is toxic
to us?

Similarly, Ms. Bermudo admits that she is

dependent on her staff, particularly on the
use of computer. She vows to improve herself
on this aspect so as to inspire other people to
always seek progress in life generally.
Learn to forgive and let go to remove the
toxins dwelling in our bodies.

Mr. Ignacio was in business prior to joining

the government. He was reluctant to work for

Ignacio

Dr. Peter
Hew
Curameng

City

Puerto
Princesa
City

the government as he sticks to the longstanding belief that the government is

corrupt.
Eventually, Mr. Ignacio was drawn to
government work. He does not regret this
decision. He finds himself improving
constantly since day one. Providing service to
people gives him a different kind of happiness
within. Mr. Ignacio still wants to improve the
picture that he is seeing; he wants the future
generation to live in a much better version of
surroundings and systems that we have now.
Bridging leader starts within. Advocacy starts
within. Change starts within and others will
follow.

Group 5
Name

City

What struck
you the most?

Why?

Maria
Alvarado

Pasay City

Caring ones body

as a public servant

I salute the public servants or leaders who

take care of their body despite the
tremendous tasks they are doing. This
challenges me to take care of my health so
that I can better serve the community.

Elizabeth
Angat

Pasay City

Sorting

During election, most of the winners who

spent much during campaign engaged in a
sort of corruption (binabawi ang ginastos).
But some winners, who are really committed
to serve, befriend with their opponents and
they focus on their tasks to serve their
constituents. I salute these people.

Rosanna
Carmelita
A. Barrion

Batangas
City

Its like an athlete

that needs to move
backward to have
more energy
(aatras para
makabuwelo)

Im planning to resign from my job for my

family after 26 years of service, but I need to
discern before deciding. Is my decision right?

Elsie
Callos

Quezon
City

Destroying ones
neighbor (Paninira
ng kapwa)

Everyone should treat ones neighbor fairly

and with justice. If one commits or promises
something, he/she needs to fulfill it.

Dr. Rodel
Agbulos

Zamboang
a City

Always think of the past to guide you to make

the right decision.

Isidro
Bonsa

Cagayan
de Oro

Its like an athlete

that needs to move
backward to have
more energy
(aatras para
makabuwelo) and
use of archer
Always busy

Dean
Pelarca

Puerto
Princesa

Integrity as public
servant

A real public servant fights for the right no

matter what and who will be affected.
(Pinaglalaban ang tama kahit sino mabangga
niya). As a head, I have a lot of
responsibilities and many of my subordinates
will not agree with my decisions; however, I
have to perform my duty as what my mother
did. My mother is my model and I hope I will
not stain her name during my term.

Tristan
Dwight P.

Davao City

Co-workers will be
affected by the

As a young administrator, it is a challenge for

me to do my job, to prove myself to those
who are older than me and had longer work

To be productive, I need to use my time

properly and to have quality time too with my
family.

Domingo

attitude of the
leader

experiences. I need to constantly learn to

upgrade my skills so that I will perform my
tasks well.

Ma.
Socorro A.
Rojas

Zamboang
a City

Swim with the

current but stand
with your principle

Doing things objectively. Doing right things

and decisions for the common good.

Roy
Ventura

Puerto
Princesa

Be honest even
though others are
not honest

I became a City Councilor from Barangay

Captain. The challenge for me is to be honest
despite the temptations as an elected official.
One of the greatest challenge Im facing as
an elected official is to provide the needs of
my constituents without using amount from
illegal activities.

Group 6
Name

City

What struck
you the most?

Why?

1. Lorna
Constanti
no

Quezon
City

I was struck with the concept of integrity

as a public servant despite the
challenges, i.e, politicking, in the office.
I rose from the ranks. I tried being good
to everyone pero di ako tanggap ng
grupo noong una. Ang position ko noon
ay section chief despite yung paninira ng
mga kasamahan ko sa akin sa boss
namin. Nagtrabaho pa rin ako. Noong
may leadership turnover at bago na ang
boss namin, nagulat ako nang makita ko
ang mga gamit ko na nasa ibaba na ng
table ko. Inalis mga gamit ko at utos daw
yon ng boss. Kinausap ko ang boss
namin na kahit saan na lang niya ako iassign gagawin ko basta may trabaho
ako. I accepted that as a challenge.
Pinagtawanan ako. Kahit na anong
paninira sa akin ng iba kong kasamahan
sa opisina sa aking boss, nagtrabaho pa
rin ako sa abot ng aking makakaya. Kahit
nung ini-assign ako sa isang programa
na wala akong experience. Pinatunayan
ko na kakayanin ko na worthy ako na
public servant. Kahit noong na-promote
ako, continuous pa rin ang paninira sa
akin pero napaniwala ko ang aking boss
na nagtratrabaho lang ako. Maganda
ang resulta ng pagpatakbo ko sa aming
program. At nakita niya yon sa akin.
Mula noon nagging masaya na
atmosphere sa office namin.

2. Malou
San Juan

Pasay City

I was struck with integrity. For me,

integrity is difficult to earn based on my
experience. Theres this incident when I
was tasked by my boss to be in-charge
of the whole office while she was on
leave. As officer-in-charge, I checked on
staff attendance. Lahat ng circle of
friends ng boss ay wala sa opisina. Isa sa
mga drivers ay may activity at yung
isang driver walang makasagot kung
nasaan siya. After a week of the
incident, nalaman ng boss naming na
nag-imbestiga ako. Dahil sa pagiimbestiga ko ay namura ako ng boss
namin. Di ko siya minura. Sinabihan din
ako na di ko na siya kakausapin. Di niya
ako kinausap ng isang taon pero patuloy
pa rin akong nagbibigay ng feedback sa
kanya kahit ganon ang sitwasyon. I

prayed na sana mawala na mental

torture sa akin dahil sa nangyari. After a
year, kinausap din niya ako. Mahirap iearn ang integrity and I stood by it.

3. Marina
Elena
Elepano

Batangas
City

I got struck with the concept of being a

leader and what is expected of me as
part of the CLGP team sa city. Base sa
experience ko, nakita ko ang malaking
role ko sa pagbaba ng maternal deaths
sa amin through the facility-based
delivery program namin.

4. Connie
Vasquez

Quezon
City

Im struck with integrity in the public

service.
Pareho kaming inaayawan ng kasama ko
sa office. From clerk, nagging personnel
officer ako. In-charge ako sa
pagcompute ng pasahod ng mga
emplyeyado sa opisina. Dahil sa nagcocompute ako based sa DTR at dahil
kulang sa attendance yung ibang staff,
binawasan ko sahod nila. Dahil sa
incident na yon, pinagsabihan ako ng
boss ko na wala daw akong karapatan
magbawas ng sahod ng tao. Tinanggal
ako sa position at inililipat ako sa ibang
trabaho. Nagreklamo ako at kinausap ko
ang pinakaboss. Ipinaliwanag ko ang
aking ginawa at ang aking karanasan, 8
years, sa ganoong trabaho.
Napatunayan ko na wala akong
kasalanan at naibalik ako sa position.

5. Sol
PaesteMosqued
a

Cagayan
de Oro
City

How I have changed as a public servant.

My mother got hospitalized for 8 days.
Araw-araw akong naghahanap ng pera
para pambayad sa hospital bill niya.
Promise ko sa sarili ko noon na kapag
malagpasan ko ang pagsubok na yun sa
aming pamilya, I will commit myself to
public service. At nalagpasan nga namin
yon. Kaya andito ako ngayon. Pero di
pala madali magserve sa public office.
Being a public servant is like embracing
the cracks of servanthood. Masasaktan
ka pag binibintangan public servants na
walang ginagawa kahit lahat ay ibinigay
mo na. Pero ngayon mas maganda
palang may karanasan, kahit may
cracks, basta alam mo na malinis ang
kunsensya mo at tapat ka sa serbisyo ay
nakakatuwa sa damdamin bilang tao.

6. Cathy
Garcia

Zamboan
ga City

Im struck about doing reflection on

whats important to us. Dahil kapag busy
sa work at may sarili ng pamilya we tend

to forget yung mga inportante sa atin,

our loved ones. Yung mga parents ko
nakaligtaan ko sila I realized. Kaya mula
noon, nagbibigay ako ng oras sa kanila
para maiparamdam ko kung gaano sila
ka-importante sa akin.

7. Jane
Bascar

Public service is really challenging.

Before I was with the private sector.
When I was invited sa LGU, I was eyed
for a certain post to fill-in. Dahil bago
ako sa public service, di ako suportado
ng mga kasamahan ko sa opisina. I had
a hard time getting their support
especially when the city was under
siege, may emergency crisis at
kailangan ko ng tulong from my staff.
Pero kinaya ko ang challenge na yon at
nairaos ko with the help of our leaders
until matapos ang problema naming.

8. Jocelyn
Torrecam
po

Cagayan
de Oro
City

Im struck with the challenge of fearing

death while serving the public. I had
breast cancer before and now cancer
free na ko pero tinanggap ko ang
malaking responsibility kahit sa present
na kalagayan ko dahil may opportunity
pa rin ako to serve and na-inspire ako sa
beauty of living na nakikita ko sa iba.
May full gratitude ako na nag-improve
ang birthing facilities namin.

9. Samuel
Escamis

Davao
City

Kung may integrity ka, makukuha mo

suporta ng tao sa kahit anong bagay.
I worked with Lumads long before I got
promoted sa work ko ngayon. Walang
masabi ang aking mga kasama dahil
kilala nila kung paano ako magtrabaho.
Malakas ang suporta nila sa akin.

10.Rosendo
Pantino

Pasay City

I got struck with the concept of

transformation and purpose in life. Dati
akong OFW at nang bumalik ako ng
bansa nagtrabaho ako sa LGU, I joined
the City Health Office. Noong una
complacent lang ako sa trabaho pero
noong na-expose na ako sa mga
programa at marami akong nakikilala,
natutunan at natutulungan dahil sa
programa ay nag-iba ako. Masaya pala
pag makita mo na marami kang
natutulungan at narerecognize ang
trabaho mo. Maraming salamat sa CLGP.

11.Lilibeth
Tioson

Pasay City

Integrity. Mahirap makuha ang integrity

at ng suporta ng tao kung wala kang

integrity.

Colloquium
City Leadership and Governance Program
COLLOQUIUM
March 9, 2016, Heritage Hotel
Time
12:30 PM
12:45 PM
01:00 PM

Activity/ Session
Registration
Processional March
Philippine Natiion
Anthem
Welcome Address
Opening Remarks
CLGP Journey
Public Narrative
Set 1

Panel Interaction

02:35 PM

Intermission

02:45 PM

Public Narrative
Set 2
Panel Interaction
Keynote Message

03:50 PM
04:05 PM

Awards and
Recognition
Ceremonial Turn
over
Closing Address

Harana ng Kasarilan
Magdalena L. Mendoza
Senior Vice President, DAP
Dr. Aristides C. Tan Director IV, Office for
Health Operations, DOH
CLGP Journey- Prof. Ernesto D. Garilao,
President ZFF
Davao City Atty. Tristan Dwight P.
Domingo, Assistant City Administrator,
Davao City
Pasay City Dr. Cesar Encinares, City
Health Officer, Pasay City
Puerto Princesa City Dr. Ricardo B.
Panganiban, City Health Officer, Puerto
Princesa City
Cotabato City Dr. Zul Qarneyn M. Abas,
City Health Officer, Cotabato City
Prof. Ernesto D. Garilao
President, ZFF
Dr. Aristides C. Tan
Director IV

Welcome Remarks Magdalena L. Mendoza, Senior Vice-President, DAP

Good afternoon everyone, list of names, Dr. Jeremy representative of Dr. Dayrit,
Mayors, expecting this afternoon City health officer let me acknowledge all
distinguished guests, on behalf of Tony Kalaw.
Allow me to welcome you to the colloquium which the
Honorable Mayor Oscar Moreno of Cagayan De Oro City. I think we are also
expecting this afternoon Mayor Herbert Bautista but right now let me acknowledge
the City Health Officer of Quezon City, Dr. Verdades P. Linga. We also have Atty.
Dwight Domingo, representative of Davao City Government; Dr. Cesar Encinares,
City Health Officer of Pasay City; Dr. Ricardo Panganiban, the City Health Officer
representing Puerto Princesa City; Atty. Victor Reginald B. Dimacuha, Chief of Staff
representing Batangas City and Mr. Dandan Juanang, City Administrator
representing Cotabato City. I was not able to mention everyone but let me
acknowledge all other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen attending this
forum, good afternoon.
On behalf of the DAP President, President Antonio D. Kalaw who is unable to be with
us today due to a prior commitment with the Career Executive Service Board
(CESB), please allow me to welcome all of you to the City Leadership and
Governance Program Colloquium for UNICEF and USAID cities, which the Academy,
as the CLGP academic partner organized together with the Zuellig Family
Foundation and the Department of Health.
This colloquium is the culmination of a one and a half year-long program consisting
of three modules with practical sessions in between, which is designed to empower
local health executives, the city health leadership team, and other officials to
become bridging leaders. I understand that the participating local health executives
have specially selected in recognition of their key leadership roles in addressing the
social determinants of health and in making health services work better for the
community, especially in the urban poor.
For most of you, it seems like only yesterday when you first came to start the first
module. Today, you are gathered here for the last time, not to endure another round
of lectures on leadership and health equity from your gurus, although I know you
wish to learn more from them, but to listen to each others leadership journeys in
transforming the local health systems in your respective cities. Very briefly, lets
look back at the highlights of the program.
In Module 1, you were introduced to the core concepts of urban health and bridging
leadership. You were tasked to form the City Leadership and Governance Health
teams and collect data. Module 2 was deepening your understanding of bridging
leadership through grounding and visioning, identification of healthy and inequity
issues, and implementation of city health action plans and after six months, you
reported your accomplishments in Module 3 and went on to refining your Filipino
loob and honing your adaptive skills.
Today we have a community of practice through the sharing of your leadership
journey, adaptive leadership challenges, and responses and achievements. I was

informed that to graduate from the program, the city health leadership teams will
be evaluated against some criteria such as standards of performance in improving
the health indicators, the level of module and practicum participation, and
demonstration of your leadership competencies. Actually, coming here, I saw the
scorecards and its very interesting. I would take a picture of these because this
year and the coming years, I think local government health units will be included in
the performance based bonus and we will recommend that these be considered in
the evaluation of your performance.
While there is a distinguished panel that will assess your presentations later, I heard
it is graduation time. Please allow the DAP to take this opportunity to congratulate
you and affirm you, all of you who have successfully completed the program, for
your steadfast participation, discipline, empathy and passion to reform and
innovate. We believe that your achievements will redound to better health and
satisfaction of your constituents.
Of course, we could not have done all this without the support of our program
donors, the USAID and UNICEF who value the investments to strengthen the local
health systems and build stronger partnerships towards better health and equitable
outcomes. Your support allowed the DOH, the ZFF and the DAP to co-create an
innovative response to the peculiar needs of highly urbanized cities. We also
express our deepest gratitude to the DOH and the ZFF for giving DAP the
opportunity to provide outreach, to assist in transforming dreams and aspirations of
our nation by honing the competencies of our local health executives in performing
leadership roles to fulfill their social responsibilities.
We sincerely hope that the seeds planted through this program will grow and bear
fruits with more bridging leaders for the good of everyone. Again, we welcome you
to this very momentous event and celebration of accomplishments. Thank you and
good afternoon.

Opening Remarks Dr. Aristides C. Tan Director IV, Office for Health
Operations, DOH
To our distinguished city mayors, particularly Mayor Oscar Moreno and Mayor Ma.
Isabel Climaco-Salazar, the city officials from the graduating cities, the distinguished
development partners like the USAID, UNICEF, DAP, and of course ZFF, the regional
directors of the DOH, colleagues in the government service, ladies and gentlemen, a
pleasant afternoon to each and every one.
After one year and a half of running the CLGP, we are now finally here, gathered to
celebrate the accomplishments and learn from the experiences of each of the eight
cities. While urbanization and development growth of cities maybe associated with
increased prosperity and good health at aggregate levels, the WHO points out that
urban population demonstrates the worlds most obvious health disparities. It is in
these cities where we can find the most glaring differences between the rich and
the poor inhabitants.
While cities can boast of the rich array of health and social services, in comparison
to those in the rural areas, access to services for the urban poor maybe limited by
the ability to pay for these services even in the context of free health services. It is
on this ground that we should remember that health is a basic human right and
therefore every Filipino must be entitled to access adequate and quality health
services regardless of the economic status. As such, the DOH salutes the eight cities
for taking bold steps in addressing the health inequities in your respective cities.
Today we will hear the stories of the eight cities, eight city leaders in serving the
different cities in the country. May we be inspired from your stories of leadership
and governance, of facing the health challenges head on and working hand in hand
to create a better health outcome, greater access to health services and improve
quality health services.
To everyone, thank you very much for the time. And once again, let us be reminded
that health is not and should never be the work of the health sector alone but it also
encompasses the work of the other sectors of our society to ensure better health
outcomes. Thank you also for the great partnership and together let us continue to
achieve better health outcomes for all Filipinos. Again, congratulations and a
blessed afternoon to all.

CLGP Journey- Prof. Ernesto D. Garilao, President ZFF

Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. Good afternoon. First let me recognize our
partners from the DOH, Director Tan and the Regional Directors; from the DAP, si Dr.
Mendoza; from the WHO, Dr. Lane; from our development partners in UNICEF, Dr.
Lotta and USAID, Dr. Brems and our leaders from the cities of Cagayan de Oro,
Mayor Moreno, Cotabato, Davao, Zamboanga, Mayor Beng, Puerto Princesa, Quezon
City, Pasay City, to everyone, here with us today, magandang hapon po sa inyong
lahat.
I think all of us in this room envisions a Philippines where the poor are able to gain
access to sustainable health care programs and services and then they get
improved health outcomes consistent with the goals of the SDGs. Maybe I can share
with you, as part of this journey, what we did in the Zuellig Family Foundation.
In 2009, we started working with Health for the Poor in rural areas by working
primarily with mayors and municipality officers from poor municipalities willing to
improve the health outcomes in their municipalities. Bakit local health leaders? Or
bakit mayors? We made the assumption that to improve health services and health
outcomes, and this is the hypothesis, it is faster to improve health services and
outcomes by transforming local health leaders or local chief executives to become
health champions than it is to empower the health voice of the poor or to greatly
improve the health services.
Kasi tatlong dimension yan, yung leader, health provider and yung community. The
assumption here is that if you turn around local chief executives to become health
champions, they will move the health system faster and they will bring with them
the poor community and strengthen the voice of the poor community. So, here
basically, you take a look at it, yung primary key is the responsive leadership and
governance. Kasi ang sinasabi natin kung meron kang responsive health leadership
and governance, especially LCEs becoming health champions, sila ang aayos ng
health services together with MHO. They are the ones increasing community
participation and eventually you will now have better health outcomes. Ano ang ibig
sabihin ng better health outcomes? Less mothers who die in that city. As an aside,
Director was not here, of Region 11, and I always tell him if Mayor Duterte says no
drug in the city or no drugs in the public places. Can you also ask him to say no
mothers will die in Davao City while giving birth? Cos if LCE mentions that or
addresses that, then that sets the policy in so far as the city is concerned. That is
the power of LCE.
The next one that I will show to you, these are from 72 poor municipalities in the
Philippines. We started working with them in 2008. Tignan mo yung green, take a
look at the maternal mortality, 200 yung MMR natin fluctuates between 260 to 182
MMR. But watch out, the green, mataas yung MMR but by the end of 2015, they
were really able to bring it down to about 99 coming from a high of around 408. And
that represents around 3 deaths coming from 50 LGUs in Samar who are very very
poor communities. But what enabled them to bring down maternal deaths? It was
really the mayor and the MHO. Because binantayan nila who are pregnant. They
saw to it that they go to the treatment facility. They saw to it that they have
prenatal care. They saw to it that if they are high risk that they go to a referral

(hospital). So that is the power of LCE. That once they say, I am supposed to take
care of my very poor and that I will provide services to the very poor, then you will
come up with better health services and better health outcomes.
So here, looking at it, we embarked on a partnership with the UNICE and USAID
together with DOH through the Bureau of Local Health Systems Development and
the WHO and the DAP as an academic partner for the CLGP, which is one and a half
years, that aims to support, promote and develop health leadership and governance
to strengthen the health systems and to address inequities related to MDGs and the
social determinants of health and to strengthen and sustain inter sectoral
partnership.
Let me just cite to you an example of health in cities, from time to time you will see
an outbreak, you will see civil disturbance in the city, nagra-riot ang mga tao. Bakit
sila nagra-riot? Often times there is a city demolition plan, pinapaalis sila sa
kanilang lugar and they band together to prevent the demolition. You dont see that
in health. You may have many maternal mortalities. You may have many infant
mortalities, you may have many cholera but they do not band together to be able to
address their needs. And because the public voice is not very strong, there is a
tendency not to take a look at those inequities. May inequity pero walang
umaangal. And therefore since walang umaangal, hindi na-aaddress. Because what
is being addressed are issues that have a loud public voice. Therefore when you
have issues with poor public voice, then you realize that unless you really go to it
the inequities will prevail. I think that is the challenge of this particular program.
First one is to establish the data, what is happening in the poor barangays and what
is happening in the non-poor barangays. And sometimes when you have that data
you will find out that by and large, the health indicators in poor barangays will be
not as good as in the non-poor barangays and once you see the data and I think this
is the purpose of why you are doing it. What is now the response of LCE? Anong
response ko eh hindi naman umaangal yung mga residents? Hindi naman sila
nagcocomplain. But you see the inequities. Therefore what is it in you and the city
leadership team that will make the response? Kahit hindi sila umaangal, kahit hindi
sila maingay, I have to move to address the inequities because that is the right
thing to do. And that is the essence of city leadership and governance.
I think here, this is Cotabato city, you take a look at it, you take a look at the data.
The more important thing is that you have the data and when you look at the data
and you see the discrepancies. And you see the inequities. What is asked of us is,
kung hindi tayo magrerespond, hindi iyan maaayos in the short term. The next slide
really just says, given this, this is addressing inequities, we took a look at what DAP
is doing with DOH and WHO, short course on urban and equity. We included the
leadership and governance program so that in the end you have a new program
called the city leadership and governance program for the participating cities.
The next slide really is a score card. One of the things that we found out here is that
if there is a scorecard, the chief executives do not like to see red. They are
extremely allergic to red. Bakit red yan? They always want to say, well, they want to
make it green. In here you have a situation where in if you see the different
indicators, then mababantayan mo ang dapat bantayan. You know Ive worked with

municipal mayors and they always tell me You know Ernie, gusto ko yung
scorecard Sir, bakit? Kasi one page lang yan, simple. Ikalawa, alam ko kung ano
yung red, at kung ano yung red makakatanong ako bakit tayo red dyan? And ano
ang pwede nating magawa to turn it into yellow or green? And what is my role as
mayor to be able to help you to turn that into green? This is the city assessment, for
the cities, you see the green. You take a look at Zamboanga City, you take a look at
Davao. You can see the difference di ba? May movement. Hindi na masyado yung
red, nagmomove na yung yellow sa greens. And I think that is the with reference to
the systems.
People are going to give, I just have two more points here. One is, you have to take
a look at the functional service delivery network. I think that is important because
you have a situation wherein the devolution really fragmentized the health system.
And as a mayor, some of the city mayors, ilan ang namatay sa ospital natin? 10
ilan ba dyan ang taga-city natin? 4 yung iba hindi taga sa atin. We will only
recognize 4, bahala na yung iba. Tinataboy na yung 6, kasi hind taga sa city. But
thats not a good thing. The city is normally catchment and unless you play roles in
addressing that problems in the areas, the same thing will continue.
And the other one is in terms of working with the poor, what is essential is really
energizing the barangay health systems. One of the things that is really coming out
is that if you work with the poor, you really have to do the barangay work. There is
no way you skip doing the barangay work because eventually that is the main
system. So we welcome the narratives of the mayors here. I think there is a lot to
learn from here and I think there is a lot to continue doing the work in the future.
One and a half years is not sufficient to stabilize the system. You need to be there to
be able to address it.
And again let me thank all the partners, UNICEF, USAID DOH, all of you for being
here today to celebrate what we have done and what we will do in the future.

Public Narrative Set 1.

Davao City Atty. Tristan Dwight P. Domingo, Assistant City Administrator,
Davao City
Good afternoon everyone. Maayong hapon sa tanan. Before I begin sharing to you
my relatively short journey in health leadership and governance, please know that
like you I am also wondering why of all people a young guy is doing this for a city as
big and proud as Davao. I secretly wish that I can say that it is me speaking here
today because of my undeniable good looks or that I am or I was a child prodigy
with exemplary scholastic records. Alas, the same is not the case. Between you and
me, I think this is me doing it for our city because I am the youngest of my coparticipants from Davao and they bullied me to do this today.
Seriously, I am honestly wondering why I am here. Despite my parents being life
long public servants, I never really dreamt of becoming one myself, much more stay
and work in Davao. I always envisioned myself working in some big shot company
here in Manila or outside the Philippines. But for my short journey in life, I learned
that you can only plan your life so much and that the world has a way of surprising
you with its harsh but meaningful realities. One such harsh reality was when my
father, who was a government lawyer, who worked tirelessly for forty or so years
died just days after I took the bar exams. I find it truly cruel for life not letting my
father see his handsome son without a lawyer pin. But such is life, it has a way of
knocking you back and bringing surprises.
My father was and is my idol. He was known to be uncompromising and at times
over strict in his ways as a public servant. But our whole family was truly amazed
that during his funeral, there were hundreds of people who mourned with us and
paid their respects to him. Even my big shot working uncles here in Manila cannot
believe how many went to the funeral to talk emphatically about how my father
made a difference in their real lives.
During his funeral, I realized that my father, the simple guy that he was. Someone
who did not work as some big shot guy here in Manila actually was still able to make
some difference in this world by being a public servant. Hence, I have made my
decision of abandoning my dreams of working outside our city and stayed with my
grieving mother instead and carry on my fathers legacy.
Since that day, I have always lived my life armed with the belief that I am on a
journey that God or this universe has long since planned. As a human being, I know
we are just along for this ride we call life. I also realize that it is our duty to make a
difference on the lives of as many people as possible, the same way my father did.
Thus, I have made it my lifes credo that though I am no child prodigy, everywhere
my journey takes me, I will do everything I can and to the best of my abilities so
when I die, so I would have equaled if not better my fathers life.
Looking back, I think my journey as a health leader started when I was a toddler my
father brought me to his office and at times to the courts. My mother also made
stay in the child minding center of the DSWD Region 11 office. Those experiences
make me very proud to stand here today and say that I am product of a public
health related facility and that I literally grew up of government offices. My early

beginnings, innocent experiences and first hand taste of public service during those
years molded me to become the public servant I am today. Because of it, even in
this relatively young age, I can say I have a good idea of public service and public
office are truly are.
The next part of my life which molded me as a leader was when my mother seeing
that I was starting to lose my way, exiled me to study college all the way to Baguio
City, a place where we had no known relatives nor I had friends. In college, I
practically grew up on my own. I learned to adapt, learned and learned more about
life and people in general. I became more observant on how to deal with different
people and most important of all, learn from each person I met. That is my most
important life lesson so far, learn from other people.
It was while working with our city health officer Dr. Joy Villafuerte that I learned that
there truly are a lot health problems in our society and we as public servants can do
so much more in improving it. Our social services development officer, Malou
Bermudo, who I first met when I was still a toddler in that child minding center I
mentioned taught me that health is not only physical health but mental and wellbeing as well. I learned from our Assistant city Agriculturist Ram Escanis that some
of our constituents in the city, like our farmers have long waited to be engaged by
the city government to help us to provide more nutritious food in the city. Dr. Che
Pinili, our city veterinarian taught me that while things may initially appear to have
no connection to human health do still affect it. Engr. Liza Madrazo taught me that
environment has a lot to do with human health. The DOH region 11 office RD
Dulama and his generous colleagues Maam Zeny, Doc Toti, and Roy Digna from our
city health office and Ding from city planning all showed me that by sharing ones
resources, time and, expertise a lot can be achieved by a team.
Of course, I could have learned these from other incidents or from other people but
for me, it was through this CLGP that everything made sense and fell into place. It
was truly inspiring to me that we as a team just casually decided in one of our early
meetings to meet at least once a week and try to build on what we have learned
from our first module. I find it refreshing that in the beginning some in the team
were as obsessed as I am in hoping to turn all those red health indicators to green.
Currently, we were able to manage the previously marked 13 red colored indicators
and lessen it to 9.
The crafting of the Davao Citys health service client survey form was one of the
earliest accomplishments of our team and is a strong testament of the convergence
of our ideas and efforts. The survey form we now are circulating in all our health
facilities contains at least one idea from all the members of our team. Also, as most
of my teammates are obsessed in establishing a city teen center to address
adolescent needs through the pooling of our offices already existing resources, we
have found a place to build it inside our citys peoples park. Currently, we are now
preparing its design and operational guidelines.
Our beloved city mayor, Rodrigo R. Duterte ironically trusted me, a young guy to
lead and administer with my seasoned and experienced teammates. I learned that a
leader doesnt necessarily mean that you should always be in the forefront. I
learned that you can sit back and listen to the people you are working with as surely

you will learn something from them. Throughout this CLGP course, it was
invigorating to know that despite me being a youngling, my old teammates still look
for me for ideas they admit they cannot or want to do, again like doing this
narrative today.
In the end, CLGP taught me that leadership is much about sharing as it is about
commanding. Despite our varying backgrounds, fields, experience and knowledge,
the team has consistently moved forward along the same path to addressing basic
health needs of the people in Davao. The convergence of our willingness and
dedication has led to us seamlessly working together to improve our citys current
health situation. As we continue to face health problems and those remaining and
maddening red health indicators, each of us in the team has pledged his/her
commitment to build on our CLGP experience by infusing health governance to all of
our departments programs. The teams primary goal right now is to infuse and let
our learnings here permeate to our fellow Davao City government employees for we
truly believe that despite differences in titles, as one we can achieve a lot of things.
Our training journey may have ended here today but mind you we will still regularly
meet together to improve the lives of as much people as we can. This training
course has truly enhanced our capabilities, helped us solidify our relationships and
gave us new insights on how to address the problems of our city. And for that, in
behalf of our beloved mayor we thank everyone responsible for this very meaningful
journey about leadership. I, together with my teammates truly learned a lot. Thank
you once again and congratulations too all of us. Good afternoon.

Public Narrative Set 1.

Pasay City Dr. Cesar Encinares, City Health Officer, Pasay City
Distinguished guests, fellow graduates, friends, when I finished high school,
becoming a physician was never in my horizon. I enrolled in an engineering course.
But fate intervened. I failed in a subject na drawing. Alam ninyo yung drawing? Wala
pa nung mga mechanical pen so it was really difficult for me. So, I shifted to another
course. When I told my father Pa, lilipat ako. His words, I will not forget, sabi niya
Blanko ka na nga sa engineer, mag doctor ka pa! His words were then my driving
force, and lo and behold forces nature conspired and guided me and then I became
a doctor.
I started my career in Pasay health as physician and was promoted to other
supervisory positions. When I was offered for the first time to become an OIC CHO,
I declined because I have other plans then. I wanted to go to the US. So yes, I am a
proud MD RN. I qualified as a nurse to work in the US. But there was visa
retrogression so it did not push through. I had another chance because I was being
petitioned by my father on a family petition. We were already then at the last
stretch. We have already paid for the visas and everything, we were just waiting for
the schedule of interview at the consular embassy. But my father died. So my
petition, our petitions died with him. But then I realized these two disappointments
were blessings in disguise.
Then I accepted the appointment to be the city health officer of Pasay. There were
issues on human resource for health, inadequate equipment, facilities, and
infrastructures. My learning birth was not easy. As a student of life, at least I have
the heart to all options. Public health became my career. Fortunately, almost all the
needed support came pouring in. My bosses, my coworkers provided me more than
enough. I was given all the leeway to go about. What did the LGU become in 2013?
The Mayor Antonino Calixto has already started the construction and reconstruction
of our health facilities. Before mga health centers namin one-storey affair, now
three or four storeys. He promised us that he will construct more health centers. We
have an almost complete human resource component. In fact, we are one of the
LGUs in Metro Manila which has a one is to one health center medical technologist
ratio. Support for the health workers is optimized by the full implementation of the
Magna Carta. However, were low, contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), low
exclusive breastfeed rare, low treatment success rate for TB and not very
impressive FIC accomplishment, among others. We started to focus on these small
but significant challenges since it is more practical and doable.
With the guidance of CLGP training course, the team was able to improve the above
mentioned output indicators. At the outset, an executive order was issued forming
the CLGP technical working group. A series of collaborative meetings were done in
order to do advocacy activities, interagency linkages, and consultations. In the city
health office itself, various capacity building activities were conducted in particular
the Reaching Every Barangay (REB) strategy was implemented as a means to
make services accessible to its targeted clientele.
With all these little successes, if our health outcomes are not desirable, we are
continually faced with challenging IMR, MMR, moreover we have an increasing

teenage pregnancy rate. Looking forward, the CLGP team plans to implement the
following: (1) to improve and sustain the service delivery network by actively
engaging, specifically the hospitals and other health facilities coupled with
improvements in logistics, services, and manpower component. Efficient system
must be sustained and provided support. Continuing dialogue, monitoring, and
evaluation must be institutionalized; (2) MIS must be proved and linked more
usable. Database must be valid and access to information must be simple and easy;
(3) Innovative, out the box, and cutting across approaches for programs
improvements such as Team Bayan, BROOM, Task Forces, Buntis Brigade, patient
advocates and dedicated counseling rooms measures and justify, personalize
information and advocacy activities shall be explored. With the learnings from CLGP
we can further improve the health status of our constituents through the delivery of
timely, appropriate and quality health services.
We are very grateful to our local executives for allowing us to attend this valuable
training course. On behalf of our beloved mayor, Mayor Antonino Calixto, allow us to
express our heartfelt gratitude to the ZFF, UNICEF, DOH, and DAP. The knowledge
learned and the wisdom gained shall not be wasted. Maraming Salamat po.

Public Narrative Set 1.

Puerto Princesa City Dr. Ricardo B. Panganiban, City Health Officer,
Puerto Princesa City
Buenas Tardes. Maayong Hapon. Good afternoon, everyone. Beyond maternal death,
water, sanitation challenges and other health issues, mas malaki pong nagging
problema sa aming office ang kalagayan ng leader. Ako po iyon, bilang acting City
Health Officer. Binigyan po ako ng pananagutan ng bigla bigla at walang sapat na
orientation o paglilipat ng mga gawain. Ang totoo po niyan, ang pag attend ko ng
CLGP Module 1 ay isang assignment o order na wala akong idea kung ano ang
pupuntahan ko. Para kang pumunta sa giyera na hindi mo alam sino ang kalaban.
Sa napakaraming programa ng city health, programmatic at walang clear direction,
at undefined objectives ang aming opinisa. Dahil ditto, complacent lang ang mga
tao.Walang masyadong involvement ang mga barangay officials at ang community
as a whole. At para naman sa aking mga kasamahan sa city health, napaka
uncertain ng mga susunod na mangyayari dahil sa walang kasiguruhan kung
tatanggapin ba ang pagiging city health officer. Parehas po kami ng kwento ng city
health officer ng Pasay, MD-RN din po ako, nasa interview na din po ako kaya hindi
ko naituloy. Medyo may reservations din ako dahil sa pag-approach sa aming mayor.
Kung titignan ko po ay may obstacle sa akin na sabihin sa kanya ang aming
kalagayan sa city health. Ang pakiramdam ko po noon, ang problemang
pangkasalugan ay kami lang ang may pananagutan at hindi kasali ang ibang
departments or offices. Sa madaling salita, sa amin lang talaga.
If you were born and you grew up in an island that is thousand in kilometers away
from Manila and the mainland, you will surely know that health related problems in
a place like that. Kaya ko po nasabi iyon kasi I was born Cuyo, Palawan at ganoon po
doon. You have to travel days by boat going to Manila or Puerto Princesa, sa
mainland. Imagine if you have have to refer a sick person, baka patay na ang
pasyente mo, hindi ka pa nakakarating sa pupuntahan mo which happens most of
the time.
Hindi po naman talaga doctor ang gusto ko noong bata pa ako. Actually ang gusto
ko po maging seaman dahil mahilig po akong maglaro ng bangka o hindi kaya
maging pilot. Ngunit nagging seaman din naman pala ako, seaman-gagamot nga
lang. Though my father is also a medical doctor, palibhasa hindi ko naman talaga
siya nakasama ng matagal, separate po kasi sila ng mother ko, kaya hindi po sigurp
ako masyadong nagka interes to really become a physician. Hindi ko na nga po
alam bakit ako nagkainteres maging doctor. Basta alam ko, after my HS, I took up
med technology sa UST as a preparatory to medicine proper and then ultimately
became a medical doctor. Basta naalala ko lang pag tinatanong ako bakit ko
gustong maging doctor? Alam ninyo ano ang sagot, di ba? Para makatulong sa
kapwa. Yun lang. Totoo kaya yun?
Well, anyway, after passing the board exam, bumalik na ho ako sa Puerto Princesa. I
applied as a doctor in one of the satellite health centers. Ito po yung nasa far-flung
barangays. Then later on, nalipat na ako sa aming health center, then promotion
nagging assistant city health and then ultimately nagong city health officer po ako,
around a year ago. The CLGP, well, it was passed on to me by my predecessor

habang nag-eendorse siya sa akin. May binigay siyang isang manual. Ang tanong ko
sa kanya, Ano ito? Ang sagot niya sa akin, basta wala iyan. Kulay kulay lang. Yun
ang naaalala ko. Sa grupo naming sa city government, kanya kanyang department.
Kanya kanyang trabaho, nagkikita kapag may meeting na pinapatawag si mayor.
Bagaman maayos ang aming working relationship, it remains business. Ganun lang.
Walang masyadong bonding. Trabaho lang. Walang personalan. Walang mahabang
talakayan o usapan pagkatapos.
Pagkatapos ng pag-attend naming ng Module 1, mas open, friendly at personalized
na ang approach naming sa team members. Pinaguusapan namin ang mga
challenges ng city health at ganun din ng kanilang department. Tapos kung pwede,
pinagsasama sama naming ang aming resources. Since hindi naman lahat ng
kasamahan naming sa city health ay whole hearted sa trabaho, mas naging mahaba
ang patience and tolerance ko. Kumbaga sa bridging leadership, may iba na
gustong sa ilalim ng tulay dumaan, hindi sa tulay mismo. So I called their attention
at hindi lang yun, mas madalas para madama nila na I do t look at them, kailangan
silang kumilos.
Nung nabuo yung road map, pinadama sa amin na in one way or another, lahat
kami ay bahagi ng problema. Dapat may share din kami sa pag solve nito. Narealzie
ng bawat isa na ang ang health problem ay hindi lang ang actual na pagkakasakit
ng bawat tao kung hindi ito ay dahilan sa mas madaming factor, na beyond sa
kakayahan at pananagutan ng city health. Yun ang tinatawag nating social
determinants for health.
Noong unang makita ni mayor na madami pa palang kulang sa city health, para
mas mapabuti an gaming serbisyo, agad agad pagktapos ng LHP meeting. Kinausap
niya si kagawad Roy, kasama din naming siya ngayon at tinanong kung anong
legislations ang kailangan para maayos. Tulad ng pag-create ng six new positions
for medical officers, 20 midwives, 4 medical technologists at city health statistician,
all in all 31 plantilla positions ang nacreate. Kaya pag-prepare namin budget plan
sinama agad naming ang salaries at other benefits ng additional personnel.
Isang malaking pagbabago din ang ginawa ng team naming sa budget defense. Dati
ay parang laging nagmamakaawa ang city health sa finance committee para sa
budget nito. Nagbago kami ng strategy. Since alam naming hindi nila makukuha ang
punto ng aming pangagailangan sa city health, pinakita namin sa kanila ang
financial perspective. Una pinakita naming kung magkano ang nawala or kalugihan
ng city government for the past five years, which lands into millions. Nagulat sila,
paano daw nangyari iyon, sabi namin dahil hindi PHIC accredited ang 7 satellite
clinics and iba pang health facilities. Sila ang nagtanong kung ano kailangan para
ma-accredit lahat. Doon naming nilatag ang lahat ng kailangan. Ngunit higit pa ang
nangyari sa inaasahan namin kasi naconsider nila ang proposal naming na bagong
city health medical complex. At agad binigyan ng easel fund na 10 million for the
first phase. Binigyan kami ng more than a hectare na lote na pagtatayuan na
adjacent doon sa city health. Mula noon, mas madalas ang consultation ng team
kasama si mayor at doon ko narealize na hindi pala naming dapat solohin ang
problema. May kakampi at kasama pala ako sa paglutas nito.

Nakita ko din na complementing the team. Kung ano ang mga katangian at
resources na wala ako at meron sila, mas handa kaming magshare at magbigay. The
needs of the poor are now objectively identified and prioritized. Hindi katulad ng
dati na kung sino lang ang lalapit, yun lang ang mapagbibigyan. Sa ngayon
tinitignan ang bawat isa ayon sa kanyang kalagayan at pangangailangan. Nung
nalaman naming ang inequity ng tatlong poorest barangays, nagsagawa kami ng
consultative meetings ng barangay officials. Pinaaalam namin na nandoon kami
para tulungan sila sa kanilang mga health needs pero hiningi din naming ang
kanilang commitment para maabot ang mga improvements. Doon naming tinatag
ang partnership with the leaders in the community. At hindi iyon natapos sa
meeting lang, binalikan naming sila para matiyak kung may ginawa talaga at
natuwa kami na possible pala talaga na maabot ang mga nangangailangan kung
gugustuhin. There is no place too far reach when it is close to your heart. Tatlo pa
lamang sila ang we have 63 barangays more to go. Dahil sa usaping
pangkasalugan, dapat walang naiiwan.
Kung dati walang focus and direction, ngayon ang mga kayang gawin at bigyan ng
solusyon ginagawa ng hindi nagtuturuan. Sabi nga ni mayor, hindi bukas kundi
ngayon. Nagsisimula pa lang kami. Dumadaan kami sa birth pains pero mas handa
na kaming harapin at tugunan ang mga health challenges ng Puerto Princesa. Ang
goal ng health leadership team ay makuha ang suporta ng aming mga kasamahan
sa city government at pati ang mga opisyal ng barangays sa mga pagbabagong
kailangang gawin sa health system.
Sana mapadami pa naming ang mga health leaders na hindi lamang totoong
maglingkod kung hindi, laging handing maglingkod. In closing, I would like to thank
everybody. I guess Im not really a very good leader, it was just fortunate that I have
good people around me. At saka siyempre, puso at karisma baka meron ako noon.
And finally I would like to thank the DOH, UNICEF, USAID, DAP and of course the ZFF
family especially Mr. Jess Cresencio. Thank you and good afternoon.

Public Narrative Set 1.

Cotabato City Dr. Zul Qarneyn M. Abas, City Health Officer, Cotabato City
Salamalaikum. Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. The martial law year 1973
saw one of the bloodiest conflicts in Mindanao and incidentally the year I was born.
It was the year Mindanao, especially Maguidanao, was thrown into a miserable
condition that almost came towards oblivion. At the age of six, I have not known any
permanent residence for we used to move from one place to another hoping to find
refuge and safety from the on-going turmoil that well extended to my elementary
years.
It was only at the age of 7 that I came to a place I call home but it was far from the
place of my birth. Even then we were not able to escape the fear that gripped our
community. Our home bordered on the suburbs of the city and we could hear
skirmishes in the nearby areas. At times, rebels would pass by our house at night
and by day soldiers would pass. Our fledging community consisted only of 3-5
houses some as far as 500 kilometers away.
Life was simple then but it was also hard then. We experienced having to eat only
rice with no ulam, rice with tuyo, rice with salt, rice with oil or rice with milkmaid or
liberty. Our lives those years were these: happiness interspersed with fear,
contentment interspersed with poverty, and hopelessness interspersed with hope.
The scars of those years are still evident with our size, my size. For I and my siblings
have been called to be thin and small from childhood to adulthood. Thus, growing
up in a neighborhood of poor families with ours included and experiencing what it
feels like to be poor. I was intent on finishing my studies and if possible becoming a
doctor.
With the grace of our god, I was admitted to medical school in the West Visayas
State University. I was fortunate indeed but then my studies were also marked with
sacrifice and perseverance, not only of the student that was me but also of my
parents that had not so modest income but nonetheless strived to see their four
children go to college and even beyond. When I graduated from medical school, I
was well equipped with rich experiences in life and with a dedication to help,
especially the poor. This latter value maybe clich for many of us but for me it is a
value deeply entrenched. And so I became a doctor of medicine working for the
public.
One of the struggles we at the office on health services faced was when we had to
contend with our boss who thinks highly of himself, made plans for the office only
by himself and rarely if ever considers the opinions of the personnel of our office.
The consequence of such an attitude was disastrous not only for the programs of
the office but for the personnel as well. At first, we were not able to deal with it for a
long time for seemingly he banked on the fact that he was appointed by the city
mayor himself. But later, we were able to rally and unite our personnel. We chose a
champion in the person of our present city administrator to present our case to the
city mayor. Andoon po kaming lahat. And then the city mayor heeded our call to
have the number one deterrent be replaced. And so I was sworn in as acting city
health officer. Incidentally, that was also the time we embarked on the bridging
leadership process.

Being the city health officer was a tough job because the office was then in a state
of disorder and lethargy. The health indicators were at an on all-time low. Many of
the health workers were not motivated and some are characterized as being
stubborn. The office was not well organized. There were then few collaboration with
the barangays. And there were only limited engagement with stakeholders. The
attitude of the barangay leaders with regard to health programs compounded the
problem. Many did not include health in their annual plans and some did not allot
adequate budget.
The challenge then was humongous. The steps we did in the city health team were
very instrumental to the transformation of the office. We established the clustered
barangay health centers through an executive order issued by the city mayor. We
assigned a doctor, a nurse and several midwives for each cluster. We built BEMONC
facilities in each cluster while the city LGU provided equipment. Thus, we were able
to decentralize the system and bring the services closer to the people, especially
the indigent ones. We were able to better supervise and monitor our PhilHealth
personnel through the clustering. We developed new systems such as regular Friday
staff meetings and monthly data quality checks.
We developed barangay road maps in addition to the city health roadmap. We
conducted the health leadership and management program for the doctors and
nurses and thus download the concept of bridging leadership to them. We instituted
various programs for the barangay LGU executives. We attended their annual
planning workshops and appealed for inclusion of health activities in their annual
plans. We also conducted the barangay health leadership and management
workshop. Thus, we were able to make the barangay chairpersons to co-own
problems and plan solutions to address them. I remember one barangay captain
saying Naiinis ako. Then tinanong ko siya, Bakit? And he answered Naiinis ako
sa sarili ko. Dapat matagal ko ng alam ito. And sana nasolusyunan ko agad.
We were also able to develop relationships with NGOs and INGOs. An example of
this is the community management for acute malnutrition with UNICEF. We were
able to at least bring malnutrition down. Other engagements with NGOs include
those with Mindanao Health, USAID, and others. We conducted the City Health
Summit last year in which we presented the health situation of the city and
appealed for support to the stakeholders.
So where are we now? Now, we find ourselves in a status where with the will of god
we were able to transform what was otherwise a not so well office into a healthy
office on health services. Now our health indicators especially those at the health
service delivery section greatly improved. We were able to construct and plan
construction of facilities like nutrition centers, social and teen. Medicines are now
available in all the barangays. Transportation for health emergencies are now
readily available in all barangays. The cooperation among the heads of the LGU has
improved significantly, most especially the members of the city leadership team.
For instance, there was a problem in the construction of a health station in one
barangay. The members of the CHLT, notably the city planning officer, and Maam Jo
Mendoza from the project office were very keen in following up on the status of the
said project.

We now enjoy a harmonious relationship with our city mayor and we can now air our
grievances and suggestions, problems to him as he now himself attends local health
meetings. Perhaps more significantly, we were able to bridge the gap between the
rich and the poor barangays in most of the identified health inequities. These
challenges are but a reflection of the changes in attitudes of the city health
leadership, particularly the city health mayor and city leadership team.
Perseverance, dedication, patience, camaraderie, cooperation and collaboration are
words that now have deeper meaning. Nonetheless, there are still marks on the
road map that need to be changed, schemes to be improved, systems to be
changed, legislations to be passed, inequities to be bridged. In short, actions to be
done. But we are not disheartened. For we have garnered great achievements in a
span of less than two years and we can achieve more.
Though problems and challenges continue to crop up, we are ready to confront
them for we are equipped with an armory of learning in this more than one and a
half year of journey you have provided for us.
In conclusion, I am reminded of the Hadith of the day saying by Prophet Mohammed
which says, the two feet of the servant will not cease from standing before god on
the day of judgment until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it,
his knowledge and what he did about it, his wealth and where earned it and how he
spent it, and his body and in what way he utilized it. May our god enable us to
continue what we have started and improve on what we have gained so far.
Please allow me to end this narrative by sharing with you a video of our city mayor,
Salamalaikum.

Public Narrative Set 1: Panel Interaction

Prof. Ernesto Garilao: Well first of all let me congratulate all the four city health
officers. Lets give them a hand. My first question is really, well Ill be specific sa
first question. This has something to do with teenage pregnancies and we all
know that teenage pregnancies is on the rise especially in cities, and is in the rise
especially among poor communities because they really have no access to family
planning. Yung question ko maybe for each one is, to what extent is that a challenge
in your respective cities and what concretely are you doing about it? Let me just
point out, why is that important? Because when a teen girl becomes pregnant, she
loses the opportunity to go to school. And if she gets pregnant again that is
practically saying, you will never go back to school and therefore you affect the
capacity for upward mobility. You just add more numbers to your current population.
So question, what extent is than issue or a challenge in your area and number 2,
what are you doing about it?
Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo (Davao City): Definitely that particular problem was
one of the bigger problems that the team initially identified at the start of the
training course. In fact, I think everyone was challenged to learn that it is one, if not
the hardest thing to solve in the indicators. To tell everyone, first we recognized that
being the hardest we really believed that we cannot solve it overnight. We tried to,
we convinced ourselves that there should really be a long term plan that is why
when we started to think of ways to address it, we made it a point to consult every
part of the sector of the city. We had this teenage, stakeholders forum so people
from the academe, people from religious groups, people from the media. Almost all
sectors of our society in Davao were invited in that forum. And one thing we learned
is that most them thinks its about media, the influence of technology and media
right now contributes greatly to the high teenage pregnancy rates.
Although this stakeholder forum was done very informally as we just had an open
forum, we had them list things that would help us in addressing it. Knowing that, we
are trying to meet and find ways to address that. One thing that also came out was
that the teenage girls who got pregnant really had no outlet or facility to go. That is
why we saw it fit that there be a teen center and our gender officer recommended a
hotline. So in the upcoming months, as we are planning to set up the teen center
right at the heart of the city, we plan to put that up, the teenage hotline. Initially,
that is the plan of the team. Hopefully, as we learn from the other stakeholders, we
will be instituting a lot more ways to address thi particular problem. Thank you.
Dr. Cesar Encinares (Pasay City): Yes, teenage pregnancy is really a problem pa rin.
At first, we have instituted activities or studies to this effect. We have one health
center designated as a teen health center in Malibay, with complement of 3
counselors for teenage mother. But there were a few takers. They wont go there.
We created an ambiance for them to be parang barkada type. But then again, it was
not applied. You have to ask permission first from your parents. How about mothers
and fathers? We tried to go to schools. We lectured about RH, but there were again
issues. They say that it is not age appropriate because we started with grade 4 until
grade 6. We still plan to do it but now more refined. We did several buntis congress
for all the pregnant mothers to be aware that health care is available. Right now, we
are proposing to have peer counselors. We think they are the best people they can

share their experiences with. And right now, most of our staff are already trained in
counseling. We continue to understand this. The best thing we can do is still health
information dissemination.
Dr. Ricardo Panganiban (Puerto Princesa City): I guess teenage pregnancies is not
only distinct to cities like Puerto Princesa. We have a high percentage of. We have
done a youth forum that was conducted late last year in coordination with other
agencies, DSWD, NGOs but I guess it cannot be addressed by the health sector
alone, you have to do it with other agencies especially DepEd. Nakikita kasi natin na
most of them come from low economic status, most of them out of school. I think
the whole system should be involved not just the health office.
Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas (Cotabato City): Before we did not have teenage pregnancy
forum. We did it only last year. The reason being we categorized teenage pregnancy
into two, we have wanted pregnancy and unwanted teenage pregnancy. Because in
our culture, many of the Maguindanaos are arranging the marriages of their
teenage sons and daughters so it is acceptable both in culture and political
communities. So when we tracked we have about pregnant, we have about 400.
That is 19% and it is very high. So what we did last year, although tracking is still in
place, it doesnt mean that we are not finding ways to solve the problem. So last
year we conducted the usapan series. This is in partnership with DOH, as well as
lectures about teenage pregnancy for teenage mothers. We also organized Buntis
Parties sponsored by Mindanao health. Our FP coordinator lobbied for lectures in
different schools. We organized peer groups per school and concentrated on this.
Dr. Susan Brems: It is very interesting to listen to all your presentations.
Interestingly for me also was the interlinkages between safe water, sanitation, and
malnutrition, and also, of course HIV, teenage pregnancies and so on. So a lot of
these things, to me and I think to UNICEF, is about behavior change and knowledge
and understanding what is your health status and where you need help and what
can you do to prevent these things. And so can you tell us a little bit, in all the
different things you have done, you have done amazing things in your cities, in
terms of behavior change information? Not only in terms of health information but
actually behavior change information? Have you been able to do behavior change in
attitudes, in behavior and health seeking behavior?
Dr. Cesar Encinares (Pasay City): I guess thats a tough question to answer. I guess
we all have aimed for behavior change, of course. We want our client to have a
change in behavior. But its easier said than done. Slowly we are going there, I
guess. With the continued and unrelenting dissemination of health information. We
personally see small changes in behavior, we now see that more people are availing
of our health services. Before we had a hard time convincing he mothers, especially
on their first trimester to seek a doctor or go to a clinic because in DOH, we have to
see the mother at least 4 before giving birth. So we are seeing this. Well and good,
people will really appreciate what we are doing. We are surprised that with a recent
conducted by Ateneo. Of all services in Pasay City, they are satisfied with the LGUs.
Dr. Ricardo Panganiban (Puerto Princesa City): I guess the progress in behavior
change is the hardest part to do. For example, in Puerto Princesa, there are still
mothers opting to deliver at home attended by traditional birth attendants (TBAs) or

hilots. But we are doing something on it. Like for example, we made the TBAs or
hilots as allies and not enemies. Thats one thing na pwede natin gawin.
Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas (Cotabato City): We really acknowledge the problem of
behavioral change especially when you are instituting something new or introducing
something new to the community. For example, the problem with those houses that
are built along the river banks. We the problem yet. Because the people it is very
convenient for them to defecate and urinate the river banks. You have to go there to
smell on them. But sometimes the problem is not simply just in the behavior.
Sometimes the facilities are not there. We try to the bridge a gap by bringing the
services closer to the people. That is the reason why we clustered the barangays so
from one health center which is at the heart of the city, we established a cluster of
health centers especially in those areas which cannot be reached by the doctors.
Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo (Davao City): First of all our city health office, made it
a point to establish our district health centers. In the city, we have 9 or 11 districts,
currently, all of these districts have their own functioning district health centers.
And also, like I said, in the city we try to engage everyone. We try to ask everyone
what they think we should do in addressing the current health situation in the city.
We, the team, Davao City team also really feel lucky to have an unfiltered mayor
especially when it comes to family planning. He is really vocal about it. Just to give
you an example, he always encourages everyone who are interested to have
ligation and vasectomy. He always mentions it in his numerous engagements. The
mayor makes it a point to people who are seeking help from him, especially those
who go to him and tell him I have five kids. The mayor will casually say, You have
five kids. Its time for you to have ligation. Being unfiltered like that, I think really
helps because the people tend to know about the services the city has. Fortunate
enough, this trait of our beloved city mayor also really helps in delivering services to
the public.
Prof. Ernesto Garilao: One last question, and just briefly. How do you, as a city health
officer, what do you do to continually engage the mayor to continue to be a health
champion? What is it that you do that makes health a priority?
Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo (Davao City): I am not the city health officer. But Ill
answer on behalf of the city health officer. For us, the chart or the roadmap that we
have here from the CLGP team really helps. Our mayor would just like to look at a
single paper to see what is wrong in the city. So, every now and then, we make it a
point to present the roadmap to the city mayor and tell these are the things that we
need to address in the city and the health indicators that we have will really show
him where we should focus more. And fortunate enough, the mayor also fully trusts
our city health officers so theres really no barrier or anything. Unlike, in the other
cities where initially they had that problem. Fortunate enough in our city we do not
have such a problem.
Dr. Cesar Encinares (Pasay City): I mentioned a while ago that our mayor is really
very supportive of the health work that we do. He is there because we let him know
about it. He visits our health center. He talks to our staff, our clients. Thats why
sometimes before I even appraise him of what is happening, alam na niya. He even
asks me Doc, ano baa ng kailangan nating gawin? Thats how he is.

Dr. Ricardo Panganiban (Puerto Princesa City): You will consider the political point of
view. Of course as mayor he wants to present a project that will bring pogi points,
what will enhance more his political standing. If you are a mayor, yun lagi ang
tinitignan mo.
Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas (Cotabato City): What we did was strengthen the local health
board. We expanded the local health board and we regularized the meetings of the
local health board. Before, ang meeting po naming sa local health board is once or
twice a year lang. Ngayon, we were able to meet at least quarterly, kung minsan
every two months, kung minsan monthly pa so we were able to update the mayor
on what are the problems and plans for the city.

Public Narrative Set 2.

Quezon City Dr. Verdades P. Linga, City Health Officer, Quezon City
Isang magandang hapon sa inyong lahat, sa ating panelists na mukhang dumami
yata.
In 1988, I was given the opportunity to serve Quezon City in a prominent capacity
as a senior clinic physician. At the time, my salary then was P3,996 under the
leadership of Mayor. I was promoted as District Officer under Mayor Mathays
administration and then under Speaker Mayor Belmonte as planning officer for
seven years and as assistant city health officer for four years. But today, under the
Mayor Herbert Bautista, I was appointed as the city health officer III.
CLGP is my first academic and political struggle, exposure of governance under
Mayor Bautista. There was a transition in leadership in the health department in the
middle of the year 2014. I became OIC initially for almost more than a year before I
was appointed CHO III. I need to know our mayors priorities, thats the secret. I
have to read the lines his pronouncements, another secret. And what will make him
responsive and motivated, another secret.
My experience as a planning officer for more than seven years provided me comfort
and confidence to the call of CLGP. As a planner, my day to day by principles of
objectivity, prioritization, budget and costing, constant submission of reports, data
analysis and interpretation, and the most important one, a devils advocate every
time there is a presentation.
Exercises in modules 2 and 3 of the CLGP became the realization of what our city
mayor wants to do and act upon, our roadmap. What were the top 5 health
concerns that we prioritized? The maternal death, the infant death, the teenage
pregnancies, the TB burden, and malnutrition. So we have our own CLGP objectives
but I will not read it to you anymore, it will take me more than 10 minutes. But nice
to know, for your information, the components of our QC CLGP are the following:
PPP, investments, of course, we need money, resources, capacity building, policies,
advocacy initiatives, ICT, service delivery network, service delivery and of course,
M&E. QC CLGP is determined to provide quality information and effective measures
to achieve the realization of our objectives, active engagement of our partners,
additional parties in support of city initiatives to address inequities.
Although MMR decreased from 55 per 100,000 live births in 2015 from 77.53, still,
more aggressive approaches are to be developed and comprehensive referral
networking among the primary health care facilities, BEMONC and SEMONC
facilities. The infant mortality rate remains the same at 15 per 1000 live births. Most
of the deaths are on the early days of the lives of the newborn. Increase access of
pregnant women to antenatal care, provision of an aqua print and provision of
timely health interventions need to be strengthened. TB remains a burden in QC.
The incidents of TB is high among the young population, infants and young children
are more likely to develop life threatening forms of tuberculosis or TB diseases
especially TB meningitis and related tuberculosis. So early detection and treatment
is a priority project under the CLGP.

QC has a strong advocacy to address teenage pregnancies and adolescence. GBI

projects or the Gabayan ang Bata at Ina project, a multi sectoral approach aims to
address adolescent pregnancies. So we have already the planning workshop, the
investment workshop, and thanks to Ateneo because of that framework for
adolescent program. We have been in touch with Ateneo for so many years,
especially in working with our teenage pregnancies and adolescent. So, some of our
initiatives under the GBI are the following: We have the GBI-LGU sponsored birthing
amounting to 4.5 M. In 2015, about 1,181 pregnant adolescent were enrolled to
PHIC. In November 2015, we have the biggest advocacy campaign for adolescents.
It was launched, where in about 400 out of school youth joined us. We had zumba
and jingle making contest and the theme is Batang QC, sino ka ba? That is the
official theme of our adolescent program. And actually it is being prepared for AV
packaging. We opened to the public our NGC teen health quarter, just this February
2016, which aims to improve the health seeking behavior and encourage the
participation of adolescents in all aspects of health and social development. We
packaged all these services such as the skills training, basic computer literacy,
summer job opportunities, teen personality development, medical and dental,
orientation on basic life support, creative arts workshop and very last, we are now
introducing HIV counseling and testing. It has a manpower complement of 2 health
educators, one nurse and midwife. All of them are trained in adolescent health.
We have the development of communication for strategy or the seat working for
pregnant adolescents. We have already the focus group discussion. We have a
communication planning workshop and we are now on the process of reviewing the
communication plan which will entail what will be the behavior of these adolescent
pregnant in all its impact. So we have the GTI on this. We piloted it in District 2,
wherein we had a high teenage pregnancy, which aims to provide shuttle service or
transportation for pregnant teens for their prenatal check-up in one of our local old
hospital which is the QC General Hospital. And right now, we are on the local policy
on adolescent health. We would like to have an ordinance or policy on adolescent
health program in QC.
In terms of service delivery network, we are in operationalization of the SDN on the
delivery of quality menchan services in District 2 to ensure complete provision of
safe, MenChan services, information, as well as the product at all times in all three
levels of care. In order to further provide quality services, capacity building for
health providers in to appreciate the importance of excellent health service,
understand the customer and his or her needs and skills in responding to customer
needs. We are now in the process of implementing the Mag-Ina Referral System or
what we call MIRS. This is an electronic referral system that facilitates timely
referral of our high risk mothers and babies from our lying in clinics to tertiary
hospitals. Now in terms of policies, we have passed already the ordinance providing
the guidelines for the registration and accreditation of our barangay health workers.
In the beginning of the months and as we continue to walk through with our road
map, I believe that all of us will learn so many things. The mastery of listening,
patience, open mindedness, articulate on relevant issues, innovativeness, we have
consultations, balanced time and many more. But one thing I am sure of, CLGP
redirects us, made us want to achieve our chosen road map.

The support from our LCE, team members and our partners was enormous. I am
very thankful to Mayor Herbert M. Bautista for trusting us and the members of the
CLGP team to spearhead the execution of the plans, for being a good provider to
give us the resources to carry out the projects. What matters most to him is always
the welfare of our constituents, for making us sense how indeed he is aware and
interested in keeping track of the CLGP roadmap, for valuing everything in CLGP
that inspired all of us to work in sincerity and passion.
My gratitude to all our partners who made everything possible. We will always look
back and rest assured that all we have started will be continued. You are all great
and excellent. I believe that in Gods mercy, your good deeds will be rewarded. His
almighty will provide with the abundance so you may continue to save mankind,
especially the women and children of the world. And to all CLGP QC team members,
I was honored and blessed for the opportunity to know you more through the CLGP.
My pleasure working with you, you have been vital and kind in all the cities
endeavors in attaining the objectives. In spite of our busy schedules, we were able
to meet. And lastly our sincere gratitude to our city account officer, Mr. Humphrey
Guineceta and Dr. Armando Lim officer DOH for their support and commitment to
public health especially QC.
Kasama natin ang bawat isa sa mga nakamit ng ating lungsod upang matugunan ng
may kasiguruhan upang maipagkaloob ang karampatang serbisyo sa ating mga
mamamayan ng QC, kung saan higit ang nakararanas ng kakulangan at
paghihikahos sa buhay. Layunin ng aming lokal na pamahalaan na ipadama na may
katungkulan sa bawat. Hindi natutulog ang mga kagayan naming nagsisilbi sa
gobyerno. Mabuhay po tayong lahat at sa pangalan ng aming mayor Herbert
Bautista, maraming maraming salamat po.

Public Narrative Set 2.

Zamboanga City Hon. Maria Isabelle Climaco, Mayor, Zamboanga City
Buenas tardes todos Dr. Jeremy Guzman, Professor Ernie Garilao, mi amiga muestra
amiga Lotta Sylwander, Dr. Susan Brems and Zuelling and la companeros and
companeas from the quarters, UNICEF, USAID, ZFF, DAP our dear dear colleague
Mayor Oca Moreno. Companeros de CLGP de differente ciudad and Team
Zamboanga City, buenas tardes todos. Thank you.
Zamboanga City is strategically located in the southern-most tip in the island of
Mindanao with an international airport and sea port. It is the entry of the country to
the Brunei-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia growth area due to its proximity with our
ASEAN neighbors. ZC is a commercial industrial banking education sports and
economic growth center in region 9. And even a strategic location as well to the
surrounding provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi. It is also the only city with an
economic zone and a Freeport outside Visayas and in Mindanao.
ZC is ranked 3rd in infrastructure, 15th in governance efficiency and 27th in economic
dynamism, with an overall ranking of 74 th in 2014. ZC now ranks 15 th among highly
urbanized cities and 14th among all cities all over the Philippines based on the
results of the city municipalities competitive index in 2014. As the 3 rd largest city in
the country with almost a million people distributed to a total of 98 islands, inland
and island barangays. Access to basic health services is critical component for
growth and development, with equity, everyone getting a fair share of what the
government has to offer. High maternal mortality, lack of sanitary toilets, increasing
number of HIV cases, inequity in malnutrition and infant mortality among the poor
and rich barangays, low contraceptive prevalence rate are among the key problems
we want to address. The impact of these problems can affect the urban and
economic growth and stabilities of rhe families and communities. When these
problems are being neglected, it can lead to disease outbreaks and poor sanitation,
among others. Not addressing the HIV AIDS epidemic means that more young
adolescents die at an early age because either of non-detection or late treatment.
Children with malnutrition cases are directly proportional to infant mortality. These
are realities that are alarming and something must be done. The general welfare of
the people of Zamboanga has always been fundamental to me and to all of us that
work in government. When I entered politics, I had only one agenda, to do what is
best for the city because we love Zamboanga and Im sure we all love our cities. To
translate that love for Zamboanga, security, health, and education (SHE) are my
priorities and remain our thrust in government.
I learned the value of health at an early age when my mother died of cervical
cancer at the age of 48. It is because of this that I started advocating for the health
and well-being of our constituency. When I became a city councilor, I worked on the
following landmark legislation for Zamboanga. When I became the first woman
representative of the first congressional district of Zamboanga City, I became one of
the principal authors of the Magna Carta for women (RA 9710). To all of the women
out here, happy womens day to all. Let us all really advocate for equity, for
equality, and most importantly all let us always respect the sacred right to vote.

With gods grace I became the only woman and non-lawyer getting the speaker
during the 15th congress. When I took my oath as Mayor of ZC on June 2013, health
remained to be a priority. The September 2013 siege even compounded the
problem. Before the CLGP, I always thought that ones expertise on health is enough
to address the health problems of the city and that health issues can easily be
solved by the city health office because we have a very dynamic city health officer
Dr. Rodalyn Bulos.
When I became part of the program, we realized with the help of DOH that the
health sector cannot do its best and reach its maximum potential without the full
support of the LCE as well as the city council and other agencies. A multifacetedcoordinated approach to address the challenges can be done when we are all
together in addressing these problems. I have full immersion with the team and I
made sure that I will be present in all the modules conducted under the CLGP
because I value health. With a more solid team and a sound plan, and with Gods
grace and with everyones support we have achieved a quantum leap. That is why
when we celebrate our colloquium, our graduation we have a token of gratitude to
every partner that is with us today because after this, the big and important work
begins.
Early this morning, I was wondering, I was wondering what about this colloquium. It
will end here today but our problems continue. We need to advocate for the health
of every mother, every child and every citizen for this to be more effective. With
health as one of the priorities of this administration, the city health office garnered
excellence in the implementation of various health programs of the city. Local
innovations applied to the different health programs have won admiration and
recognition, both locally and nationally, as well. And active medical outreach works,
notwithstanding the different terrains in the city were achieved.
These were the health issues we addressed: (1) High maternal mortality. Several
innovative programs were implemented to address the issue. Two of the programs
we are especially proud of are the establishment of high risk maternity clinics in the
RHWC and city health office, we sustained the premeriza and feeding projects for
the first time and malnourished mothers, respectively. (2) Another issue was the
lack of sanitary toilets. We have address this by providing sanitary toilets, water
supplies, and the free toilet bowls.
(3) We were also concerned of the increasing number of HIV cases and several
efforts were undertaken to address this, in fact one innovation that I am very
thankful to god and support of our team here is what we call dia de alcadeza. I
made sure we have a package of health services as well as the development
planning present when I go and visit the barangays. But more importantly, we do
not leave behind our HIV AIDS advocacy. There is a team that is doing counseling
and free screening and we really support our programs on HIV AIDS prevention.
(4) As the inequity and malnutrition among the rich and the poor barangays were
intensified, advocacy campaigns were treated in the months and sums. Regarding
the infant among the rich and poor barangays. We have reduced the infant
mortality rate in the 3 poor barangays. Last year, we addressed the low

contraceptive prevalence rate. We increased

strengthened the responsible FP and parenthood.

the

new

FP

acceptors

and

The year 2015 was a promising year for all of us. We have reduced the number of
reds and increased the number of greens and yellows in the roadmap. With a
growing and robust economy and industries, ZC is more than ready to propel itself
to greater heights in 2016. It is the hard work of every woman and man in
government, the support of the private sector, the dedication of person uniform, the
resiliency of every person in all walks of life and our passionate love for Zamboanga
City that led us to where we are today.
May we be inspired to work for the city we love and come up as one people united
more than ever for a vision of a better and brighter Zamboanga for all of us, for our
children, and our childrens children. We want everyone to contribute to this dream
that we all have aspire for. We have remained firm and steadfast to the mandate
that our people have bestowed on us and we will assure them that we will continue
to serve with fervor. Muchisimas gracias! And let us all make our children and our
familys future a reality today by advocating security, health, and education, for
every city municipality and barangay in the Philippines. Buenas tardes!

Public Narrative Set 2.

Batangas City Atty. Victor Reginald B. Dimacuha, Chief of Staff, Batangas
City
Good morning friends, ladies and gentlemen. Honorable guests. Magandang hapon
sa inyong lahat. The story of Batangas City is aptly entitled Isang araw nagising ako.
The title is not only cinematic but also very new. It helps, you know, to see your
father work so hard, you see his leadership strengths and his shortcomings. My
father has always been a strong leader of Batangas. In fact, he was mayor of
Batangas City since 1988. The first time he ran, if you combine all the votes of his
opponents, he would still win by a landslide. And when he became mayor, he
instituted many reforms in our city. He opened the city hall and made sure that
every single person regardless of his stature in life would be able to meet his chief
executive whenever necessary. He retired the overburdened carabao and instituted
a solid waste management system, a sanitary landfill and different garbage
contractors and trucks in the city. Eventually, when he ran his second term, he was
unopposed.
But the 2004 election was different story. During that time, he was a very strong
leader but he kind of neglected his opponent who started spreading rumors against
him. You know, it is said that rumors spread over and over again become truths.
And then when the election came out. The turnout was very dismal. Instead of the
landslide victory that Mayor Eddie was used to, now he won only by a very small
margin of 400 votes.
In fact at that time, when we were waiting for votes to come in, some of the staff
came to my father and said Mayor, papano po iyan baka matalo tayo? and then
my father said, Kung matatalo tayo, kung ayaw na sa atin ng tao, wala tayong
magagawa. But as soon as all the votes came in, when people from the boondocks
and the barangays delivered, he still won by 400 votes. It was a new lease of life.
Sometimes leadership is not only with your strengths but accepting your
weaknesses and making sure you do better.
There was a new lease on my fathers life. From then on he instituted an executive
committee, he made sure than advisory council would talk to people to find out
what they really needed. Then he started his health card program, which addressed
the need of people for hospitalization. He established a scholarship program to help
students finish school and so many other reforms in the city government. During
that time, it was the heyday of Batangas City. That was the heyday of Mayor Eddie.
Because after then, when instituted the reforms and the programs, he was even
more popular than ever. Nung mga panahong iyon, we thought we were the best. In
the same manner, I know all the cities here are performers. Batangas Citys
government believed that kami na ang pinaka magaling.
But one time when we were faced with the people from ZFF, also the people from
USAID, I remember Maam Tere saying What are the programs of government that
you have right now? and we said we have this, we have this, and we are very
proud of our accomplishments then she said so have you address teenage
pregnancy? Did you know that theres a high teenage pregnancy in Batangas City?
Then I remember, when Maam Tere turned around, I remember we started talking

and saying Sino ba yang babaeng yan at bakit niya sasabihing ganito, ganito sa
lungsod naming? Because we already believed that we had the answer for
everything.
When the graphs came and we saw the tables, oo ngapala. Mataas pa rin ang
teenage pregnancy sa amin. Meron palang maternal mortality and there was an
indifference in the barangays, because all the barangays only looked up to the city
government for everything that they wanted but they did not have co-ownership on
addressing health issues. True enough, the CLGP is a wake-up call. Nagising kami.
At kung akala naming kami na pinaka magaling, sabi nga ng soap commercial ni
Toni Gonzaga, May igaganda pa pala ako. May igagaling pa pala kami.
We would like to thank the men and women behind the ZFF. We would like to thank
USAID. And I would like to especially mention the men and women behind the CLGP
Team of Batangas City. Notably, maybe the strength, if Mayor Eddies health
programs were very popular in the past, now they are stronger. I would like to
specially commend our city health officer, Dr. Rose Barion.
Ill try not to cry. If you look at our tables and you read our health journey, we have
had some red marks and they were vicious. But yet we turned them around and
they became green colored maps and also yellow. This was our baseline, parang
medyo may rally ng communists. But if you look at what we did to address our
health challenges the non-functional barangay health boards, teenage pregnancy,
and also health inequities, low facility health based deliveries, adults 25 and above
being managed poor diabetes meritus and hypertension.
These are the programs we launched. Now the CLGP Team, we are together, we
accepted our shortcomings and we instituted the following. The actions taken, we
have instituted the barangay health leadership and management in all the 105
barangays in Batangas City. We have also instituted some ordinances, for example
the ordinance on adolescent and health council. Now it will be participatoryand also
now the barangays will provide an allocation in their budgets in order to address the
health issues in each barangay. We also have an ordinance creating the Batangas
City epidemiological surveillance unit so we will be able to address epidemic should
they arise in Batangas. Weve had a buntis congress. We work well with the
Department of Education in order to work with schools so they will be our partners.
There needs to be a co-ownership in the different sectors. Whoever said that it
takes a village to raise a child, I think health address can only be addressed if it is
not just owned by one person but co-owned by different sectors.
Now, this is our graph. You can see it is all green. The red issues there, we cannot do
anything about them because we are on projected targets. They are not based on
actual and real. But just the same Batangas Citys health journey is a work in
progress. Mayroong igaganda pa. We cannot rest on our laurels. The story I think of
Batangas City is this: The moment you that think you are the best and you are the
brightest, you will always fail but if you accept that there is much to learn from
others and there are people who can help you, and there are some agencies like
USAID, Zuellig, DAP, DOH, which became our partnersin addressing the different
issues in our city. Sa inyo pong lahat, madaming salamat. Magandang umaga.

Public Narrative Set 2.

Cagayan de Oro City Hon. Oscar S. Moreno, Mayor, Cagayan de Oro City
Prof. Garilao, Dr. Sylwander and Dr. Brems, and my colleague Mayor Bing, maayong
hapon po sa inyong lahat.
You know I was curious this morning. I wanted to be sure of what colloquium really
means. My first time to attend a colloquium. Colloquium, according to Webster, is
usually an academic meeting at which specialists deliver addresses on a topic or
certain topics and answer questions relating to them. And I am humbled by the term
colloquium, at least the organizers have treated me as a specialist.
Well, my journey, Id like to thank Prof. Garilao, the father of bridging leadership and
I have the privilege to attend Mindanao Bridging Leaders Program of one year and
a half. I learned terms like ownership co-ownership and so on, I have had the
privilege to learn although I have not memorized all of them. What is important is
we are seeing what we have learned. And actually, I started in government in 1998
after twenty years in the public sector. I have worked in the biggest local
conglomerate and in an American bank. I had no idea, I did not want politics. In fact,
I did not like politics. But I could not remove my being a probinsyano. I was born a
probinsyano, I grew up as a probsinsyano, and I want to retire as a probinsyano. I
guess that defined my transition to public service.
Health has always been a serious issue. What brought me to the issue of health, I
brought it up yesterday in the sharing during the retreat, my father was a rural
doctor. He took up his medicine, this was 41 years ago, this month. It was his
birthday. This was very special to me because I was a problem child in the family. I
did not graduate high school because our principal did not allow me to participate in
the graduation. This was my first graduation since my elementary. I wrote him a
long letter. He never attended any graduation, he never pinned any medal to me.
But in this graduation I was second, I was pinned a silver medal. And I told him, I
have frustrated you all of my life now please give me a chance to repay you with
this silver medal. It is one medal that I want you to be proud of. And he came it was
his birthday, it was March 13, 1975. I was very young then.
Now I am also graduating, together with our team from Cagayan de Oro City
together with several other teams. And I am very pleased to know that 4 of us are
from Mindanao, Zamboanga, Cotabato and Davao City. And then Batangas, QC,
Pasay and Puerto Princesa, of course and half of the graduates are from Mindanao.
You know, I was asked by one presidential candidates, July 1, what do you want me
to do as your president? and I told him, build on the best practices of the LGUS in
Mindanao and there are many. You dont have to sound gigantic or magical. Just
build on the best practices of the LGUs in Mindanao and there are many, the four
here are just some of the many LGUs in Mindanao that are doing well.
Because my father was a rural doctor and he was very proud to have been a part of
the establishment of our first and only hospital in our town, 50 kilometers east of
CDO that in the end, he suffered and he died there, in my arms. As he was gasping
for breath, I tried to comfort him, make him breathe more easily but he was having
difficulties. I thought perhaps, he needed oxygen so I started asking for oxygen

then. Until I shouted and there was no oxygen that was forthcoming. The Chief of
Hospital was behind me, in tears, in desperate hopelessness because there was
none. That was very traumatic. And I thought, I have never even thought I would
join government but I said that was a very painful experience.
I joined the government in 1988, first as Congressman and at the time I would
always ask the DOH what can we do. At the time because of the Local Government
Code, there was nothing that the DOH could do to help the LGUs because of the
devolution. The standard answer of the DOH was Devolved na. And that is why
you are getting the IRA, you have taxing powers and these functions that were
already being devolved. Then I became a governor in 2004 and one of my most
satisfying things that I have done when I was a governor was when I upgraded the
said hospital in Misamis Oriental for which we have won the Galing Pook Award.
Some of our key partners in that exercise are here with me, also with the CDO Team.
The strategic innovations in hospital and health services where what used to be
dilapidated hospitals, virtually non-functional had functioned then very well, earning
the galing pook award. That was precisely probably one of the reasons why people
in CDO voted me for office. That was one my strengths. I decided to run for mayor
in CDO because of the bigger picture philosophy. CDO was much smaller compared
to Misamis Oriental. It used to be just a capital town of Misamis Oriental but it has
become an independent city. And I thought helping CDO would do good for the
region including the people of Misamis Oriental, and that is exactly what we are
doing now, especially in health.
We have upgraded the JR Mora thanks to DOH. Now, thanks to the national
government for the health facility enhancement program. This has helped us a lot.
Thanks to the smokers and drinkers for their sin taxes. We have accredited our
health centers. We have 45 health centers that are now accredited in maternal care,
TB DOTs and so on. Previously there was none. And for the first time, PHIC has
allowed health care center to be a Point of Care implementer in CDO. Why? Because
of our political problems. I have a city council that is totally, absolutely
uncooperative. Anything that I want to do, they will be there, first to block it. Budget
right now, is even much lower than what I had inherited. But no, they cannot
paralyze. I cannot accept that the government can be paralyzed. The systems of
checks and balances and separation of powers are meant to improve government
service deliveries but not paralyze government. So we have still succeeded because
of the innovations. Thanks for the team, thanks for the team for helping us out in
looking for ways and means by which delivery can still be made. Nobody can
believe it but we have upgraded our city hospital and we have accredited our health
centers and we are doing exactly that. Now I am facing court actions. I have sued
for plunder because I have renewed the enrollment of 50,000 beneficiaries under
PHIC. Sometimes politics is meant to serve and empower people but politics can
also be a tool for obstructionism. I am making history for being sued for plunder for
enrolling the people under the PhilHealth program. So, I guess time is up. Our
responses, it is not as if we have solved all the problems but we are well on our way
in making CDO really a center of health facilities and health services in the region.
This is our scorecard. I asked earlier about the red in the right most, that is the
NHDS enrollees. But you know I am happy that we have, because I cannot enroll
them to PhilHealth so we have to look for ways and NHDS includes PHilHEalth so

that is one way of addressing our deficiency brought about by political

obstructionism. So thank you very much, to Zuellig, USAID, UNICEF, DOH and DAP.
Thank you to everyone.

Public Narrative Set 2: Panel Interaction.

Dr. Susan Brems: From USAID, we have enjoyed your presentation, thank you very
much. I have a question that would go for all four of our distinguished speakers, in
view of some of the commonalities in your presentation, and that involves youth.
And so I wonder, its very notable and laudatory the way all of you have shown multi
sectoral approach to health problems. I certainly view it in that perspective. I
wonder to what extent you have each been able to work with the schools. Things
like advocacies and the risks, when we talked about HIV cases and so I wonder to
what extent, we talked about HIV and teenage pregnancy. So on one hand I wonder
about the collaboration some of the rules and then secondly, can you say something
more specific about the HIV cases you are encountering, at what age groups, what
sex are they occurring, have they increased over the past year, have they stayed
the same? Thank you.
Dr. Verdades Linga (Quezon City): In terms of our advocacies and multi sectoral
approach, dealing with our youth, the teenage pregnancies, as well as addressing
HIV, dealing with the increasing number HIV. Actually to tell you, the last HIV case
pregnant woman we had was a 17 year old. So in terms of collaborating with the
schools, very recently for your information we have this youth key affected
populations, where in right now we are done already with our focus group
discussions both schools and out of school youth population aging 13 years old to
19 years old, right now because of the behavior of the youth. We would like to know
what are their behaviors, why are they getting pregnant early and why they are into
drugs. Because in Quezon City we know for a fact that we have 66 cruising sites
where all our transgenders, MSMs, bisexuals, you can find them there. We would like
to know how we can intervene through these FGDs.
Right now, at present we are now on the key informant interviews with the
stakeholders benefactors of these particular youth key affected population. Another
one is very recently, our city Mayor signed an executive order on peer education
which would really work on youth and adolescents at the community base. This peer
education will strengthen and will bring closer our services to these youth
beneficiaries and adolescent. And we have opened our NGC teen health quarters,
wherein we have, in collaboration with the sector on, I think its a 162 youth
organization all over in qc and we have the president of those organizations as a
whole, and we are involving them on what services we can give to them. We would
like to erase that notion that services for the youth is just for the adolescent
pregnant woman. So, we would like to be in captivity all the services that we can
provide them.
And there is another one, for our youth, the HIV counselling and of course, the
provision of condoms. I really dont know if we will be discussing it pa, the provision
of condoms in our NGC teen HQ and we are planning an ordinance on the
accessibility of condoms in establishments. It is also one of the reasons why we
have HIV cases and as well as teenage pregnancies, we found out, also in the latest
integrated HIV surveillance, just to give you an information, HIV prevalence went
down from 6% to 4.4% in 2014. 2013 it is 6%, 2015 is 4.4. We really have a lot of
activities waiting for Quezon City in terms of our youth. We are in progress of

proposing ordinance for the adolescent health program to institutionalize the

adolescent health program in Quezon City.
In terms of school based, the school board is a regular member of the local health
board. And the latest in covenant that we have with them, is if we can have a
manual of operations how to get in touch with the parents and teachers association
in the school setting. So we can now give them an opportunity to learn more about
HIV, to learn more about the adolescent health program, not only the maternal but
also how they can access the family planning commodities, just in case they are
pregnant. And very lately, because of this teenage pregnancy, there are so many
activities. Very lately, we have this Ovatel is a fertility workout but we are really
trying to look into something that can prevent pregnancy. Its a device. Those are
just some of the activities which will really touch our school based population.
Atty. Victor Dimacuha (Batangas City): For Batangas City, the cases of HIV are about
80. Theres an increase for students. When we received this data, we did not just
accept it hookline and sinker. We also wanted to do some validation. we do not
know who those patients are. But we really investigated. In fact one time, I was
talking to one of the security of the mayors, he told me you know sir, when I was in
HS, I had sex with more than half of my female classmates. In highschool And he
said And I am not the most handsome person in class, the most handsome
probably had sex with every single female in his class. What I am saying is, this
happens in high school. So its a real problem. For batangas, as I have said, we
already have the ordinance creating the youth and adolescent councils. Second, we
have the teen health kiosks, that are in place in the different schools in Batangas.
The first to have are lyceum University and also the Batangas National High School.
And we also do surveillance. For example, especially in the high risk groups, when it
comes to teenage pregnancy, the high school students. Right now, its something
that we have to track. Its a good thing that we have a very good relationship with
deped and the partner universities in Batangas are also very cooperative. I think
that, although we are having some problems with the reproductive health, you know
the artificial modes of birth control. Maybe because the Ccatholic church in
Batangas has a very strong stand against artificial modes of birth control. In fact,
the people in public health in Batangas have specifically been called in catholic
services as abortionists and stuff like that for simply advocating condoms and other
mechanisms. But we still do our job despite the names we have been called. And I
think the city health office is doing an excellent job in Batangas now tracking and
talking and having the kiosks in the different schools and working with the guidance
counselors of the different high schools in Batangas. So right now, these are the
short and the medium term plans.
Hon. Isabelle Climaco (Zamboanga City): As Zamboanga City is a recipient of the
Rafael Salas Award, last year we were given P50k and we said that the money must
go to our advocacy to help prevent teenage pregnancy. As far as Zamboanga City is
concerned, we have been a sentinel site against HIV AIDS and even injecting drug
users. The area that was part of the siege was Marique, we have peer educators
right there. So when the siege happened and people were displaced, we are very
thankful that right at the evacuation centers the peer educators continued their
work of volunteerism. But this time it spanned to protection of gender based
violence, on the ground.

We are very thankful that we have the support of the UNICEF on Save the Children
but more importantly for our advocacy on the youth. We are very thankful that the
USAID program, particularly youth speak, we had a series of youth speak programs,
one to prevent teenage pregnancy, two is really supporting the LGBT community in
the city. So, as educator, I think more programs have to be done by the LGU and the
academe is a member of the multi sectoral AIDS council. It is a very important
partner. The city health conducts their continued efforts in educating and saving
and helping women and children.
However in reality, there was a program by The Asia Foundation, of getting
evacuees, IDP children to be part of a program where they will be able to speak out
to express their trauma. And I have encountered one child then. She must have
been around ten years old, she is orphaned, she lost her parents but se subsists in
taking care of her baby sister. They are being taken cared of by the grandmother.
She earns a living by selling plastic bags. She was not able to go to school but was
very outspoken so we were able to rescue her. And she became like a scholar of the
mayors office, where we were able to enroll her and we give her P500 every month
and it goes to the teacher. Unfortunately, after the siege, they have been displaced.
She left home and is now away from her grandmother, who abuses her physically.
We only found out very recently in a celebration last February 28, that at 12 years
old, she is pregnant. So I was telling Dr. Abulos, we have a special program now for
mothers at risk and her pregnancy is very risky. And we would like to enroll her with
the support of the gynecological association of Zamboanga City. So you have the
NGOs, private practitioners, USAID, UNICEF, that we ask because this advocacy is a
reality for the prevention but most importantly, what to do with children who are
pregnant at a very young age and who are at risk.
Hon. Oscar Moreno (Cagayan de Oro City): Again Cagayan de Oro City has a very
strong relationship with the academe. Again, it is an education center. We are
actually have a very strong relationship countering the refusal of the city health
council to cooperate. The academe, the youth, business, interfaith, they are all very
much involved and all other facets of governance. Now, HIV we have strong
advocacy groups and especially. The church is active with that as well. We have a
good relationship with the church. Thats why we are not very strongly advocating
reproductive health although we are actually pushing for responsible parenthood
and natural family planning. And this is in conjunction of the church, the archbishop
happens to be one of the liberal minded bishops and freedom of choice is still being
recognized. So we have no disagreements in any way. We have, anyway,
responsible parenthood and natural family planning and reproductive health law
being pushed side by side. People being given the freedom of choice. Now,
education has proven to be an effective tool against child or teenage pregnancy. We
opened up two years ago, a new high school. I was surprised to learn that because
we have done this, it will reduce our teenage pregnancy. Because before that the
school was ten kilometers away so child has to walk around to and from and with
the new high school, teenage pregnancy has been addressed. Aside from educating
the children, teenage pregnancy has been addressed. We also have an annex,
severe shortage of classrooms. By June of this year, we have to turn over about 400
rooms all funded by the city government. What we are doing is we are putting up
new campuses where there are annex high schools to put side by side the

elementary grades. The purpose was good in the beginning but in the passing of
time, the number of youth increased, number of students increased and there was
no corresponding increase in the number of classrooms. So now we are trying to
address that and we are now 60-70%, the annex high school situation has given rise
to the so called emergency class. Under that set up, there are two shifts in a day,
the morning shift and the afternoon shift. Except for the honors class, everybody
takes either shift. I didnt realized that until one interviewed said, now we can be in
class like the honors. Because only the honor students were given a full day
schedule and that half day schedule has also given rise to teenage pregnancy. Now
almost all day they are in school, hopefully that will address teenage pregnancy.
Dr. Jeremy de Guzman (DOH): Thank you all for your presentations. Dr. Manuel
Dayrit wanted to be here but he cannot leave. So, I guess considering the gains that
all of you have gotten from this program and from previous iterations of your
administrations and the desire moving forward. I want to ask, as city officers, as
part of the government, how can we ensure the provision of public health services
of your cities and to foster the linkages between the different efforts not just in
health but those related to health, social determinants?
Hon. Oscar Moreno (Cagayan de Oro City): I have a short answer, we need to win.
Hon. Isabelle Climaco (Zamboanga City): We have to be re-elected.
Atty. Victor Dimacuha (Batangas City): In the long term, I think that good health
governance is also good politics. So regardless of how crazy a local chief executive
can be, I think he will not be willing to sacrifice his political career if he forgets and
takes health governance for granted.
Dr. Verdades Linga (Quezon City): Definitely, Mayor Bautista will win. And our
funding and the political will for governance is really important. It is tantamount to
budget. The budget is very important. As I said, Mayor Bautista is really a good
leader. He is not only good man but a very good provide. Just present to him very
objective data, debate with him, and let him agree with you. Answer all his
questions and definitely, money in QC is not a problem. Funds in QC is not a
problem. That is what I have learned since I took over. Its just a matter of showing
to how important a program or a project is for the constituents or the beneficiaries
in the city. Another good one in QC is that there is no problem with the executive
and the legislative. That is why there is no difficulty for me to defend our budget
every time the city council ask us to present it. Yun lang po, best practices in the
city. Another one is before it was Mayor Belmonte, the vice mayor is Herbert
Bautista. Now, Herbert Bautista is the Mayor and the Vice Mayor is Joy Belmonte.
What I am trying to say is, there is continuity. The continuity is there, unlike in other
cities where mayors have different priorities. It is one thing good in our city, our
priorities are also the priorities of both the mayor and the vice mayor.
Hon. Isabelle Climaco (Zamboanga City): We have career personnel. Our life in
government is subject to renewal every 3 years, for people like us. That is why we
need to have a very good partnership with the DOH and the city health. For
example, PHIlhealth programs. There are a lot barangay officials, no matter how
much we orient them of the benefits, they are not fully aware of it but when they

get sick to be given the benefits. These programs must really be starting with an
overhaul in the national government. There must be a health directive of the
national government. Aside from local governments, the national government must
have a 25-year plan and have it instituted in local governments. When it comes to
local governments, of course there is a need for budgets and advocacies, but its
really the people. Can I ask the department heads? You will be the one remaining. If
we are not elected, you will remain to continue our programs.
Dr. Jeremy de Guzman (DOH): Just to give a reply, actually we have the National
Objectives for Health. I am just curious, have you encountered that document?
When you got that document, how do you intend to interface as LGUs. You are
devolved, that was in 1994, what changed?
Hon. Oscar Moreno (Cagayan de Oro City): The national government at that time,
there was little funding so everybody was scalping. Over time, with the improved,
with the increase revenues, the budget is more than 3M. During that time we were
not able to. They have much bigger than expected in face there were some
suggestions of underspending. Of course you have to balance that with good
governance. Whats important is now we really are seeing devolution, the change in
approach of the DOH. From a position where the DOH cannot give anything, not
even a single centavo. We can get some funding from the PCSO and even PAGCOR
but we could not get from the DOH at the time. I was able to source some money, I
gave to the provincial hospital. But then the money went to the provincial treasury
and I could not approve. That was because health was not an agenda of the
provincial council. Now, it is so easy to say health, when I took over, I was lucky
because I have good people who joined. But in the beginning, I said, how can you
solve? Whenever your hospital provision is very poor, there are at least problems,
lack of medicine, lack of equipment, poor infrastructure and manpower. These are
the four common problems. And I even said one time, that if we can only solve 2 of
them, Id be very happy. Two in every hospital. What really helped was PHIC, PHIC
was the key. I started enrolling in 2005. And at that time we have not improved our
hospital yet. We have not upgraded yet. And I saw the hospitals in CDO upgrading,
adding one storey year after year because of the revenue. We are spending the
premium but we are going to the city not the province. But at least the hospital,
health was improving. Gall bladder, before our people will have to go to Cebu and
Manila. But now, I had gall bladder in 2009 and I was operated in the city. You have
to have the right combination. PHIC and then now the national government also has
the resource. And also you have good people, committed, who really want to serve.
Its so easy to say we will do this and we will do that. But you really have to be
resolute. Im very happy to say we have succeeded despite of the very limiting
conditions we have the adversarial city council. I was looking at the group and they
were nodding their head. They know a lot more than what I know. We need to have
a good combination.

Keynote Message: Dr. Benjamin Lane, Team

Strengthening and Resilience, WHO Philippines

Lead,

Health

Systems

Thank you very much for inviting me.

So honorable mayors, senora alcalde, distinguishes guests colleagues.
It is wonderful to be with you and listening to you this afternoon. While WHO doesnt
have the resources unfortunately to participate as actively and wonderfully as
USAID and UNICEF do, we are always cheering on the sidelines because this
program and all these programs with mayors and city health officers and municipal
offices is one of the most exciting and visionary things that happen in health in the
Philippines. I always love to brag about it whenever I am in other countries. You
should look at the Philippines, they have these amazing programs. So its a great
honor for me to be able to join you.
I have enjoyed the afternoon from listening to the presentations, the political
analysis of what needs to be done in terms of health planning and a couple of other
things you have been working on. You all have been working for quite some time, a
year and a half together on this and that you know what you are talking about. So, I
was asked instead to talk to you about the normal WHO things that you already
know to something you probably find more irritating, which is the global urban
health agenda, which is something that WHO is working very closely with the other
UN agencies and governments on helping to push forward. And this is a part of
many different threads of conversations that been going on but is tied very closely
to the SDGs. For those of you who have been working in the health or in
government for more than 15 minutes, youll be aware of the MDGs, which we have
celebrated great progress on and now we have the SDGs, which are pretty much a
continuation but looking and realizing that everything is much more interconnected
than we made it seem 15 years ago and that a whole lot of it has to be done much
more at a local level. That is to say, the mayors are on the hot seat this time, which
is a good thing because mayors have the power. They have leadership and they
have the ability to make things happen at home. And its also their homes, your
homes. So thats why I enjoyed the urban interaction.
The WHO health program is actually focusing on health equity. You all have been
working a lot on this in terms of equity of access to health services, in terms of
particular issues related to maternal health, maternal mortality and the things that
are major health concerns in the Philippines. But there are many more aspects of
urban health and urban health equity that you all have been dealing along, anyway.
Even though your mayor might not be part of your practicum and curriculum here.
So now here we have the hard part of the speech. More than half of the people of
the world now live in the cities, the number or urban residents is growing and it is
estimated that it will increase by more than P2M people by 2030. By 2050, the
world will be 2/3 urban. And this, I suppose if you live somewhere in the country
side, you would think that was a horrible thing. But you all are representatives, civil
servants and mayors of some of the most dynamic and successful and exciting
cities in the Philippines so I think you might agree that this is a good thing. Because
there is nothing more dynamic than the cultural, social, religious, and every kind of

diversity and creativity that you find when you put a bunch of people together into
an economic engine that is a city. And what more if its environmentally sustainable.
People live on a small area, it has many, many advantages. The future is the city.
And this is reflected in the fact the SDGs which we now work on until 2030, I hope.
These SDGs are directed specifically at urban equality, urban life. Both in terms of
life in the city but in the resilience of these cities and so on. All these things I think
are quite well known to you.
And health is in the SDGs but it is not just in one. It pretty much cuts across all of
them, in the way either in terms on the importance for political and social stability
and economic stability and growth. But also the importance of the good quality of
life, of equity of the social determinants for good health. You will be finding health
everywhere in the SDGs. Unfortunately when we are talking about that we get to
the fact that most, not most but far more people than anybody is willing to be
happy with, live in real serious poverty. And you know this here, you know this from
your own respective cities.
In the world, 1B people are living in informal settlements and slums and this is
expected to double in 2030. And in many cases the speed of urbanization has
outpaced the ability of governments to build essential infrastructure. This is a global
statement but it might sound familiar to you all. In the Philippines, it is estimated
that around 50% of Filipinos now live in urban settings but about 28% live in
informal settlements and suffer from poor living conditions. The urbanization trend,
as I said before, is not inherently bad for health. Urban centers maybe centers of
economic prosperity where the infrastructure facilitates the delivery of essential
goods in health, education, employment and culture. Yes, thats the point and
diversity. Diverse cultures lead in creating peace and all sorts of wonderful things.
But if the government is not able to cope with the speed of change, not because it
doesnt have the creativity, but because it just doesnt have the resources.
Consequences can include increased inequity, increased poverty, higher rates of
crime and violence, overcrowding, lack of community support. And coping is a
particular challenge when the resources that are available to a city are not
accurately reflecting the population it needs to serve. I think this might be
something hits a little bit home for Filipino mayors because as city officials you
know better than anybody else, that the city in legal terms in this country is not
exactly the urban area you really are serving. And most of you are governing and
managing urban areas that go well beyond your city and so you provide services for
large populations of people and on a budget that is for the people who spend the
night in your legal city. So thats a real challenge.
And Im sure its a challenge for all the cities here. But we have to spare a thought
for QC and Pasay. Pasay who has the special honor of being the city that gets driven
over the most, of any city in the Philippines on a daily basis by every sort of vehicle.
And benefits from that, being driven over a lot in the country, you have to work hard
to get benefits from that from people who are using Pasay passing through it. You
have to provide a lot for the urban area that is Metropolitan Manila with 12M people
to start but the contiguous population of the urban area and its sort of closer to 24
million, I think. And Pasay has to carry a big burden and so is QC.

These are the sorts of things that as mayors and as city health officers are well
aware of and I think particular challenges are interesting. I think it is something that
should be spoken about. You all have the right to speak about quite openly because
it is a challenge that cities have that people sometimes do not recognize.
So that while urbanization can become a beacon of opportunity for economic growth
and social progress. There are issues and challenges that need to be addressed to
improve health outcomes. A lot of you have said that. And as you know all too well,
these issues are all related to inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding, congestion,
strained basic urban services such as health and sanitation, water and air pollution,
slums and informal settlements and others. Obviously, some of these are more
severe in these particular cities or conglomeration of cities than what sounds like
one of the nicest places in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro, but I just have a. And
everybody loves Zamboanga. But these issues exist in all cities, even smaller cities.
And these burdens tend to fall most heavily on poor people. Theres no surprise
there. Globally, the great advantages of urban life such as political glories, safety,
education, health services, and economic opportunities, these are still too often
available pretty much only for the privilege. Those privilege can be a large group of
people in a rich country like the US or they can be very small group of privilege
people like in many middle income countries. But they are not available sufficiently
for poor people and too many people remain socially and economically excluded.
They live in unsafe conditions, they face discrimination, they live in informal
settlements or refugee settlements.
You have a lot of citizens in the Philippines living in housing that is substandard and
with no water because of the result of typhoons or earthquakes or violent conflict
and the mayors have to deal with it. But its a strength and the people who live
there, they dont have easy lives. They are still underserved for health and
education. Like I said, this is a global issue. This is not just a Filipino problem. This is
a world- all of us together problem. And it is one that you have devoted your careers
addressing in your own homes and for that you have my greatest admiration.
Staying in your own city and fixing it, I think, for me is one of the most noble acts I
can imagine. As you work daily in finding solutions to the problems that your people
and the poor people among your cities all too much suffer from. You know that
much poorer health is frequently the result of being poor. And the living conditions
that make them unhealthier, they still cant afford access to health services. The
fact that despite all the work that you do and your colleagues in all levels of
government, with PhilHealth and everything, you know that people are still not
accessing the key health services.
So, you know this. And so all of us together, we keep on reminding ourselves of how
difficult it must be to stay healthy, to protect and raise healthy and productive
children, if we dont even have safe drinking water, if we dont have sanitation in
our homes or easily available, if we dont have safe houses, if our houses could burn
down in the middle of the night because its just leaned to a line we dont have to
legally buy. If we cant afford basic health services when we should be able to, by
everything that is written in the law and government. If we are not able to plan our
families to make sure that each of our children when we can best look after them,

and protect those children in places where it is safe for them to play and grown and
learn, to make sure they have proper nutrition and not something that you just
sprinkle out or something like that, proper meals, not just rice in school. Imagine
how hard it must be, you know that, you think about that all the time. And thats the
way it is.
So how do you ensure your children have proper physical and mental development?
How do you make sure that all the energy they have and all the curiosity can be
used in healthy ways that will make them healthier and more productive and not in
dangerous ways, dangerous ways that are the problem of many of your
presentations and of the urban world that we all love. So when in your training and
in practicum, I might have sounded a little preachy when I call it that but I like
preachy. In the practicum that youve done and in your training, youve done a lot of
health planning and youve done a lot of health policy work and practical things.
Youve seen that particular issues affecting the poor, some of these are softer ones,
what we call social determinants. But they also include communicable diseases that
spread more easily in high density areas, infectious diseases, changes in lifestyles,
and unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use. All of these things
are big health issues not to mention the continuing issues of maternal and child
health. Maybe now you have additional tools for addressing these challenges. You
are experts now. You were always experts in government and now you are experts
in public health and now you are experts together in health governance for cities.
So Id like to push this further before I finish this little live lecture I have. I am
pushing my luck until these things start to flash. Somebody pressed the button. Id
like to push the envelope just a little further because. Outside of manila, good food,
and the beaches and all that. When I say Manila, I mean outside of Quezon City. It is
also because, the decentralization, everybody loves to talk about how difficult it
makes life and things like that. But I dont think decentralization is all that bad. I am
an economist, by the way. I am not a medical doctor. I am economist who got
interested in public health and ended up working in public health. So I am interested
in that side of why health services work, what make them work and those issues.
Decentralization, what you now have is responsive and close to people government
in charge of health. It is in charge of the whole thing. And you now have this
wonderful opportunity because it allows cities to deal with the whole picture of
urban health, poverty, and with any inequity. So yes, you can sort of topnotch, Im
not saying that in a way, you finished with this, now you know something. You
always knew a lot. But now youve got extra skills, youve got extra tools, youve
got allies all around the country for improving access to health services and
improving health messaging, improving planning and all that.
You also have health cities. As the officials, you have the ability to look at the whole
problem. You know for example, if theres a problem in your city on child nutrition
which I can guarantee you, you have, you have so many other ways to address this
than by pushing a nutrition program or information. You have access to land use
decision, you have access to influencing how access to markets work. You as a
mayor, for example, can through leadership and moral force, you can get things
moving in terms of getting fresh produce in your city in areas that are poor. And
thats just about having market space so that poor people can actually start buying
fresh vegetables again. And we see this popping up on big cities, anyway. That kind

of enabling, that is within your power and not in the power of the health
department.
Making these healthy fruits more available, that is a big part of the whole picture of
how you can make children have better nutrition.
wide tobacco bans open spaces, rehabilitated their open spaces. Reviving their
river wall. Manila. These are providing luxuries. Trees, hippy dippy things they are
incredibly. Poor people you have the ability, access to healthy food. They can only
access unhealthy food. If its all there people will go back to eating good food. Long
term investment you set the tone for. That is all part of urban health. Its making
sure people have access to hresources. There are public things availanle to
everyone. Public fora to share their concerns, What an honor. To tahnk you for your
commitment. For carrying on this work. Happy holistic thing!

Awards and Recognition

Brief Message: Dr. Susan K. Brems, Mission Director, USAID Philippines
We are Congratulations in a modest way, the USA and the Philippines, partnership
for growth, we try to accelerate growth in the country, more sustainable broad
based city development iniatives to spur development there. For their own citizens
in the surrounding areas. 4 of them are represented here. How wonderful to see
civic leadership. Talking about, third leg of that school people themselves. The work
we do and we dont do everyday, immature sexual debut, whether or not . Things
we do everyday are determinations. Increasing organization, if people dont take the
steps. Also a way of using services effectively. (3) I did not hear about dengue,
many cases in the Philippines. Worldwide, very serious health problem. They have
kids if they can. It has to we know drastic complications. I would ask all of you to be
very vigilant, what can be done. Community actions. Doing basic things. In the
hands of city managers.
A pleasant experience, congratulations to our leadership from around the country.
So congratulations to all of you, participants for your cities.
I would just like to say two things. First is that the USA and Philippines enjoy a very
special relationship in what we call the Partnership for Growth, where we try to
accelerate growth in the country and achieve more inclusive, sustainable, broad
based economic development around the country and within that framework, we
have something we call, Cities for Health initiative where we work with particular
cities to spur development there and to have those cities be engines of growth to
young citizens in those random areas. So we now have 16, we work with, 4 are
further represented here. CDO, PP, Zamboa
The second thing I want to say is how wonderful it is to see the city leadership cater
to health. Multicultural. Health is not necessarily. Health service. I just want to ssay. I
am a strong believer of what we do and what we dont do every day will determine
our health, what we eat, how we defecate, sexual fantasies, whether or not we was
our hands. Things we do every day are principal determinants of our health so I
think it is incumbent upon all us who watch and promote health in our cities to
make sure our citizens. We talked about health services, people dont take the steps
they can. Its also a way of putting our services.
Brief Message: Ms. Lotta Sylwander, Country Representative, UNICEF
you all want to get on with your day. The best measure of a successful state is how
they treat their children. Such diverisites as PP, cotabto, davao and QC have really.
We will not have a good future. The best way we can put our money to use, I have
been traveling around country. We need money, we need capacity. Its not always
the money, the capacity. It smuch more the way you do things you change your
attitude. You changethe way things work, thats how you change results. You can
have billions of pesos, I know there are many problems still remaining. I know that
the cities aee hre today. It doesnt mean it ends here, it means you have started on
a good path. This is the good way to go now. I hope you can stand as examples,
bigger or smaller and that otit sposible. It always sems impossible until its done,
because you have done something you thought was impossible. We can make lives
better for people in general I really sronlgly belive in changing peoles bejavior and

seeling medical advise. There wont be aimmunized so I am strongly advocating.

Breastfeeding Taliban, I think we need to move on seriously rates. It goes up to 50%
- stunted children, this starts with malnourished mothers, breastfeeding chiden. I
will finish there quite saying I am proud, we are not. We will see you in the future
continuing to support us building on your good example.

Closing Address: Mr. David Zuellig, Board Trustee, ZFF

Distinguished guests from the Department of Health, UNICEF, USAID, WHO, mayors
and leaders from our partner cities, and dear colleagues, good afternoon.
It is really fantastic to see the excitement which the different mayors, graduates
and participants have shown because it does suggest that theres a real interest in
the program for us to continue in ZFF. When we think of cities, we imagine places of
prosperity and success, where many opportunities abound for individuals and
families to thrive. However we all know too well that beyond these success stories
lie great disparities. Outside the sprawling homes of the rich are the poor living in
informal cities and shanties. Some reference was made earlier to some of the
challenges, that cities, some more than the others, that some of the cities face in
connection with inward migration and so it is very encouraging and refreshing to
see city leaders taking steps to address these inequities.
Today we have with us committed public servants, acknowledging and accepting
responsibility of ensuring everyone within city boundaries and as said earlier, even
beyond are able to access health services that are rightfully theirs, regardless of
their economic status. We have been successful with reference to promoting health
care and stronger health systems where vulnerable populations stand to benefit the
most. With the growing number of population living in our areas, the need to focus
on urban health is now of paramount importance.
We acknowledge the role of health workers in achieving better health outcomes. We
have teachers, lawyers, administrative officers, social workers, budget and finance
officers, and other professionals who work hand in hand with doctors, nurses, and
midwives to ensure that no mother dies while giving birth and no child bears the
burden of unnecessary pain and illness. This is the essence of bridging leadership.
Together, we can help each other make a difference in the lives of the people we are
privileged to serve.
The partnerships we have forged through this program goes beyond the one and a
half year of training modules in practical areas or in closing the program today. Let
us remember that our journey to better health is a continuous process. May the
learning we received from the program launch bring us to new heights of creativity
and innovation as we all try to address issues that plague our cities. We are chosen
to act and we must tirelessly continue to act, and we have to act for the Filipino
people.
On behalf of the foundation and my family. Let me thank each one of the health
leaders who have undertaken the City Leadership and Governance Program for your
outstanding commitment and partnership. Congratulations for all that you have
accomplished. We look forward to the transformation in your cities as you continue
to be champions of health for the people, especially for the poor. Again, thank you
very much. Mabuhay!