Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Thirteenth Congress Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of July, two thousand six. Republic Act No. 9369 Amending RA 8436 January 3! ""#

AN ACT A$%N&'N( R%P)*+'C ACT N,. -.36! %NT'T+%& /AN ACT A)T0,R'1'N( T0% C,$$'SS',N ,N %+%CT',NS T, )S% AN A)T,$AT%& %+%CT',N S2ST%$ 'N T0% $A2 33! 399- NAT',NA+ ,R +,CA+ %+%CT',NS AN& 'N S)*S%4)%NT NAT',NA+ AN& +,CA+ %+%CT,RA+ %5%RC'S%S! T, %NC,)RA(% TRANSPAR%NC2! CR%&'*'+'T2! 6A'RN%SS AN& ACC)RAC2 ,6 %+%CT',NS! A$%N&'N( 6,R T0% P)RP,S% *ATAS PA$PANSA *+(. --3! AS A$%$&%&! R%P)*+'C ACT N,. #366 AN& ,T0%R R%+AT%& %+%CT',NS +A7S! PR,8'&'N( 6)N&S T0%R%6,R AN& 6,R ,T0%R P)RP,S%S/ Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled S%CT',N 3. !e"tion # of Re$u%li" a"t &o.8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!()*+,& #.Declation of Policy. - +t is $oli"y of the !tate to ensure free, orderly, honest, $ea"eful, "redi%le and informed ele"tions, $le%is"ites, referenda, re"all and other similar ele"toral exer"ises %y im$ro-ing on the ele"tion $ro"ess and ado$ting systems, whi"h shall in-ol-ed the use of an automated ele"tion system that will ensure the se"re"y and san"tity of the %allot and all ele"tion, "onsolidation and transmission do"uments on order that the $ro"ess shall %e trans$arent and "redi%le and that the results shall %e fast, a""urate and refle"ti-e of the genuine will of the $eo$le. '*he !tate re"ogni.es the mandate and authority of the )ommission to $res"ri%e ado$tion and use of the most suita%le te"hnology of demonstrated "a$a%ility ta/ing into a""ount the situation $re-ailing in the area and the funds a-aila%le for the $ur$ose.' S%C. . !e"tion 0 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 0. Definition of Terms. - As used in this A"t, the following terms shall mean

'#. Automated ele"tion system, hereinafter to as A(! - a system using a$$ro$riate te"hnology whi"h has %een demonstrated in the -oting, "ounting, "onsolidating, "an-assing, and transmission of ele"tion result, and other ele"toral $ro"ess1 '0. Electronic transmission - "on-eying data in ele"troni" form from one lo"ation to other1 '3. Official ballot - where A(! is utili.ed, refers to the $a$er %allot, whether $rinted or generated %y the te"hnology a$$lied, that faithfully "a$tures or re$resents the -otes "ast %y a -oter re"orded or to %e re"orded in ele"troni" form1 '4. Election returns - a do"ument in ele"troni" and $rinted form dire"tly $rodu"ed %y the "ounting or -oting ma"hine, showing the date of the ele"tion, the $ro-in"e, muni"i$ality and the $re"in"t in whi"h it is held and the -otes in figures for ea"h "andidate in a $re"in"t in areas where A(! is utili.ed1 '2. Statement of votes - a do"ument "ontaining the -otes o%tained %y "andidates in ea"h $re"in"t in a "ity3muni"i$ality1 '6. City municipal district provincial certificate of canvass - a do"ument in ele"troni" and $rinted form "ontaining the total -otes in figures o%tained %y ea"h "andidate in a "ity3muni"i$ality3distri"t3$ro-in"e as the "ase may %e. *he ele"troni" "ertifi"ates of "an-ass shall %e the offi"ial "an-ass result in the aforementioned 4urisdi"tions1 '5. Paper!based election system - a ty$e of automated ele"tion system that use $a$er %allots, re"ords and "ounts -otes, ta%ulates, "onsolidates3"an-asses and transmits ele"troni"ally the results of the -ote "ount1' '8. Direct recording electronic election system - a ty$e or automated ele"tion system that uses ele"troni" %allots, re"ords, -otes %y means of a %allot dis$lay $ro-ided with me"hani"al or ele"tro-o$ti"al "om$onent that "an %e a"ti-ated %y the -oter, $ro"esses data %y means of a "om$uter $rograms, re"ord -oting data and %allot images, and transmits -oting results ele"troni"ally1 '6. Counting center - a $u%li" $la"es within the "ity3muni"i$ality or in su"h other $la"es as may %e designated %y the )ommission where the offi"ial %allots "ast in -arious $re"in"ts of the "ity3muni"i$ality shall %e "ounted. 7olling $la"es or -oting "enters may also %e designated as "ounting "enters1 '#8. Continuity plan - a list of "ontingen"y measures, and the $oli"ies for a"ti-ation of su"h, that are $ut in $la"e to ensure "ontinuous o$eration of the A(!1 '##. Disabled voters - a $erson with im$aired "a$a"ity to use the A(!1 '#0. Source code - human reada%le instru"tions that define what the "om$uter e9ui$ment will do1 and

'#3. !tation- refers to a $olling $la"e, "ounting "enter, muni"i$al or $ro-in"ial "an-assing "enter.' S%C. 3. !e"tion 3 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!() 3. Board of Election "nspectors. - :here A(! shall %e ado$ted, at least one mem%er of the Board of (le"tion +ns$e"tors shall %e an information te"hnology-"a$a%le $erson, who is trained or "ertified %y the ;,!* to use the (A!. !u"h "ertifi"ation shall %e issued %y the ;,!*, free of "harge.' S%C. .. !e"tion 4 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y deleted. *he su""eeding se"tion are here%y renum%ered a""ordingly. S%C. 9. !e"tion 2 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 4 "nformation Technology Support for the Board of Canvassers. - *o im$lement the A(!, ea"h %oard of "an-assers shall %e assisted %y an information te"hnology"a$a%le $erson authori.ed to o$erate the e9ui$ment ado$ted for the ele"tions. *he )ommission shall de$uti.ed information te"hnology $ersonnel from among the agen"ies and instrumentalities of the go-ernment, in"luding go-ernment-owned and "ontrolled "or$orations. *he per diem of the de$uti.ed $ersonnel shall %e the same as that of the mem%ers of the %oard of "an-assers.' S%C. 6. !e"tion 6 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 2 #uthority to $se an #utomated Election System. - *o "arry out the a%o-e-stated $oli"y, the )ommission on (le"tions, herein referred to as the )ommission, is here%y authori.ed to use an automated ele"tion system or systems in the same ele"tion in different $ro-in"es, whether $a$er-%ased or a dire"t re"ording ele"troni" ele"tion system as it may deem a$$ro$riate and $ra"ti"al for the $ro"ess of -oting, "ounting of -otes and "an-assing3"onsolidation and transmittal of results of ele"toral exer"ises Provided, that for the regular national and lo"al ele"tion, whi"h shall %e held immediately after effe"ti-ity of this A"t, the A(! shall %e used in at least two highly ur%ani.ed "ities and two $ro-in"es ea"h in <u.on, =isayas and Mindanao, to %e "hosen %y the )ommission Provided% further, *hat lo"al go-ernment units whose offi"ials ha-e %een the su%4e"t of administrati-e "harges within sixteen >#6? month $rior to the May #4, 0885 ele"tion shall not %e "hosen Provided% finally, *hat no area shall %e "hosen without the "onsent of the !anggunian of the lo"al go-ernment unit "on"erned. *he term lo"al go-ernment unit as used in this $ro-ision shall refer to a highly ur%ani.ed "ity or $ro-in"e. +n su""eeding regular national or lo"al ele"tions, the A(! shall %e im$lemented nationwide.' S%C. #. !e"tion 5 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read the follows '!().6. &inimum System Capabilities. - '*he automated ele"tion system must at least ha-e the following fun"tional "a$a%ilities

>a? Ade9uate se"urity against unauthori.ed a""ess >%? A""ura"y in re"ording and reading of -otes as well as in the ta%ulation, "onsolidation3"an-assing, ele"troni" transmission, and storage of results1 >"? (rror re"o-ery in "ase of non-"atastro$hi" failure of de-i"e1 >d? !ystem integrity whi"h ensures $hysi"al sta%ility and fun"tioning of the -ote re"ording and "ounting $ro"ess1 >e? 7ro-ision for -oter -erified $a$er audit trail1 >f? !ystem audita%ility whi"h $ro-ides su$$orting do"umentation for -erifying the "orre"tness of re$orted ele"tion results1 >g? An ele"tion management system for $re$aring %allots and $rograms for use in the "asting and "ounting of -otes and to "onsolidate, re$ort and dis$lay ele"tion result in the shortest time $ossi%le1 >h? A""essi%ility to illiterates and disa%le -oters1 >i? =ote ta%ulating $rogram for ele"tion, referendum or $le%is"ite1 >4? A""urate %allot "ounters1 >/? ;ata retention $ro-ision1 >l? 7ro-ide for the safe/ee$ing, storing and ar"hi-ing of $hysi"al or $a$er resour"e used in the ele"tion $ro"ess1 >m? @tili.e or generate offi"ial %allots as herein defined1 >n? 7ro-ide the -oter a system of -erifi"ation to find out whether or not the ma"hine has registered his "hoi"e1 and >o? )onfigure a""ess "ontrol for sensiti-e system data and fun"tion. '+n the $ro"urement of this system, the )ommission shall de-elo$ and ado$t an e-aluation system to as"ertain that the a%o-e minimum system "a$a%ilities are met. *his e-aluation system shall %e de-elo$ed with the assistan"e of an ad-isory "oun"il.' S%C.-. A new !e"tion 5 is here%y $ro-ided to read as follows '!().5 Communication Channels for Electronic Transmissions. - all ele"troni" transmissions %y and among the (A! and its related "om$onents shall utili.es se"ure

"ommuni"ation "hannels as re"ommended %y the Ad-isory )oun"il, to ensure authenti"ation and integrity of transmission.' S%C. 9. &ew se"tion 8,6, #8 and ## are here%y $ro-ided to read as follows '!().8. The #dvisory Council. - *he )ommission shall "reate an ad-isory )oun"il, hereafter referred to as the )oun"il, whi"h shall %e "on-ened not later than eighteen >#8? months $rior to the next s"hedule ele"toral exer"ise, and dea"ti-ated six months after "om$letion of "an-assing Provided, for $ur$oses of the 0885 ele"tions, the Ad-isory )oun"il shall %e immediately "on-ened within ten >#8? days after the effe"ti-ity of this A"t. '*he )oun"il shall %e "om$osed of the following mem%ers, who must %e registered Aili$ino -oters, of /nown inde$enden"e, "om$eten"e and $ro%ity1 '>a? *he )hairman of the )ommission on information and )ommuni"ations *e"hnology >)+)*? who shall a"t as the "hairman of the "oun"il1 '>%? ,ne mem%er from the ;e$artment of !"ien"e and *e"hnology1 '>"? ,ne mem%er from the ;e$artment of (du"ation1 '>d? ,ne mem%er re$resenting the a"ademe, to %e sele"ted %y the "hair of the Ad-isory )oun"il from among the list of nominees su%mitted %y the "ountryBs a"ademi" institutions1 '>e? *hree mem%ers re$resenting +)* $rofessional organi.ations to %e sele"ted %y the "hair of the Ad-isory )oun"il from among the list of nominees su%mitted %y 7hili$$ines%ased +)* $rofessional organi.ation. &ominees shall %e indi-iduals, at least one of whom shall %e ex$erien"e in managing or im$lementing large-s"ale +* $ro4e"ts. '>f? *wo mem%ers re$resenting nongo-ernmental ele"toral reform organi.ations, to %e sele"ted %y the "hair of the Ad-isory )oun"il from among the list of nominees su%mitted %y the "ountryBs nongo-ernmental ele"toral reform organi.ations. 'A $erson who is affiliated with any $oliti"al $arty or "andidate for any national $osition, or is related to a "andidate for any national $osition %y affinity or "onsanguinity within the fourth "i-il degree, shall not %e eligi%le for a$$ointment or designation to the Ad-isory )oun"il. !hould any su"h situation arise at any time during the in"um%en"y of a mem%er, the designation or a$$ointment of that mem%er, shall ipso facto %e terminated. 'Any mem%er of the ad-isory "oun"il is $rohi%ited from engaging, dire"tly or indire"tly, with any entity that ad-o"ates, mar/ets, im$orts, $rodu"es or in any manner handles software, hardware or any e9ui$ment that may %e used for ele"tion $ur$oses for $ersonal gain'.

'Any -iolation of the two immediate $re"eding $aragra$hs shall dis9ualify said mem%er from the Ad-isory )oun"il and shall %e $unisha%le as $ro-ided in this A"t and shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with the Anti-Craft and )orru$t 7ra"ti"es A"t and other related laws. '*he "oun"il may a-ail itself of the ex$ertise and ser-i"es of resour"e $erson who are /nown inde$enden"e, "om$eten"e and $ro%ity, are non$artisan, and do not $osses any of the dis9ualifi"ations a$$li"a%le to a mem%er of the Ad-isory )oun"il as $ro-ided herein. *he resour"e $ersons shall also %e su%4e"t to the same $rohi%itions and $enalties as the mem%ers of the Ad-isory )oun"il. '*he "ommission on information and "ommuni"ations te"hnology >)+)*?, shall in"lude in its annual a$$ro$riation the funds ne"essary to ena%le the "oun"il to effe"ti-ely $erform its fun"tions'. '!(). 6. 'unction of the #dvisory Council. - the )oun"il shall ha-e the following fun"tions #. Re"ommend the most a$$ro$riate, se"ure, a$$li"a%le and "ost-effe"ti-e te"hnology to %e a$$lied in the A(!, in whole or in $art, at that s$e"ifi" form in time. 0. 7arti"i$ate as non-oting mem%ers of the Bids and Awards )ommittee in the "ondu"t of the %idding $ro"ess for the A(!. Mem%ers of the Ad-isory )oun"il re$resenting the +)* 7rofessionals organi.ations are here%y ex"luded from $arti"i$ating in any manner in the Bids and Awards )ommittee. 3. 7arti"i$ate as non-oting mem%ers of the steering "ommittee tas/ed with the im$lementation of the A(!, Mem%ers of the Ad-isory )oun"il re$resenting the +)* $rofessional organi.ation are here%y ex"luded from $arti"i$ating in any manner in the steering "ommittee. 4. 7ro-ide ad-i"e and assistan"e in the re-iew of the systems $lanning, in"e$tion, de-elo$ment, testing, o$erationali.ation, and e-aluation stages. 2. 7ro-ided ad-i"e and3or assistan"e in the identifi"ation, assessment and resolution of systems $ro%lems or inade9ua"ies as may surfa"e or resurfa"e in the "ourse of the %idding, a"9uisition, testing, o$erationali.ation, re-use, storage or dis$osition of the A(! e9ui$ment and3or resour"es as the "ase may %e. 6. 7ro-ided ad-i"e and3or assistan"e in the ris/ management of the A(! es$e"ially when a "ontingen"y or disaster situation arises. 5. 7re$are and su%mit a written re$ort, whi"h shall %e su%mitted within six months from the date of the ele"tion to the o-ersight "ommittee, e-aluating the use of the A(!.

&othing in the role of the )oun"il or any outside inter-ention or influen"e shall %e "onstrued as an a%di"ation or diminution of the )ommissionBs authority and res$onsi%ility for the effe"ti-e de-elo$ment, management and im$lementation of the A(! and this A"t.' *he Ad-isory )oun"il shall %e entitled to a 4ust and reasona%le amount of per diem allowan"es and3or honoraria to "o-er the ex$enses of the ser-i"es rendered "hargea%le against the %udget of the )ommission.' '!(). #8. The Technical Evaluation Committee. - *he )ommission, in "olla%oration with the "hairman of the Ad-isory )oun"il, shall esta%lish an inde$endent te"hni"al e-aluation "ommittee, herein /nown as the )ommittee, "om$osed of a re$resentati-e ea"h from the )ommission, the )ommission on +nformation and )ommuni"ations *e"hnology and the ;e$artment of !"ien"e and *e"hnology who shall a"t as "hairman of the )ommittee. '*he )ommittee shall %e immediately "on-ened within ten >#8? days after the effe"ti-ely of this A"t.' '!(). ##. 'unctions of the Technical Evaluation Committee. - *he )ommittee shall "ertify, through an esta%lished international "ertifi"ation entity to %e "hosen %y the )ommission from the re"ommendations of the Ad-isory )oun"il, not later than three months %efore the date of the ele"toral exer"ises, "ategori"ally stating that the A(!, in"luding its hardware and software "om$onents, is o$erating $ro$erly, se"urely, and a""urately, in a""ordan"e with the $ro-isions of this A"t %ased, among others, on the following do"umented results #. *he su""essful "ondu"t of a field testing $ro"ess followed %y a mo"/ ele"tion e-ent in one or more "ities3muni"i$alities1 0. *he su""essful "om$letion of audit on the a""ura"y, fun"tionally and se"urity "ontrols of the A(! software1 3. *he su""essful "om$letion of a sour"e "ode re-iew1 4. A "ertifi"ation that the sour"e "ode is /e$t in es"row with the Bang(o Sentral ng Pilipinas1 2. A "ertifi"ation that the sour"e "ode re-iewed is one and the same as that used %y the e9ui$ment1 and 6. *he de-elo$ment, $ro-isioning, and o$erationali.ation of a "ontinuity $lan to "o-er ris/s to the A(! at all $oints in the $ro"ess su"h that a failure of ele"tions, whether at -oting, "ounting or "onsolidation, may %e a-oided. Aor $ur$oses of the 0885 ele"tions, the "ertifi"ation shall %e done not later than eight wee/s $rior to the date of the ele"tions.

'+f the )ommission de"ides to $ro"eed with the use of the A(! without the )ommitteeBs "ertifi"ation, it must su%mit its reason in writing, to the ,-ersight )ommittee, no less than thirty >38? days $rior to the ele"toral exer"ise where the A(! will %e used. '*he )ommittee may a-ail itself of the ex$ertise and ser-i"e of resour"e $ersons who are of /nown inde$enden"e, "om$eten"e and $ro%ity, are no $artisan, and who do not $ossess any of the dis9ualifi"ation a$$li"a%le to a mem%er of the Ad-isory )oun"il as $ro-ided herein. *he resour"e $ersons shall also %e su%4e"t to the same $rohi%itions and $enalties as the mem%ers of the Ad-isory )oun"il. '*he )ommittee shall "losely "oordinate with the steering "ommittee of the )ommission tas/ed with the im$lementation of the A(! in the identifi"ation and agreement of the $ro4e"t deli-era%les and timelines, and in the formulation of the a""e$tan"e "riteria for ea"h deli-era%le.' S%C. 3". !e"tion 8 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follow '!().#0. Procurement of E)uipment and &aterials. - *o a"hie-e the $ur$ose of this A"t, the )ommission in authori.ed to $ro"ure, in a""ordan"e with existing laws, %y $ur"hase, lease, rent or other forms of a"9uisition, su$$lies, e9ui$ment, materials, software, fa"ilities, and other ser-i"e, from lo"al or foreign sour"es free from taxes and im$ort duties, su%4e"t to a""ounting and auditing rules and regulation. :ith res$e"t to the May #8, 08#8 ele"tion and su""eeding ele"toral exer"ises, the system $ro"ured must ha-e demonstrated "a$a%ility and %een su""essfully used in a $rior ele"toral exer"ise here or %oard. 7arti"i$ation in the 0885 $ilot exer"ise shall not %e "on"lusi-e of the systemBs fitness. '+n determining the amount of any %id from a te"hnology, software or e9ui$ment su$$lier, the "ost to the go-ernment of its de$loyment and im$lementation shall %e added to the %id $ri"e as integral thereto. *he -alue of any alternati-e use to whi"h su"h te"hnology, software or e9ui$ment "an %e $ut for $u%li" use shall not %e dedu"ted from the original fa"e -alue of the said %id.' S%C. 33. !e"tion 6 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follow '!().#3. Continuity Plan. - *he A(! shall %e so designed to in"lude a "ontinuity $lan in "ase of a systems %rea/down or any su"h e-entuality whi"h shall result in the delay, o%stru"tion or non$erforman"e of the ele"toral $ro"ess. A"ti-ation of su"h "ontinuity and "ontingen"y measures shall %e underta/en in the $resen"e of re$resentati-es of $oliti"al $arties and "iti.enBs arm of the )ommission who shall %e notified %y the ele"tion offi"er of su"h a"ti-ation. 'All $oliti"al $arties and $arty-lists shall %e furnished "o$ies of said "ontinuity $lan at their offi"ial addresses as su%mitted to the )ommission. *he list shall %e $u%lished in at least two news$a$er of national of "ir"ulation and shall %e $osted at the we%site of the )ommission at least fifteen >#2? days $rior to the ele"toral a"ti-ity "on"erned.'

S%C. 3 . !e"tion #8 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!().#4. E*amination and Testing of E)uipment or Device of the #ES and Opening of the Source Code for Revie+. - *he )ommission shall allow the $oliti"al $arties and "andidates or their re$resentati-es, "iti.ensB arm or their re$resentati-es to examine and test. '*he e9ui$ment or de-i"e to %e used in the -oting and "ounting on the day of the ele"toral exer"ise, %efore -oting start. *est %allots and test forms shall %e $ro-ided %y the )ommission. '+mmediately after the examination and testing of the e9ui$ment or de-i"e, $arties and "andidates or their re$resentati-es, "iti.enBs arms or their re$resentati-es, may su%mit a written "omment to the ele"tion offi"er who shall immediately transmit it to the )ommission for a$$ro$riate a"tion. '*he ele"tion offi"er shall /ee$ minutes of the testing, a "o$y of whi"h shall %e su%mitted to the )ommission together with the minute of -oting.' ',n"e an A(! te"hnology is sele"ted for im$lementation, the )ommission shall $rom$tly ma/e the sour"e "ode of that te"hnology a-aila%le and o$en to any interested $oliti"al $arty or grou$s whi"h may "ondu"t their own re-iew thereof.' S%C. 33. !e"tion ## of re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!().#2. Official Ballot. - *he )ommission shall $res"ri%e the format of the ele"troni" dis$lay and3or the si.e and form of the offi"ial %allot, whi"h shall "ontain the titles of the $osition to %e filled and3or the $ro$osition to %e -oted u$on in an initiati-e, referendum or $le%is"ite. :here $ra"ti"a%le, ele"troni" dis$lays must %e "onstru"ted to $resent the names of all "andidates for the same $osition in the same $age or s"reen, otherwise, the ele"troni" dis$lays must %e "onstru"ted to $resent the entire %allot to the -oter, in a series of se9uential $ages, and to ensure that the -oter sees all of the %allot o$tions on all $ages %efore "om$leting his or her -ote and to allow the -oter to re-iew and "hange all %allot "hoi"es $rior to "om$leting and "asting his or her %allot. @nder ea"h $osition to %e filled, the names of "andidates shall %e arranged al$ha%eti"ally %y surname and uniformly indi"ated using the same ty$e si.e. *he maiden or married name shall %e listed in the offi"ial %allot, as $referred %y the female "andidate. @nder ea"h $ro$osition to %e -ote u$on, the "hoi"es should %e uniformly indi"ated using the same font and si.e. 'A fixed s$a"e where the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tor shall affix her3her signature to authenti"ate the offi"ial %allot shall %e $ro-ided. 'Aor this $ur$ose, the )ommission shall set the deadline for the filing of "ertifi"ate of "andida"y3$etition of registration3manifestation to $arti"i$ate in the ele"tion. Any $erson who files his "ertifi"ate of "andida"y within this $eriod shall only %e "onsidered as a "andidate at the start of the "am$aign $eriod for whi"h he filed his "ertifi"ate of

"andida"y Provided, *hat, unlawful a"ts or omissions a$$li"a%le to a "andidate shall effe"t only u$on that start of the aforesaid "am$aign $eriod Provided% finally, *hat any $erson holding a $u%li" a$$ointi-e offi"e or $osition, in"luding a"ti-e mem%ers of the armed for"es, and offi"ers, and em$loyees in go-ernment-owned or-"ontrolled "or$orations, shall %e "onsidered ipso factor resigned from his3her offi"e and must -a"ate the same at the start of the day of the filing of his3her "ertifi"ation of "andida"y. '7oliti"al $arties may hold $oliti"al "on-entions to nominate their offi"ial "andidate within thirty >38? days %efore the start of the $eriod for filing "ertifi"ate of "andida"y. ':ith res$e"t to a $a$er-%ased ele"tion system, the offi"ial %allots shall %e $rinted %y the &ational 7rinting ,ffi"e and3or the Bang(o Sentral ng Pilipinas at the $ri"e "om$ara%le with that of $ri-ate $rinters under $ro$er se"urity measures whi"h the )ommission shall ado$t. *he )ommission may "onta"t the ser-i"es of $ri-ate $rinters u$on "ertifi"ation %y the &ational 7rinting ,ffi"e3Bang(o Sentral ng Pilipinas that it "annot meet the $rinting re9uirements. A""redited $oliti"al $arties and de$uti.ed "iti.enBs arms of the )ommission shall assign wat"hers in the $rinting, storage and distri%ution of offi"ial %allots. '*o $re-ent the use of fa/e %allots, the )ommission through the )ommittee shall ensure that the ne"essary safeguards, su"h as, %ut not limited to, %ar "odes, holograms, "olor shifting in/, mi"ro$rinting, are $ro-ided on the %allot. '*he offi"ial %allots shall %e $rinted and distri%uted to ea"h "ity3muni"i$ality at the rate of one %allot for e-ery registered -oter with a $ro-ision of additional three %allots $er $re"in"t.' S%C. 3.. !e"tion #3 of re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). #5. Ballot bo*. - :here a$$li"a%le, there shall %e in ea"h $re"in"t on ele"tion day a %allot %ox with su"h safety features that the )ommission may $res"ri%e and of su"h si.e as to a""ommodate the offi"ial %allots.' S%C. 39. !e"tion #4 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). #8. Procedure in voting. - *he )ommission shall $res"ri%e the manner and $ro"edure of -oting, whi"h "an %e easily understood and followed %y the -oters, ta/ing into "onsideration, among other things, the se"re"y of the -oting.' S%C. 36. !e"tion #2 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). #6. Closing of polls.- *he )ommission shall $res"ri%e the time, manner and $ro"edure of "losing the $olls and the ste$s for the "orre"t re$orting of -otes "ast and the $ro$er "ondu"t of "ounting for areas "o-ered %y the A(!.' S%C. 3#. !e"tion #6 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows

'!(). 08. ,otice of Designation of Counting Centers. - *he ele"tion offi"er shall $ost $rominently in his3her offi"e, in the %ulletin %oards at the "ity3muni"i$al hall and in three other "ons$i"uous $la"es in the "ity3muni"i$ality, the noti"e on the designated "ounting "enter>s? for at least three wee/s $rior to ele"tion day. *he noti"e shall s$e"ify the $re"in"ts "o-ered %y ea"h "ounting "enter and the num%er of registered -oters in ea"h of said $re"in"ts. *he ele"tion offi"er shall also furnish a "o$y of the noti"e to the head9uarters or offi"ial address of the $oliti"al $arties or inde$endent "andidates within the same $eriod. *he ele"tion offi"er shall $ost in the )ommission we%site "on"erned the said noti"e and $u%lish the noti"e in the lo"al news$a$er. :here the $olling $la"e or -oting "enter is also the designated "ounting "enter, su"h information shall %e "ontained in the noti"e. '*he )ommission may not designate as "ounting "enter any %uilding or fa"ility lo"ated within the $remises of a "am$, reser-ation "om$ound, head9uarters, deta"hment, or field offi"e of the military, $oli"e, $rison or detention %ureau, or any law enfor"ement or in-estigation agen"y.' S%C. 3-. !e"tion #5 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 0#. Counting procedure. - *he )ommission shall $res"ri%e the manner and $ro"edure of "ounting the -otes under the automated system Provided, that a$art from the ele"troni"ally stored result, thirty >38? "o$ies of the ele"tion return are $rinted.' S%C. 39. !e"tion #8 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 00. Electronic Returns. - (a"h "o$y of the of the $rinted ele"tion returns shall %ear a$$ro$riate "ontrol mar/s to determine the time and $la"e of $rinting. (a"h "o$y shall %e signed and thum%mar/ed %y all the mem%ers of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors and the wat"hers $resent. +f any mem%er of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors $resent refuses to sign, the "hairman of the %oard shall note the same "o$y in ea"h "o$y of the $rinted ele"tion returns. *he mem%er of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors "on"erned refusing to sign shall %e "om$elled to ex$lain his or her refusal to do so. Aailure to ex$lain an un4ustifia%le refusal to sign ea"h "o$y of the $rinted ele"tion return %y any mem%er of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall %e $unisha%le as $ro-ided in this A"t. *he "hairman of the %oards shall then $u%li"ly read and announ"e the total num%ers of registered -oters, the total num%er of -oters who a"tually -oted and the total num%ers of -otes o%tained %y ea"h "andidate %ased on the ele"tion returns. '*hereafter, the "o$ies of the ele"tion returns shall %e sealed and $la"ed in the $ro$er en-elo$es for distri%ution as follows 'A. +n the ele"tion of $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators and $arty-list system1 #? *he first "o$y shall %e deli-ered to the "ity or muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers1 0? *he se"ond "o$y, to the "ongress, dire"ted to the 7resident of the !enate1

3? *he third "o$y, to the "ommission1 4? *he fourth "o$y, to the "iti.enBs arm authori.ed %y the )ommission to "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "ount 2? *he fifth "o$y, to the dominant ma4ority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 6? *he six "o$y, to the dominant minority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 and 5? *he se-enth "o$y shall %e de$osited inside the "om$artment of the %allot %ox for -alid %allots. 8? *he eight "o$y to the 7ro-in"ial Board of "an-assers1 6? *he ninth to the eighteenth "o$ies, shall %e gi-en to the ten >#8? a""redited ma4or national $arties, ex"luding the dominant ma4ority and minority $arties, in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#661 #8? *he nineteenth and twentieth "o$ies, to the two a""redited ma4or lo"al $arties in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the "ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of "riteria analogous to that $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#661 ##? *he twenty-first to the twenty-fourth "o$ies, to national %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 #0? *he twenty-fifth and twenty-six "o$ies, to lo"al %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 and #3? *he twenty-se-enth to the thirtieth "o$ies, to the ma4or "iti.enBs arms, in"luding the a""redited "iti.enBs arm, and other non-$artisan grou$s or organi.ation enlisted %y the )ommission $ursuant to !e"tion 20>/? of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#. !u"h "iti.ensB arm, grou$s and organi.ation may use the four "ertified "o$ies of ele"tion returns for the "ondu"t of "iti.ensB 9ui"/ "ounts at the lo"al or national le-els1 'B. +n the ele"tion of lo"al offi"ials and mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es #? *he Airst "o$y shall %e deli-ered to the "ity or muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers1 0? *he se"ond "o$y, to the )ommission1

3? *he third "o$y, to the $ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers1 4? *he fourth "o$y, to the "iti.ensB arm authori.ed %y the )ommission to "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "ount1 2? *he fifth "o$y, to the dominant ma4ority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 6? *he sixth "o$y, to the dominant minority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 and 5? *he se-enth "o$y shall %e de$osited inside the "o$y shall de$osited inside the "om$artment of the %allot %ox for -alid %allots. 8? *he eight "o$y to %e $osted "ons$i"uously on a wall within the $remises of the $olling $la"e or "ounting "enter1 6? *he ninth to the eighteenth "o$ies, shall %e gi-en to the ten >#8? a""redited ma4or national $arties, ex"luding the dominant ma4ority and minority $arties, in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#661 #8? *he nineteenth and twentieth "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the two a""redited ma4or lo"al $arties in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of "riteria analogous to that $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 of re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#661 ##? *he twenty-first to the twenty-fifth "o$ies, to national %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 #0? *he twenty-sixth and twenty-se-enth "o$ies, to lo"al %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 and #3? *he twenty-eighth to the thirtieth "o$ies to the ma4or "iti.ensB arms, in"luding the a""redited "iti.ensB arm, and other non-$artisan grou$s or organi.ation enlisted %y the )ommission $ursuant to se"tion 20>/? of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#. !u"h "iti.ensB arms, grou$s and organi.ation may use the fi-e "ertified "o$ies of ele"tion returns for the "ondu"t of "iti.ensB 9ui"/ "ounts at the lo"al or national le-els. '+mmediately after the eight "o$y is $rinted, the $oll "ler/ shall announ"e the $osting of said "o$y on a wall within the $remises of the $olling $la"e or "ounting "enter, whi"h must %e suffi"iently lighted and a""essi%le to the $u%li". Any $erson may -iew or "a$ture an image of the ele"tion return %y means of any data "a$turing de-i"e su"h as, %ut not

limited to "ameras at any time of the day for forty-eight >48? hours following its $osting. After su"h $eriod, the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall deta"h the ele"tion return from the wall and /ee$ the same in his "ustody to %e $rodu"ed as may %e re9uested %y any -oter for image or data "a$turing or for any lawful $ur$ose as may %e ordered %y "om$etent authority. ':ithin one hour after the $rinting of the ele"tion returns, the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors or any offi"ial authori.ed %y the )ommission shall, in the $resen"e of wat"hers and re$resentati-es of the a""redited "iti.ensB arm, $oliti"al $arties3"andidates, if any, ele"troni"ally transmit the $re"in"t results to the res$e"ti-e le-els of %oard of "an-assers, to the dominant ma4ority and minority $arty, to the a""redited "iti.enBs arm, and to the -apisanan ng mga Brodcaster ng Pilipinas >EB7?. '*he ele"tion results at the "ity3muni"i$ality "an-assing "enters shall %e transmitted in the same manner %y the ele"tion offi"er or any offi"ial authori.ed %y the "ommission to the distri"t or $ro-in"ial "an-assing "enters. '*he ele"tion returns transmitted ele"troni"ally and digitally signed shall %e "onsidered as offi"ial ele"tion results and shall %e used as the %asis for the "an-assing of -otes and the $ro"lamation of a "andidate.' 'After the ele"troni" results ha-e %een transmitted additional "o$ies not to ex"eed thirty >38? may %e $rinted and gi-en to re9uesting $arties at their own ex$ense.' S%C. ". !e"tion 0# of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 02. Canvassing by Provincial% City% District and &unicipal Boards of Canvassers. - *he )ity or Muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers shall "an-ass the -otes for the $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators, and $arties, organi.ation or "oalitions $arti"i$ating under the $arty-list system %y "onsolidating the ele"troni"ally transmitted results "ontained in the data storage de-i"es used in the $rinting of the ele"tion returns. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $rint the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass of -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators and mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ials and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted "ity or muni"i$al offi"ials, as the "ase may %e. '*he "ity %oard of "an-assers of "ities "om$rising one or more legislati-e distri"ts shall "an-ass the -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators, mem%ers of the Douse Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e "ity offi"ials %y "onsolidating the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass ele"troni"ally transmitted or the results "ontained in the data storage de-i"es used in the $rinting of the ele"tion returns. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, the %oard shall $ro"edure the "an-ass of -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, and senators thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and "ity offi"ials. '+n the Metro Manila area, ea"h muni"i$ality "om$rising a legislati-e distri"t shall ha-e a distri"t %oard of "an-assers whi"h shall "an-ass the -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators, mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e muni"i$al offi"ials %y

"onsolidating the ele"troni"ally transmitted results or the results "ontained in the data storage de-i"es used in the $rinting of the ele"tion returns. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $rodu"e the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass of -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, and senators and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%ers of the Douse Re$resentati-es and muni"i$al offi"ials. '(a"h "om$onent muni"i$ality in a legislati-e distri"t in the Metro Manila area shall ha-e a muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers whi"h shall "an-ass the -otes for $resident, -i"e$resident, senators, mem%ers of the house of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e muni"i$al offi"ials %y "onsolidating the results ele"troni"ally transmitted from the "ounting "enters or the results "ontained in the data storage de-i"es used in the $rinting of the ele"tion returns. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $re$are the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass of -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators, mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted muni"i$al offi"ials. '*he distri"t %oard of "an-assers of ea"h legislati-e distri"t "om$rising two muni"i$alities in the Metro Manila area shall "an-ass the -otes for $resident, -i"e$resident, senators and mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es %y "onsolidating the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass ele"troni"ally transmitted from the "ity3muni"i$al "onsolidating "enters or the results "ontained in the data storage de-i"es su%mitted %y the muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers of the "om$onent muni"i$alities. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass. +t shall $rodu"e a "ertifi"ate of the "an-ass -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es in the legislati-e distri"t. '*he distri"t3$ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers shall "an-ass the -otes for $resident, -i"e$resident, senators, mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ials %y "onsolidating the results ele"troni"ally transmitted from the "ity3muni"i$al "onsolidating "enters or the results "ontained in the data storage de-i"es su%mitted %y the %oard of "an-assers of the muni"i$alities and "om$onent "ities. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $rodu"e the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident and senators and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and the $ro-in"ial offi"ial. '*he muni"i$al, "ity, distri"t and $ro-in"ial "ertifi"ates of "an-ass of -otes shall ea"h %e su$$orted %y a statement of -otes. ':ithin one hour after the "an-assing, the )hairman of the distri"t or $ro-in"ial Board of )an-assers or the "ity %oard of "an-assers of those "ities whi"h "om$rise one or more legislati-e distri"ts shall ele"troni"ally transmit the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass to the "ommission sitting as the national %oard of "an-assers for senators and $arty-list re$resentati-es and to the )ongress as the &ational Board of )an-assers for the $resident and -i"e $resident, dire"ted to the 7resident of the !enate.

'*he )ommission shall ado$t ade9uate and effe"ti-e measures to $reser-e the integrity of the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass transmitted ele"troni"ally and the results in the storage de-i"es at the -arious le-els of the %oards of "an-assers. '*he "ertifi"ates of "an-ass transmitted ele"troni"ally and digitally signed shall %e "onsidered as offi"ial ele"tion results and shall %e used as the %asis for the $ro"lamation of a winning "andidate.' S%C. 3. !e"tion 00 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 06. ,umber of Copies of Certificates of Canvass of .otes and their distribution. >a? *he "ertifi"ate of "an-ass of -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators, mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es, $arties, organi.ation or "oalitions $arti"i$ating under the $arty-list system and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ials shall %e $rodu"ed %y the "ity or muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers and distri%uted as follows '>#? *he first "o$y shall %e deli-ered to the $ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers for use in the "an-ass of ele"tion results for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators, mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es, $arties, organi.ation or "oalitions $arti"i$ating under the $arty-list system and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ials1 '>0? *he se"ond "o$y shall %e sent to the )ommission1 '>3? *he third "o$y shall %e /e$t %y the "hairman of the %oard1 and '>4? *he fourth "o$y shall %e gi-en to the "iti.en arm designated %y the )ommission to "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "ount. +t shall %e the duty of the "iti.ensB arm to furnish inde$endent "andidatesB "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass at the ex$ense of the re9uesting $arty. '>2? *he fifth "o$y to )ongress, dire"ted to the 7resident of !enate1 '>6? *he sixth "o$y to %e $osted on a wall within the $remises of the "an-assing "enter1 '>5? *he se-enth and eighth "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the dominant ma4ority and minority $arties1 '>8? *he ninth to eighteenth "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the ten >#8? a""redited ma4or national $arties, ex"luding the dominant ma4ority and minority $arties, in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t no. 5#661 '>6? *he nineteenth and twentieth "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the two a""redited ma4or lo"al $arties in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is

rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of "riteria analogous to that $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#661 '>#8? *he twenty-first to the twenty-fifth "o$ies to national %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 '>##? *he twenty-six and twenty-se-en "o$ies, to lo"al %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 and '>#0? *he twenty-eighth to the thirtieth "o$ies, to the ma4or "iti.ensB arms, in"luding the a""redited "iti.ensB arm, and other non-$artisan grou$s or organi.ations enlisted %y the "ommission $ursuant to !e"tion 20>/? of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#. !u"h "iti.ensB arms, grou$s and organi.ation may use the three "ertified "o$ies of ele"tion returns for the "ondu"t of "iti.ensB 9ui"/ "ounts at the lo"al or national le-els1 '*he %oard of "an-assers shall furnish all other registered $arties "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass at the ex$ense of the re9uesting $arty. '>%? *he "ertifi"ate of "an-ass of -otes for $resident, -i"e-$resident and senators, $arties, organi.ation or "oalitions $arti"i$ating under the $arty-list system shall %e $rodu"ed %y the "ity %oards of "an-assers of "ities "om$rising one or more legislati-e distri"ts, %y $ro-in"ial %oards of "an-assers and %y distri"t %oards of "an-assers in the Metro Manila area, and other highly ur%ani.ed areas and distri%uted as follows '>#? *he first "o$y shall %e sent to "ongress , dire"ted to the $resident of the !enate for use in the "an-ass of ele"tion results for $resident and -i"e-$resident1 '>0? *he se"ond "o$y shall %e sent to the )ommission for use in the "an-ass of the ele"tion results for senators1 '>3? *he third "o$y shall %e /e$t the "hairman of the %oard1 and '>4? *he fourth "o$y shall %e gi-en to the "iti.ensB arm designated %y the )ommission to "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "ount. +t shall %e the duty of the "iti.ensB arm to furnish inde$endent "andidates "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass at the ex$ense of the re9uesting $arty. '>2? *he fifth "o$y to )ongress, dire"ted to the 7resident of the !enate1 '>6? *he six "o$y to %e $osted on a wall within the $remises of the "an-assing "enter1 '>5? *he se-enth and eight "o$ies to the dominant ma4ority and minority $arties1

'>8? *he ninth and tenth "o$ies to two a""redited ma4or national $arties re$resenting the ma4ority and minority, ex"luding the dominant ma4ority and minority $arties, to %e determined %y the )ommission on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#661 '>6? *he ele-enth to thirteenth "o$ies to %road"ast media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 and '>#8? *he fourteenth "o$y to another "iti.ensB arm or in the a%sen"e thereof, to a non$artisan grou$ or organi.ation enlisted %y the )ommission $ursuant to !e"tion 20>/? of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#. !u"h "iti.ensB arm or non-$artisan grou$ or organi.ation may use the "o$y of ele"tion return for the "ondu"t of "iti.ensB 9ui"/ "ounts at the lo"al or national le-els. '*he %oard of "an-assers shall furnish all other registered $arties "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass at the ex$ense of the re9uesting $arty. '>"? *he "ertifi"ates of "an-ass $rinted %y the $ro-in"ial, distri"t, "ity or muni"i$al %oards of "an-assers shall %e signed and thum% mar/ed %y the "hairman and mem%ers of the %oard and the $rin"i$al wat"hers, if a-aila%le. *hereafter, it shall %e sealed and $la"ed inside an en-elo$e whi"h shall li/ewise %e $ro$erly sealed. '+n all instan"es, where the %oard of )an-assers has the duty to furnish registered $oliti"al $arties with "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass, the $ertinent ele"tion returns shall %e atta"hed thereto, where a$$ro$riate.' '+mmediately after the six "o$y and its su$$orting statement of -otes are $rinted, the "hairman of the %oard of "an-assers shall announ"e the $osting of said $rints on a wall within the $remises of the "an-assing "enter, whi"h must %e suffi"iently lighted and a""essi%le to the $u%li". Any $erson may -iew or "a$ture an image of the )ertifi"ate of )an-ass or the su$$orting statement of -otes %y means of any data "a$turing de-i"e su"h as, %ut not limited to, "ameras at any time of the day for forty-eight >48? hours following the $osting. After su"h $eriod, the "hairman of the %oard of "an-assers shall deta"h the ele"tion return from the wall and /ee$ the same in his "ustody to %e $rodu"ed as may %e re9uested %y any -oter for image or data "a$turing or for any lawful $ur$ose as may %e ordered %y "om$etent authority.' S%C. . !e"tion 03 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 05. ,ational Board of Canvassers for Senators and Party!/ist Representatives. *he "hairman and mem%ers of the )ommission on (le"tion sitting en banc, shall "om$ose the national %oard of "an-assers for senators and $arty-list re$resentati-es. +t shall "an-ass the results %y "onsolidating the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass ele"troni"ally transmitted. *hereafter, the national %oard shall $ro"laim the winning "andidates for senators and $arty-list re$resentati-es.'

S%C. 3. !e"tion 04 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 08. Congress as the ,ational Board of Canvassers for President and .ice! President. - *he !enate and the Douse of Re$resentati-es in 4oint $u%li" session shall "om$ose the national %oard of "an-assers for $resident and -i"e-$resident. *he "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for $resident and -i"e-$resident duly "ertified %y the %oard of "an-assers of ea"h $ro-in"e or "ity, shall %e ele"troni"ally transmitted to the )ongress, dire"ted to the $resident of the !enate. @$on re"ei$t of the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass, the 7resident of the !enate shall, not later than thirty >38? days after the day of the ele"tion, o$en all the "ertifi"ates in the $resen"e of the !enate and the Douse of re$resentati-es in 4oint $u%li" session and the )ongress u$on determination of the authenti"ity and the due exe"ution thereof in the manner $ro-ided %y law, "an-ass all the results for $resident and -i"e$resident and thereafter, $ro"laim the winning "andidates.' S%C. .. A new !e"tion 06 is here%y $ro-ided to reads as follows '!() 06. Random &anual #udit. - :here the A(! is used, there shall %e a random manual audit in one $re"in"t $er "ongressional distri"t randomly "hosen %y the )ommission in ea"h $ro-in"e and "ity. Any differen"e %etween the automated and manual "ount will result in the determination of root "ause and initiate a manual "ount for those $re"in"ts affe"ted %y the "om$uter or $ro"edural error.' S%C. 9. A new !e"tion 38 is here%y $ro-ided to read as follows '!e". 38. #uthentication of Electronically Transmitted Election Results. - *he manner of determining the authenti"ity and due exe"ution of the "ertifi"ates shall "onform with the $ro-isions of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#66 as may %e su$$lement or modified %y the $ro-ision of this A"t, where a$$li"a%le, %y a$$ro$riate authenti"ation and "ertifi"ation $ro"edures for ele"troni" signatures as $ro-ided in Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8560 as well as the rules $romulgated %y the !u$reme )ourt $ursuant thereto.' S%C. 6. !e"tion 02 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to reads as follows '!(). 3#. Sta(eholder education and training. - *he )ommission shall, not later than six months %efore the a"tual automated ele"tion exer"ise, underta/e a wides$read sta/eholder edu"ation and training $rogram, through news$a$er of general "ir"ulation, radio, tele-ision and other media forms, as well as through seminars, sym$osia, fora and other nontraditional means, to edu"ate the $u%li" and fully inform the ele"torate a%out the A(! and in"ul"ate -alues on honest, $ea"eful, orderly and informed ele"tions. '!u"h $rogram shall ensure the a""e$tan"e and readiness of the following sta/eholders to understand and a$$re"iate the %enefits of the A(! #. Ceneral $u%li"3-oters1 0. )ommissionBs staff1

3. ;e$artment of (du"ation, ;e$artment of Ainan"e >muni"i$al, "ity and $ro-in"ial treasurers? and all other go-ernment agen"ies who will $lay a role in the ele"toral exer"ise1 4. <o"al go-ernment offi"ials >$ro-in"ial, muni"i$al, %arangay le-els?1 2. +n"um%ent ele"ted offi"ials in the legislati-e and exe"uti-e de$artments1 6. 7oliti"al $arties and "andidates1 5. Mem%ers of the military and $oli"e. '*he general $u%li" or -oters training will fo"us on %uilding the "a$a%ility to use the automated system to "ast their -ote, as well as general a$$re"iation of the A(!. All other sta/eholders mentioned a%o-e will re"ei-e additional information in order to %uild a dee$er understanding of the -oting, "ounting, "an-assing $ro"edures, so that they may a"t as ad-o"ates of he A(!. '*he )ommission together with and in su$$ort of a""redited "iti.ensB arms shall "arry out a "ontinuing and systemati" "am$aign through news$a$er of general "ir"ulation, radio and other media forms, as well as through seminars, sym$osia, fora and other nontraditional means to edu"ate the $u%li" and fully inform the ele"torate a%out the A(! and in"ul"ate -alues on honest, $ea"eful and orderly ele"tion.' S%C. #. !e"tion 05 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows !(). 33. 0oint Congressional Oversight Committee. - An ,-ersight )ommittee is here%y "reated "om$osed of se-en mem%ers ea"h from the !enate and the Douse of Re$resentati-es, four of whom shall "ome from the ma4ority and three from the minority, to monitor and e-aluate the im$lementation of this A"t. A written re$ort to the !enate and the Douse of Re$resentati-es shall %e su%mitted %y the Ad-isory )oun"il within six months from the date of ele"tion. *he o-ersight "ommittee shall "ondu"t a mandatory re-iew of this A"t e-ery twel-e >#0? months from the date of the last regular national or lo"al ele"tions.' '*he o-ersight "ommittee shall "ondu"t a "om$rehensi-e assessment and e-aluation of the $erforman"e of the different A(! te"hnologies im$lemented and shall ma/e a$$ro$riate re"ommendations to )ongress, in session assem%led, s$e"ifi"ally in"luding the following #. An assessment and "om$arison of ea"h of the A(! te"hnologies utili.ed, in"luding their strengths, wea/ness, a$$li"a%ility or ina$$li"a%ility in s$e"ifi" areas and situations1 0. An e-aluation of their a""ura"y through a "om$arison of a random sam$le of the A(! ele"tion results with a manual ta%ulation, and the "ondu"t of similar tests1

3. As to the s"o$e of A(! im$lementation in the su%se9uent ele"tions, $ro-ide for re"ommendations as to whether any of the following should %e ado$ted 'a. Aurther test a$$li"ation of the A(! or a $arti"ular A(! te"hnology used in the 0885 ele"tions, whether in the same or others areas1 '%. An in"rease or enlargement of areas for im$lementation of the A(! or an A(! te"hnology and not a full im$lementation1 or '". A full im$lementation of the A(!. 4. As to the /ind of A(! te"hnology, $ro-ide for $ro$osals as to whether a? A $arti"ular A(! te"hnology should no longer %e utili.ed for %eing o%solete, ina$$li"a%le, ina""urate or with a defe"t whi"h "annot %e remedied1 %? An enhan"ement or im$ro-ement is needed to an A(! te"hnology whi"h was used in the 0885 ele"tion to ma/e it more fun"tional, a$$ro$riate and a""urate1 "? A $arti"ular A(! te"hnology is already a$$ro$riate and should %e utili.ed fully for su%se9uent ele"tion1 or d? *he testing or ado$tion of new te"hnologies whi"h may ha-e emerged after the 0885 ele"tions is needed.' S%C. -. !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 32. Prohibited #cts and Penalties. - *he following shall %e $enali.ed as $ro-ided in this A"t, whether or not said a"ts affe"t the ele"toral $ro"ess or results '>a? @tili.ing without authori.ation, tam$ering with, damaging, destroying or stealing '>#? ,ffi"ial %allots, ele"tion returns, and "ertifi"ates of "an-ass of -otes used in the system1 and '>0? (le"troni" de-i"es or their "om$onents, $eri$herals or su$$lies used in the A(! su"h as "ounting ma"hine, memory $a"/3dis/ette, memory $a"/ re"ei-er and "om$uter set1 '>%? +nterfering with, im$eding, a%s"onding for $ur$ose of gain, $re-enting the installation or use of "om$uter "ounting de-i"es and the $ro"essing, storage, generation and transmission of ele"tion results, data or information1 '>"? Caining or "ausing a""ess to using, altering, destroying or dis"losing any "om$uter data, $rogram, system software, networ/, or any "om$uter-related de-i"es, fa"ilities, hardware or e9ui$ment, whether "lassified or de"lassified1

'>d? Refusal of the "iti.ensB arm to $resent for $erusal its "o$y of ele"tion return to the %oard of "an-assers1 '>e? 7resentation %y the "iti.ensB arm of tam$ered or s$urious ele"tion returns1 '>f? Refusal or failure to $ro-ide the dominant ma4ority and dominant minority $arties or the "iti.ensBB arm their "o$y of ele"tion returns1 and '>g? *he failure to $ost the -otersB list within the s$e"ified time, duration and in the designated lo"ation shall "onstitute an ele"tion offense on the $art the ele"tion offi"er "on"erned.' 'Any $erson "on-i"ted for -iolation of this A"t, ex"e$t those "on-i"ted of the "rime of ele"toral sa%otage, shall %e $enali.ed with im$risonment of eight years and one day to twel-e >#0? years without $ossi%ility of $arole, and $er$etual dis9ualifi"ation to hold $u%li" offi"e and de$ri-ation of the right of suffrage. Moreo-er, the offender shall %e $er$etually dis9ualified to hold any non-ele"ti-e $u%li" offi"e.' S%C. 9. !e"tion 38 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 36. #pplicability. - *he $ro-ision of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#, as amended, otherwise /nown as the B,mni%us (le"tion )ode of the 7hili$$inesB, and other ele"tion laws not in"onsistent with this A"t shall a$$ly.' S%C. 3". !e"tion 3# of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8436 is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 35. Rules and Regulations. - *he )ommission shall $romulgate rules and regulation for the im$lementation and enfor"ement of this A"t. '&otwithstanding the foregoing "an-assing $ro"edure, the )ommission is authori.ed to $res"ri%e other manner or $ro"edure for the "an-assing and "onsolidation of -otes as te"hnology e-ol-es, su%4e"t to the $ro-isions of !e"tion 5 hereof on the minimum "a$a%ilities of the A(! and other $ertinent laws.' S%C. 33. !e"tion 02 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#66 is here%y amended to read as follows '!e" 02. &anner of Counting .otes. - +n addition to the re9uirement in the fourth $aragra$h of !e"tion #0 of the Re$u%li" A"t &o. 6646 and !e"tion 0#8 of the ,mni%us (le"tion )ode, in reading the offi"ial %allots during the "ounting, the "hairman, the $oll "ler/ and the third mem%er shall assume su"h $ositions as to $ro-ide the wat"hers and the mem%ers of the $u%li" as may %e "on-eniently a""ommodated in the $olling $la"e, an unim$eded -iew of the %allot %eing ready %y the "hairman, of the ele"tion return and the tally %oard %eing simultaneously a""om$lished %y the, $oll "ler/ and the third mem%er res$e"ti-ely, without tou"hing any of these ele"tion do"uments. *he ta%le shall %e "leared of all unne"essary writing $ara$hernalia. Any -iolation of this re9uirement shall

"onstitute an ele"tion offense $unisha%le under !e"tion 063 and 064 the ,mni%us (le"tion )ode. '*he "hairman shall first read the -otes for national $ositions. 'Any -iolation of this !e"tion, or its $ertinent $ortion, shall "onstitute an ele"tion offense and shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#. Sec. 3 . !e"tion 0#0 of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88# as amended, is here%y to read as follows '!(). 0#0. Election Returns. - *he %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall $re$are the ele"tion returns simultaneously with the "ounting of -otes in the $olling $la"es as $res"ri%e in !e"tion 0#8 hereof. *he re"ording of -ote shall %e made as $res"ri%ed in said se"tion. *he entry of -otes in words and figures for ea"h "andidate shall %e "losed with the signature and the "lear im$rint of the thum%mar/ of the right hand of all the mem%ers, li/ewise to %e affixed in full -iew of the $u%li", immediately after the last -ote re"orded or immediately after the name of the "andidate who did not re"ei-e any -ote.' '*he returns shall also show the date of the ele"tion, the $olling $la"e, the %arangay and the "ity or muni"i$ality in whi"h it was held, the total num%er of %allots found in the "om$artment for -alid %allots, the total num%er of -alid %allots withdrawn from the "om$artment for s$oiled %allots %e"ause they were erroneously $la"ed therein, the total num%er of ex"ess %allots, the total num%er of mar/ed or -oid %allots, and the total num%ers of -otes o%tained %y ea"h "andidate, writing out the said num%er in words and figures and, at the end thereof, the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall "ertify that the "ontents are "orre"t. *he returns shall %e a""om$lished in a single sheet of $a$er, %ut if this is not $ossi%le, additional sheets may %e used whi"h shall %e $re$ared in the same manner as the first sheet and li/ewise "ertified %y the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors.' '*he "ommission shall ta/e ste$s so that the entries on the first "o$y of the ele"tion returns are "learly re$rodu"ed on the se"ond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth "o$ies thereof, and for the $ur$ose this )ommission shall use a s$e"ial /ind of $a$er.' '+mmediately u$on the a""om$lishment of the ele"tion return for national $osition, the $oll "ler/ shall announ"e the $osting of the se"ond "o$y of the ele"tion return on a wall with suffi"ient lighting within the $remises of the $olling $la"e or "ounting "enter. De shall then $ro"eed to do the same in the $resen"e of the other mem%ers of the Board, the wat"hers and those $resent in the $olling $la"e or "ounting "enter. :ithout delay and, when feasi%le, he shall se"ure an image of the ele"tion return using a se"ured data "a$turing de-i"e and immediately thereafter, while in the $remises of the $olling $la"e or "ounting "enter, dire"tly $rint thirty >38? "o$ies of the ele"tion return. ,n"e the $rints ha-e %een $rodu"ed, the $oll "ler/ shall "all the other mem%ers of the %oard to authenti"ate ea"h $rint "o$y %y "losely "om$aring the same with the ele"tion return $osted on the wall in the $resen"e of the wat"hers and within -iew of the $u%li". +f the Board finds ea"h $rint a faithful re$rodu"tion of the ele"tion return, all mem%ers thereof shall annotate and sign a "ertifi"ation to that effe"t on the %ottom front of the $rint.

'(a"h "ertified $rinted "o$y shall %e $la"ed in an en-elo$e and distri%uted as herein $ro-ided. ;esignated re"i$ients of the "ertified $rint "o$ies may re"ei-e their "o$ies at the $olling $la"e or "ounting "enter. '+mmediately u$on the a""om$lishment of the ele"tion returns for lo"al $osition, the se"ond "o$y of the same shall %e $osted on a wall with suffi"ient lighting within the $remises of the $olling $la"e. '*he other "o$ies of ele"tion returns for %oth national and lo"al $osition shall %e sealed in the $resen"e of the wat"hers and the $u%li", and $la"ed in the $ro$er en-elo$e, whi"h shall li/ewise %e sealed and distri%uted as herein $ro-ided.' 'Any ele"tion return with a se$arately $rinted serial num%er or whi"h %ears a different serial num%er from that assigned to the $arti"ular $olling $la"e "on"erned shall not %e "an-assed. *his is to %e determined %y the %oard "an-assers $rior to its "an-assing on the %asis of the "ertifi"ation of the $ro-in"ial, "ity or muni"i$al treasurer as to the serial num%er of the ele"tion return assigned to said -oting $re"in"t, unless the )ommission shall order in writing for its "an-assing, stating the reason for the -arian"e in serial num%ers.' '+f the signatures and3or thum%mar/s of the mem%ers of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors or some of them as re9uired in this $ro-ision are missing in the ele"tion returns, the %oard of "an-assers may summon the mem%ers of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors "on"erned to "om$lete the returns. '*he "iti.enBs arm is mandated to $resent for $erusal its "o$y of the ele"tion return to the %oard of ele"tion "an-assers u$on the re9uest of any interested "andidate. 'Any -iolation of this ele"tion or its $ertinent $ortion, shall "onstitute an ele"tion offense and shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88# '+n addition, the following shall li/ewise %e guilty of an ele"tion offense '>a? Any 7erson who remo-es the ele"tion return $osted on the wall, whether within or after the $res"ri%ed forty-eight >48? hours of $osting, or defa"es the same in any manner1 '>%? Any $erson who simulates an a"tual ele"tion return, or a $rint or digital "o$y thereof1 '>"? Any $erson who simulates the "ertifi"ation in a $rint of an ele"tion return1 '>d? *he "hairman or any mem%er of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors who, during the $res"ri%e $eriod of $osting, remo-es the ele"tion return from the wall on whi"h it had %een $osted other than for the $ur$ose of immediately transferring it to a more suita%le $la"e1

'>e? *he "hairman or any mem%er of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors who signs or authenti"ates a $rint of the ele"tion return outside of the $olling $la"e1 and '>f? *he "hairman or any mem%er of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors who signs or authenti"ates a $rint whi"h %ears an image different from the ele"tion return $rodu"ed after "ounting and $osted on the wall.' S%C. 33. !e"tion 05 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#66, as amended %y Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8842 and Re$u%li" A"t &o. 8#53 is here%y further amended to read as follows !(). 05. ,umber of Copies of Election Returns and their Distribution. - *he %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall $re$are in handwriting the ele"tion returns in their res$e"ti-e $olling $la"e, in the num%er of "o$ies herein $ro-ided and in the form to %e $res"ri%ed and $ro-ided %y the )ommission. '*he "o$ies of ele"tion returns shall %e distri%uted %y the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors as follows '>a? +n the ele"tion of $resident, -i"e-$resident, senators and mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es in"luding the $arty-list re$resentati-es '>#? *he first "o$y shall %e deli-ered to the "ity or muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers1 '>0? *he se"ond "o$y to %e $osted on a wall within the $remises of the $olling $la"e1 '>3? *he third "o$y, to the "ongress, dire"ted to the 7resident of the !enate1 '>4? *he fourth "o$y. to the )ommission1 '>2? *he fifth "o$y, to the dominant ma4ority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 '>6? *he sixth "o$y, to the dominant minority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 '>5? *he se-enth "o$y, to a "iti.ensB authori.ed %y the )ommission to "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "ount Provided% ho+ever, *hat the a""reditation of the "iti.ensB arm shall %e su%4e"t to the $ro-ision of !e"tion 20>/? of Batas 7am%ansa Bldg. 88#1 and '>8? *he eight "o$y shall %e de$osited inside the "om$artment of the %allot %ox for -alid %allots1 and '>%? +n the ele"tion of lo"al offi"ials1

'>#? *he Airst "o$y shall %e deli-ered to the "ity or muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers1 '>0? *he se"ond "o$y to %e $osted on a wall within the $remises of the $olling $la"e1 '>3? *he third "o$y, to the )ommission1 '>4? *he fourth "o$y, to the $ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers1 '>2? *he fifth "o$y, to the dominant ma4ority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 '>6? *he sixth "o$y, to the dominant minority $arty as determined %y the )ommission in a""ordan"e with law1 '>5? *he se-enth "o$y, to a "iti.ensB authori.ed %y the )ommission to "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "ount Provided% ho+ever, *hat the a""reditation of the "iti.ensB arm shall %e su%4e"t to the $ro-isions of !e"tion 20>/? of Batas 7am%ansa Bldg. 88#1 and '>8? *he eighth "o$y shall %e de$osited inside the "om$artment of the %allot %ox for -alid -otes. '*he "o$y of the ele"tion return $osted on the wall shall %e o$en for $u%li" -iewing at any time of the day for forty-eight >48? hours following its $osting. Any $erson may -iew or "a$ture an image of the ele"tion return %y means of any data "a$turing de-i"e su"h as, %ut not limited to, "ameras at any time of the day for forty-eight >48? hours following its $osting. After the $res"ri%ed $eriod for $osting, the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall "olle"t the $osted ele"tion returns and /ee$ the same in his "ustody to %e $rodu"ed for image or data "a$turing as may %e re9uested %y any -oter or any lawful $ur$ose as may %e ordered %y "om$etent authority. '(x"e$t for those "o$ies that are re9uired to %e deli-ered, "o$ies of ele"tion returns may %e "laimed at the $olling $la"e. Any un"laimed "o$y shall %e %rought %y the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors to the "an-assing "enter where the re"i$ients or their re$resentati-es may "laim them. )o$ies still un"laimed at the "an-assing "enter shall %e deemed $la"ed in the "ustody of the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors, who shall $rodu"e them when re9uested %y the re"i$ient or when ordered %y a "om$etent authority. '*he *hirty >38? "ertified $rint "o$ies of the ele"tion return for national $ositions shall %e distri%uted as follows '>a? *he first fourteen >#4? "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the fourteen >#4? a""redited ma4or national $arties in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h

agreement is rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 hereof1 '>%? *he next three "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the three a""redited ma4or lo"al $arties in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of "riteria analogous to that $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 Dereof1 '>"? *he next fi-e "o$ies shall %e gi-en to national %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 '>d? *he next two "o$ies shall %e gi-en to lo"al %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 '>e? *he next four "o$ies to the ma4or "iti.ensB arms, in"luding the a""redited "iti.ensB arms and other non-$artisan grou$s or organi.ations enlisted %y the )ommission $ursuant to !e"tion 20>/? of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#1 '>f? *he next "o$y to %e $la"ed inside the "om$artment of the %allot %ox for -alid %allots1 and '>g? *he last "o$y to the $ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers.' '*he "ertified $rint "o$ies may %e "laimed at the $olling $la"e. Any un"laimed "o$y shall %e %rought %y the "hairman of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors to the "an-assing "enter where the re"i$ients or re$resentati-es may "laim them. )o$ies still un"laimed at the "an-assing "enter shall %e $la"ed in the "ustody of the "hairman of the %oard ele"tion ins$e"tors, who shall $rodu"e them when re9uested %y the re"i$ient or when ordered %y a "om$etent authority. 'Any $ro-ision of law to the "ontrary notwithstanding, any of the re"i$ients of the $rint or digital "o$ies of the ele"tion return may "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "onsolidation of -otes and may announ"e the result to the $u%li". '*he )ommission shall $ost its digital files in its we%site for the $u%li" to -iew or download at any time of the day. *he )ommission shall maintain the files at least three years from the date of $osting. 'Any -iolation of this se"tion, or its $ertinent $ortion, shall "onstitute an ele"tion offense and shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#1 S%C. 3.. !e". 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#66 is here%y amended to read as follows

'!(). 06. Official 1atchers. - (-ery registered $oliti"al $arty or "oalition of $oliti"al $arties, and e-ery "andidate shall ea"h %e entitled to one wat"her in e-ery $olling $la"e and "an-assing "enter Provided *hat, "andidates for the !angguniang 7anlalawigan, !angguniang 7anlunsod, or !angguniang Bayan %elonging to the same slate or ti"/et shall "olle"ti-ely %e entitled to only one wat"her. '*he dominant ma4ority $arty and dominant minority $arty, whi"h the )ommission shall determine in a""ordan"e with law, shall ea"h %e entitled to one offi"ial wat"her who shall %e $aid a fixed $er diem of four hundred $esos >488,88?. '*here shall also re"ogni.ed six $rin"i$al wat"hers, re$resenting the six a""redited ma4or $oliti"al $arties ex"luding the dominant ma4ority and minority $arties, who shall %e designated %y the )ommission u$on nomination of the said $arties. *hese $oliti"al $arties shall %e determined %y the )ommission u$on noti"e and hearing on the %asis of the following "ir"umstan"es '>a? *he esta%lished re"ord of the said $arties, "oalition of grou$s that now "om$osed them, ta/ing into a""ount, among other things, their showing in $ast ele"tion1 '>%? *he num%er of in"um%ent ele"ti-e offi"ials %elonging to them ninety >68? days %efore the date of ele"tion1 '"? *heir identifia%le $oliti"al organi.ations and strengths as e-iden"ed %y their organi.ed3"ha$ters1 '>d? *he a%ility to fill a "om$lete slate of "andidates from the muni"i$al le-el to the $osition of 7resident1 and '>e? ,ther analogous "ir"umstan"es that may determine their relati-e organi.ations and strengths.' Sec. 39. !e"tion. 086 of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88# is here%y amended to read as follows '!(). 086 Counting to be Public and +ithout "nterruption. - As soon as the -oting is finished, the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall $u%li"ly "ount in the $olling $la"e the -otes "ast and as"ertain the results. *he %oard may rearrange the $hysi"al set u$ of the $olling $la"e for the "ounting or $erform any other a"ti-ity with res$e"t to the transition from -oting "ounting. Dowe-er, it may do so only in the $resen"e of the wat"hers and within "lose -iew of the $u%li". At all times, the %allot %oxes and all ele"tion do"uments and $ara$hernalia shall %e within "lose -iew of the wat"hers and the $u%li". '*he %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors shall not ad4ourn or $ost$one or delay the "ount until it has %een fully "om$leted, unless otherwise ordered %y the )ommission. '*he )ommission, in the interest of free, orderly, and honest ele"tion, may authori.e the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors to "ount the -otes and to a""om$lish the ele"tion return and

other forms $res"ri%ed under the "ode in any other $la"e within a $u%li" %uilding in the same muni"i$ality or "ity on a""ount of imminent danger of wides$read -iolen"e or similar "auses of "om$ara%le magnitude Provided, *hat the transfer shall %een re"ommended in writing %y the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors %y unanimous -ote and endorsed in writing %y the ma4ority of wat"hers $resent Provided% further, that the said $u%li" %uilding shall not lo"ated within the $erimeter of or inside a military or $oli"e "am$, reser-ation, head9uarters, deta"hment or field offi"e nor within the $remises of a $rison or detention %ureau or any law enfor"ement or in-estigation agen"y. 'Any -iolation of this se"tion, or its $ertinent $ortion, shall "onstitute and ele"tion offense and shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#.' S%C.36. !e"tion #8 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 6646 is here%y re$ealed. S%C.3#. !e"tion 38 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#66 is here%y amended to read as follows' '!(). 38. Congress as the ,ational Board of Canvassers for the Election of President and .ice President2 The Commission en banc as the ,ational Board of Canvassers for the election of senators2 Determination of #uthenticity and Due E*ecution of Certificates of Canvass.- )ongress and the )ommission en banc shall determine the authenti"ity and due exe"ution of the "ertifi"ate of "an-as for $resident and -i"e - $resident and senators, res$e"ti-ely, as a""om$lished and transmitted to it %y the lo"al %oards of "an-assers, on a showing that >#? ea"h "ertifi"ate of "an-ass was exe"uted, signed and thum%mar/ed %y the "hairman and mem%er of the %oard of "an-assers and transmitted or "aused to %e transmitted to )ongress %y them1 >0? ea"h "ertifi"ate of "an-ass "ontains the names of all of the "andidates for $resident and -i"e - $resident or senator, as the "ase may %e, and their "orres$onding -otes in words and their "orres$onding -otes in words and in figures1 >3? there exits no dis"re$an"y in other authenti" "o$ies of the do"ument su"h as statement of -otes of any of its su$$orting do"ument su"h as statement of -otes %y "ity3muni"i$ality3%y $re"in"t or dis"re$an"y in the -otes of any "andidate in words and figures in the "ertifi"ate1 and >4? there exist no dis"re$an"y in the -otes of any "andidate in words and figures in the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass againts the aggregate num%er of -otes a$$earing in the ele"tion returns of $re"in"ts "o-ered %y the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass Provided, *hat "ertified $rint "o$ies of ele"tion returns or "ertifi"ates of "an-ass may %e used for the $ur$ose of -erifying the existen"e of the dis"re$an"y. ':hen the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass, duly "ertified %y the %oard of "an-ass of ea"h $ro-in"e, "ity of distri"t, a$$ears to %e in"om$lete, the !enate 7resident or the )hairman of the )ommission, as the "ase may %e, shall re9uire the %oard of "an-assers "on"erned to transmit %y $ersonal deli-ery, the ele"tion returns form $olling $la"es that were not in"luded in the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass and su$$orting statements. !aid ele"tion returns shall %e su%mitted %y $ersonal deli-ery within two >0? days from re"ei$t of noti"e. ':hen it a$$ears that any "ertifi"ation of "an-ass or su$$orting statement of ea"h $ro-in"e, "ity of distri"t, a$$ears to %e in"om$lete, the !enate 7resident or the )hairman of the )ommission, as the "ase may %e, shall re9uire the %oard of "an-assers "on"erned

to transmit %y $ersonal deli-ery, the ele"tion returns from $olling $la"es that were not in"luded in the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass and su$$orting statements. !aid ele"tion returns shall %e su%mitted %y $ersonal deli-ery within two >0? days from re"ei$t of noti"e. ':hen it a$$ears that any "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or su$$orting statement of -otes %y "ity3muni"i$ality or %y $re"in"t %ears erasures or alteration whi"h may "ast dou%t as to the -era"ity of the num%er of -otes stated herein and may affe"t the result of the ele"tion, u$on re9uested of the $residential, -i"e - $residential or senatorial "andidate "on"erned or his $arty, )ongress or the )ommission en %an", as the "ase may %e shall , for the sole $ur$ose of -erifying the a"tual the -otes as they a$$ear in the "o$ies if the ele"tion returns su%mitted to it. '+n "ase of any dis"re$an"y, in"om$leteness, erasure or alteration as mentioned a%o-e, the $ro"edure on $re-$ro"lamation "ontro-ersies shall %e ado$ted and a$$lied as $ro-ided in !e"tion #5,#8,#6 and 08. 'Any $erson who $resent in e-iden"e a simulated "o$y of an ele"tion return, "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or statement of -otes, or a $rinted "o$y of an ele"tion return, "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or statement of -otes %earing a simulated "ertifi"ation or a simulated image, shall %e guilty of an ele"tion offense shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#.' S%C.3-. !e"tion #2 of Re$u%li" A"t &o.5#66 is here%y amended to read as follows '!().#2. 7re - $ro"lamation )ases in (le"tions for 7resident, =i"e-7resident, !enator, and Mem%er of the Douse of Re$resentati-es. - Aor $ur$ose of the ele"tions for $resident, -i"e - $resident, senator, and mem%er of the Douse of Re$resentati-es, no $re$ro"lamation "ases shall %e allowed on matters relating to the $re$aration, transmission, re"ei$t, "ustody and a$$re"iation of ele"tion returns or the "ertifi"ates of "an-ass, as the "ase may %e, ex$e"t as $ro-ided for in !e"tion 38 hereof. Dowe-er, this does not $re"lude the authority of the a$$ro$riate "an-assing %ody motu $ro$io or u$on written "om$laint of an interested $erson to "orre"t manifest errors in the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or ele"tion %efore it. 'Fuestion affe"ting the "om$osition or $ro"eedings of the %oard of "an-assers may %e initiated in the %oard or dire"tly with the )ommission in a""ordan"e with !e"tion #6 hereof. 'Any o%4e"tion on the ele"tion return %efore the "ity or muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers, or the muni"i$al "ertifi"ates of "an-ass %efore the $ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers or distri"t %oard of "an-assers in Metro Manila Area, shall s$e"ifi"ally noti"e in the minutes of their res$e"ti-e $ro"eeding.' S%C. 39. !e"tion 08 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#66 is here%y amended as follows

'!(). 08. Canvassing by Provincial City% District% and &unicipal Board of Canvassers3 a? *he )ity or muni"i$al of %oard of "an-assers shall "an-ass the ele"tion return of 7resident, =i"e $resident, !enator and Mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and for ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial and "ity or muni"i$al offi"ials Provided, *hat the returns for national $ositions shall %e "an-assed first @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $re$are the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ials, announ"e the results of the ele"tion for national $ositions in the "ity or muni"i$ality, and thereafter, $ro"laims the ele"ted "ity or muni"i$al offi"ials, as the "ase may %e. '%? *he "ity %oard of "an-assers of "ities "om$rising one or more legislati-e distri"t shall "an-ass the ele"tion returns for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senator, mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e "ity offi"ials Provided, *hat the returns for $ositions shall %e "an-assed first. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, the %oard shall $re$are the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass, of $resident, -i"e-$resident, and senator, announ"e the results of the ele"tion for national $ositions in the "ity, and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%ers of the Douse of the Re$resentati-es and "ity offi"ials. '"? >#? +n the Metro Manila Area su"h muni"i$ality "om$rising a legislati-e distri"t shall ha-e distri"t %oard of "an-ass the ele"tion return for 7resident, =i"e-7residents, !enator, Mem%ers for the Douse of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e muni"i$al offi"ials Provided, *hat the return for national $ositions shall %e $re$are the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for $resident, -i"e-$residents, senators, announ"e the results of the ele"tion for national $osition in the muni"i$ality, and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%er of the Douse of the Re$resentati-es and "ity offi"ials. '>0? (a"h "om$onent muni"i$ality in a legislati-e distri"t in the Metro Manila Area shall ha-e a muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers whi"h shall "an-ass the ele"tion returns for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senator, mem%ers of the Douse of re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e muni"i$al offi"ials Provided, *hat the returns for national $ositions shall %e "an-assed first. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $re$are the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for $residents, -i"e-$residents, senators, and mem%ers of the Douse of the Re$resentati-es, announ"e the results of the ele"tion for national $osition in the muni"i$ality, and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted muni"i$al offi"ials. '>3? *he distri"t %oard of "an-assers of ea"h legislati-e distri"t "om$rising two muni"i$alities in Metro Manila area shall "an-ass the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass the for 7resident, =i"e-7residents, !enator and Mem%ers of the Douse of re$resentati-es su%mitted %y the muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers of the )om$onent muni"i$alities. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $re$are a "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for $resident, -i"e$resident, and senator, announ"e the results of the ele"tion for national $ositions in the distri"t, and thereafter, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%er of the Douse of the Re$resentati-es in the legislati-e distri"t. '>d? *he $ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers shall "an-ass the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for $resident, -i"e $resident, senators and mem%ers of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ials as well as $le%is"ite results, if any $le%is"ite is "ondu"ted

simultaneously with the same ele"tion, as su%mitted %y the %oard of "an-assers of muni"i$alities and "om$onent "ities Provided, *hat the returns for national $osition shall %e "an-assed first. @$on "om$letion of the "an-ass, it shall $re$are the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for $resident, -i"e-$resident, and senator, announ"e the results of the ele"tion for national $osition in the $ro-in"e, $ro"laim the ele"ted mem%er of the Douse of Re$resentati-es and $ro-in"ial offi"ials as well as the $le%is"ite results, if any. '+n "ondu"ting the "an-ass of ele"tion return of "ertifi"ates of "an-ass, as the "ase may %e, the %oard of "an-assers in a muni"i$ality, "ity, distri"t or $ro-in"e shall $ro4e"t ea"h ele"tion return or "ertifi"ate of "an-ass on a wall from whi"h its "ontents shall %e read in order that those $resent in the "an-assing "anter may follow the $rogress of the "an-assing $ro"ess from %eginning to end. *he )ommission may utili.e the a$$ro$riate $ro4e"tion e9ui$ment for this $ur$ose. '+mmediately after the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for national $ositions is a""om$lished, the "hairman of the Board of )an-assers shall announ"e the $osting of the se"ond "o$y thereof and its su$$orting statement of -otes on a wall with suffi"ient lighting within the $remises of the "an-assing "enter. De shall then $ro"eed to do the same in the $resent in the "an-assing "enter. :ithout delay and when feasi%le, he shall "a$ture images of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass and su$$orting statements of -otes using a se"ured data "a$turing de-i"e and thereafter, while in the $remises of the "an-assing "enter, immediately $rint the data so "a$tured in thirty >38? "o$ies. *he %oard of "an-assers shall then authenti"ates ea"h $rinted "o$y, in the $resen"e of wat"hers and within $u%li" -iew, %y "losely "om$aring the same with the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or statement of -otes, as the "ase may %e, $osted on of the wall. +f the %oard finds ea"h $rinted "o$y a faithful re$rodu"tion of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or statement of -otes, all mem%ers thereof shall annotate and sign a "ertifi"ation to that effe"t on the %ottom front of the $rinted "o$y. '(a"h "ertified $rinted "o$y shall %e $la"ed in an en-elo$e and distri%uted as herein $ro-ided. ;esignated re"i$ient of the "ertified $rinted "o$ies may re"ei-e their "o$ies at the "an-assing "enter. '*he )hairman of the %oard shall transmit the digital files of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass and its su$$orting statement of -otes using a se"ured transmission de-i"e with authenti"ation features to the se"ured ta%ulation system of the )ommission and to the systems of the other designated re"i$ients as herein $ro-ided. 'Any $ro-ision of law to the "ontrary notwithstanding, any of the re"i$ients of the $rint or digital "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass and the su$$orting statements of -otes may "ondu"t an unoffi"ial "onsolidation of -otes and may announ"e the result thereof to the $u%li". 'Any -iolation of this se"tion, or its $ertinent $ortion, shall "onstitute an ele"tion offen"e and shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#. '+n addition, the following shall li/ewise %e guilty of an ele"tion offen"e

'>a? Any $erson who remo-e the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass $osted on the wall, whether within or after the $res"ri%ed forty-eight >48? hours of $osting, or defa"es the same in any manner1 '>%? Any $erson who simulates an a"tual "ertifi"ates of "an-ass or statement of -otes, or a $rint or digital "o$y thereof1 '>"? Any $erson who simulates the "ertifi"ation of a "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or statement of -otes1 '>d? *he "hairman or any mem%er of the %oard of "an-assers who, during the $res"ri%ed $eriod of $osting, remo-e the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or its su$$orting statement of -otes from the wall on whi"h they ha-e %een $osted other than for the $ur$ose of immediately transferring them to a more suita%le $la"e1 '>e? *he "hairman of any mem%er of the %oard of "an-assers who sign or authenti"ates a $rint of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or its su$$orting statement of -otes outside of the $olling $la"e and '>f? *he "hairman or any mem%er of the %oard of "an-assers who sign or authenti"ates a $rint whi"h %ears an image different from the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass or statement of -otes $rodu"ed after "ounting and $osted on the wall.' S%C. .". !e"tion 06 of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 5#66 is here%y amended to read as follows '!().06. ,umber of Copies of Certificate of Canvass and their Distribution. - a? the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass for $resident, -i"e-$resident, senator and mem%er of the house of Re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ial shall %e $re$ared in se-en "o$ies %y the "ity or muni"i$al %oard of "an-assers and distri%uted as follows '>#? *he first "o$y shall %e deli-ered to the $ro-in"ial %oard of "an-assers for use in the "an-ass ele"tion results for $resident, -i"e- $resident, senator and mem%er of the Douse of re$resentati-es and ele"ti-e $ro-in"ial offi"ials '>0? *he se"ond "o$y shall %e sent to the )ommission1 '>3? *he third "o$y shall %e $osted on a wall within the $remises of the "an-assing "enter '>4? *he fourth "o$y shall %e /e$t %y the "hairman of the Board and '>2? the fifth "o$y shall %e gi-en the "iti.ensB arm designated %y the )ommission to "ondu"t a media-%ased unoffi"ial "ount, and the sixth and se-enth "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the "iti.enBs arm designated %y the )ommission to "ondu"t a media - %ased unoffi"ial "ount , and the sixth and se-enth "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the re$resentati-es of two of the six ma4or $oliti"al $arties in a""ordan"e with the -oluntary agreement of the $arties. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the "ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the

"o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of the "an-ass on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 hereof. *he $arties re"ei-ing the "ertifi"ate shall ha-e o%ligation to furnish the other $arties with authenti" "o$ies thereof with the at least $ossi%le delay. '%? *he "ertifi"ates of "an-ass for $resident, -i"e $resident, senators shall %e $re$ared in se-en >5? "o$ies %y the "ity %oards of "an-assers of "ities "om$rising one or more legislati-e distri"ts, %y $ro-in"ial %oards of "an-assers in the Metro Manila Area, and distri%uted as follows '>#? *he first "o$y shall %e sent to the )ongress dire"ted to the 7resident of the !enate for use in the "an-ass of ele"tion results for $resident and -i"e-$resident1 '>0? *he se"ond "o$y shall %e sent to the )ommission for use in the "an-ass of the ele"tion results for !enators1 '>3? *he third "o$y shall %e $osted on a wall within the $remises of the "an-assing "enter1 '>4? *he fourth "o$y shall %e /e$t %y the )hairman of the Board1 and '>2? *he fifth "o$y shall %e gi-en to the "iti.ensB s arm designated %y the )ommission to "ondu"t a media -%ased unoffi"ial "ount, and the sixth and se-enth "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the re$resentati-es of two of the six ma4or $oliti"al $arties. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the "ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 hereof. *he $arties re"ei-ing the "ertifi"ates shall ha-e the o%ligation to furnish the other $arties with authenti" "o$ies thereof with the least $ossi%le delay. '*he of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass $osted on the wall shall %e o$en for $u%li" -iewing at any time of the day for forty -eight >48? hours following its $osting. Any $erson may -iew or "a$ture an image of the "ertifi"ate of "an-ass .After the $res"ri%ed $eriod for $osting, the "hairman of the %oard of "an-assers shall "olle"t the $osted "ertifi"ate of "an-ass and /ee$ the same in his "ustody to %e $rodu"ed for image or data "a$turing as may %e re9uested %y any -oter or for any lawful $ur$ose as may %e ordered "om$etent authority. '(x"e$t for those "o$ies that are re9uired to %e deli-ered, "o$ies of "ertifi"ates of "an-ass may %e "laimed at the "an-assing "enter. Any un"laimed "o$y shall %e deemed $la"ed in the "ustody of the "hairman of the %oard of "an-assers, who shall $rodu"e them re9uested %y the re"i$ient or when ordered %y a "om$etent authority. '*he thirty >38? "ertified $rint "o$ies of the "ertifi"ate "an-ass for national $ositions shall %e distri%uted as follows '>a? *he first fourteen >#4? "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the fourteen >#4? a""redited ma4or national $arties in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h

agreement is rea"hed, the "ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies on the %asis of the "riteria $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 hereof1 '>%? *he next three "o$ies shall %e gi-en to the three a""redited ma4or lo"al $arties in a""ordan"e with a -oluntary agreement among them. +f no su"h agreement is rea"hed, the )ommission shall de"ide whi"h $arties shall re"ei-e the "o$ies in the %asis of "riteria analogous to the $ro-ided in !e"tion 06 hereof1 '>"? *he next fi-e "o$ies shall %e gi-en to national %road"ast or $rint media entities as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the "ommission in -iew of $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 '>d? *he next two "o$ies shall %e gi-en to lo"al %road"ast or $rint media entitles as may %e e9uita%ly determined %y the )ommission in -iew $ro$agating the "o$ies to the widest extent $ossi%le1 '>e? *he next four "o$ies to the ma4or "iti.enBs arms, in"luding a""redited "iti.enB arm, and other non -$artisan grou$s or organi.ations enlisted %y the "ommission $ursuant to se"tion 20>E? of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#1 and >f? *he last two "o$ies to %e /e$t in file %y the "hairman of the %oard of "an-assers to %e su%se9uently distri%uted as the national %oard of "an-assers may dire"t. '*he "ertified $rint "o$ies may %e "laimed at the "an-assing "enter. Any un"laimed "o$y shall %e deemed $la"e in the "ustody of the "hairman of the %oard of "an-assers, who shall $rodu"e them when re9uested %y the re"i$ient or when ordered %y a "om$etent authority. '*he "ommission shall $ost its digital files in its we%site for the $u%li" to -iew or download at any time of the day. *he "ommission shall maintain the files for at least three years from the date of $osting. 'Any -iolation of this se"tion, or its $ertinent $ortion, shall "onstitute an ele"tion offense and shall %e $enali.ed in a""ordan"e with Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#.' S%C. .3 *he first $aragra$h of !e". 20 of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88# is here%y amended to read as follows '!e". 20. Po+ers and 'unctions of the Commission on Elections, - +n addition to the $owers and fun"tions "onferred u$on it %uy the "onstitution the "ommission shall ha-e ex"lusi-e "harge of the enfor"ement and administration of all laws relati-e to "ondu"t of ele"tions for the $ur$ose of ensuring free, orderly and honest ele"tions, ex"e$t as otherwise $ro-ided herein and shall.' S%C. . . !e"tion05 >%? of Re$u%li" A"t &o. 6646 is here%y amended to read as follows

'!e". 05. Election Offenses4 Electoral Sabotage3 - +n additional to the $rohi%ited a"ts and ele"tion offenses enumerated in !e"tion 06# and 060 of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88#,as amended, the following shall %e guilty of an ele"tion offense or a s$e"ial ele"tion offense to %e /nown as eletoral sa%otage '>a? x x x '>%? Any $erson or mem%er of the %oard of ele"tion ins$e"tors or %oard of "an-assers who tam$ers, in"reases or de"reases the -otes re"ei-ed %y a "andidates in any ele"tion or any mem%er of the %oard who refuses after $ro$er -erifi"ation and hearing ,to "redit the "orre"t -otes or dedu"t su"h tam$ered -otes Provided% ho+ever, *hat when the tam$ering, in"rease or de"rease of -otes or the refusal to "redit the "orre"t -otes and 3or to dedu"t tam$ered to dedu"t tam$ered -otes are $er$etrated on large s"ale or in su%stantial num%ers, the same shall %e "onsidered not as an ordinary ele"tion offense under !e"tion 06# of the omni%us ele"tion "ode. But a s$e"ial ele"tion offense to %e /nown as ele"toral sa%otage and the $enalty to %e im$osed shall %e life im$risonment. '*he a"t or offense "ommitted shall fall under the "ategory of ele"toral sa%otage in any of the following instan"es1 '>#? :hen the tam$ering, in"rease and 3 or de"rease of -otes $er$etrated or the refusal to "redit the "orre"t -otes or to dedu"t tam$ered -otes, is3are "ommitted in the ele"tion of a national ele"ti-e offi"e whi"h is -oted u$on nationwide and the tam$ering, in"rease and3 or de"rease -otes refusal to "redit the "orre"t -otes or to dedu"t tam$ered -otes, shall ad-ersely affe"t the results of the ele"tion to the said national offi"e to the extent that losing "andidate3s is 3are made to a$$ear the winner3s1 '>0? Regardless of the ele"ti-e offi"e in-ol-ed, when the tam$ering, in"rease and3or de"rease of -otes "ommitted or the refusal to "redit the "orre"t -otes or to dedu"t tam$ered -otes $er$etrated , is a a""om$lished in a single ele"tion do"ument or in the trans$osition of the figure 3 results from one ele"tion do"ument to another and in-ol-ed in the said tam$ering in"rease and3or de"rease or refusal to "redit "orre"t -otes or dedu"t tam$ered -otes ex"eed fi-e thousand >2,888? -otes, and that the same ad-ersely affe"ts the true results of the ele"tion 1 '>3? Any and all other forms or tam$ering in"rease3s and3 or de"rease3s of -otes $er$etuated or in "ases of refusal to "redit the "orre"t -otes or dedu"t the tam$ered -otes, where the total -otes in-ol-ed ex"eed ten thousand >#8,888? -otes1 'Provided finally1 *hat any and all either $ersons or indi-iduals determined to %e "ons$ira"y or in "onni-an"e with the mem%ers of the B(+s or B,)s in-ol-ed, shall %e meted the same $enalty of life im$risonment.' S%C. .3. !e"tion 062 of Batas 7am%ansa Blg. 88# is here%y amended to read as follow

'!(). 062. 7rose"ution. - *he )ommission shall, through its duly authori.ed legal offi"ers, ha-e the $ower, "on"urrent with the other $rose"uting arms of the go-ernment, to "ondu"t $reliminary in-estigation of all ele"tion offenses $unisha%le under this )ode, and $rose"ute the same' S%C. ... Appropriations. - *o "arry out the $ro-isions of this A"t, the amount ne"essary for the automated system shall %e "harged against the *wo %illion six hundred million $esos >0,688,888,888.88? moderni.ation fund in the "urrent yearBs a$$ro$riations of the "ommission. Aurther, the amount ne"essary to "arry out the manual system, at a maximum of *hree %illion $esos >3,888,888,888? shall %e "harged against the "urrent yearBs a$$ro$riation of the "ommission. *hereafter, su"h sums as may %e ne"essary for the "ontinuous im$lementation of this A"t or any $art thereof, or the a$$li"ation su"h %e in"luded in the annual Ceneral A$$ro$riations A"t. +f the said funds shall not %e fully utili.ed the same shall "ontinue to %e a$$ro$riated for the ele"toral moderni.ation as set forth in this A"t and shall not re-ert to the Ceneral Aund. S%C. .9. Separability Clause. - +f, for any reason, any se"tion or $ro-ision of this A"t or any $art thereof , or the a$$li"ation of su"h se"tion, $ro-ision or $ortion is de"lared in-alid or un"onstitutional, the remainder thereof shall not %e affe"ted %y su"h de"laration. S%C. .6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, $residential de"rees, exe"uti-e orders, rules and regulations or $art thereof in"onsistent with the $ro-isions of this A"t are here%y re$ealed or modified a""ordingly. S%C. .#. Effectivity. - *his A"t !hall ta/e effe"t fifteen >#2? days after its $u%li"ation in a news$a$er of general "ir"ulation. A$$ro-ed, J,S% &% 8%N%C'A JR. !$ea/er of the Douse of Re$resentati-es $ANN2 8'++AR 7resident of the !enate

*his A"t whi"h is a "onsolidation of !enate Bill &o. 003# and Douse Bill &o. 2320 was finally $assed %y the !enate and the Douse of Re$resentati-e on ;e"em%er 5, 0886 and ;e"em%er #6, 0886, res$e"ti-ely. R,*%RT, P. NA1AR%N, !e"retary Ceneral Douse of Re$resenati-es A$$ro-ed JA& 03, 0885 ,SCAR (. 2A*%S !e"retary of !enate

(+,R'A $ACAPA(A+:ARR,2, President of the Philippines