24 August 2021 07:18:14 PM
The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading Tuesday, House Bill 9562, which seeks to provide for the early voting by qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the national and local elections. It garnered 196 affirmative votes. The early voting would be accessible at establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within seven working days prior to the date set for elections.
A nationwide registration would be conducted to identify those qualified to avail of this privilege. HB 9557 also received the chamber’s final nod.
This would provide an efficient procedure for declaring a nuisance candidate, as well as impose penalties on the nuisance candidate and on any person who has caused the filing of a nuisance candidate’s certificate of candidacy. It seeks to preserve the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the true will of the people is reflected by the election results. When enacted into law, the COMELEC would have the authority to impose a fine of not less than P100,000 against violators of this measure. It garnered 191 affirmative. votes. Other bills approved on third and final reading were: 1) HB 9575 or the proposed “Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Act”; 2) HB 9576 or the proposed “Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act”; 3) HB 9608 or the proposed “No Call, No Text, and No E-mail Registration System Act”; 4) HB 9651, strengthening the regulatory framework on data privacy protection; 5) HB 9731 or the proposed “Philippine High School for Creative Arts System Act”; 6) HB 9785, strengthening the Commission on Elections; 7) HB 9806 or the proposed “Mandatory Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake and Emergency Preparedness Drill Act”; and 8) HB 9833 or the proposed “Revised Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.”
Meanwhile, the House passed on second reading HB 9990 or the proposed “Hidilyn Diaz Act,” which would exempt from taxes the incentives, rewards, bonuses, and other forms of emoluments received by national athletes and coaches. The plenary session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan.
Source: congress.gov.ph
