THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING ACT OF 2003
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THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING ACT OF 2003
Republic Act No. 9189
February 13, 2003
Case Overview and Summary
Summary of The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9189)Definitions and Coverage (Sections 3-5):
- Defines key terms like "absentee voting", "overseas absentee voter", and disqualifications.
- Covers Filipino citizens abroad aged 18+ on election day, voting for president, vice president, senators, and party-list representatives.
- Disqualifies those who lost Filipino citizenship, renounced it, convicted of crimes, immigrants/permanent residents abroad unless they commit to return within 3 years, and those declared insane.
Registration Process (Sections 6-9):
- Personal registration required, either with local election officer in Philippines or at embassies/consulates abroad.
- Process outlined for verification, approval/disapproval, and appeals.
- Certificate of Registration issued to approved applicants, included in National Registry of Absentee Voters.
- System of continuing registration to be implemented.
Voting Process (Sections 10-18):
- Notice of registration and election details to be published at least 6 months before filing period. (Sec. 10)
- Approved voters apply to vote by sworn written application to embassy/consulate, which transmits it to the Commission. (Sec. 11)
- Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters prepared 120 days before elections. (Sec. 13)
- Ballots, voting instructions printed and transmitted to embassies/consulates 75 days before elections. (Sec. 14)
- Voting window of 30 days before election day for in-person voting, 60 days for seafarers. Mail voting allowed in approved countries. (Secs. 16-17)
- Onsite counting and canvassing by Special Boards of Election Inspectors and Canvassers at embassies/consulates. (Sec. 18)
Other Provisions:
- Campaigning regulated per Philippine laws. (Sec. 15)
- Commission to promulgate implementing rules within 60 days, approved by Congressional Oversight Committee. (Sec. 19)
- Information campaign through government agencies and private organizations. (Sec. 20)
- Access to records, assistance from government agencies. (Secs. 21-22)
- Security measures to safeguard ballot secrecy and integrity. (Sec. 23)
- Prohibited acts and penalties defined, including electoral offenses. (Sec. 24)
- Joint Congressional Oversight Committee created to monitor implementation. (Sec. 25)
- Applicability of other election laws, enforcement by the Commission. (Secs. 26-27)
- Mandatory review by Congress within 2 years after May 2004 elections. (Sec. 28)
- Appropriations, separability clause, repealing clause, and effectivity date. (Secs. 29-32)
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THE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING ACT OF 2003
Republic Act No. 9189
•February 13, 2003
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Twelfth CongressSecond Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-second day of July, two thousand two.
Republic Act No. 9189             February 13, 2003
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING BY QUALIFIED CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES ABROAD, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as "The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the prime duty of the State to provide a system of honest and orderly overseas absentee voting that upholds the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot. Towards this end, the State ensures equal opportunity to all qualified citizens of the Philippines abroad in the exercise of this fundamental right.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act:
a. "Absentee Voting" refers to the...
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