Question & AnswerQ&A (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881)
The official title of the law is the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines (Batas Pambansa Blg. 881).
This Code governs all elections of public officers and, to the extent appropriate, all referenda and plebiscites.
The campaign periods are: Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election – 90 days; Members of the Batasang Pambansa and local elections – 45 days; Barangay elections – 15 days. The campaign periods exclude the day before and the day of elections.
It is the obligation of every citizen qualified to vote to register and to cast his vote.
Elections may be postponed due to serious causes like violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, or analogous causes making the holding of a free, orderly, and honest election impossible. The Commission on Elections may postpone the election after due notice and hearing.
The candidate must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least 40 years of age on election day, and a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding the election.
The Commission on Elections has exclusive jurisdiction over election contests relating to the elections, returns, and qualifications of these officials.
They shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years without probation, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right of suffrage. Foreigners may also be sentenced to deportation after serving their prison term.
Any person who gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value to induce voting for or against any candidate or to withhold a vote, or solicits or receives such inducements, shall be guilty of vote-buying or vote-selling.
Official ballots shall be uniform in size and color, printed on watermarked paper, include a stub and detachable coupon for the voter's thumbmark, include offices and candidates to be voted for, and must be used exclusively except for emergency situations authorized by the Commission.