Question & AnswerQ&A (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 883)
The special election for President and Vice-President is set on February 7, 1986.
The term of office is six years, beginning at noon on the tenth day following their proclamation and ending at noon on the thirtieth day of June of the sixth year thereafter.
The deadline for filing a sworn certificate of candidacy is not later than December 11, 1985.
Political parties, coalitions, and similar groups or organizations must submit their certificates of nomination to the Commission on Elections not later than December 21, 1985.
The campaign period commences on December 11, 1985, and terminates on February 5, 1986.
The board of election inspectors shall meet on December 21 and 28, 1985, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM to receive and act on voter registration applications.
The board of election inspectors shall meet on January 16, 1986, to make inclusions, exclusions, and corrections to the list of voters as ordered by courts, and to consecutively number the voters of the polling place.
They have until January 31, 1986, to file inclusion and exclusion proceedings.
The dominant opposition party is the registered political party, organization, aggroupment, or coalition that nominated a candidate for President and Vice-President. If more than one party nominates candidates, the Commission on Elections requires them to agree on a common representative; if they fail, the Commission determines the dominant opposition party based on criteria such as number of members, organizational strength, campaign capability, political support areas, platform, and adherence to election laws. Accreditation must occur not later than 14 working days before the first registration day.
The proclamation must take place within fifteen session days from when the Batasang Pambansa starts the canvass, unless delayed for justifiable cause.
The provisions of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines (Batas Pambansa Blg. 881) regarding prohibited arrests and detentions, and penalties for violations, apply to this special election.
The Commission on Elections can issue rules and regulations to implement the law, and adopt measures necessary to ensure a free, honest, orderly, and credible election, including protecting the rights of registered political parties.
Two hundred million pesos or so much as may be necessary is appropriated. The chairman and poll clerk of the board of election inspectors, political party inspectors, certain education personnel, supervisors, principals, administrators assisting during registration and election days, including provincial, city, and municipal treasurers, are entitled to per diems as fixed in the Omnibus Election Code.
The remainder of the Act or its application to other persons or circumstances will not be affected by such declaration, according to the separability clause.