Question & AnswerQ&A (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 697)
The law is officially titled "The Law on the 1984 Batasang Pambansa Election."
The election period commences ninety days before election day and ends thirty days thereafter, except in special cases fixed by the Commission on Elections.
All candidates are voted at large by the registered voters of their respective constituencies.
Sectoral representatives from the youth, agricultural labor, and industrial labor sectors are selected by the President from nominees of their respective sectors.
A person must be a natural-born Filipino, at least 25 years old on election day, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the constituency for at least six months prior to the election.
Youth sector representatives must be natural-born Filipinos, residents of the Philippines for at least one year, bona fide members of the youth sector, registered voters, and between 18 and 25 years old on election day.
The person shall ipso facto cease to hold such office upon filing the certificate, except certain high-ranking officials like the Prime Minister and Cabinet members.
Campaigning is prohibited on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the day before the election, and on election day.
The penalty is prision mayor (six years and one day to twelve years) with perpetual disqualification from public office and suffrage; death penalty if it results in death.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide such matters.
Watchers may witness proceedings, take notes, photograph, file protests, and obtain certificates but must not disturb voting or communicate in ways that distract the process.
Public officials may not release, disburse, or expend public funds on public works during the 45 days before election day, except under specific exceptions such as maintenance of existing projects.
They are uniform in size and color, printed on special paper with watermarks or distinguishing marks to prevent imitation, and provided at public expense.
Members of Armed Forces and paramilitary units may not wear uniforms or bear arms outside their posts unless authorized, and must bear visible identification.
The vote is counted in favor of the candidate whose surname sounds like the first name written, with preference for incumbents if there are name similarities.