Composition of the Convention and Qualifications of Delegates
- The Constitutional Convention shall have 320 delegates.
- Delegates must have qualifications equivalent to those required of Members of the House of Representatives.
- Delegates are apportioned by Representative Districts as specified in the Act.
Election of Delegates
- Elections for delegates shall be held on the second Tuesday of November 1970.
Public Office Holders and Candidacy
- Public officials must be considered resigned upon filing their certificate of candidacy.
- Government official candidates who resign but are not yet qualified for retirement may add the period from filing candidacy to Convention adjournment to their service length.
Disqualification to Run for Other Offices
- Elected delegates cannot run for any other public office or accept an appointive position until after the Convention adjournment.
Governing Provisions for Election of Delegates
- Elections shall be governed by the Revised Election Code and applicable Republic Acts, except as otherwise provided.
- Candidates must file a certificate of candidacy 60 days prior.
- Certificates include personal, tax, and candidacy declarations.
- Candidates may submit a concise statement of proposed reforms.
- Certification, nomination, election registration boards, election precincts, and polling places have detailed procedural requirements.
- Boards of Inspectors and Canvassers have specified compositions and duties.
- Rules for canvassing votes, resolving conflicting returns, and correction of election statements are established.
Registration of Voters
- Voter registration follows Republic Acts 3588 and 4730 procedures with posted lists and notifications.
Prohibited Acts
- Candidates must not be affiliated with or supported by political parties or organizations.
- Government officials and heads are prohibited from using their positions to influence elections.
- Particular prohibitions on appointments, public work expenditures, and fund disbursement 45 days before election.
- Armed forces and police have restrictions on bearing arms and uniforms during specified election periods.
Arrest and Penalties for Violations
- Immediate arrest without warrant for persons violating arms, uniform, or voter intimidation provisions.
- Specific penalties for illegal release of prisoners to intimidate voters.
Filling Vacancies of Delegates
- Special elections must be called within 30 days to fill vacancies.
Regulation of Election Spending and Propaganda
- Commission on Elections to provide billboards and media time (Comelec billboards and Comelec time).
- Limits on types of allowable election propaganda and spending caps.
- Prohibition against undue media favoritism.
- Campaign expenditures statements required.
Convening the Constitutional Convention
- Commission on Elections Chairman manages arrangements.
- Senate President and House Speaker jointly preside the opening session.
- Quorum and rules of procedure defined.
Administrative and Technical Assistance
- Government entities shall assist the Convention with personnel and facilities without additional cost.
Parliamentary Immunity
- Delegates to the Convention enjoy parliamentary immunity equal to that of Congress members.
- Penal provisions for offenses against the Convention equivalent to those against Congress.
Per Diems and Travel Expenses
- Delegates entitled to 100 pesos per day attendance and travel expenses.
Powers of the Commission on Elections
- Authority to promulgate rules and regulations.
- May call for postponement or special elections under conditions like fraud or violence.
- Enforce all orders with precedence except Supreme Court decisions.
- Members subject to judicial ethics and disqualification rules.
Penalties
- Violations are serious election offenses with prison terms from one year and one day to five years.
- Include disqualification from public office and deprivation of suffrage.
- Foreigners may be deported.
- Political parties and organizers are liable for violations.
Petition for Declaratory Relief
- Any affected person may seek declaratory relief for construction, validity, or constitutionality issues before violation.
- The Supreme Court shall prioritize these cases.
Appropriations
- 17 million pesos appropriated for elections and 12 million pesos for the Convention expenses.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect the rest of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Republic Act No. 4914 and other inconsistent laws repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect upon approval on August 24, 1970.