SEC. 11. Assistance in the Accomplishment of the Ballot. – A person with disability or senior citizen who is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by himself or herself may be assisted in the preparation of his or her ballot by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household, or by any member of the BEls. For this purpose, the person who usually assists the person with disability or senior citizen, such as a personal assistant, a caregiver or a nurse shall be considered a member of his or her household: Provided, That no voter shall be allowed to have an assistor on the basis of illiteracy or physical disability unless it is so indicated in his or her registration record. Nevertheless, if the physical inability to prepare the ballot is manifest, obvious, or visible, said voter shall be allowed to be assisted in accomplishing the ballot by a qualified assistor, even if not stated or indicated in the registration record: Provided, further, That the assistor must be of voting age. The assistor shall hind himself or herself in a formal document under oath to fill out the ballot strictly in accordance with the instructions of the voter and not to reveal the contents of the ballot prepared by him or her, and shall prepare the ballot for the voter inside the voting booth. Except for the members of the BEIs, no assistor can assist for more than three (3) times. Any violation of this provision shall constitute an election offense punishable under Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code. SEC. 12. Sensitivity Training Program. – The Commission, in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and person with disability and senior citizen organizations, shall organize, design, and implement sensitivity trainings to persons performing electoral duties, including the Commission field officers, members of the BEIs, and accredited citizens’ arms to familiarize them with the needs of the persons with disabilities and senior citizens. SEC. 13. Information Materials. – The Commission shall ensure that information materials relating to the electoral processes are appropriate and accessible to persons with disabilities and senior citizens. SEC. 14. Appropriations. – The initial funding of this Act shall be charged against, the current year’s appropriations or from any available savings of the Commission. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall he included in the annual General Appropriations Act. SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations. SEC. 16. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act he declared invalid or unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby. SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, resolutions, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. SEC. 18. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013, after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved, (Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE President of the Senate This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3287 and House Bill No. 5509 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 19, 2012. (Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP Secretary General House of Representatives (Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES Secretary of the Senate Approved: FEB 15 2013 (Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III President of the Philippines Written by dandee · Filed Under