On the third and final reading, the House of Representatives approved a bill allowing qualified senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWDs), lawyers, and health workers to vote early in local and national elections.
House Bill No. 7576, a consolidation of 15 separate measures filed in the current 19th Congress, allows senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), lawyers, and human resources for health to vote at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seven working days before the date set for local and national elections.
Furthermore, the bill said that those "engaged in health and health-related work, and all persons employed in all hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health units, barangay health stations, clinics, and other health-related establishments owned and operated by the government or its political subdivisions with original charters, and shall include medical, allied health professional, administrative, and support personnel employed regardless of their employment status" are exempt.
HB 7576 requires worldwide registration for older citizens, people with disabilities, lawyers, and human resources for health in order for them to be eligible for this early voting option.
Those who have not registered under this Act may vote on election day alongside the rest of the eligible population.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez applauded the measure's development, which, if passed, would assist disadvantaged sectors as well as those who provide essential services to Filipinos.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto stated that HB 7576 sends a message that no individual should be denied the right to vote because of his or her job, age, or physical characteristics.

He further stated that the bill ensures that medical staff will not be denied the right to vote because of their employment responsibilities.

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House approves early voting for seniors, PWDs, lawyers, health staff