The House of Representatives on Wednesday night, May 20, approved on second reading a legislative measure that seeks to permanently declare National Election Day a regular holiday instead of a special non-working day.
House Bill (HB) No. 8392, or the Act declaring National Election Day as a regular non-working holiday, passed via a simple voice vote during the plenary session. The bill aims to amend Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292, widely known as “The Administrative Code of 1987.”
Sponsored by 4Ps Party-list Representative JC Abalos, the substitute bill advanced with virtually no debate from house members. HB No. 8392 consolidates three earlier measures filed during the current 20th Congress: HB No. 102 by Abalos, and HB Nos. 3101 and 3102 by Camarines Sur 4th District Representative Arnie Fuentebella.
Under the current system, Election Day is classified as a special non-working holiday under a “no work, no pay” scheme, which Abalos noted is highly dependent on last-minute executive issuances.
”The day of elections is declared a special non-working holiday only by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation issued just days before the actual elections,” Abalos said.
By upgrading the status to a regular holiday, the measure aims to protect daily wage earners from losing income when they head to the polls. Abalos emphasized that the financial sacrifice often deters Filipinos from participating in the democratic process.
“I believe that voters should be free from any fear or burden when exercising their right to vote. No Filipino should have to choose between helping shape the future of our nation and earning a day’s wage to support their family,” Abalos stated.
“This measure seeks to address that concern by declaring National Election Day a regular holiday, allowing workers to participate in the democratic process without having to worry over lost income,” he added.
Abalos further explained that a permanent regular holiday gives voters sufficient time to travel, queue, and thoughtfully deliberate on their choices without the pressure of workplace demands.
The scope of “national elections” under HB No. 8392 expands beyond standard polls to include plebiscites, referenda, people’s initiatives, recall elections, and special elections of a national scale.
The measure is expected to secure unanimous approval on its third and final reading next week. The next national elections in the Philippines are scheduled for May 8, 2028.