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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House bill declaring poll day a regular holiday OK'd on 2nd reading

House bill declaring poll day a regular holiday OK'd on 2nd reading

Published May 21, 2026 11:23 pm

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives approved on second reading HB No. 8392, which seeks to declare National Election Day a regular holiday instead of a special non-working holiday.
  • The measure, sponsored by Rep. JC Abalos, aims to ease the financial burden on workers and daily wage earners while ensuring broader participation in the democratic process.
  • The bill, a consolidation of earlier proposals, defines "national election" to include plebiscites, referenda, initiatives, recalls, and other nationwide voting processes, and is expected to gain final approval on third reading next week.


The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the measure seeking to declare National Election Day a regular holiday, as opposed to a special non-working holiday.
Given penultimate passage in the chamber during plenary session Wednesday night, May 20 via simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes) was House Bill (HB) No. 8392, or an Act declaring National Election Day as regular non-working holiday, amending for the purpose Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as "The Administrative Code or 1987".
Sponsoring the bill in plenary also on Wednesday was 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos. It was declared approved on second reading after hardly any debate from the House members.
HB No. 8392 was the substitute bill for three measures filed earlier in the current 20th Congress: HB No. 102 authored by Abalos, and HB Nos. 3101 amd 3102 both penned by Camarines Sur 4th district Rep. Arnie Fuentebella.
Abalos says the measure aims to ensure that Filipinos can exercise their right to vote without worrying about their work, while also encouraging more thoughtful and meaningful participation in the democratic process.
Currently, Election Day is classified only as a special non-working holiday, where the “no work, no pay” policy applies. "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," the sponsor said.
Under the proposed measure, Election Day would instead be declared a regular holiday, helping ease the financial burden on workers and daily wage earners during national elections.
“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 said.
“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 said.
Abalos noted that, through the measure, voters will also be given ample time to prepare, carefully reflect on their choices, and make the necessary arrangements to fully participate in the democratic process.
He stressed hat many Filipinos endure long travel hours, heavy queues, and financial constraints every election cycle just to cast their votes.
Under HB No. 8392, the term "national election" shall include activities such as plebiscites, referenda, people's initiatives, recall elections, special elections, other processes of voting of a similar nature which are national in scope.
The next national elections will take place on May 8, 2028.
The 300-plus strong House is expected to unanimously approve the measure on third and final reading next week.

Related Tags

regular holiday ELECTION DAY special nonworking day JC Abalos Second reading House of Representatives
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