MANILA – Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is advocating for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1075, which seeks to allow Filipinos in vulnerable situations to participate in local absentee voting ahead of Election Day.

The proposed measure covers senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), internally displaced persons (IDPs), pregnant women, health workers on duty, and repatriated overseas workers, allowing them to cast their ballots in specially designated accessible venues.

“Karapatan ng bawat Filipino, maliban na lamang kung diskwalipikado ng batas, ang bumoto. Hindi nawawala ang karapatang ito dahil sa kahinaan ng katawan, edad, o sitwasyon sa buhay (It is the right of every Filipino, except those barred by law, to cast their vote. This right cannot be removed because of age, health and class standing),” Estrada said in a statement.

Estrada noted that while Republic Act 10366 allows the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to set up accessible polling places for senior citizens and PWDs, many voters from vulnerable sectors remain disenfranchised.

Under SB 1075, qualified voters from these groups may vote at accessible locations for at least two days within the week preceding Election Day. The bill also allows the establishment of Emergency Accessible Polling Places in residences, hospitals, quarantine facilities, jails, IDP areas, and other locations where regular polling centers are hard to reach.

The measure sets clearer standards for accessible polling places, including ramps and railings, wheelchairs, adequate lighting and ventilation, candidate lists in Braille, sign language interpreters, and transportation or shuttle services for voters.

To ensure proper implementation, the bill authorizes the creation of a Vulnerable Sectors Office within the Comelec to oversee programs and services for these groups.

“This is about dignity and equal participation. Voting is a right, not a privilege. No Filipino should be denied a voice in choosing our leaders simply because voting was made physically or logistically difficult for them,” Estrada said.