On 10 February 2007, Republic Act No. 9369[33] took effect. Section 13
of Republic Act No. 9369 amended Section 11 of Republic Act No. 8436 and
renumbered the same as the new Section 15 of Republic Act No. 8436. The
pertinent portions of Section 15 of Republic Act No. 8436, as amended by
Republic Act No. 9369, now read:
SECTION.15. Official Ballot. - The Commission shall prescribe the
format of the electronic display and/or the size and form of the official
ballot, which shall contain the titles of the position to be filled and/or the
proposition to be voted upon in an initiative, referendum or plebiscite.
Where practicable, electronic displays must be constructed to present the
names of all candidates for the same position in the same page or screen,
otherwise, the electronic displays must be constructed to present the
entire ballot to the voter, in a series of sequential pages, and to ensure
that the voter sees all of the ballot options on all pages before completing
his or her vote and to allow the voter to review and change all ballot
choices prior to completing and casting his or her ballot. Under each
position to be filled, the names of candidates shall be arranged
alphabetically by surname and uniformly indicated using the same type
size. The maiden or married name shall be listed in the official ballot, as
preferred by the female candidate. Under each proposition to be vote
upon, the choices should be uniformly indicated using the same font and
size.
A fixed space where the chairman of the board of election inspector shall
affix her/her signature to authenticate the official ballot shall be
provided.
For this purpose, the Commission shall set the deadline for the filing of
certificate of candidacy/petition of registration/manifestation to
participate in the election. Any person who files his certificate of
candidacy within this period shall only be considered as a candidate
at the start of the campaign period for which he filed his certificate
of candidacy: Provided, That, unlawful acts or omissions applicable
to a candidate shall effect only upon the start of the aforesaid
campaign period: Provided, finally, That any person holding a public
appointive office or position, including active members of the armed
forces, and officers, and employees in government-owned or-controlled
corporations, shall be considered ipso factor resigned from his/her office
and must vacate the same at the start of the day of the filing of his/her
certification of candidacy. (Emphases ours.)