Section 40January 23, 2007, Sec./Art. 40

Section 29 of Republic Act No. 7166 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC.29. Number of Copies of Certificate of Canvass and their Distribution. - a) the certificate of canvass for president, vice-president, senator and member of the house of Representatives and elective provincial official shall be prepared in seven copies by the city or municipal board of canvassers and distributed as follows:

"(1) The first copy shall be delivered to the provincial board of canvassers for use in the canvass election results for president, vice- president, senator and member of the House of representatives and elective provincial officials:

"(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission;

"(3) The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvassing center

"(4) The fourth copy shall be kept by the chairman of the Board: and

"(5) the fifth copy shall be given the citizens' arm designated by the Commission to conduct a media-based unofficial count, and the sixth and seventh copies shall be given to the citizen's arm designated by the Commission to conduct a media - based unofficial count , and the sixth and seventh copies shall be given to the representatives of two of the six major political parties in accordance with the voluntary agreement of the parties. If no such agreement is reached, the commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies of the certificate of the canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 hereof. The parties receiving the certificate shall have obligation to furnish the other parties with authentic copies thereof with the at least possible delay.

"b) The certificates of canvass for president, vice president, senators shall be prepared in seven (7) copies by the city boards of canvassers of cities comprising one or more legislative districts, by provincial boards of canvassers in the Metro Manila Area, and distributed as follows:

"(1) The first copy shall be sent to the Congress directed to the President of the Senate for use in the canvass of election results for president and vice-president;

"(2) The second copy shall be sent to the Commission for use in the canvass of the election results for Senators;

"(3) The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvassing center;

"(4) The fourth copy shall be kept by the Chairman of the Board; and

"(5) The fifth copy shall be given to the citizens' s arm designated by the Commission to conduct a media -based unofficial count, and the sixth and seventh copies shall be given to the representatives of two of the six major political parties. If no such agreement is reached, the commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies of the certificate of canvass on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 hereof. The parties receiving the certificates shall have the obligation to furnish the other parties with authentic copies thereof with the least possible delay.

"The of the certificate of canvass posted on the wall shall be open for public viewing at any time of the day for forty -eight (48) hours following its posting. Any person may view or capture an image of the certificate of canvass .After the prescribed period for posting, the chairman of the board of canvassers shall collect the posted certificate of canvass and keep the same in his custody to be produced for image or data capturing as may be requested by any voter or for any lawful purpose as may be ordered competent authority.

"Except for those copies that are required to be delivered, copies of certificates of canvass may be claimed at the canvassing center. Any unclaimed copy shall be deemed placed in the custody of the chairman of the board of canvassers, who shall produce them requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

"The thirty (30) certified print copies of the certificate canvass for national positions shall be distributed as follows:

"(a) The first fourteen (14) copies shall be given to the fourteen (14) accredited major national parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 hereof;

"(b) The next three copies shall be given to the three accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies in the basis of criteria analogous to the provided in Section 26 hereof;

"(c) The next five copies shall be given to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

"(d) The next two copies shall be given to local broadcast or print media entitles as may be equitably determined by the Commission in view propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

"(e) The next four copies to the major citizen's arms, including accredited citizen' arm, and other non -partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the commission pursuant to section 52(K) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881; and

(f) The last two copies to be kept in file by the chairman of the board of canvassers to be subsequently distributed as the national board of canvassers may direct.

"The certified print copies may be claimed at the canvassing center. Any unclaimed copy shall be deemed place in the custody of the chairman of the board of canvassers, who shall produce them when requested by the recipient or when ordered by a competent authority.

"The commission shall post its digital files in its website for the public to view or download at any time of the day. The commission shall maintain the files for at least three years from the date of posting.

"Any violation of this section, or its pertinent portion, shall constitute an election offense and shall be penalized in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881."