Sec. 2. Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group; Constitution. – The Commission shall, upon recommendation of the DFA-OAVS, constitute in every Post, not later than February 11, 2010, an SBRCG, which shall be composed of three (3) members.

The Commission may constitute additional SBRCG in Posts where the registered voters are more than forty thousand (40,000).

Sec. 3. Qualifications of members/substitutes of the SBRCG. – No person shall be appointed as chairman or member of the SBRCG, unless he:

a) Is of good moral character and irreproachable reputation;

b) Is a citizen of the Philippines residing abroad;

c) Is from among the staff of the Posts;

d) Has never been convicted of any election offense or of any other crime punishable by more than six (6) months of imprisonment, or has no pending case filed against him for any election offense; and

e) Is able to speak and write English or Filipino.

In case there are not enough qualified staff of the Posts, citizens of the Philippines who are qualified to vote under R.A. 9189, and of known probity and competence, may be appointed as members of the SBRCG, provided that the chairman shall be a staff of the Posts. The representative of the Commission in the Post shall issue the Appointment of the Chairman/Poll Clerk/Members/Substitutes of the SBEI/SBRCG (OAVF No. 5)

In case of temporary vacancy in the SBRCG, the provision of Section 11, Article III hereof shall apply.

Sec. 4. Disqualification. – The members of the SBRCG or their spouses shall not be related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any member of the same SBRCG or to any of the candidates for President, Vice-President, Senators and to any of the nominees for the party-list system of representation.

Sec. 5. Notice of disqualification. – Any member of the SBRCG who is disqualified for any of the above reasons shall notify the head of the Post in writing, who shall, in turn submit a replacement to the Commission through the COAV for appointment.

Sec. 6. Functions of the SBRCG. – The SBRCG shall perform the following duties and functions:

a) Receive from the Commission through the COAV, all accountable and non-accountable election forms, supplies and paraphernalia to be used in voting, counting and canvassing;

b) Verify, using the packing list, the quantity and serial numbers of all ballots, election returns and canvassing forms, and other accountable forms, received in the presence of the head of the Post or his/her authorized representative, watchers of political parties and representatives of the Filipino community, if available.

c) Notify the COAV within twenty-four (24) hours after verification, of the receipt of accountable and non-accountable forms, condition thereof and discrepancy, if any, the quantity and serial numbers of the accountable forms;

d) Store in a secured place all received forms and supplies; and

e) Perform such other duties and functions as provided for in Article VIII hereof, in countries where postal voting is allowed.

Article I

Table of Contents

Article III