EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
F irs t R e g u la r S essio n  
}
■Offiii'C'. 
I '- 
'■
*19 
JUL 15 mo 54
RliCti'.
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 4S9
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT REORGANIZING THE COMELEC OFFICES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the constitutional body 
tasked to protect and uphold the people’s democratic right to choose the 
country’s leaders. It consists of over 5,000 employees nationwide, seiwing 
as its main support in carrying out its vast mandate.
For many years, 
the 
COMELEC 
Employees’ Union 
have 
continuously asserted the employees’ right to substantial and just salary 
increases. This is due to the notable disparity between their salary grade 
and that of those who work in other government agencies, which possess 
similar qualifications and are in equivalent positions. It is about time that 
Congress respond to their call for adequate adjustments in their 
remuneration.
Equal pay for equal work in government seiwice is the ultimate goal 
of the proposed legislation. It can only be realized through reclassification


and upgrading of the current plantilla positions, particularly in the 
COMELEC Main and Field Offices. Furthermore, it is posited that increase 
in their salary will be an effective deterrent to graft and corrupt practices.
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
VICENTE C. SOTTO III


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
F irst R e g u la r S essio n  
}
S E N A T E
S.B. No. 489
.5.
'19 
JUL 15 riC:54
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT
REORGANIZING THE COMELEC OFFICES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. S h o rt Title. - This Act shall be known as “An Act Reorganizing
2 
COMELEC Offices.”
3 
SECTION 2. D e cla ra tio n  o f Policy. - In accordance with the equal
4 
protection clause of the Constitution, it is the State’s responsibility to
5 
provide adequate and appropriate remuneration to employees with the
6 
ultimate goal of achieving equal pay for equal work in government service.
7 
SECTION 3. F ield  Offices. - The Commission shall have the following field
8 
offices;
9 
(1) Regional Election Office, headed by the Regional Election Director and
10 
assisted by the Assistant Regional Election Director, 
Regional
11 
Election Attorney with the rank of Attorney V, Human Resource
12 
Management Officer, Budget Officer, Finance Officer, Assistant
13 
Election Specialist, Stenographic Reporter III, Process Seiwer,


1 
Watchman Officer, Administrative Aide, ORED Driver and any such
2 
other subordinate officers or employees necessary in the exigency of
3 
sei'vice for the said office.
4 
(2) Provincial Election Office, headed by the Provincial Election Director
5 
similar to the rank of Director 11 regardless of the number of
6 
registered voters. Computer Maintenance Technologist/Specialist
7 
(CMT/CMS) with SG-24, Assistant Election Specialist, Administrative
8 
Aide, OPES driver and any such other subordinate officers or
9 
employees necessary in the exigency of service for the said office.
10 
(3) The National Capital Region shall be divided into five (5)
11 
administrative districts, such as North, South, East, Central and
12 
Manila District, or such number of administrative district as may be
13 
determined by the Commission, which shall be headed and
14 
administratively supeiwised by a District Election Director with the
15 
rank of Director 11, Computer Maintenance Technologist/Specialist
16 
(CMT/CMS) with SG-24, Administrative Assistant V, Administrative
17 
Aide, Driver and any such other subordinate officers or employees
18 
necessary in the exigency of service for the said office.
19 
(4) City/Municipal Office, headed by City/Municipal Election Specialist
20 
with the rank of Director 1 regai'dless of their place of assignment.
21 
(5) There shall be a minimum of two Assistant Election Specialists (AES)
22 
with SG-21 in every city or municipality provided that for every
23 
additional 20,000 voters from 50,000 voters additional AES shall be
24 
automatically appointed.
25
26 
27
The Commission may delegate its powers and functions or order the 
implementation or enfor'cernent of its or'ders, rulings, or decisions, 
thr'ough the heads of its field offices.
28 
SECTION 4. R e c la ssific a tio n  a n d  U pgrading o f P la n tilla  P o sitio n s in
29 
th e  COMELEC M ain a n d  F ield Offices. - All the remaining rank and file
30 
plantilla positions in the COMELEC main and field offices shall be
31 
r'eclassified and upgr'aded accordingly by the Commission on Elections.


1 
SECTION 5. R ules a n d  R eg u latio n s. - Within ninety (90) days from the
2 
approval of this Act, the Department of Budget and the Commission on
3 
Elections shall adopt and issue the rules and regulations for the effective
4 
implementation of this Act.
5 
SECTION 6. A p p ro p riatio n s. - The amount necessary for the initial
6 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year’s
7 
appropriations under the budget of the COMELEC. Thereafter, such sums
8 
as may be necessaiy for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
9 
included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
10 
SECTION 7. S e p a ra b ility  C lause. - If any part or section of this Act is
11 
declared unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the other parts
12 
or sections of this Act.
13 
SECTION. 8. R ep ealin g  C lause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential
14 
decrees, presidential proclamations, letters of implementation, rules and
15 
regulations or parts thereod inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
16 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
17 
SECTION. 9. E ffectim ty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
18 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,