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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. gus3

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill intends to reorganize the Commission on Election (COMELEC) offices and
reclassify and upgrade the plantilla positions thereof.

COMELEC currently employs over 5,000 civil servants nationwide in order to carry
out its mandate to uphold the people's democratic right to choose the country’s
leaders. However, there seems to be a notable disparity between the commission's
employee's salary against that of other government agencies—despite possessing
similar qualifications and are in equivalent positions.

The bill proposes to address this issue and provide adequate pay for the employees
of the commission that matches that of the standard in other government offices. In
aiming for equal pay for equal work in government service, no matter the agency or
department or commission, we are giving our civil servants the means to provide for
themselves and their families while simultaneously serving the nation.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS RA IND Y” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Pilippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Que3on City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 9049

SO

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

SS

AN ACT
REORGANIZING THE COMELEC OFFICES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “An Act Reorganizing
COMELEC Offices”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — In accordance with the equal protection
clause of the Constitution, it is the State's responsibility to provide adequate and
appropriate remuneration to employees with the ultimate goal of achieving equal pay
for equal work in government service.

SECTION 3. Field Offices. - The Commission shall have the following field offices:

1. Regional Election Office, headed by the Regional Election Director and
assisted by the Assistant Regional Election Director, Regional Election
Attorney with the rank of Attorney V, Human Resource Management Officer,
Budget Officer, Finance Officer, Assistance Election Specialist, Stenographic
Reporter Ill, Process Server, Watchman Office, Administrative Aide, ORED
Driver and any such other subordinate officers or employees necessary in the
exigency of service for the said office.

2. Provincial Election Office, headed by the Provincial Election Director similar to
the rank of Director II regardless of the number of registered voters, Computer


Maintenance Technologist/Specialist (CMT/CMS) with SG-24, Assistant
Election Specialist, Administrative Aide, OPES driver and any such other
subordinate officers or employees necessary in the exigency of service for the
said office.

3. The National Capital Region shall be divided into five (5) administrative
districts, such as North, South, East, Central and Manila District, or such
number of administrative district as may be determined by the Commission,
which shall be headed and administratively supervised by a District Election
Director with the rank of Director 11, Computer Maintenance
Technologist/Specialist (CMT/CMS) with SG-24, Administrative Assistant V,
Administrative Aide, Driver and any such other subordinate officers or
employees necessary in the exigency of service for the said office.

4. City/Municipal Office, headed by the City/Municipal Election Specialist with
the rank of Director | regardless of their place of assignment.

5. There shall be a minimum of two Assistant Election Specialists (AES) with
SG-21 in every city or municipality provided that for every additional 20,000
voters from 50,000 voters additional AES shall be automatically appointed.

The Commission may delegate its powers and functions or order the implementation

or enforcement of its orders, rulings, or decisions through the heads of its field
Offices.

SECTION 4. Reclassification and Upgrading of Plantilla Positions in the
COMELEC Main and Field Offices. — All the remaining rank and file plantilla
Positions in the COMELEC main and field offices shall be reclassified and upgraded
accordingly by the Commission on Elections.

SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the approval of
this Act, the Department of Budget and the Commission on Elections shall adopt and
issue the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year's appropriations under the
budget of the COMELEC. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the


continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the Annual General
Approprations Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — Should any provision herein be declared

unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this
Act.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — Alll laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations
or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days after

publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved,