Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8294

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto,
Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Eric M. Martinez, Federico II "
S. Sandoval, Dale "Along" R. Malapitan, Eric Olivarez, and Emi
Calixto-Rubiano

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been
receiving support from the past and present (Rep. Tinio and Rep. Castro's
HB 1514) Congress.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is comprised of more than 6,000
employees nationwide. The majority of the employees (around 5,000) are
from the rank-and-file, receiving a low level compensation for their
services. There has been an expressed dismay among the employees of
the Commission in regard to the disparity of their current salaries as
compared to the employees of other Government Agencies.

According to the research done by Commission on Elections Employees
Union (COMELEC-EU), they discovered that the disparity in the salary
dates back to the 1990s. COMELEC lawyers, accountants, statisticians,
and other professionals receive less than their counterparts in other
agencies. Below are some of comparisons found by COMELEC EU:

COMELEC | OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

COMELEC Lawyers (Attorney II) Public Attorney's Office (PA I- PA V)
18 Salary Grade: SG 25 to SG 29

Regional Trial Court Clerks
SG 24 - SG 26

Provincial Election Supervisors Department of Education Division
Superintendents
SG 26



Election Officers Department of Education District
SG 12- SG 21 Supervisors
‘SG 22

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the sole agency that handles
every aspect of the election process. COMELEC employees persevere all
year long to ensure that every step of the process is carried out from the
voter's registration up to the canvassing of votes. Their work requires a
great deal of time and energy especially during the four month-long
election season. It is only fitting to give the employees of COMELEC a just
compensation especially because their duties and responsibilities are
anchored in upholding the democratic right of every Filipino.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

FEDERICO II "RIC!
SANDOVAL

DALE Lh alg

ff

EMI CALIXTO-RUBIANO

ue -
ERIC OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8294

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward
Vera Perez Maceda, Eric M. Martinez, Federico II "Ricky" S. Sandov:
Dale “Along” R. Malapitan, Eric Olivarez, and Emi Calixto-Rubiano

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE SALARIES OF EMPLOYEES OF THE COMMISSION ON
ELECTIONS

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "COMELEC Employees'
Salary Upgrading Act of 2018."

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

SECTION 3. Increase in Salary Grades of Field COMELEC Employees. -
The present minimum salary grade level of employees of the Commission on
Elections shall be adjusted in the following manner:

/ POSITION - CURRENT | INCREASED
| SALARY SALARY
GRADE GRADE
Contested Ballot Box Custodian 1 8 11
Contested Ballot Box Custodian II 10 13
i Election Assistant I ae. 10



] Election Assistant II 9 12
| Election Field Officer | 21. 24

| Election Officer I 12 hl
Election Officer IT 15 18
| Election Officer IIT 18 21
| Election Officer IV (outside NCR) 21 24
Election Officer IV (within NCR) 21 25
Election Precincts Analyst I to (| 13
Election Precincts Analyst II 14 17
Regional Election Attorney 21 25
Provincial Election Supervisor I 23 26
Provincial Election Supervisor II 24 26

| Provincial Election Supervisor III 25 26
Provincial Election Supervisor IV 26 26

SECTION 4. Reclassification/Upgrading of Plantilla Positions in the
COMELEC Main and Field Offices. - All remaining rank and file plantilla
positions in the COMELEC main and field offices, including casual employees,
shall be reclassified and upgraded accordingly.

SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Elections and the
Department of Budget and Management as well as other government agencies
charged with the enforcement of this Act or any of its parts shall promulgate
the necessary implementing rules and regulations. Such rules and regulations
shall become effective fifteen (15) days after announcement of its adoption in
newspapers of general circulation.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The Government shall appropriate such
amount as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. The initial
funding required for the implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the
savings of the COMELEC and other possible sources that may be determined by
the Chairperson, and subsequent funds needed shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act for the year following the implementation of this 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. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,