Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,_9305

Introduced By:
HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan and
HON. AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN of Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party-List

AN ACT REORGANIZING THE COMELEC OFFICES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Commission on Elections (Comelec) plays a crucial role in nation-building as it
safeguards the constitutional right of our citizens to suffrage, to freely choose - through
honest, orderly and peaceful elections - those will represent and govern them

It is one of the pillars of our democracy and it is an indispensable democratic
institution. The 1987 Constitution supplies the poll body's mandate, which is to "Enforce and
administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative,
referendum, and recall,” among others, as embodied in Article IX

And as such, the State needs to ensure that those who work in Comelec are honest,
competent and exhibit the highest standards of accountability and public service. Corollary to
this principle is the equal protection clause of the Constitution, which states that 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.

However, there appears to be a wide gap between the mandated responsibilities of
Comelec officials and employees, and the amount of compensation they receive in the
fulfilment of such duties. They receive lower salaries than their counterparts in other
government agencies.

As an example, a Provincial Election Supervisor I tasked to oversee election matters
on a provincial level receives a lower salary than a Division Chief in a government agency.


This low level of compensation is also a factor why some Comelec employees are susceptible
to the commission of electoral fraud, although it should never be a justification.

This bill aims to revamp the organizational structure of the Comelec in order to
address, among others, the disparity in remuneration of its officials and employees to other
government workers of equal rank, duties and responsibilities. This reorganization includes
Field Offices of the Comelec, and it involves the upgrade and reclassification of plantilla
positions.

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

|. SANGCOPAN
Réresentai findanao Party-List



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5305
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced By
HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan and
HON. AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN of Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party-List

AN ACT REORGANIZING THE COMELEC OFFICES

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

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

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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 III, 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

3


(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
determined by the Commission, which shall be headed and
administratively supervised by a District Election Director with the
rank of Director Il, Computer Maintenance Technologist/Specialist
(CMTICMS) 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 I regardless of their place of
assignment.

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

The Commission may delegate its powers and function or order the
implementation or enforcement of its orders, rulings, or decisions through the
heads of its field offices.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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 Appropriation Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause.- Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions
of this Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause.- All 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 .

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

Approved,