Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No4853

Introduced by REP. FAUSTINO ‘INNO’ A. DY V

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution mandated COMELEC to enforce and administer all laws and
regulations relative to the conduct of elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referendum and recall.
As one of the bastions of Philippine democracy, the effective and efficient performance by
COMELEC of its duties and responsibilities help protect and uphold the people's democratic
right to choose the country’s leaders.

COMELEC employees, however, receive salaries far lower compared to other
employees with similar qualifications and responsibilities in other government agencies and
constitutional commissions. The disparity in wages is most felt at the COMELEC Field Offices.
A Provincial Election Supervisor I (PES 1), for example, receives a lower salary than a Division
Chief in other government agencies. Election Officers I only have a monthly salary of Php
22,938 (Salary Grade 12) despite their important role in managing the elections at the city or
municipal levels.

This bill seeks to help address the concern of COMELEC employees regarding low
salaries and disparity in wages. Under this measure, the COMELEC Field Offices will be
reorganized and the plantilla positions will be reclassified and upgraded accordingly.

A similar bill has been filed in the 17" Congress however it was not passed due to lack
of material time. In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure in the 18"
Congress is earnestly requested.

oT

F, INO ‘IN! A. DY V


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

53
HOUSE BILL xo.8

Introduced by REP. FAUSTINO ‘INNO’ A. DY V

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, Assistant Election
Specialist, Stenographic Reporter III, Process Server, Watchman Officer, 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 (OMT/OMS) 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 II, 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 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 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 end 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 shell be reclassified and upgraded accordingly by the Commission on
Elections.

SECTION 5S. Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act,
the Department of Budget and Management 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 Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected shall thereby continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause.— All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, presidential
proclamations, letters of implementation, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after is complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,