ah
Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 pate _1.4 JUN 2023
Quezon City, Metro Manila \w TIME Gm
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 2

First Regular Session Mp

House Bill No. 8538 SW tp

Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE FIELD OFFICES OF THE COMMISSION ON
ELECTIONS BY UPGRADING AND CREATING CERTAIN POSITIONS. AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 53 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 881, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE,” AS AMENDED AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is one of the bastions of Philippine democracy. It is the
principal government agency tasked by the Constitution to enforce and administer all laws and
regulations conceming the conduct of regular and special elections. Every step of the election process
from voter's registration to enforcement of election protocols is effectively and efficiently carried out
with the dedication and hard work of our civil servants in the COMELEC.

This bill seeks to strengthen the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). This bill seeks to establish
two COMELEC field offices: the Regional Election Office and the Provincial Election Office. The
Regional Election Office shall be headed by the Regional Election Director with the rank of Director
IV and assisted by the Assistant Regional Director with the Rank of Director IIT.

‘Additionally, the COMELEC 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. The positions and
corresponding salary grades in the regional, provincial, city, or municipal election offices are in this
measure too.

The bill also 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
ur civil servants the means to provide for themselves and their families while simultaneously serving
the nation,

This measure previously passed the third reading in the 18° Congress. It was proposed by
Representatives France L. Castro, Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, Ferdinand R. Gaite, Eufemia “Ka Femia”
C. Cullamat, Arlene D. Brosas, Sarah Jane I. Elago, Luis Raymund “Lray” F. Villafuerte Jr., Faustino
“Inno” A. Dy V, Tyrone D. Agabas, Chery! P. Deloso-Montalla, Ferdinand L. Hernandez, Mujiv S.
Hataman, Amihilda J. Sangcopan, Manuel Jose “Manmix” M. Dalipe, Cristal L. Bagatsing, Ann K.
Hofer, Juliet Marie De Leon, Strike B. Revilla, Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., Alfred C, Delos Santos, Ronnie
L. Ong, Dahlia A. Loyola, Lianda B. Bolilia, Frederick W. Siao, Carl Nicolas C. Cari, Elisa “Olga” T.



Kho, Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Christopher V.P. De Venecia, Diego “Nonoy” C. Ty, Kristine
Singson-Meehan, Esmael G. Mangudadatu, Florida “Rida” P. Robes, Jose “Bong” J. Teves Jr., Hector
S. Sanchez, Raymun Democrito C. Mendoza, Rommel Rico Angara, Rosanna “Ria” Vergara, Loren
Legarda, Raneo “Ranie” E. Abu, Jose Enrique “Joet” S. Garcia III, Junie E, Cua, Adriano A. Ebcas,
Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Datu Ronnie Q. Sinsuat Sr., Amolfo
“Amie” A. Teves Jr., Romeo M. Jalosjos Jr., Jeffrey D. Khonghun, Isagani S. Amatong, Glona G.
Labadlabad, Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Edgar M. Chatto, Vicente “Ching” S.E. Veloso III,
Kristine Alexie B. Tutor, Eleandro Jesus F. Mardona, Wilfredo “Willy” S, Caminero, Elenita
Milagros “Eileen” Ermita-Buhain, Anglina “Helen” D.L. Tan MD., Na. Lucille L. Nava, Antonio
“Tonypet” T. Albano, Alyssa Sheena P. Tan, Ma. Theresa V. Collantes, Johnny Ty Pimentel, Alfred
Vargas, Angelo Marcos Barba, Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco, Henry R. Villarica, Joy Myra Salvador-
Tambunting, Princess Rihan M. Sakaluran, Lawrence “Law” H. Fortun, Samantha Louise Vargas
Alfonso, Alan B. Ecleo I, Ciriaco B, Gato Jr., Marisol C. Panotes, Horacio P. Suansing Jr., Solomon
R. Chungalao, Eduadro “Eddie” R. Gullas, Ramon C. Nolasco Jr., Pablo C. Ortega, Prospero A.
Pichat Jr., Jorge Antonio P. Bustos, Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel, Cesar “Jawo” I. Jimenez
Ir, Joselito “Joel” 8. Sacdalan, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr.
Virgilio S. Lacson, Rodolfo Ordanes, Divina Grace C. Yu, Lorna P. Bautista-Bandigan, Rudys Cesar
G. Farifias 1, Ed Christopher . Go, Corazon T. Nufiez-Malanyaon, Alfel M. Bascug, Fernando T.
Cabredo, Sergio C. Dagooc, Abdullah D. Dimaporo, Godofredo N. Guya, Emmarie “Lolypop””
Ouano-Dizon, Bric G. Yap, and Paolo Z. Duterte as principal authors thereof.

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



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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 8938

Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE FIELD OFFICES OF THE COMMISSION ON
ELECTIONS BY UPGRADING AND CREATING CERTAIN POSITIONS. AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 53 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 881, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE,” AS AMENDED AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 53 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 53. Field offices of the Commission. - The Commission shall have the following field
offices:

(1). Regional Election Office, headed by the Regional Election Director WITH THE RANK
OF DIRECTOR IV and assisted by the Assistant Regional Director WITH THE RANK
OF DIRECTOR Il. OTHER OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE
ARE REGIONAL ELECTION ATTORNEY, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER V, ACCOUNTANT Hl, HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
OFFICER Ill, SUPPLY OFFICER Ill, STENOGRAPHIC REPORTER III,
WATCHMAN, PROCESS SERVER, ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV, ASSISTANT
ELECTION SPECIALIST, UTILITY WORKER AND DRIVER IL.

THE POSITIONS AND CORRESPONDING SALARY GRADES IN THE
REGIONAL ELECTION OFFICE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

POSITIONS SALARY GRADES

DIRECTOR IV 28
DIRECTOR IIT 27
ATTORNEY V 25
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER V 22
ASSISTANT ELECTION SPECIALIST 21
ACCOUNTANT Ill 19
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER 18
ni

SUPPLY OFFICER IIT 18



STENOGRAPHIC REPORTER II
WATCHMAN

PROCESS SERVER.
ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV.
UTILITY WORKER

DRIVER It

to eo] fen]

(2) Provincial Election Office, headed by the Provincial Election [Supervisor and assisted by
such other subordinate officers or employees as the Commission may appoint]
DIRECTOR WITH THE RANK OF DIRECTOR II. OTHER OFFICERS AND
EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE ARE COMPUTER MAINTENANCE
SPECIALIST, ASSISTANT ELECTION SPECIALIST, ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER V, WATCHMAN, ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV, UTILITY WORKER
AND DRIVER II.

THE POSITIONS AND CORRESPONDING SALARY GRADES IN THE
PROVINCIAL ELECTION OFFICE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

POSITIONS SALARY GRADES
DIRECTOR IL 26
COMPUTER MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST. 2
ASSISTANT ELECTION SPECIALIST 21
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER V 18
WATCHMAN 7
ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV 4
UTILITY WORKER 3
DRIVER 3

(3) {City/Municipal Election Office, headed by the City/Municipal Registrar who shall be
assisted by an election clerk and such other employees as the Commission may appoint.)
HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY (HUC) ELECTION OFFICE, HEADED BY THE
HUC ELECTION DIRECTOR WITH THE RANK OF DIRECTOR II AND
ASSISTED BY A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) ASSISTANT ELECTION
SPECIALISTS. OTHER OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE ARE
COMPUTER MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER V,
WATCHMAN, ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV, UTILITY WORKER AND DRIVER
1.

THE POSITIONS AND CORRESPONDING SALARY GRADES IN THE HUC
ELECTION OFFICE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

POSITIONS SALARY GRADES
DIRECTOR It 26
‘COMPUTER MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST 21
ASSISTANT ELECTION SPECIALISTS. 21
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER V 18
WATCHMAN 7
ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV 4
UTILITY WORKER, 3
DRIVER 3



(4) CITY OR MUNICIPAL ELECTION OFFICE, HEADED BY THE CITY OR
MUNICIPAL ELECTION OFFICER WITH THE RANK OF DIRECTOR I.
THERE SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) ASSISTANT ELECTION
SPECIALISTS IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPALITY: PROVIDED, THAT FOR
EVERY ADDITIONAL 20,000 VOTERS IN EXCESS OF 50,000 VOTERS,
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT ELECTION SPECIALISTS SHALL BE APPOINTED.
OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE ARE WATCHMAN,
ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV AND UTILITY WORKER.

THE POSITIONS AND CORRESPONDING SALARY GRADES
MUNICIPAL ELECTION OFFICE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

THE CITY OR

POSITIONS ‘SALARY GRADES
DIRECTORI 24
ASSISTANT ELECTION SPECIALIST 21
WATCHMAN 7
ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IV 4
UTILITY WORKER 3

“ONLY THE PERSONNEL MENTIONED IN THIS SECTION OR EXPRESSLY
AUTHORIZED BY LAW, SHALL BE ASSIGNED, DESIGNATED, ENGAGED OR
DETAILED AT THE COMMISSION'S FIELD OFFICES. OR ALLOWED TO
PERFORM ADMINISTRATIVE OR CLERICAL WORK IN THE FIELD
OFFICES. VIOLATION OF THIS PROVISION SHALL CONSTITUTE AN
ELECTION OFFENSE.

‘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.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE ORGANIZATION, STAFFING, POSITION CLASSIFICATION AND
COMPENSATION STANDARDS AND SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM) FOR EVALUATION
AND APPROVAL.”

SEC. 2. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the available appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, such sums as may be
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act,
the Chairperson of the Commission on Elections shall, in coordination with the Chairperson of the
Civil Service Commission and Secretary of Budget and Management, promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, all other
provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.


Approved,