No reshuffle of gov’t workers sans Comelec nod – Brillantes

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from implementing a gun ban, Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. reminded government workers on Monday that they cannot be reshuffled without permission from the poll body.

“Bawal na ang reshuffling ng mga tao sa civil service—hindi pwede without our prior permission—including the police and the military,” he told Radyo Inquirer 990 AM in an interview.

It was with this in mind that the Comelec has earlier moved around its officers due to conflicts of interest in certain provinces, Brillantes said.

“Nauna na po kami—nag-reshuffle kami ng regional directors so we can be effective during the elections,” added the Comelec chairman, saying that they will continue to monitor local government units and government agencies for possible changes.

The poll body started implementing the gun ban on Sunday, the beginning of the five-month election period.

Brillantes said that police checkpoints must be placed in “lighted areas and manned by a police officer whose name is identified.”

He called on officers deployed in checkpoint areas to always be in full uniform and “be polite at all times.”

“Maging magalang tayo dahil nang-aabala tayo,” he reminded the authorities.