Sotto pushes for Comelec reorganization, employee salary upgrade

In addition to reorganizing the offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Senate President Vicente  “Tito” Sotto also wants to upgrade the salary of its employees.

His proposals were contained in Senate Bill No. 2082 known as an “Act Reorganizing the Comelec Offices” which he filed last October 23.

Sotto said the measure would address the “notable disparity in the salary grades of Comelec employees with those in other government agencies despite having similar qualifications or equivalent positions.”

“It is about time that Congress responds to their call for adequate adjustments in their remuneration,” the Senate leader said.

For decades now, he said, the Comelec Employees’ Union has been asserting its right to substantial and just salary increases and the principle of equal pay for equal work has not been felt by them.

“Equal pay for equal work in government service is the ultimate goal of the proposed legislation. It can only be realized through reclassification and upgrading of their current plantilla positions, particularly in the Comelec main and field offices,” Sotto said.

“Furthermore, it is posited that an increase in their salary will be an effective deterrent to graft and corrupt practices.”

If approved, Sotto said the measure would benefit the 5,000 employees of the Comelec nationwide.

He said a counterpart measure has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Reps. Gary Alejano, Francisco Datol and Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Sotto’s bill also seeks to institute regional and provincial offices and divide the National Capital Region (NCR) into five administrative districts.

“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,” he said.

Under his bill, Sotto said, all of the remaining rank and file plantilla positions in the Comelec’s main and field offices would be reclassified and upgraded accordingly.  /muf