THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has abolished the expiration rule on the service leaves for teachers who serve during elections.
The provision was removed after the Comelec amended Section 5 of its Resolution 11212. ”For NLEs, BSKEs and BPEs, special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda or recall elections, the service credit may be aboard of at any time after the date of the election or electoral exercise,” read Resolution 11212-A promulgated on Aug. 11.NLEs stand for National and Local Elections; BSKEs for barangay (village) and sangguniang kabataan (youth council) elections; and BPEs for Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. ”This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and in the official website of the Commission,” it added. The Comelec said it recognized the need to amend the service leave availment period, taking into consideration the concerns raised on the matter. It said there was a need to provide a practicable period for the availment of service credit, consistent with the purpose of Republic Act 10756, or the Election Service Reform Act, and to afford government officials and employees who render election-related service a meaningful opportunity to avail of the benefits granted by law. Teachers are entitled to a five-day service credit, or service credit equal to the number of days of service they rendered but not over 10 days, whichever is higher when they render service in a special election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum or recall election. When it comes to NLEs, BSKEs and BPEs, they are entitled to 10 days’ worth of service credits. Resolution 11212 provided that only 10 days of service leaves “can be earned for services rendered during the simultaneous conduct of the BPE with any NLE or BSKE.”
