The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a resolution containing the rules to be followed in the enforcement of the prohibition against appointment of hiring of new employees as well as other related activities in connection with the May 2022 national and local elections.
Under Resolution 1072 promulgated on Dec. 16, during the period of 45 days before the regular election and 30 days before a special election, only the Comelec may grant the authority to hire new employees to any head, official or appointing officer of a government office, agency or instrumentality, whether national or local including government-owned or controlled corporations, who appoints or hires any new employee, whether provisional temporary or casual, or creates and fills any new position.
Comelec said that as an exception, a new employee may be appointed in case of urgent need provided that the notice of the appointment shall be given to the Comelec within three days from the date of the appointment. It added that any appointment or hiring in violation of the said provision shall be null and void.
It is also prohibited for any public official who is tasked to transfer or detail whatever of any officer or employee in the civil service including public school teachers, within the election period except upon the prior approval of Comelec.
The resolution stated as well that during the election period, public official are prohibited from suspending, without prior approval of the Comelec any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer, unless the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act" applies in relation to the suspension or removal of elective officials in which the said provision will be inapplicable.
It also mentioned that the promotion or giving of increase of salary or remuneration or privilege to any government official or employee including those in government-owned or controlled corporations shall be strictly prohibited.
The period of the said prohibitions will be from March 25, 2022 until May 8, 2022.