BACOLOD City – The office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental is optimistic that the city’s 211 support staff alongside those from Kabankalan City who served during the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) will receive their honoraria.
Himamaylan City acting election officer Romeo Palma admitted that an honest mistake was committed, stating that he overlooked the details of the Comelec resolution indicating the prohibition of hiring support staff for BSKE.
They recruited 211 individuals, intending to pay them P5,500 each, said Palma.
While awaiting the Comelec’s decision following a formal investigation, Palma expressed readiness to face any administrative case that may be filed against him but emphasized the request for the support staff’s payment.
Earlier, Comelec Region 6 director Dennis Ausan said they are scrutinizing the issue of unpaid support staff in Himamaylan and Kabankalan.
He added the formal investigation has concluded, awaiting the decision of the Comelec central office.
The Comelec earlier said the honoraria of 660 support staff in Kabankalan City is pending at the central office.
Ausan added that the possible administrative and criminal liabilities of the election officers assigned to the two local government units are still unknown.
The Himamaylan City government, meanwhile, was initially prepared to assist the unpaid support staff but is seeking legal grounds before providing aid. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
