P35k charter day gift for City Hall workers: Bonus awaits Comelec nod

CEBU, Philippines — The distribution date for the increased P35,000 Charter Day bonuses for Cebu City Hall employees is still uncertain, as the executive department continues to wait for the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) response on the city's need to apply for exemption amidst the election ban.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia explained that since the campaign period has already started, the bonuses need to undergo Comelec approval, so they sought clarification on the guidelines regarding the matter.

On the other hand, he expressed optimism that the Comelec will issue a response within the week.

As stated under Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), public officials or employees, including barangay officials and those of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and their subsidiaries, are prohibited from releasing, disbursing, or expending any public funds for social services and housing-related projects during the 45 days preceding a regular election, unless a resolution for exemption has been issued for the release, disbursement, or expenditure.

Additionally, Section 261(w) of the OEC prohibits anyone from issuing, using, or availing of treasury warrants or any device undertaking the future delivery of money, goods, or other things of value chargeable against public funds during the 45-day period before a regular election.

It is further elaborated that the request for exemption from the prohibition against the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social services and housing-related projects is “extremely necessary and crucial for the continuous operation of the city’s social services.”

According to Garcia, their original petition, which was once the subject of intense discussion before the Cebu City Council, does not include the disbursement of bonuses and was mainly on the provision of social services to the people and other infrastructure projects.

He added that it was during the first filing of the petition that they were hopeful the Charter Day bonuses would be distributed as it was before the campaign period began on March 28, 2025, hence the exclusion in the first petition.

Garcia said the distribution might be expedited if the Comelec gives them the green light to disburse the bonuses without the need of an official petition.

Garcia also cited other factors that led to the delay, such as the multiple deliberations and budget hearings from the council on the approval of Supplemental Budget (SB) 1, which includes the proposed budget for the Charter Day bonuses. SB 1, before it was slashed and approved, underwent two rounds of legislative processes.

“So naabtan gyud mi sa election ban, now we have to ask and see for the exemption, so we already wrote them last week, and we didn’t get a reply,” said Garcia.

He added that since bonuses are essentially part of employees’ entitled salaries, it shouldn’t be difficult to make a decision on them.

It can be recalled that on Jan. 8, 2025, Councilor Rey Gealon submitted a resolution that sought to authorize Garcia to obtain a certification of exemption from Comelec on the prohibition of the release or disbursement of public funds during the election season.

“Pero you know moving forward, you cannot halt the operations of the city government sa atong dili included,” said Garcia.

It was reported that the executive department initially lobbied for a P25,000 bonus for regular and casual employees of Cebu City Hall.

However, the City Council, during the first deliberation, increased the bonuses to P35,000, prompting another legislative process where the council had to return the proposal so the executive department could revise it. — (FREEMAN)