AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO REORGANIZE ITS DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, DIVISIONS, SECTIONS OR UNITS, FIX THE SALARIES OF ITS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATION FOR ITS MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION EXPENSES.

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 597
• Sections: 7

Preamble

WHEREAS, with the increased membership and the expanded

functions and powers of the Commission on Elections under the new

Constitution, there is need to authorize said agency to undertake a

reorganization of its various departments, divisions, sections, offices

and other units;

WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections, by specific provision

of Republic Act No. 5435, was not included in the reorganization of the

government under the Integrated Reorganization Plan;

WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections was last reorganized in

1963 by virtue of Republic Act No. 3808, and that since then no

substantial changes have been made in the staffing pattern,

administrative structure and organizational machinery of the said

agency;

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 203 transferred to the

Commission on Elections the personnel, appropriations and properties of

the various Electoral Tribunals, and for this reason there is need to

empower the Commission on Elections to deploy through reorganization the

Tribunal employees in appropriate departments, divisions, sections,

offices or units where their services can be most useful;

WHEREAS, under the Transitory Provisions of the new

Constitution, it is provided that priority shall be given, inter alia,

to the reorganization of the Government; and the reorganization of the

Commission on Elections would be a step in compliance with this

provision of the new Charter;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as

Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines and

pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972, and General

Order No. 1 dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby order and

decree:

Section 1

SECTION 1. To promote maximum efficiency in carrying out

its constitutional functions and powers and such other duties that my be

entrusted to it by law, the Commission on Elections hereinafter

referred to as the Commission is hereby authorized, within six months

from the date of approval hereof, to reorganize all its departments,

divisions, sections, offices or units.

Section 2

SEC. 2. Any provision of existing law to the contrary

notwithstanding and in order to accomplish the objectives set forth in

Section One of this Decree, the Commission is authorized:

To group, coordinate, consolidate or integrate departments,

divisions, sections, offices or units according to functions;

To abolish departments, divisions, sections, offices or units

which may not be necessary, or create those which are necessary, for the

efficient conduct of its functions, services and activities;

To eliminate overlapping and duplication of services,

functions and activities;

To transfer functions and personnel from one department,

division, section, office or unit to another;

To create, classify, combine, split and abolish positions;

To fix and standardize salaries, materials and equipment;

To provide whatever is necessary and desirable to effect

economy and promote efficiency in the service.

Section 3

SEC. 3. Whenever it becomes necessary to reduce the

personnel of any department, division, section, office or unit, the

provisions on reduction in force of Rule VIII of the Civil Service Rules

shall be applied: Provided, however, That, other things being

equal, the preference in retention shall be given to a veteran-employee.

Officers and employees whose positions are abolished or who may be

separated from the service as a consequence of the reorganization

authorized under this Decree shall not lose their civil service

eligibilities. Their names shall be submitted to the Commissioner of

Civil Service who shall enter them in a preferential re-employment list

under proper classifications as to qualifications, training, civil

service eligibility and other similar factor that would facilitate their

re-employment in appropriate vacancies in the government: Provided,

however, That, the names of officers and employees whose efficiency

ratings are below "Satisfactory" or its equivalent, shall not be

registered in the preferential re-employment list: Provided, further,

That those who may be separated or removed from the service by reason

of the reorganization shall be granted subject to existing rules a

gratuity at a rate equivalent to one month's salary for every year of

continuous satisfactory service rendered or the equivalent nearest

fractions thereof favorable to them on the basis of the highest salary

received: Provided, still further, That if they are already

entitled to any gratuity or pension under any other existing retirement

or gratuity law, they shall have the option to select either such

gratuity or pension or the gratuity provided under this

Reorganization Decree.

Section 4

SEC. 4. The Commission is hereby

authorized to avail of the services of any government expert, office or

agency or such reputable private consultant or management firms or

entities as it may deem necessary to carry out the reorganization

provided in this decree.

Section 5

SEC. 5. The Commission is hereby authorized to use such

sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Decree from

unexpended balance of its continuing appropriations and excess

certifications to accounts payable. Henceforth, appropriations to cover

the salaries of officials and employees of the Commission on Elections,

and its maintenance and operating expenses as fixed in accordance with

the provisions of this Decree shall be carried in the annual General

Appropriation Acts.

Section 6

SEC. 6. All laws, or parts thereof which are or may be

in conflict with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed or

amended accordingly.

Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of December in the

year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)

ALEJANDRO MELCHOR

Executive Secretary