Comelec ban on movement of DFA, gov’t workers abroad begins

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections has barred the movement of all officers and members of the Foreign Service Corps, including those belonging to attached agencies, beginning Sunday until August 11, 2013.

The prohibition covering the movement of the foreign service personnel and other employees from government agencies who are deployed abroad is first of the several “bans” that the Comelec would be imposing in connection with the 2013 midterm elections.

Comelec Resolution No. 9411 said the prohibition implemented Section 23 of Republic Act No. 9189, or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, which stated, “No officer or member of the foreign service corps, including those belonging to attached agencies shall be transferred, promoted, extended, recalled or otherwise moved from his current post or position one year before and three months after the day of elections, except upon approval of the Commission.”

The Comelec said the Department of Foreign Affairs through the members of the foreign service corps and other government agencies holding offices at the different Philippine embassies, consulates and other establishments would again be involved in the conduct of voting, counting and canvassing of ballots cast by overseas absentee voters.

“Request for movement shall be made in writing by the authorized officials of concerned agencies stating the cause or reason for such movement and stating why said movement shall be made an exemption to the prohibition,” the resolution stated.

The Comelec’s committee on the overseas absentee voting is chaired by Commissioner Lucenito Tagle.