• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Support staff of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), who rendered poll duties during the Oct. 30 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, have also remained unpaid.
This was confirmed yesterday by Comelec-Western Visayas Regional Director Dennis Ausan, after he was asked for an update on the payment of the P3.7-million honorarium of the 660 poll support staff in Kabankalan City.
Ausan said they have already forwarded the investigation reports on the incidents to the central office.
Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said the poll body has taken the proactive step of paying the honoraria of the support staff in Kabankalan City.
Each support staff is entitled to receive P5,500 as honorarium for the election services rendered.
In a statement, Laudiangco said that an investigation is underway to determine the administrative or criminal liability of the Comelec field officers involved in the incidents.
Ausan refused to give details on the number of unpaid Comelec support staff in Himamaylan City.
Mayo Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. said he was already informed about the unpaid Comelec support staff.
“We were made aware of the scenario,” the Himamaylan mayor said.
“If we can do anything on our side, we are ready, for as long as there is a legal basis,” he added. | GB
