GOOD NEWS: COMELEC Chair Backs Removal of Expiration on Election Service Credits

Good news may be on the way for teachers and other government personnel who serve during elections, as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is expected to remove the expiration period for election service credits.

The ACT Teachers Party-List reported that its dialogue with COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia produced a favorable development regarding the 10-day service credit granted to qualified government personnel who render election-related service. According to ACT, Garcia committed to bring the proposal to remove the expiration of election service credits before the COMELEC En Banc.

The issue arose following the implementation of COMELEC Resolution No. 11212, promulgated on March 24, 2026, which established guidelines for granting and availing of election service credits to government officials and employees.

Under the current guidelines, election service credits are subject to specific availment periods. This has raised concerns among teachers and other election workers who may be unable to use their earned credits before the prescribed deadline. Teachers' groups have therefore called on COMELEC to allow the credits to remain available rather than having unused credits expire.

Removal of expiration period

According to ACT Teachers Party-List, Chair Garcia said that the proposal to remove the expiration of the 10-day election service credit would be taken up by the COMELEC En Banc. The group said a formal resolution on the matter could be issued as early as next week.

If approved and formally issued, the change would be a significant benefit for teachers and other qualified government employees who have earned service credits from their election duties. Instead of being compelled to use the credits within a limited period, election workers could potentially retain them for future use, subject to the provisions of the forthcoming resolution.

ACT has emphasized that COMELEC's commitment should ultimately be translated into a clear and definitive policy protecting earned election service credits.

₱15,000 election compensation also being pushed

Aside from service credits, ACT Teachers Party-List is also pushing for higher compensation for teachers and other personnel serving during elections. The group has advocated for ₱15,000 in net compensation for election workers, along with improved benefits for those performing election duties.

The ₱15,000 proposal, however, should be distinguished from the service-credit development: it remains an advocacy or proposal and should not yet be considered an approved uniform compensation rate.

Formal COMELEC issuance still needed

While the development is encouraging, teachers and other election workers are advised to wait for the official COMELEC En Banc resolution or subsequent implementing guidelines before treating the expiration provision as officially removed.

As of August 11, 2026, COMELEC Resolution No. 11212 remains the published governing resolution on election service credits on the poll body's official website.

Once the promised resolution is formally issued, it could provide much-needed relief to thousands of teachers and government employees who dedicate additional time and effort to ensure the orderly conduct of Philippine elections.

For now, the announcement represents a major positive step—but the “no expiration” policy becomes official only upon the issuance of the corresponding COMELEC resolution.