Grant of Continuing Authority From COMELEC to Appoint, Hire New Employees, and Transfer or Detail of DepEd Personnel During the Election Period of the 2022 National and Local Elections

For the information and guidance of all concerned, enclosed is a copy of Document No. 22-0010 from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Law Department, January 3, 2022, which contains the approved recommendation on the request for the Grant of Continuing Authority from COMELEC to appoint, Hire New Employees, and Transfer or Detail of Department of Education (DepEd) Personnel during the Election Period of the 2022 National and Local Elections.

Please take note that the approval of the grant of continuing authority is subject to the five conditions set forth by the COMELEC, including:

a. That is authorization shall be limited to orders to appoint, hire new employees, and transfer or detail of DepEd officers and employees, signed and issued by Secretary Leonor M. Briones;

b. That the said appointment, hiring and transfer or detail is essential to the proper functioning of the office and shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections;

c. That the same shall not involve promotion or the giving of any increase of salary or remuneration of privilege which is strictly prohibited during the 45-day period before the May 9, 2022 Elections, without any exception whatsoever;

d. That the authorization shall be prospective in application and without prejudice to the applicable Civil Service Law, rules and regulations on personnel action/ movements; and

e. That the proper notices prescribed and required under Section 29 (d), of COMELEC Resolution No. 10742 shall be promptly sent to the Commission through its Law Department.

The grant of continuing authority shall apply to appointment, hiring and transfer or detail of personnel in all levels of governance in the Department.

In relation to the forgoing, the signing authorities on appointment, hiring and transfer or detail as per Section IV. A and B of DepEd Order (DO) No. 008, s. 2021, otherwise known as the Revised Signing Authorities for Administrative and Financial Matters in the Department of Education are temporarily suspended during the election period. All appointments, hiring and transfer or details shall be submitted to the Office of the Secretary through the Office of the Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organization Development.

Read DepEd Memorandum No. 005, s. 2022 for more details.