Comelec employees to wear black in protest

Employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are expected to dress in black today to protest the alleged withholding of their benefits and other "decays" in the poll body.

"We do not know if Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos is aware of all of our problems. This is one of our ways of making it known to him," said a Comelec employee who requested not to be named.

Foremost among their complaints is the delay in the release of their P4,000 clothing allowance, which they claimed had been released in other government offices way back in February.

Abalos, in an earlier interview with The STAR, said they are making sure the clothing allowances are indeed used for employees’ uniforms.

"We are now changing things. It is not right to give them money for uniforms but no uniform is actually being worn," said Abalos.

But aside from the uniforms, the employees are also complaining about the lack of office supplies and the long time disrepair of their computers and copying machines.

Comelec Finance Department head Eduardo Mejos confirmed the delay in the issuance of uniforms and the lack of funds.

"The uniforms will be released soon," Mejos told The STAR. "The delay was due to the delay in the release of the budget by Congress so we did not get the money right away," he said.