Deputizing the Secretary of Finance, among Others, in Connection with the Synchronized National and Local Elections on May 14, 2007

November 14, 2006 BLGF MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 013-06 TO : All Bureau Officials and Employees; Regional Directors for Local Government Finance, District Treasurers of Metropolitan Manila; Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers and Others Concerned SUBJECT : Deputizing the Secretary of Finance, Among Others, in Connection with the Synchronized National and Local Elections on May 14, 2007 Quoted below, for the information and guidance of all concerned, is Resolution No. 7736, promulgated on October 26, 2006, of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), prescribing the duties and functions of the Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers as Deputy of the Secretary of Finance, relative to the conduct of the elections as follows: AaCEDS "2. THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE "The Department of Finance and its Department Secretary are hereby designated deputies of the Commission to enforce and ensure that during the election period: "All Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers shall: "a. Remain in their present assignments and not be transferred or detailed, whether temporarily or permanently, to another province, city or municipality, except upon prior written authority of the Commission; "b. Not be allowed to go on leave of absence form office during the period starting two weeks before and two weeks after election day except upon prior written approval of the Commission. They shall at all times assign responsible employees in their offices to receive telegrams and instructions from the Commission relative to election matters to insure immediate action thereon; and CAacTH "c. Not designate temporary or casual employee as Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Treasurer. "All City/Municipal Treasurers shall: "a. Under the direct orders and supervision of the EO, preserve, take custody and storage of election forms, ballot boxes, paraphernalia, supplies and materials entrusted to them and prevent any loss, destruction, impairment or damage thereto; "In the discharge of their duties as deputies of the Commission, the City/Municipal Treasurers shall not be subject to the command, control or orders of the city/municipal mayors or other local executive officials. In this respect, it shall be unlawful for the city/municipal mayors or local executive officials to intervene or interfere in the discharge by these deputies of their duties in connection with the elections; CHIScD "b. Keep a record of the quantity and serial numbers of official ballots, election returns and ballot boxes allocated for distribution to the various precincts in their respective jurisdiction, and furnish legible copies of such record to the candidates, the EO and the Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD). Commission on Elections, Manila, immediately after distribution; "c. Distribute in the presence of watchers, if available, the official ballots, election returns and ballot boxes, to the BEI not earlier than the first hour on election day. However, the Commission upon request by the EO, and upon the recommendation by the Deputy Executive Director for Operations, may authorize the City/Municipal Treasurers, to distribute the election forms, materials, supplies and other paraphernalia, at an earlier time and with written notice to the candidates and political parties, for reasons such as, but not limited to, distance and weather condition in the locality and difficulty of transportation, number of precincts in a city or municipality, and prevailing peace and order; SIDEaA "The BEI shall issue the proper receipt stating clearly the date, the number of sets and the corresponding quantity and serial numbers of the official ballots and ballot boxes and other accountable forms and supplies. "d. Submit the accomplished Certificate of Receipt of Official Ballots and Other Forms and Supplies (CEF No. 14) to the EO within five days after election day; and "e. Submit to the EO an official report on ballot boxes which were not returned to him by the BEI immediately after its adjournment. The ERSD shall be furnished with a copy of said report. ASHaDT "The Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers are hereby designated for the purpose herein provided as Deputies under the direct and immediate supervision of the Commission in their respective provinces, cities and municipalities." The Regional Directors, the District Treasurers of Metropolitan Manila and all Provincial Treasurers are hereby instructed to disseminate the contents of this Circular, including the attachments to all City, Municipal Treasurers within their respective jurisdictions. ICDcEA (SGD.) FLOSIE F. FANLO-TAYAG (ICO-Deputy Executive Director) Officer-In-Charge