COMELEC reminds election workers on expiry of new 10-Day service credits

Published on August 5, 2026 | Categories: News, Public Service, Teachers' Welfare

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has delivered a major victory for public school teachers and government personnel by officially doubling election service leave credits to 10 days. However, this good news comes with a strict, non-negotiable catch: a firm expiration date.

Under COMELEC Resolution No. 11212 (promulgated on March 24, 2026), the service credits granted to Electoral Boards (EBs), Department of Education Supervisor Officials (DESO), and their support staff are strictly "noncumulative and noncommutative."

This means election workers cannot hoard these credits for future years, nor can they convert them into cash or claim them as terminal leave upon retirement. If you do not use them within the COMELEC's specified timeframe, they will expire.

🚨 Urgent Deadline: September 2026 Expiry for 2025 NLE Workers

If you earned service credits during the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), time is almost up! According to Section 5 of the resolution, these specific credits must be used within six (6) months from the effectivity of the guidelines. Since the guidelines took effect upon publication following their March 24, 2026 promulgation, these leave credits will definitively expire this September 2026. Act now before you lose them!

The Expiration Schedule You Need to Know

To avoid losing your hard-earned benefits in future elections, take note of the strict availment periods outlined in the resolution:

• Major Elections (NLEs, BSKEs, and BARMM Parliamentary Elections): Service credits must be used within the same calendar year they were earned.
• Special Elections, Plebiscites, Initiatives, Referenda, or Recalls: You only have three (3) months from the date of the electoral exercise to use your credits.
• The 2025 NLE Exception: As mentioned above, a special grace period of 6 months from the resolution's effectivity applies exclusively to credits earned during the 2025 NLE, setting the deadline for September 2026.

The Expanded 10-Day Benefit

While the expiration rules are strict, the actual benefit represents a massive upgrade. Moving forward, personnel serving in National and Local Elections (NLE), Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), and BARMM Parliamentary Elections (BPE) will receive a fixed 10 days of service credit—double the 5-day minimum previously set by the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA) of 2016.

For special elections and plebiscites, workers will receive a fixed 5-day credit, or the exact number of days served up to a maximum of 10 days, whichever is higher.

How Can You Use Them?

According to Section 6 of the resolution, these service credits are specifically designed to be used to offset absences due to:

• Illness
• Personal reasons
• Vacations

Note for Teachers: The COMELEC clarified that this specific election service credit is entirely separate from the standard "vacation service credits" granted to teachers for summer, weekend, or holiday work. It is an additional privilege—but one that demands immediate attention.

Don't let your hard work go to waste! Review your leave balances and plan your time off before your 2025 NLE election service credits expire this September!

Reference: COMELEC Resolution No. 11212: Guidelines on the Grant of Service Credit to Government Officials and Employees Who Rendered Election-Related Service (Promulgated March 24, 2026)