May 12 declared as non-working holiday for national elections

Local

LIGHTS off at offices, ballots out in classrooms. This will be this coming Monday, May 12, as it was declared a non-working holiday to pave way for the national elections.

The Malacañang issued Proclamation No. 878 on Tuesday, May 6, upon the recommendation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), to give Filipinos the opportunity to vote in the midterm elections.

Under labor policy, employees who report to work on a special non-working day are typically entitled to an additional 30 percent of their basic daily wage.

The Comelec requested the declaration ahead of the 2025 midterm polls.

Over 68.4 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots to elect 12 senators, more than 300 members of the House of Representatives, and thousands of local officials.

Voting hours will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with early voting starting at 5 a.m. for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.

The Palace has routinely declared election days as holidays in past polls to maximize voter turnout.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued guidelines for employers regarding the holiday pay rules.

As stated in Labor Advisory No. 16, series of 2024, employees who do not report for work on May 12 won’t be paid, unless their company has an existing policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement providing for payment on special days.

Those who report for duty are entitled to an additional 30 percent of their daily wage for the first eight hours of work.

Work done in excess of eight hours shall be paid an additional 30% of the hourly rate.

Voting hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with early voting starting at 5:00 a.m. for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.(MyTVCebu)