Image from ACT-Philippines Facebook page • A hundred thousand public school teachers who served as BEIs are still unpaid
• The teachers claimed that the ATM and cash cards distributed by the Comelec were not funded
• Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the delayed payment of BEIs’ honoraria is an election offense under R.A. 10756
Thousands of public school teachers who served as Board of Election Inspectors during the May 9 national and local elections complained they have yet to receive their compensation.
The Alliance of Concerned Teacher-Philippines (ACT-Philippines) disclosed that many of the teachers nationwide who have performed their poll duties have not yet received their honoraria. The teachers’ group said the Commission on Election (Comelec) issued Automated Teller Machine cards and cash cards, but these are unfunded.
The teachers claimed they could not withdraw money using the cash cards distributed to them by the Comelec.
“It has been three weeks now since the national elections and yet our teachers, who served as BEIs and support staff, remain unpaid of their honoraria,” ACT Chair Benjie Valbuena said.
“The BEIs risked their lives, carried an extraordinary task and they sacrificed a lot, especially when the vote counting machines malfunctioned, just to make sure that there will be a clean, honest, orderly and peaceful elections,” he added.
Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon sent Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista a memorandum that says the delayed payment to BEIs is tantamount to an election offense under Republic Act 10756, which provides penalties of up to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote and disqualification from any public office.
“We urge the Chair to order the compliance by the Finance Services Department (FSD), especially considering RA 10756,” Guanzon wrote.
Bautista said he has already directed the FSD to give him a report on the actual number of teachers that have already been paid.
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