Teachers, poll workers call for tax-free honoraria and overtime pay ahead of May 12 elections

Teachers in Cavite testing a voting count machine. Photo by Sarah Mae D. Pasicolan.

Teachers and other poll workers are taking to social media to demand that their honoraria for the upcoming May 12 national and local elections be made tax-exempt, along with calls for the provision of overtime pay and other benefits.

On Friday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced a P2,000 across-the-board increase in compensation for teachers and poll workers serving in the elections. In a statement, the DBM said the adjusted honoraria rates for Electoral Board members are now as follows:

·       P12,000 from the previous P10,000 for the chairperson
·       P11,000 from P9,000 for the poll clerk
·       P11,000 from P9,000 for the third member
·       p8,000 from P6,000 for support staff

However, teachers argue that without tax exemption, the increase will have little real impact.

“There was an increase in the honoraria but tax is waving,” a teacher from Masbate commented on the DepEd post announcing the increase.

“Happy sana kung wala tax. Pero kung may tax, parang wala lang din increase,” another teacher from Cebu posted.

“Please emphasize that the honoraria is subject to a 15% tax deduction,” a poll worker from Manila added.

On Wednesday, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers – National Capital Region (ACT-NCR) urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to provide overtime pay for teachers serving as Electoral Board members and poll watchers.

The group criticized the Comelec’s alleged refusal to recognize the extended hours of service as grounds for additional compensation.

“Teachers who will serve as poll workers on election day will be required to work for over 24 hours straight, yet Comelec refuses to acknowledge this as overtime work deserving of additional compensation,” said ACT-NCR Union President Ruby Bernardo.