It has been three weeks since the national elections, and some of the winners have already been proclaimed, but some of those who served poll duties haven’t been paid yet.
According to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines (ACT-Philippines), around 100,000 of the 475,000 public school teachers who were Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) members and support staff during the May 9 polls have not yet received compensation.
ACT estimates that around 31 areas nationwide still registered incomplete BEI honoraria payment. This includes the provinces of Antique, Dinagat Islands, Negros Oriental and Pangasinan, as well as cities of Taguig, Naga, Tagum and Pasay.
“Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10031, the chair and members of the BEIs as well as support staff members shall receive a per diem at the rate of P1,000 a day for three days; P500 each for the verification and sealing of the Book of Voters, final testing and sealing of the vote counting machines and transportation allowance; and P2,000 for undergoing training. The total per diem is P6,500,” Inquirer reports.
For his part, Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said he has already asked the Finance Services Department to provide him with an update.
The delay in the payment of BEI honorarium is an election offense as provided in Republic Act No. 10756.
