Make election services of over-burdened public school teachers voluntary

Four separate bills making election services voluntary for public school teachers
and other qualified citizens are under consideration by the House Committee on Suffrage
and Electoral Reforms.
Elections are fundamental to a democratic country like the !hilippines. Election
service is an essential civic duty that should be made available to all concerned and
qualified citizens" providing greater opportunities for people#s participation in this
democratic process"$ the authors stressed.
%he four measures under scrutiny by the committee chaired by Rep. Fredenil Castro
&'
nd
(istrict Capiz)" in chronological order" are* HB 444 authored by +C% %E+CHERS
!arty,list Rep. +ntonio -. %inio. HB 3205 filed by /,S+01! !arty,list Rep. Erlinda 2.
Santiago. HB 3255 filed by Rep. Eric -. 3livarez &/
st
(istrict" !ara4aque City)* and HB
3514 authored by Rep. 2aria -eonor 0erona,Robredo &5
rd
(istrict" Camarines Sur).
6nder Republic +ct 7787 or the 3mnibus Election Code" teachers cannot refuse to
serve as members of the 9oard of 1nspectors &9E1)" Special 9oard of Election 1nspectors
&S9E1)" 9oard of Election %ellers &9E%)" and Special 9oard of Election %ellers &S9E%).
%hey can only refuse to serve if* a) teacher is related :ithin the fourth degree of
consanguinity or affinity to any of the candidates or spouse. b) sick or other:ise pregnant.
or c) physically incapacitated.
-ike:ise" the proposed measures :ere one in proposing to institutionalize the
benefits and privileges of 9E1" S9E1 and 9E% members" as follo:s* &a) compulsory
insurance coverage :ith the 0S1S. b) legal assistance and indemnification. honoraria and
allo:ance. c) voting privilege in the precinct :here he;she is assigned on election day.
and d) option of public school teachers as 9E1 members.
Rep. 0erona,Robredo#s bill &H9 '</8) further defines and lays out a standard
system in the provision of honoraria" allo:ances" and insurance coverage as :ell as
private legal assistance and security measures to the members of each specified board.
%hese intend to keep our teachers safe and provide them the needed protection
against any election,related harassment"$ 0erona,Robredo said.
Rep. 3livarez &H95'<<) noted that in other countries" election tellers for 9E1 are
not necessarily public school teachers but they come from all sectors of society.
1n fact" the :orld,:ide trend is to open up election service to citizens of kno:n
probity and competence and not limited to teachers"$ 3livarez added.
NR # 3454
MAY 2, 2014
3n the other hand" Rep. Santiago H9 5'=< also provides for regular and adequate
training program for all 9R1 members and institutionalizes the provision of security for
9E1 members to be provided by la: enforcement units under the direction of the
Commission on Elections &Comelec).
3ur election la:s already provide for the participation of other sectors in elections
such as the local government units" military and police" poll :atchers" canvassing
:atchers. 0etting other sectors to fill,up 9E1 positions :ill no longer be a ne:
development therefore"$ Santiago e>plained.
Early bird author Rep. %inio &H9 888) pointed out that mandatory election duty has
long been an additional burden borne by public school teachers :ho are already hard
pressed to provide quality education to the Filipino youth" in the face of lo: pay and
difficult :orking conditions.
1n order to alleviate their plight" teachers must be given the freedom to choose
:hether or not they :ant to fulfill the roles of the 9E1"$ %inio stressed.
+mong the many unfortunate incidents of violence against teachers during election
duties" %inio recalled that in the /??< elections" teacher Filomena %atlonghari :as shot
and killed in 2abini" 9atangas for refusing to surrender a ballot bo> to armed men.
1n '==@" teacher Aelly 9anaag died protecting ballots after masked armed men
torched t:o classrooms :hich served as polling precincts in %aysan" 9atangas.
1n the '=/= national and barangay elections" many more unsung heroes faced
tremendous odds Bust to ensure the people#s votes are kept safe"$ %inio concluded. &5=) dpt