[Press Release] Many teachers not yet paid for election duty -TDC

Many teachers not yet paid for election duty Ten days after the elections, teachers and other personnel who served as members of the Board of election inspectors (BEI) and support staff in the polling precincts have yet to receive their honorarium. The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) monitoring revealed that as of Wednesday, May 22 teachers…

Human Rights Online Philippines

May 24, 2013

2–3 minutes

BEI, COMELEC, Election Commission, Human Rights, Intramuros, Malabon, Sixto Brillantes, TDC

Many teachers not yet paid for election duty

Ten days after the elections, teachers and other personnel who served as members of the Board of election inspectors (BEI) and support staff in the polling precincts have yet to receive their honorarium. The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) monitoring revealed that as of Wednesday, May 22 teachers from many areas are still waiting for their honorarium despite the assurance from the Comelec that the payment shall be released immediately to the concerned personnel.

“Two days after the elections, there were reports that Malabon and Valenzuela teachers have received their honorarium which was announced by the Comelec on May 14.” Said Emmalyn Policarpio, the group’s secretary-general.

Policarpio appreciates the Comelec action which according to her was agreed by the poll body and her group in a dialogue in September last year. “The early release of honorarium in some cities is a proof that the Comelec live out to its commitment.” Policarpio added.

However, more than a week after the elections, the TDC has been receiving complaints from teachers about the delay.

“The Comelec office in Intramuros may have nothing to do with the delay, but they have to look into the matter. The declaration from the Comelec Chair himself that they have released the payment for all those who served in the elections contradicts the real scenario in the field.” Policarpio explained.

During their September dialogue, Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes was quoted “I really can’t understand why the payment is always delayed.”

Based on the TDC monitoring as of May 22, there are still 42 localities where teachers reported that they have not been paid of their election duties as BEI, while there is no report yet regarding the payment of support staff, even from those localities where BEIs were already paid.

Members of the BEI shall received a total of P4000.00 for their duty while the support staff, those are tasked to assist the BEI in 3 or more clustered precincts shall be paid P1500 for their service.

“While we have no problem in the speed of counting, transmission and canvassing of votes, we still suffer the delay in the payment for the teachers.” Policarpio ended. #

For details: Emmalyn Policarpio, TDC Secretary-General, 0939-7798649
Monitoring sheet attached

NEWS RELEASE
23 May 2013

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One response to “[Press Release] Many teachers not yet paid for election duty -TDC”

Andrew Alberto

June 7, 2013 at 2:58 am

Hi, i just read this article now because i was researching why i’m not paid also. I served as an SBEI in the recently concluded OAV for the senatorial elections in Hong Kong. We were trained and deputized at the Philippine Consulate General in HK. There were 8 of us I believe that were “imported” from Manila to serve during the elections. We trained for 4 days, 5 if you include the FTS. but we weren’t paid for it. Even our accomodations and travel and food expenses for the whole month came from our own pockets. Elections are different overseas because it is held for one month straight with no days off. So we were required to go in 9-5 during weekdays and saturdays, 8-6 during sundays and 24 hours straight the last day which is May 13-14. The most we got during this period was “palitaw” and 1 piece of “turon” as merienda everyday. As the SBEI which also handles the seafearers and the “failure to vote twice” that were allowed to vote again we handled 8 precincts plus 10 CLOV’s for the Seafearers which amounted to twice the number of voter in the precincts. and 30k more for the “Failure to Vote twice” voters. It is to my understanding that an SBEI consisting of three people should only handle 4000 voters max. any excess an additional person would be added. But no person was added. 1 precinct = 943 voters do the math. It is not only this, we were also promised a minimum of US$1000 for the month and US$200 for the SBEI that handles the Seafarers but i have just learned that we would be only receiving US$900 because we didn’t reach a certain quota of voters. We already requested for additional funds but instead what we got was a deduction. And believe me i spent more than the amount i am now gonna get. besides my plane ticket i spent an additional US$1200 for transportation and food. Believe me i was trying to save and be cheap. half of that i will have to repay to people i borrowed money from to work as a volunteer. It’s been 3 weeks now since i came back to Manila and still no word of when and how we are gonna get paid for our efforts. I tweeted chairman brillantes but suddenly he doesn’t update anymore. Asshole.

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