BEIs complain of ‘unfunded’ cash cards

MANILA, Philippines - A number of teachers who served as members of the boards of election inspectors (BEIs) during the May 9 polls are complaining of being unable to withdraw their honoraria.

On social media Twitter, where the Commission on Elections (Comelec) established an online helpdesk through the hashtag #BEI2016, several teachers complained that they could not withdraw using the cash card distributed to them by the poll body.

“Comelec has already released LBP (Land Bank of the Philippines) ATM cash card for honoraria, however the #BEI2016 can’t withdraw amount (after) several retries,” one post said.

Another who also failed to withdraw the promised pay posted an image of receipts from an LBP ATM that displayed the phrase “issuer is down.”

Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon noted the problem and sent Chairman Andres Bautista a memorandum that says delaying the release 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 directed the FSD to give a report on the actual number of teachers that have already been paid.

“I understand that most have already been paid. But I also want to know how many have not been paid,” Bautista added.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said they have received complaints from at least 50 BEIs who have yet to receive their honoraria.

“The election is over, but teachers who served as BEIs and support staff remain unpaid their corresponding honorarium,” said ACT national chairman Benjamin Valbuena.

“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.

The Department of Education (DepEd) said teachers who have yet to receive their allowance for rendering election duties should inform the division or central office so they can be assisted.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro earlier gave assurance the release of honoraria will be faster than in previous years as funds have already been downloaded to the local level.

“Those who served shall be paid by Comelec through its election officer after three days through ATM, cash card (pre-loaded), or cash advance,” he said.

Public school teachers who served as BEIs will receive P4,500 to P3,000 as honorarium, P500 for verification and sealing of the books of voters, P500 for final testing and P500 in transportation allowance. They will also get five days of leave credits.                 – With Sheila Crisostomo