BENEFITS FOR BEIS ASSURED

Castillano says that aside from the legal aid, an accident benefit will also be given to any member of the Electoral Board who encounters untoward incidents while serving

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured that legal assistance and accident benefits will be given to public school teachers and those who are planning to serve as members of the Electoral Board for this year’s barangay and SK elections.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Cebu Provincial Election supervisor, told SunStar Cebu that the Comelec has set aside funds for legal assistance for public school teachers who could be sued for their service during the May 14, 2018 polls.

Castillano said that aside from the legal aid, the Comelec may also provide accident benefit for any members of the Electoral Board (or board of election inspections) who encounter any untoward incident while serving their duties during the elections.

Castillano made the assurance after the Alliance for Concerned Teachers (ACT) Central Visayas urged the Comelec and the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide legal assistance and insurance to public school teachers who will serve in this year’s elections.

Based on Comelec Resolution 10194, people who are facing lawsuits due to election-related duties are entitled to a P50,000 legal indemnification package.

Those who will die or would get hurt while performing their poll duties are entitled to death or medical assistance.

Both benefits are provided for by Republic Act 10756, or the Elections Service Reform Act. The law was passed during the time of former president Benigno Aquino III.

Castillano said that during the 2013 barangay and SK elections, a public school teacher who got hurt in a vehicular accident while on his way to poll duty received the benefits based on the new law.

Citing the same law, Castillano said that public school teachers are no longer required to heed the compulsory service every election.

“Kailangan mo-provide sila og signed document, attesting nga voluntary ang ilang service,” Castillano said.

Castillano said that he is not worried even if the implementation of the law could mean less public school teachers serving poll duties in this year’s elections.

He said that aside from public school teachers, the law states that other people can serve poll duties.

Under the law, qualified people that can serve as poll officers are private school teachers, national and local government employees and private persons who have no affiliation or relations with any candidate. /