By Gabriel Kim Leal
(May 19, 2025) – Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. has approved an additional P1,000 honorarium for teachers and workers who served in this year’s midterm elections.
The increase came on top of the P2,000 across-the-board additional allowance previously announced by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
“Dahil sa bagong umento, makatatanggap ngayon ng P13,000 ang chairperson ng electoral board habang P12,000 naman ang poll clerk at ikatlong miyembro ng board,” said Presidential Communications Office undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday.
In a letter on May 11, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia appealed to the DBM to increase the honorarium and make it tax-free for election workers, stressing their dedication during every electoral exercise.
The DBM then endorsed the Comelec’s request on May 16, increasing the budget for poll workers by P758.459 million, equivalent to P1,000 per worker. The proposal was later approved by the Office of the President.
“Hindi po matatawaran ang serbisyo ng higit 750,000 poll workers na inabot na ng madaling araw sa mga presinto o hindi na natulog matiyak lang na mabilang ng tama at maprotektahan ang ating mga boto. Saludo po kami sa inyong dedikasyon,” added Castro.
This year’s midterm elections has been deemed as the fastest yet in terms of canvassing, with the Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, finishing the tally of votes just three days after May 12 election date.
Six candidates endorsed by the Marcos-led party secured seats, including Erwin Tulfo, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Sen. Lito Lapid, and Camille Villar.
Villar was also endorsed by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio, despite ongoing tensions between the latter and Marcos since last year.
(JREC)
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