‘SLAP IN THE FACE’ | Teachers’ groups lament Marcos’ veto of tax exemption for poll workers

August 1, 2022 , 12:26 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(August 1, 2022) – Teachers were disappointed after President Bongbong Marcos Jr. vetoed a measure that seeks to exempt from tax the honoraria given to poll workers despite the wide support it gained from various sectors, cause-oriented groups said on Monday.

Benjo Basas, the chairperson of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), said the position of Marcos reflects what the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance said during the deliberations of the bill. While it can be refiled, Basas acknowledged this won’t be easy.

“Baka ang pag-asa na lang ay ‘yung override ng Kongreso, although given the political climate, ‘yung composition ng Kongreso, baka lalong mas mahirap na umasa roon,” said Basas on TeleRadyo on DZMM.

On Saturday, press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced the decision of Marcos to veto the proposal, saying it contradicts the objectives of the tax reform program.

“The studies of pertinent government agencies on the revenue loss (are) too substantial an impact to be foregone,” said Marcos, who was found guilty of tax evasion in 1995, in his veto message.

Lawmakers had earlier expedited the approval of the measure that sought to provide tax-free honorarium and benefits to poll workers, recognizing the difficult task they take on.

Various groups strongly backed the bill because they believe that the 20% withholding tax imposed on the honoraria and benefits of poll workers was too much to bear. Poll workers got an increase of as much as P3,000 in the recently concluded elections, bumping up their pay to P7,000 to P9,000.

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, one of the solons who actively pushed for the measure, described Marcos’ veto as “a slap in the face” of teachers who accepted the task of working tirelessly during the elections despite the difficulties. She added that this violates the intent of the Election Service Reform Act.

“Sa administrasyong ito, ang nakikita natin ay pagpapatupad ng exemption sa korapsyon at mayayaman at pagpapataw ng mas mataas at dagdag na buwis naman sa mga mahihirap at ibang propesyonal tulad ng mga guro,” lamented Castro.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, an affiliate of the party-list group, stressed that Marcos’ veto was “callous and shameless,” noting that the estimated foregone revenue of P1.5 billion was nothing compared to the unpaid estate taxes of the Marcos family estimated to have reached P203 billion.

Basas acknowledged that more teachers may have been disheartened because of the development. But he believes that many teachers would still be willing to serve as poll workers despite the challenges. TDC, however, urged the government to ensure better conditions for them.

“Nakalulungkot lamang na maging ang baryang kita natin sa election duty ay pagdidiskitahan pa ng gobyerno. Ang ating panawagan, buwisan ang mayayaman at bilyonaryo at habulin ang mga tumatakas sa obligasyon sa estado,” said TDC in a statement.

(PM)

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