By Junex Doronio
MANILA — To prevent members of bogus or already deactivated political parties from continuously soliciting funding support, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Friday (19 July 2024) said political parties and party-list groups that will be delisted for next year’s national and local polls will be made public soon.
“Ilalahad po natin ‘yan para maiwasan ‘yung mga again, nagso-solicit. Hindi naman pala talaga existing na (ang party). Meron din namang existing, nagso-solicit, hindi naman ginagastos ng tama. Minsan may sobra. Ang tanong, nasaan ‘yung sobra? Hindi ba dapat pag may sobra dapat may income tax?” Garcia said.
He disclosed that the disclosure will include the publication of each candidate’s Certificate of Candidacy (COC), Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
Garcia said the qualifications include checking each party’s history, number of incumbents, and coalesced parties.
He added that details of candidates of parties that will be accredited will also be published on the Comelec website.
Garcia also stated that the Comelec will restrict the qualifications for party-list group nominees.
He said this would be done by publishing the list of nominees per party-list group.
“Pagka po kasi nagsa-submit sila ng mga parties, ng mga nominees, pina-publish po natin yan… upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga kababayan natin na mag-kwestyon kung gusto nila, o i-oppose ang isang nominee,” Garcia quipped.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA – Top officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have firmly denied calls for resignation or leave amid allegations of bribery involving local and foreign bank accounts.
During a press briefing on Wednesday (17 July 2024) at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila, Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, and his fellow commissioners stood united against these accusations.
Garcia dismissed the idea of resignation, stating, “Taking a leave or courtesy resignation of a member of the Commission is impossible. Are they nuts?”
The controversy centers around Comelec’s contract with South Korean firm Miru Systems Inc. for the 2025 polls automation project, a case currently pending before the Supreme Court. Garcia cited the sub judice principle as the reason for their silence on the case’s merits.
Senior Commissioner Socorro Inting urged critics to take their claims to court rather than attacking the Commission publicly. “Do not crucify us in the court of public opinion. Crucify us in the courts of law because we will be ready to face you with our evidence,” she asserted.
On Tuesday, the Comelec employees’ union expressed support for Garcia, calling the allegations a systematic attack on the institution’s credibility. Garcia thanked the members and workers for their backing.
Garcia also mentioned the possibility of falsification charges against those releasing dubious documents, noting that possessing a falsified document presumes authorship. This statement followed former Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice’s submission of documents supposedly linking a Comelec official to foreign bank accounts.
The National Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating these claims.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Nine months before the 2025 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for voter education.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said that under the MOA, voter education would be integrated into the TESDA curriculum.
“Dito po…’yung integration ng voter education sa curriculum na ino-offer ng TESDA,” Garcia said in his speech during the MOA signing.
TESDA Director General Secretary Suharto Mangundadatu led the TESDA delegation.
Garcia, who led the Comelec delegation, said voter education will be promoted through pre-taped seminars, and orientations on the registration process and requirements for voters participating in the national and local elections in 2025.
“Hindi kaya ng Comelec na isagawa ang halalan ng isa lang…The business of election is not only the business of Comelec, but the business of the entire country. There should be a whole of nation approach when it comes to elections,” the poll body chief explained.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will disqualify political candidates who will not follow the rules on environmentally sustainable elections, the poll body’s spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said Saturday (22 June 2024).
Laudiangco said that the Comelec will soon release a resolution to ensure an environmental-friendly campaign for the 2025 midterm elections.
“Pagdating po ng resolusyon na ito, makakaasa po kayo na magiging mahigpit ang Comelec at kami po ay nakahandang mag-disqualify ng mga kandidato na hindu tutupad sa regulasyon na ito,” he said in an interview with DWIZ.
The commission previously created the Committee on Environmentally Sustainable Elections headed by Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda.
“Ang committee po na ‘yan ang mag-aaral na kung papano po namin i-integrate ‘yung ating mga iba’t ibang batas sa environment katulad ng Clean Air Act, katulad ng Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” Comelec spokesperson said.
Laudiangco said that all campaign materials should be environmentally friendly, saying that there are already materials that are eco-friendly.
“Isa pa pong tutukan ‘yung ingay, ‘yung noise pollution at ‘yung ginagawa pong air pollution ng nga motorcades na ginagawa,” he added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — If the House of Representatives approves Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH7) on economic charter change on Wednesday (20 March 2024), Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe on Monday (18 March 2024) pushed that the lower chamber forward the resolution to the Commission on Elections.
The last session day before Congress goes on a Holy Week break will be on Wednesday (20 March 2024).
“If we have 3/4 vote on RBH7 and everything has been complied with in accordance to the Constitution, then my suggestion is we forward it to the Commission on Elections,” Dalipe quipped in a media interview.
He noted that if the Senate and the House are to vote separately on economic charter change, the three-fourths vote in the House is equivalent to 232.
Dalipe hastened to add that if the two chambers are to vote jointly, the needed number of votes is 250.
“In the law, it is Comelec who will decide if we have complied and there is a sufficient number of votes as stated in the Constitution, that they can ultimately schedule for a plebiscite on RBH7,” Dalipe pointed out.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Malls across the nation will serve as voting precincts in the 2025 mid-term elections following the successful pilot run during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said Thursday (14 March 2024).
“We will be holding elections in all malls nationwide, especially in Metro Manila,” Garcia announced.
He emphasized, “It’s more comfortable, a bit cooler, with no room for vote buying, violence, dirt, or mess.”
However, Garcia mentioned that voting in schools will continue.
“We have what we call a consultation process. This means that if the majority of residents in that barangay or precinct prefer to vote in the mall, then we will relocate you. We will not force the relocation of the voting venue,” stated the Comelec official.
Meanwhile, Garcia assured that the government would not incur additional expenses by using malls as voting precincts.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the reservations of some lawmakers and election watchdogs, it’s all systems go between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and South Korean company Miru Systems Company Limited after they signed on Monday (11 March 2024) the P17.99-billion contract for the procurement of a new automated election system (AES) for the 2025 midterm elections.
The signing was led by Comelec Chairman George Garcia, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay, and Miru president Chung Jin Bok.
It was learned that the deal will cover around 110,000 machines and peripherals including ballot boxes, laptops, and other printing requirements for the 2025 elections.
The contract was sealed more than two weeks after Comelec announced that it awarded the contract to Miru, the lone bidder for the procurement.
Miru was joined by Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. in the joint venture for the Comelec procurement.
It can be recalled that some lawmakers, election watchdogs, and other groups voiced concern and called on the Comelec to stay vigilant and review Miru’s track record.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following a unanimous vote, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has awarded to the joint venture led by Miru Systems of South Korea the P17.9-billion leasing contract for 110,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) that will be used in the upcoming 2025 midterm polls.
On Wednesday (21 February 2024), the Comelec en banc awarded the contract to lone bidder Miru, which, based on the contract, will be tasked to provide 104,345 ballot boxes, 2,200 laptops and printers, the paper for printing 73,881,894 ballots, and a system for ballot verification.
The poll body was impressed after Miru demonstrated its ACM, consolidation, and canvassing system (CCS) and election management system (EMS) before members of the Comelec en banc, citizens’ arms representatives, stakeholders, and other observers.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that a Notice of Award was issued to Miru Systems for the project and the lease of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC).
On May 4, 2023, Miru unveiled FASTrAC which is an upgraded optical mark reader (OMR) paper-based automated elections system with Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) capabilities.
FASTrAC features the ACM, which will replace the more than 90,000 outmoded vote-counting machines (VCMs) that Comelec deployed during the 2016, 2019, and 2022 elections.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that democracy is working in the Philippines, the controversial PIRMA on Saturday declared that it will continue to gather signatures for People’s Initiative (PI) petition for “safekeeping” until the Comelec issues a new resolution to revive the process.
This developed as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) included a line in its form for people to include their reasons for withdrawing their signature from the PI petition but said opting not to include a reason will not invalidate the withdrawal.
“With respect sa ating senator kasi tandaan natin [na] hindi Comelec ang nagpa-pirma at kami lang ang tumanggap ng signature sheet. Natural lang satin na magtatanong bakit bumawi. Sa signature sheet ng withdrawal hindi mandatory na ilagay ang dahilan,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said in a radio interview.
He said it’s “natural” to ask why a signature is being retracted but the reasons given will not be taken against voters withdrawing their signatures.
To recall, Comelec has suspended all proceedings concerning the People’s Initiative — incorporated in Comelec Resolution 10650 — while they review existing guidelines and amid alleged cases of bribery and coercion.
For his part, Noel Oñate of the PIRMA group, he said any withdrawals will show that democracy works in the Philippines.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid the fiery debates over charter change (Cha-Cha) via people’s initiative (PI) that tends to polarize the nation, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday announced that it has suspended “indefinitely” the acceptance of signature sheets by the local Comelec offices pending the review and revision of the said guidelines.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia disclosed in a press conference that the Comelec en banc unanimously voted for the suspension of Comelec Resolution No. 10650 which covers the guidelines for the PI.
“We honestly believe, base sa aming initial assessment, kailangan naming i-review, i-enhance, dagdagan ‘yung aming existing IRR o implementing rules and regulations concerning the people’s initiative dahil sa ating palagay, may mga bagay doon na kulang at wala doon sa ating guidelines,” Garcia declared.
He added: “Kailangan po ito para maiwasan ang problema, kaguluhan, at hindi pagkakaunawaan doon sa interpretasyon ng probisyon ng ating mga rules.”
Maharlika NuMedia learned that as of January 26, 2024, the Comelec has so far received signature forms for the PI from a total of 1,072 municipalities and cities.
Garcia clarified again that the submitted signature sheets were not yet verified by the Comelec as the required number of signatures has not yet been met.
He further said that there is no formal petition yet for the PI.
“Sa aming palagay, sana naman ‘wag kaming obligahin kung gaano kahaba o kaiksi ‘yung panahon na kakailanganin namin para ma-review namin ang rules. Sinabi rin naman ng Korte Suprema sa naging desisyon niya… na dapat ang people’s initiative ay isang kapangyarihan ng mamamayan at dahil dito, dapat siguraduhin natin that the people will able to exercise really this right under the constitution,” Garcia stressed.
Earlier, President Ferdinand ‘“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. when asked for his thoughts on the PI, replied that: “Let Comelec do their job.”
To recall, in December last year, presidential cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said that the House of Representatives was keen on launching a people’s referendum to determine how the House and the Senate should vote on proposals amending the 1987 Constitution.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — In a significant development, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday (29 Nov 2023) that it has disqualified Smartmatic, the voting technology company, from participating in any future procurements conducted by the poll body.
Smartmatic, which has been the provider of vote-counting machines in the Philippines since the shift to automated elections in 2010, now faces exclusion from upcoming electoral technology contracts.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized that the decision to disqualify Smartmatic was not influenced by a petition alleging irregularities in the 2022 polls.
The petition, filed by the group led by former Information and Communications Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio, Jr., aimed to prevent Smartmatic from bidding for the 2025 automated election system.
“It’s not based on the allegations of Rio and company. We have to maintain the integrity of our electoral process. Para sa bayan,” Garcia stated, underlining the commitment to safeguarding the electoral system.
Smartmatic, in response, stated that it has not received official notification of the decision.
The company asserted its clean record, highlighting that it has never been indicted in the United States or any other country for any election-related contracts throughout its 23-year history.
“We urge Comelec officials to conduct this search independently and to show to the public any indictment against Smartmatic. We are confident that there is no such indictment in the United States,” the company declared.
The disqualification comes amid ongoing controversies, including the United States government seeking assistance from Comelec in a money laundering case involving former poll chief Andy Bautista.
Both Smartmatic and Garcia have vehemently denied the allegations, with the company emphasizing its consistent adherence to all of Comelec’s procurement processes during biddings and contract execution.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
GOOD NEWS for the teachers who sacrificed as poll workers during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
On Thursday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that more than 90 percent of the teachers who served as poll workers have received their intended honoraria.
In a public briefing, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco asked the unpaid electoral board members to immediately proceed to their respective local Comelec offices.
“90% plus na kasi ang nabayaran namin ng honoraria. Kayo na lang po ang natitira na less than 10%. Sana kayo’y tumungo na sa tanggapan ng local Comelec para matanggap niyo na without delay at agad-agad ang inyong honoraria,” Laudiangco said.
He added that poll workers have to personally obtain their honoraria from the Comelec since they have to sign certain payroll documents.
It was learned that the teachers who served as Chairman and electoral board members for BSKE would receive P10,000 and P9,000 of honoraria, respectively.
In the previous polls, their honoraria only got P6,000 and P5,000 for the chairman and electoral board member respectively.
Comelec chairman George Garcia earlier said that under the law, the poll body is allowed to pay the teachers within 15 days after the elections, and the BSKE was just held last October 30.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
RECEIVING COMPLAINTS THAT SOME LOCAL OFFICIALS were meddling in the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Sunday disclosed that those involved will be facing charges of election offenses.
Garcia said the Comelec will come up with a list of these erring government officials by Monday, November 6.
“Ako’y nagpatawag ng isang pagpupulong kung saan ipa-finalize namin ‘yung listahan na sa aming palagay ay nakialam sa ating halalan. Kinakailangan naming seryosohin ang bagay na ‘yan lalong lalo na maaaring maulit muli sa mga susunod na halalan,” the poll body chief bared in his interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
He noted that the Comelec received more than 10 complaints against local government officials interfering with the BSKE last October 30.
Garcia said these complaints should be verified and investigated before they will be brought to the attention of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He sternly warned that those who have influenced or threatened the teachers who were forced to back out from their poll duties will be jailed.
“Hindi natin babalikan ang mga guro, hindi tayo magpapakulong ng ating mga bayani o guro. Subalit kung sino ‘yung mga nang-impluwensya o nanakot sa kanila, ‘yan ang babalikan natin. Mukhang dapat kinakailangan mapanagot natin ang mga ‘yan,” Garcia stressed. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
ACKNOWLEDGING THE VARIOUS THREATS to the security and lives of the teachers who backed out from their traditional poll duties, Vice President and Education Secretary (VPES) Sara Duterte on Saturday thanked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for not filing charges against them.
On Friday, November 3, the Comelec announced that it would not be filing criminal complaints against teacher-poll workers who begged off from working during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) last October 30.
The VPES thanked the Comelec “for recognizing the various threats that confronted them during this time.”
“We also stand with Comelec in its resolve to file charges against those who intimidated, harassed, and threatened our teachers,” Duterte said.
Earlier, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said that if the teachers “withdrew because they felt an imminent threat to their life, health, and safety,” Comelec should recognize that as a valid reason.
“Such acts of violence and coercion not only jeopardized the safety and security of our educators but also undermined their dedication to service,” Duterte also noted.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia earlier admitted that they do not have a total number yet of those who backed out on election day but expressed the belief that only a few did.
(ai/mnm)
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia (with microphone) conducted a press conference Friday at the Comelec main office in Intramuros for a final update on the recently concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Addressing the concerns about sporadic incidents of violence during the BSKE, Garcia emphasized that, on the whole, the recent election had transpired peacefully.
Earlier, the chairman said the canvassing and proclamation of BSKE winners in all of the 42,001 barangays nationwide were completed on Nov. 1 including all barangays in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“The only remaining unproclaimed candidates were the ones ordered suspended by the Commission and (those in) areas where the electoral board availed itself of the five-day notice rule,” said Garcia.
“No failure of the election was declared anywhere,” he added.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also said that all 19,000 barangay captains and 17,160 youth council winners have already been proclaimed.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Senator Sonny Angara has called on his colleague at the Upper House for the immediate passage of Senate Bill No. (SBN) 777 which seeks to implement early voting for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Under SBN 777 that he filed, the senator emphasized the importance of giving priority to the elderly and the disabled in voting precincts as they no longer keep up with regular voters who can stand longer in queues to vote.
Angara stressed this law must be implemented before the next election comes around in 2025.
“Tayo po ay natutuwa sa naging resulta ng pilot implementation na ito ng Comelec na nagpatupad ng mas maagang pagboto sa seniors at PWDs sa dalawang pilot cities. Malinaw na sa kabila ng kanilang kalagayang pisikal, naroon ang kanilang paghahangad na makaboto, kaya’t nararapat lamang na bigyan natin sila ng pribilehiyo,” he said.
In his proposed bill, the senator said it would be better if seniors and PWDs were given two days of voting within 15 days before the actual election day.
This is to make voting more comfortable for them and safe from any harm.
“Nakalulungkot ang mga balita na marami pa rin sa mga seniors natin ang pumila ng matagal sa mga presinto at kinailangan pa umakyat ng ilang palapag para lamang bumoto,” Angara said.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said that persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) may still run for office if there is no final conviction yet.
Garcia made the clarification after three PDLs won in the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) 2023.
The Comelec chairperson cited the case of Aguinaldo v. Comelec in which the Supreme Court ruled that inmates have the right to vote and be voted as long as final judgment has not been made yet.
“Pinayagan natin sila makaboto sapagkat sabi po ng Korte Suprema doon sa kaso ng Aguinaldo versus Comelec at saka po [Bureau of Corrections], dahil hindi pa sila finally convicted, wala pang final judgment na sila ay guilty, therefore, meron pa silang karapatan bumoto at may karapatang maiboto. ‘Yun po ang kadahilanan kung bakit sila ay nakaboto at nakatakbo,” Garcia said in an interview with DZBB.
Garcia said PDLs are still not permitted to attend barangay halls in order to serve, even if they are permitted to seek office.
“Ngayon, paano sila magsisilbi? In the meantime, siguro naman po ay alam ng mga constituency nila na sila ay nasa kulungan… In the meantime, deprived of liberty po siya and very limited ang kaya at pwede lamang niyang gawin,” he said.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
CITING THE SACRIFICES RENDERED BY TEACHERS during the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Tuesday reiterated its call to remove the tax from the honoraria that poll workers will be receiving for their service.
At the same time, the ACT said the teachers should be fairly compensated by granting them overtime pay.
“Isipin niyo ang mga teachers natin ay madaling araw pa mula kahapon nasa mga presinto at hanggang ngayon, hindi pa natutulog. Hindi robot at makina ang mga teachers at poll workers natin kaya kailangan ng karagdagang benepisyo. Overtime pay ang hinnihingi natin,” ACT National Capital Region (NCR) president Ruby Bernardo said at a press conference.
On Monday, October 30, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Michael Poa said they have already touched base with Comelec to ensure that the Board of Election Inspectors will get their poll duty honoraria.
However, the ACT strongly opposed the 20% tax deduction that will be applied to the said amounts.
For his part, ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said that teachers who rendered service for the recently concluded BSKE should be given a P10,000 net honoraria.
“Hindi na kasi sasapat ‘yung nare-receive ng mga teachers o mga poll workers in general sa kanyang kompensasyon. Alam naman natin na kahit may extra na pagboboluntaryo na nagbabantay, pero makikita niyo na talagang teacher pa rin ang nagbabantay,” he said.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that the chairman and electoral board members for BSKE 2023 will receive P10,000 and P9,000 of honoraria, respectively.
Noticeably, this was an increase from the previous P6,000 and P5,000 granted to them.
But it’s the tax that really burden the teachers.
“‘Wag niyo nang buwisan ang mga teachers dito. Ang panawagan, dagdagan niyo pa nga itong honoraria ng teachers. Dapat minimum. Sa aming pagtatantya, dapat nga doblehin niyo,” Quetua stressed.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the newly elected barangay officials to be honest all the time as they play an important role in the community.
The Chief Executive also congratulated those who won the elections.
“Binabati ko ang lahat ng mga bago at muling nahalal na barangay at SK officials. Napakahalaga po ng inyong papel sa ating lipunan,” Marcos said in a video message.
“Maging tapat po tayo sa lahat ng oras. Lagi po nating unahin ang kapakanan ng sambayanan sapagkat sila po ang dahilan kung bakit nais nating magsilbi sa bayan,” he added.
On Monday, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) were “successful and peaceful,” according to the President.
Despite the numerous violent occurrences that were recorded on election day at various polling places nationwide, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said that there was no failure of election during BSKE.
“Despite the fact of our limited resources, nakakagawa sila ng mga pamamaraan upang maituloy lang ‘yong election, dahil and pangako natin, there should be no failure of election in any of the 201,786 precincts in the country, and we stood to that commitment na walang failure of election dapat,” Garcia said.
While some voting places opened later than expected due to various problems, especially security, he said that all of the 201,786 precincts nationwide operated normally during this year’s elections.
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) revealed that a total of 19 election-related fatalities occurred in seven regions during the recently concluded 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.
According to data provided by the electoral commission, these incidents of election-related violence took place between August 28 and October 31.
Among these fatalities, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) experienced the highest number, with 11 deaths, 13 incidents, and 14 individuals injured.
Two fatalities were reported in each of Regions V (Bicol) and VII (Central Visayas), while one fatality occurred in each of the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), Regions IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), IV-A (Calabarzon), and I (Ilocos).
Injured Teachers
In response to these incidents, Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced that the commission is prepared to provide hospital assistance of up to PHP200,000 to teachers who were injured while fulfilling their responsibilities as Election Boards (EBs).
“We will offer a maximum of PHP200,000 in hospital assistance to them,” Chairman Garcia stated during a press briefing.
Chairman Garcia noted that fewer than ten teachers sustained injuries, with causes ranging from snake bites and vehicular accidents to heart attacks.
Honoraria Distribution
Chairman Garcia further mentioned that the distribution of honoraria to teachers has commenced in Region 3 (Central Luzon). He assured that teachers across other parts of the country would receive their honoraria by the end of the week.
“They (teachers) will receive their honoraria by Friday, provided that the proclamations have been made,” the Chairman of the electoral commission affirmed.
(IA/mnm)