Wednesday, 13 April 2011 10:28
Under House Bill 4096, authored by Rep. Antonio Tinio (Party-list, ACT Teachers), Comelec can mobilize private school teachers, employees in the civil service and citizens of known probity and competence, aside from the public school teachers.
The bill seeks to amend Section 13 of Republic Act 6646, otherwise known as "The Electoral Reforms Law of 1987."
Tinio said the bill seeks to repeal a provision in the law, which mandates that only public school teachers shall serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).
"Elections are fundamental to a democratic country. Election service is an essential civic duty that should be made available to all concerned citizens," Tinio said.
Tinio said the appointment of BEIs from among the ranks of motivated, civic-minded volunteers will provide greater opportunities for people's participation in elections.
"Time and again, the success of national and local elections hinge on the competence and hard work of teachers. Teachers made personal sacrifices over and above the call of duty," Tinio said.
"The public school teachers are already hard-pressed in providing quality education to the youth, in the face of low pay and difficult working conditions," he added.
Tinio said instead of forcing teachers for poll duty, they should be given the freedom to choose whether or not they want to fulfill the roles of the BEI.
"Aside from giving others the chance to serve as poll duty officers, it will also provide relief to teachers who may opt to avoid risks that come with the election," Tinio said.
source: www.congress.gov.ph
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