Teachers warned: No more backing out of May polls

SunStar File
SunStar File

UNLESS it’s for emergency situations, there is no more room for some 8,000 teachers in Cebu Province to back out from serving in the May 13 elections now that they have undergone the seminar-training for members of the Electoral Board (EB).

In an interview Tuesday, March 5, Acting Provincial Elections Supervisor Jerome Brillantes said refusing to report during the Election Day is considered an election offense.

“Actually, when ma-train na ka for EB, no time to back out na except for emergency reasons. Aside from those, dili na pwede (backing out). We (Commission on Elections) can file a case against them since that’s an election offense punishable with six years’ imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold public office. Posible pa ma-revoke ang license once ma-convict,” he said.

Members of the EB formally started their four-week seminar-training last Monday, March 4. Those that participated in the seminar-training will receive a cash honorarium of P2,000.

Brillantes said the seminar-training will cover general instructions, an examination administered by the Department of Science and Technology, and how to operate the vote counting machine, among others.

Although Republic Act (RA) 10756, or the Election Service Reform Act, renders the election service non-compulsory for public school teachers, thousands still manifested their intent to serve.

Under Section 4 of RA 10756, the chair of the electoral board receives an honorarium of P6,000; P5,000 for the members; and P2,000 for the support staff on top of their transportation allowance.

In a related development, Brillantes reminded local candidates of the guidelines for election propaganda as Oplan Baklas for the local level will officially start on March 29. Local contenders are given 72 hours to voluntarily remove their illegally posted campaign materials. (RTF)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph