Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10756)
The official short title of Republic Act No. 10756 is the 'Election Service Reform Act.'
Persons rendering election service refer to those appointed by the Commission on Elections to serve as Chairperson or members of the Electoral Boards, Department of Education Supervisor Officials (DESO), and their respective support staff for election-related services.
No. Under RA 10756, election service is non-compulsory for public school teachers. They must be willing and available to render election service. If there is a lack of willing or qualified public school teachers, the Commission may appoint other qualified persons according to a specified order of preference.
The order of preference is: (a) Private school teachers; (b) National government employees including DepEd nonteaching personnel and other regular or permanent government employees excluding uniformed personnel; (c) Members of Commission-accredited citizen arms or accredited civil society organizations/NGOs; and (d) Any registered voter of known integrity and competence not connected with any candidate or political party. As a last resort, uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police may be deputized.
For the first implementation, the honoraria are: Chairperson of Electoral Boards - P6,000.00; Members of Electoral Boards - P5,000.00; DESO - P4,000.00; Support Staff - P2,000.00. Additionally, each person is entitled to a travel allowance of P1,000.00. These amounts are to be paid within 15 days from the election date and may be reviewed every three years but not reduced below these amounts.
They are entitled to death and medical assistance from the special trust fund. Death benefits amount to P500,000.00 awarded to beneficiaries, subject to review but not less than the stated amount, and medical assistance sufficient to cover medical and hospitalization expenses until recovery.
They are authorized to engage government or private lawyers for civil, criminal, or administrative cases arising from their election service. The Commission shall establish legal indemnification covering all reasonable legal expenses unless they are finally adjudged guilty of an election offense. Legal assistance does not cover suits initiated personally by the election service person unless authorized by the Commission.
Delaying the payment beyond fifteen (15) days from the date of election constitutes an election offense under RA 10756.
The Commission on Elections shall establish a special trust fund for medical assistance, death benefits, legal assistance, and indemnification. The fund shall be used solely for purposes provided by this Act. The initial funding comes from the Commission's current appropriations, and subsequent funding is included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
They are entitled to a minimum of five (5) days service credit for their election service duties under RA 10756.