Comelec supports teachers’ overtime pay, removal of tax in election honorarium

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will help teachers on their appeal for an overtime pay in their duty on the election day as well as for the removal of tax on their honorarium, its official said Monday.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the poll body will look into the appeal of teachers and endorse it to concerned agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

“Baka sakaling 'yung kanilang saloobin na 'yan, sana makatulong din ang Comelec para maiparating sa ating BIR na baka naman pupuwedeng pag-isipan nga na 'yung in-impose na tax lalo dito sa paglilingkod nila sa araw ng halalan baka naman ma-waive na,” he said.

(We hope that the Comelec can help bring this to the BIR if they can waive the tax on the pay of teachers for their service on election day. )

In a meeting with Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Sunday, Garcia said the appeal for overtime pay was also discussed.

He said a joint memorandum circular between the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management provided that Comelec is not allowed to give overtime pay to workers who are not their employees.

Garcia suggested forwarding the appeal to the CSC and DBM.

“Kung ako lang ang boboto, I will vote for grant of overtime para po sa ating mga guro (For me, I will for the granting of overtime pay for our teachers),” he said.—AOL, GMA News