The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Iloilo City and in Bacolod City have distributed the honoraria to poll workers who served during the #Eleksyon2025.
On the first day of the distribution on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, a total of 2,700 teachers and other poll workers received their honoraria at a mall in the city.
Chairpersons of Electoral Boards (EBs) are set to get P12,000, but because of a 15-percent tax, the total amount received is P10, 200 only.
EB members received P9,350 from what was P11,000; P6,800 for support staff from what was P8,000; P9,350 for DESO technical support from what was P11,000; while DESO administrative support staff got P6,800 from what was P8,000.
Despite the 15-percent tax, a few teachers are still happy with the remaining amount received.
“Okay lang dahil kailangang mag-serve sa government, for the better, for the Filipinos,” Noel Moscoso, a poll worker, said.
According to the Iloilo City COMELEC, they are awaiting the additional P1,000 honorarium to poll workers from the Department of Budget and Management.
“Sa add-on, maghihintay pa kami sa memorandum sa main office kung ready nang ipasok sa respective accounts ng election officers,” according to Atty. Pinky Tentativa, Iloilo City COMELEC election officer.
In Bacolod City, distribution of honoraria to poll workers has also started.
Over P22 million in funds have been allocated for the 1,500 teachers and other poll workers in the city.
However, there were poll workers who expressed their dismay over the 15-percent tax.
“If you are going to deduct the tax, ano pa ang silbi ng allowance dahil when you say allowance, non-taxable yan,” said a teacher identified only as a certain “Lyka.”
Atty. Revo Sorbito, COMELEC Bacolod City election officer, pointed out that COMELEC has pleaded already with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to exempt the teachers and other poll workers from taxes for election duties.
“Si COMELEC ever since has been pleading with BIR nga huwag i-tax ang ating teachers for one-day service,” Sorbito said.
