Philippine Teachers Demand Overtime Pay for Election Day Duties

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In the lead-up to the elections on 12th May, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers - National Capital Region (ACT-NCR) has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to provide overtime pay for teachers who serve as Electoral Board members and poll watchers. This appeal arises from the prolonged working hours teachers face on election day without additional compensation.

ACT-NCR Union President, Ruby Bernardo, highlighted that teachers are expected to work over 24 hours straight, starting with early voting from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. This is followed by the regular voting period from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., leading to an exhaustive workday exceeding 14 hours. Despite these demands, Comelec currently does not classify this as overtime work eligible for extra pay.

Teachers play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, often operating under stressful and potentially dangerous conditions, particularly in areas with high political tensions. Bernardo emphasized the injustice of not compensating teachers for the substantial additional hours they dedicate, especially when they assist vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and persons with disabilities during early voting.

The current compensation, as outlined by Comelec Resolution 11076, includes:

• Chairperson: P12,000
• Members: P11,000
• Support staff: P8,000
• Department of Education supervising official: P11,000
• Technical support staff: P9,000
• Administrative support staff: P8,000

Bernardo expressed frustration over the taxation of these already modest honoraria, noting, “It's infuriating that our already small honoraria are subject to tax deductions. No overtime pay, just additional hours of service!” She pointed out that many teachers experience severe fatigue and illness following elections due to the intense demands placed upon them.

She argued that respecting teachers’ rights and ensuring fair compensation goes beyond welfare; it reflects the value placed on democratic processes. The union insists that proper compensation for teachers is a fundamental expectation, considering they serve as the cornerstone of the nation’s electoral framework.

As the election approaches, where around 68 million Filipinos are expected to vote, Bernardo's plea underscores the need for Comelec to acknowledge and address the concerns of the educators who contribute steadfastly to the electoral process, ensuring it runs smoothly and fairly.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-05-08