Comelec: Asking for budget to pay teachers to serve in May polls not easy

MANILA, Philippines — Asking for a budget to pay teachers who will serve in the upcoming elections from the contingency fund of the government is not easy.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez admitted this on Wednesday as the 2019 national budget has not been ratified.

“They (members of Congress) floated some solutions. We are going to look into those solutions. There is also the [proposed] use of [the President’s] contingency fund,” Jimenez said during a press briefing.

“We are studying that process, but it is not [as] simple as calling someone, asking them, ‘Pengeng pera’ (Please give us money). This process will take some time,” he added.

Jimenez earlier warned that teachers who will render services during the May 2019 national elections will not receive their honoraria if the national budget is reenacted in 2019.

READ: Comelec: No honoraria for teachers on poll duty if 2019 budget is reenacted

He also called on the Senate and House contingents that comprise the bicameral conference committee to restore the proposed P3.2 billion budget for teachers who will serve as Board of Election Inspectors.

Jimenez then expressed hope that Congress will decide in favor of the poll body’s need.

“We are not giving up on our call. This budget is very important because we have to give the teachers what is due them, and that would be achieved in the regular course of things, which is having a new budget,” he said.

Congress is expected to approve the proposed P3.75-trillion budget for 2019 before both chambers take a break this week. /ee

READ: Bicam ‘breakthrough:’ 2019 budget to be ratified by Friday – Legarda