Teachers asked to be non-partisan

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Armin Luistro has reminded some 240,000 teachers nationwide who will serve in Monday’s elections to remain non-partisan and neutral.

Luistro assured the public of the teachers’ readiness to serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), Board of Canvassers (BOCs), and precinct count optical scan (PCOS) technicians during the elections.

“We believe that they will do their duty with utmost honesty and integrity. We are hoping for clean, credible, and orderly 2013 polls,” Luistro said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will set up its Election Task Force (ETF) Operation Center at the DepEd main office in Pasig City starting 1 p.m. on Sunday until noon of May 14.

Luistro said the ETF will ensure that teachers are provided with adequate information as well as technical and legal assistance as BEIs.

He said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has trained public school teachers who will serve as PCOS technicians, and chairmen and members of BEIs and BOCs.

The DepEd earlier signed an agreement with the Comelec, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Public Attorney’s Office and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to address issues, particularly on teachers’ compensation, security and legal assistance.

Those who will man the polling precincts will receive P3,000 to P4,000 as honoraria; P500 for the testing and sealing of PCOS machines; and P500 as transportation allowance.

The IBP, meanwhile, will deploy at least five lawyers in each of its 85 chapters nationwide to provide legal assistance to the BEIs who may face harassment by way of lawsuits.

  – With Evelyn Macairan