BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The election officer of Hinobaan town in Negros Occidental was ordered to explain until today why some local poll workers did not receive their honoraria more than two months after the elections.
Provincial election supervisor Jessie Suarez said election officer Alan Jaro, who went “missing†last June 16 (not May 16 as earlier reported), showed up in his house last Monday night.
Suarez said Jaro’s failure to explain and reconcile his records on the honoraria of the poll workers, mostly public school teachers, “would be dealt with accordingly.â€
The unpaid amount totals P228,000, not P336,000 as Suarez earlier said.
He said Jaro should release the money intended for these poll workers or face charges. He added that the case is now with the legal department of the Commission on Elections.
Last Friday, Department of Education district supervisor Elizalde Reliquias wrote Suarez about the matter. On the same day, Suarez told the media that some heads of boards of election inspectors (BEIs), support staff, and DepEd supervisors who helped in the May 13 polls in Hinobaan have yet to get their honoraria.
Members of BEIs were to receive P4,000 each, and the support staff, P1,500 each.
Suarez said Jaro reasoned out that he was away for one month to attend to a sick parent in Manila, but apparently did not explain the unpaid honoraria, thus he was asked to submit a written explanation on the matter.