NEW BILL SEEKS TO TAKE ELEX DUTY OFF TEACHERS

They are perennially burdened by meager resources. Their lives put on the line every election season. They are hailed as patriots, even heroes, because of their significant role in shping the nation's future.

Yet our lowly public school teachers continue to be underpaid, overworked and insulted by the requirement to do election duty.

Senate Majority Leader Kiko Pangilinan seeks to lift the burden off of teachers who facilitate polls through the passage of Senate Bill No.1253 or An Act Amending Section 13 of Republic Act No.6646 (Otherwise Known as "The Electoral Reforms Law of 1987). The bill aims to remove the mandate from public school teachers to serve as members of the board of election inspectors..

"The basic assumption is that just like any other citizen, public school teachers should be given the option to refuse or accept the task of overseeing the election procedure in precincts. The role of teachers, in the first place, is to teach students in school. It's unfair therefore to subject them to the worry, tension, anxiety, notwithstanding harassment that almost always accompany our elections," Kiko said.

The Philippines is set to simultaneously hold the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 29, 2007. This means that public school teachers?who have barely recovered from the May 2007 Senatorial Election?will again have to undergo the same grueling and backbreaking exercise, unless the Senate passes a law to postpone it again.

Kiko said, "by removing the mandate from public school teachers, they, as well as the delivery of education, are protected from undue pressure and interventions from both the winning and losing candidates, before and after the election. The amendment proposes that instead of public school teachers the Board of Election Inspectors will now be composed of members who voluntarily and willingly want to serve and fulfill election duties and responsibilities."

"Aside from giving the public school teachers a choice, the proposed amendment will in effect encourage participation and give a chance for non-public school teachers and any private citizen to serve the government by taking on the responsibility of ensuring credible and honest election proceedings," Kiko added.

In the United States for instance, anyone can volunteer to become an election officer as long as he or she fulfills the minimum requirements set by the State government, which includes the ability to read and write, attendance of a training session, and passing a certification exam. Compensation is at least $75 dollars per election.

"Panahon nap o para ipakita naman natin sa ating mga guro an gating taos-pusong pasasalamat sa kanilang kontribusyon sa paghubog sa atin, at sa kinabukasan n gating bayan."

SBN 1253 was introduced at the start of the 14th Congress, and was read on 1st reading and referred to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws on September 10, 2007.