Joseph Azil Buena

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), in separate statements on May 10, voiced concerns over the recent announcement of increased allowances for teachers serving in the upcoming 2025 national and local elections.


On May 9, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued a directive to increase the compensation of poll workers, including teachers, by Php 2,000, following an order from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Under the directive, the updated honoraria rates are set at Php 12,000 for the Electoral Board (EB) chairperson (up from Php 10,000), Php 11,000 for the poll clerk and third member (from Php 9,000), and Php 8,000 for support staff (from Php 6,000).

TDC spokesperson Jim Beleno, in a statement, said that the allowance hike announced by the DBM had ‘been known for long’ by teachers through the general instructions and training conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Hindi naman po totoo na may dagdag na honoraria. Kasi mananatiling Php 12,000 ang bayad sa EB chair ... Iyon naman talaga ang nakalagay sa general instructions ng Comelec, 'yon ang sinasabi sa training namin. Matagal na naming alam 'yan," he said.

Beleno was referring to Comelec Resolution No. 11076, or the General Instructions for the Electoral Board, issued by the poll body in October 2024.

Article 2, Section 13 of the resolution contains the same “hiked” figures announced by the DBM, listing them as the official honoraria for teachers to be paid within 15 days after election day.

The spokesperson instead challenged the Marcos administration and the DBM to “go beyond the increase” and revive a tax-exemption bill that would exempt election service honoraria from income tax, a measure previously vetoed by President Marcos.

“We urge the President and Congress to take favorable action to exempt our honoraria from taxes. That is the more meaningful relief we’ve long been asking for,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, a press release from ACT Teachers described the move as a “concerted publicity stunt” by the administration aimed “to boost its image.”

The group also emphasized that the announced increase remains “grossly insufficient” given the responsibilities, extended working hours, and high-risk conditions teachers face during the election season.

“Mukhang gimik ito para magpabango sa mga botante ilang araw bago ang eleksyon at pagtatakip sa katotohanang binubuwisan pa ang kompensasyon para sa buwis-buhay na serbisyo ng mga nagsisilbi sa halalan,” Quetua said.

According to ACT, election workers’ compensation is subject to a 15–20 percent tax deduction.

This means a Php 12,000 allowance could be reduced to around Php 10,000 after taxes.

“The government’s continued refusal to grant just, substantial, and tax-free compensation to poll workers shows its disregard for the crucial role of teachers in safeguarding democratic processes. Now, the administration attempts to score political points by repackaging a meager and long-overdue increase for teachers and poll workers,” the spokesperson stressed.

ACT then reiterated its call for a tax-exempt election service honoraria of Php 15,000, along with overtime pay for extended poll work hours rendered by frontline workers during the elections.