Quezon City Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo persuaded Congress to exclude public school teacher election duty allowance from income tax citing Bill No. 10661.

“Teachers play important roles during elections. They exert time and energy to protect the sanctity of every ballot and facilitate the conduct of the peaceful and clean election,” Castelo emphasized in regards to the Bill.

According to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law or the Republic Act No. 10963, it states that all forms of compensation, including allowance, are subject to income tax.

The Quezon City Representative reiterated the service rendered by the teachers during the elections, pointing out that the compensation for them should not be subject to income tax. She pointed out that unless an exemption law is passed, teachers would have to declare their election duty allowance and pay the corresponding tax on it.

“For teachers of higher rank, this could even mean paying more in income tax, since this could push them to a higher tax rate. Baka yung allowance nila ay mapunta lang sa tax,” Castelo stressed, addressing the issue.

Subsequently, Castelo urged Congress to approve of her proposal immediately so that the exemption would apply to next year’s national-congressional-local elections.

The Commission on Election (COMELEC) sets the rates allowance of teachers’ service in the coming May 9, 2022 elections through Resolution No. 10727. For the chairman of the electoral board in each voting precinct (7,000), board member (6,000), supervising education official (5,000), support staff, and medical personnel (3,000).  They will also receive PHP2, 000 each for travel, PHP500 for anti-COVID-19 allowance, and five days of service credit.