COMMISSION on Elections acting spokesman Rex Laudiangco on Monday said they respect the decision of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to veto the bill seeking to exempt from tax the honoraria of teachers and other poll workers.

“Ginagalang po namin ang tanggapan po ng Pangulo at nasa kanyang kapangyarihan naman po talaga na i-veto ang mga bagay na ito,” Laudiangco said.

“Nabanggit din po niya sa kanyang veto message at tiningnan niya po ang pangkalahatang situation ng ating bansa at kinonsider din po niya ang equal protection clause,” he added.

Laudiangco expressed hope that lawmakers can refine the bill to respond to poll workers’ call to exempt their honoraria from duties.

“Kami naman po ay naniniwala na hindi naman po dito nagtatapos ito. Maaari rin naman pong magkaroon ng panibagong pagsususog ng bill. Dahil alam naman po namin na talagang masidhi ang panawagan para maging tax exempt itong mga honoraria ng ating mga teachers,” he said.

Laudiangco explained that the Election Service Reform Act granting the honoraria for poll workers had no provision for tax exemptions.