SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III expressed strong support for higher compensation for teachers and poll workers, renewing his call for these election-related benefits and allowances to be tax-exempt.

“The role of teachers in ensuring clean, orderly, and peaceful elections in 2025 is critical. In areas considered election ‘hot spots,’ teachers and poll workers often face danger,” Pimentel said in a statement.

“Let us not withhold this modest benefit. We should provide them with the honoraria they rightfully deserve, and make these benefits tax-exempt,” Pimentel stressed.

Pimentel backed the Alliance of Concerned Teachers’ proposal to increase honoraria, allowances, and legal protections for teachers serving as members of the Board of Election Inspectors.

“Our teachers and poll workers endure difficult and dangerous work during elections. It is only fair to provide them with higher, tax-exempt compensation,” he added.

Pimentel also called on Congress to revisit the proposed budget for the 2025 honoraria of teachers and poll workers.

During the 2022 national and local elections, the following honoraria were provided: Chairperson of the Electoral Board – Php7,000; EB Members – Php6,000; DepEd Supervisor Official – Php5,000; and Support Staff – Php3,000, according to Pimentel, citing COMELEC Resolution No. 10727.

“These amounts do not do justice to the sacrifices made by our teachers during elections. We should raise these in 2025,” he said.

Pimentel also urged the Commission on Elections to improve the working conditions and safety of the members of the Board of Election Inspectors.

He recently filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the first district of Marikina.