Teachers’ group urges Congress to override veto on tax-exempt honoraria bill

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines on Wednesday called on Congress to override President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s veto of the bill granting tax exemptions for the honoraria and allowances received by those who rendered election service, including teachers.

"Kung hindi makita ng pangulo ang buwis-buhay na pagsisilbi ng teachers tuwing election, sana naman ay makita ng mga mambabatas natin. Sana makinig naman sila," Ruby Bernardo, spokesperson of ACT Philippines said during a protest action in Batasang Pambansa.

(If the President cannot see the fact that teachers risk their lives to serve during elections, we are hoping that the lawmakers will hear us.)

Marcos, Jr. last week vetoed the Act Exempting from Income Taxation the Honoraria, Allowances, and other Financial Benefits of Persons Rendering Service during an Election Period last week, arguing that it "runs counter to the objective of the government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program to correct the inequity in the country’s tax system and negate the progressivity of the reforms introduced under RA 10963 or the TRAIN law.”

Under the law, a presidential veto can be overturned if two-thirds of Congress vote to do so.

"Sa totoo lang, ito ang pinakanakakapagod, nakakagutom, nakakapuyat at matindi ang harassment na eleksyon na dinanas ng mga guro tapos ganito pa ang isusukli," Bernardo added.

(In truth, this [2022 elections] was the most exhausting elections the teachers have faced, with them experiencing more hunger, sleepless nights, and harassment, and this is how they are repaid.)

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT partylist lawmaker France Castro earlier said that imposing taxes on the honoraria and allowances of election service volunteers destroys the spirit and intent of the Election Service Reform Act, which compensates the hardships of persons rendering election service.

"They must therefore enjoy the compensation in full and not bear additional burdens," Castro said.

"Add to this the fact that no tax was ever imposed on the honoraria and other election service benefits until 2018, since there is no law providing for such imposition," she added.

Bernardo said the fight is far from over.

"Patuloy naming ipaglalaban ang panawagang ito ng mga guro at iba pang nagsilbi sa eleksyon.Sana ay dinggin kami ng mga mambabatas," Bernardo said.

(We will continue with our fight for the teachers and all others who rendered service during the elections. We are hoping that our lawmakers will heed our call.) — BM, GMA News