The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) yesterday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to scrap a resolution mandating the expiration of election service credits for teachers.
Comelec Resolution 11212 fixes the service credit for teachers and other government personnel serving in national and local elections at 10 days, instead of the previous minimum of five days, the TDC said.
‘Credits earned through election service should remain available until lawfully exhausted under reasonable implementing rules, and not be extinguished by arbitrary deadlines that penalize teachers for faithfully performing their regular duties,’ it said.
The TDC urged the Comelec to talk with teachers’ organizations, the Department of Education and Civil Service Commission to address the issue, and create guidelines that uphold the intent of the Election Service Reform Act.
It said service credits earned during elections must be used within the same calendar year.
The expiration provision is impractical, unreasonable and ultimately confiscatory, the TDC said.