Suarez: We are asking for their patriotism

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

As the Bacolod City Commission on Elections (Comelec) prepares for the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, which were earlier postponed by President Rodrigo Duterte, Comelec-Bacolod elections officer, Atty. Mavil Majarucon-Sia, said the city may not have enough teachers to man polling precincts, prompting a need for volunteers to augment available personnel.

Majarucon-Sia noted some teachers have refused to serve, citing the potential for cases being filed against them, along with possible delays in the release of honorariums. This has resulted in the Electoral Board and Barangay Board of Canvassers acquiring half of their required 2,538 membership.

Comelec-Negros Occidental elections supervisor, Jessie Suarez, meanwhile, said only Bacolod City school teachers have voiced such concerns.

He said they will wait until the end of the month before seeking out volunteers, who, according to the elections official, will be sourced from government agencies and private groups.

“We are asking for their patriotism,” Suarez added.

According to RA 10756, or the Election Service Reform Act, election service is not compulsory for public school teachers./DGB, WDJ