I was hesitant to share this, but the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election of 2023 (BSKE2023) has left a profound mark on my soul. On October 30, 2023, driven by a sense of civic duty, I, along with my wife, brother, and sister-in-law, volunteered to serve as Electoral Board members. This has been our family tradition, a way of showing our unwavering support for our country’s democratic process.
While our service was voluntary, we were offered an honorarium (an ex gratia payment) as a token of appreciation. The Electoral Board in each precinct comprises a Chairman, a Poll Clerk, and a Third Member, each assigned specific tasks. The Chairman, with the most responsibilities, understandably receives the highest honorarium.
Upon completing the election duties, we were dismayed to learn that teachers who volunteered were taxed 15% on their honorarium, while non-teaching volunteers, like us, were subjected to a staggering 7% tax. While we anticipated some form of taxation, we never imagined it would be so substantial. Our previous tax deductions were significantly lower.
We understand the necessity of taxes to support government operations, but the imposition of such a high tax on volunteers seems unjust and unfair. We dedicated countless hours, starting at 2:00 AM on October 30th and ending around 3:00 AM on October 31st. The sheer duration of our service took a toll on our bodies, causing fatigue, hunger, and extreme exhaustion. We barely had time for breaks; in fact, I was so exhausted that I couldn’t even bring myself to eat dinner. A meager piece of biscuit, some bread, and water were my sustenance throughout the ordeal.
As we arrived at City Hall to deliver the ballots and voting peripherals, I witnessed a heartbreaking scene. A teacher, who had also volunteered, fainted as she stepped out of the service vehicle, still clutching her ballots and peripherals. Her consciousness was fading, and she could barely walk. With the help of a few men, she was carried to the line to deliver her materials, all while being monitored by on-site medics. After a few minutes, an ambulance was called due to her deteriorating condition.
After dedicating our time and energy, we were met with a harsh 15% tax. What made the situation even more disheartening was the delayed payment of the remaining honorarium balance. Initially, we were told the balance would be disbursed in January 2024.
I don’t intend to sound irrational or overly emotional, but the 15% tax imposed on volunteers is unjust and unfair. I sincerely hope that our lawmakers will reconsider this policy and recognize the invaluable contributions of volunteers like us.
We, the unsung heroes of democracy, deserve better treatment. Our dedication and sacrifices should not be met with financial penalties that leave us feeling undervalued and disheartened. I urge the authorities to address this issue and ensure that our contributions are not taken for granted.
