THE National Movement for Free Elections said Tuesday it is looking to sign up as many volunteers as possible in time for the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, following its approval as one of the poll watchdogs.
“Namfrel has issued a general call for volunteers to observe the barangay and SK elections this month,” the group said.
It said the volunteer work only involves observing the elections in the barangay where they are registered to vote.
Namfrel said all volunteers are required to remain non-partisan throughout the election process.
On Monday, the Comelec said it has accredited Namfrel and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting to serve as the poll body’s citizen arm during the coming elections.
Senator Nancy Binay, meanwhile, appealed to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to waive the imposition of the 5 percent withholding tax on the electoral board’s honorarium and travel allowance in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
“In the spirit of public service, we are calling on the BIR to waive the 5 percent tax on the honorarium and travel allowance of election board [EB] in the barangay and SK elections,” said Binay, the chairman of the Senate committee on social justice.
“Our public school teachers are voluntarily doing this so it is just proper that the state repay their services,” she added.
Binay also pushed for the speedy disbursement of the EB’s honoraria and allowance.
“Normally, after the election, this is given to the EB, but due to the election-related expenses even before the election, it’s better to give them immediately to the teachers,” Binay said.