Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3710

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Congresswoman Julicta R. Cortuna
Representative, A TEACHER Party-List

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill secks to provide Compulsory Insurance coverage for members of the Board of
Election Inspectors (BEI) as appointed by the Commission on Elections every national or local
election.

The members of the Board of Election Inspectors play a very big and significant role in
insuring the public of a clean and honest election. History has shown us that there were numerous
election related violence committed against the life of these humble public servants.

During the May 2007 elections, Nellie Banaag, a 42 year old public school teacher from
Taysan, Batangas and serving as a BEI in the said election, was burned to death by an unknown group
cof men while she was on her way to Taysan Town Hall to submit the ballot boxes that was assigned to
her.

In the same clection year, there were reports that four public school teachers fom
Maguindanao were kidnapped to prevent them from exercising their dutics. In the Province of Abra,
two teachers were wounded when they were attacked while transporting the ballot boxes assigned to
them

In the 1995 elections, Filomena Tatlonghari, a teacher in Batangas, was shot and killed by
‘men who snatched the ballot boxes she was protecting.

‘Most of these incidents remain unsolved and the familics of these innocent BEIs are left in the
dark without anything but memories of their loved ones ~ heroes in their own way.

‘These teachers should not just be a part of statistics. We must promulgate laws that would
protect their (BEls) future.

In view hereof, early approval of this bill is carnestly urged

ee RXCORTUNA



Republic of the Philippines

Douse of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 9740

Introduced by: Congresswoman Julieta R. Cortuna
Representative, A TEACHER Party-List

AN ACT INSTITUTING A COMPULSORY INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS
OF THE BOARD OF ELECTION INSPECTORS FOR EVERY NATIONAL
AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This act shall be known as the “BEI Insurance
Act of 2010.

SECTION 2. Compulsory Coverage - Coverage in the insurance shall be
compulsory for all persons receiving honoraria from the Commission as BEI,
irrespective of appointment, except members of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine National Police deputized by the Commission to
ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible election. Provided, however,
that in case members of the AFP and PNP is appointed to act as BEI, he is covered
by the insurance provided for by this Act.


SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - In this Act,
“Commission” means the Commission on Elections;
“BEI” means Board of Election Inspectors;

“GSIS” means the Government Service Insurance System;

“Election Related-Risk” means any death or injury happening on the
occasion of or during the performance of duties relating to the election;

“Beneficiaries” are the spouse until he or she remarries, the legitimate,
legitimated or legally adopted, and illegitimate children, who shall be the primary
beneficiaries of the member: Provided, That the illegitimate children shall be
entitled to fifty percent (50%) of the share of the legitimate, legitimated or legally
adopted children: Provided, further, That in the absence of the legitimate,
legitimated children of the member, his/her dependent illegitimate children shall be
entitled to one hundred percent (100%) of the benefits. In their absence, the parents
who shall be the secondary beneficiaries of the member. In the absence of all the
foregoing, any other person designated by the member as his/her secondary
beneficiary.

Section 4. Commencement/Termination of Coverage - The insurance
coverage shall commence from the time the insured is exposed to any election-
related risk, starting from but not limited to the acquisition of election
paraphernalia and it shall be terminated upon the proper turn-over of the same to
the appropriate receiving officer.

SECTION 5. Payment of Premium ~ It shall be mandatory for the
Commission to pay the corresponding premium to be determined by the GSIS.

a) The Commission shall include in its annual appropriation the necessary
amounts for the premiums as determined by the GSIS.

b) It shall be mandatory and compulsory for the Commission to include the
payment of the premiums in its annual appropriations.


SECTION 6. Collection and Remittance of Premium — (a) The
Commission shall report to the GSIS the names of all its appointed or designated
BETs on a given election, their corresponding appointment status, positions,
honoraria and such other pertinent information as may be required by the GSIS.

(b) The Commission shall remit directly to the GSIS the required premiums within
ten (10) days after the constitution or appointment of the Board of Election
Inspectors

SECTION 7. Benefits — Notwithstanding any benefits provided for by the
GSIS or any institution granting the same to the insured, the insured shall be
entitled to the following benefits:

(a) Death Benefits - The amount of two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000)
shall be awarded to the beneficiaries on the first year of implementation of
this law. Such amount shall be reviewed by the GSIS every three years
thereafter, but in no case shall be lower than the above provided amount

(b) Hospitalization Benefits - An amount not exceeding one thousand five
hundred pesos (P 1,500) per day of hospitalization bills and other medical
expenses shall be awarded to the insured or the beneficiaries, Provided
however, the total amount shall not exceed one hundred fifty thousand pesos
(P150,000). Such amount shall be reviewed by the GSIS every three years
thereafter, but in no case shall be lower than the above provided amount

SECTION 8. Administration of Funds - The funds collected by the GSIS
shall not be used for purposes other than what are provided for by this Act.

SECTION 9. Exemption from Tax and Legal Processes - Benefits paid by
the GSIS shall be exempt from all taxes, assessments, fees, charges or duties of all
kinds. It shall likewise be exempted from attachment, garnishment, execution, levy


or other processes issued by the courts, quasi-judicial agencies or administrative
bodies including Commission on Audit (COA).

SECTION 10. Implementing Body ~ The Government Service Insurance
System, as created under Republic Act No. 8291, shall implement the provisions of
this Act

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause - All laws, rules and regulations that may
be inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly

SECTION 12. Separability Clause - If any of the sections or provisions of
this Act is adjudged invalid, all its other provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in force.

SECTION 13. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.