Republic of the Philippines §

House of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No! + 40 cana

Introduced by: Congressman Mariano U. Piamonte Jr. and
Congresswoman Julieta R. Cortuna, Representatives, A TEACHER Party-

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide Compulsory Insurance coverage for members of the Board of Election
Inspectors (BEI) as appointed by the Commission on Election 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 of men
while she was on her way to Taysan Town Hall to submit the ballot boxes that was assigned to her.

In the same election year, there were reports that four public school teachers from Maguindanao
were kidnapped to prevent them from exercising their duties. 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 families 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 (BEIs) future.
pa U. KES

In view hereof, early approval of this bill is earnestly urged.



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

40

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Congressman Mariano U. Piamonte Jr. and
Congresswoman Julieta R. Cortuna, Representatives, 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 GSI

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 BEIs 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
(P1,500) 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 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.