Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

First Regular Session
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL No,_3528

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EMI CALIXTO-RUBIANO

Explanatory Note

There is no doubt that the people in the frontlines during any elections in the
country are members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BE!). They play a crucial
role in our elections to ensure that it will be held in an orderly, honest and peaceful
manner. This representation considers the BEls as one of the key personnel for a
successful and credible conduct of elections.

Due to the vital role they play in the electoral process, the members of the
BEI are exposed to countless work-related risks and dangers resulting to physical
injuries requiring medical attention. In addition, there have been reports in the past
that many BE! members were even killed during elections. This eventuality
happened in the past and it may happen again in the future.

It is noteworthy that indeed, the Government is trying to prevent the
occurrence of violence during elections. However, there is still no guarantee that
members of the BEI or anyone serving during elections are safely secured at all
possible times. Needless to say, even without violence, the Government may not be
able to fully ensure that the members of the BE! will not suffer any injury in the
performance of the performance of their official duties.

It is in this context that this bill is filed to grant mandatory insurance coverage
to all teachers or any person who will be appointed by the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) to serve as member of the BEI. This is an additional incentive or benefit
on top of those already given by the COMELEC. With the essential role they play
during elections, the granting of insurance and hospitalization benefits for them are
just small measures to pay for the services they unselfishly rendered to the State
and foremost to the Filipino people.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought for.
Rh
EMICALIXTO-RUBIANO

Representative
Lone District of Pasay City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

First Regular Session
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL No. 3528

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EM! CALIXTO-RUBIANO

AN ACT GRANTING COMPULSORY INSURANCE FOR TEACHERS
AND OTHER PERSONS WHO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
ELECTION INSPECTORS (BEI) IN 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 “BE! Insurance
Benefit Act of 2013”.

Sec. 2. Compulsory Coverage. - Coverage in the insurance shall be
compulsory for teachers and all other persons serving as members of the BE! during
elections. Provided, however, that in case members of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are appointed to act as BEI,
these personnel are covered by the insurance provided for by this Act.

The benefits hereunder defined shall cover any and all deaths or injury that
may occur in the performance of their duty as members of the BEI.

Sec. 3. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean

a. “COMELEC"- means the Commission on Elections;

b. “BEI’- means the Board of Election Inspectors appointed as such by
the COMELEC and performs such functions as defined by the Omnibus
Election Code and by the Resolutions or Orders of the COMELEC;

c. “Beneficiaries"- refer to the following:

1. Spouse of the BEI member until he or she remarries;

2. Legitimate or illegitimate child. Provided, that the illegitimate
child 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 or
the member, the dependent illegitimate children shall be entitled to
‘one hundred percent (100%) of the benefits.

3, The parents who shall be the secondary beneficiaries of the BEI
member in the absence of children.

In the absence of all the foregoing, any other person designated
by the member of the BEI as his/her secondary beneficiary

d. “GSIS"- means the Government Service Insurance System; and
e, “IC”—means the Insurance Commission.

Sec. 4. Commencement / Termination of Coverage. - The insurance
coverage shall commence from the time the teacher or any person is appointed to
serve as a member of the BEI and will only terminate up to the time of the
completion of the task as a member of the BE! as provided for in the Omnibus
Election Code or Resolutions and Orders of the COMELEC.

Sec. 5. Acquisition of Insurance policy and Payment of Premium.- It shall
be mandatory for the COMELEC to procure an insurance policy from any authorized
insurance companies duly accredited by the Insurance Commission (IC) covering the
teachers or any person appointed as members of the BEI. The insurance policy shall
cover death or physical injuries including hospitalization benefits. The corresponding
premium is to be determined by the GSIS in coordination with the IC. The
COMELEC shall include in its annual budget the necessary amount for the payment
of premium.

Sec. 6. Collection and Remittance of Premium. - The Commission shall
remit directly to the GSIS the required premium within ten (10) days from the
constitution or appointment of the BEI. It is the duty of the COMELEC to submit to
the GSIS the names of all its appointed BEls with corresponding documents as may
be required by the GSIS.

Sec. 7. Benefits. — Notwithstanding any other benefits provided for by the
GSIS or any institution granting the same benefits to the insured, the latter is entitled
to the following:

a. Death benefits- The amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos
(PhP250,000.00) shall be awarded to the beneficiary. This amount however
shall be reviewed by the COMELEC and the GSIS, in coordination with the IC
every three years thereafter, but in no case shall be lower than the above
amount.

b, Hospitalization Benefits- An amount not exceeding Two Thousand Pesos
(PhP2,000.00) per day of hospitalization bills and other medical expenses
shall be awarded to the insured. Provided however, that the total amount shall
not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP250,000.00). Such
amount shall be reviewed by the COMELEC and the GSIS, in coordination


with the IC, every three years thereafter, but in no case shall be lower than
the above amount.

Sec. 8. Exemption from Tax and other fees. - Benefits paid under this Act
shall be exempt from taxes and all other fees or duties. It shall likewise be
exempted from attachment, garnishment, execution, levy or other processes issued
by the Courts, quasi-judicial or administrative bodies.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules. The COMELEC, GSIS and the IC shall meet
and promulgate the implementing rules and guidelines for the implementation of this
Act thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause.- All laws, rules and regulations that may be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause.- If any of the provisions of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
force and effect.

Sec. 12. 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.

Approved,