In the Name of Service| My Election Experience

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For the past few days I have really tried to sleep late since I am training myself not to fall asleep during the election day. So for how many days I have been watching kdrama's just to keep me awake. May 14,2018 is the day of the Election for the Baranggay and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan). But days before we teachers have been preparing for it.

This is not my first time to serve the election but this is my first time to be a Third Member of the BET (Board of Electoral Tellers). So this is my moment to experience what most teachers complain of. So why do teachers complain when in fact we are given a compensation for the service we rendered. Lets start of why we were chosen to serve.

The BET is composed of the Chairperson, Poll Clerk and the Third Member. Who are qualified to be a BET?

• Be of good moral and of irreproachable reputation.
• Be a registered voter of the City/Municipality.
• Be able to write and speak English or the local dialect.
• Have never been convicted.
• Have never been charged in court of any election offense.
• Is not related to any Candidate to be voted in the barrangay assigned.

Well if you ask me those qualifications are easy to comply I guess anyone can be a BET. But according to Attorney Lamban they choose public teachers above all because Public School teachers has the highest integrity.

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At 12:00 am of May 14,2018 Mactan High School and Elementary teachers are outside of Lapu-lapu City hall to line up and get our Election Paraphernalia at the Comelec. In order to get them all members of the BET should be present. Crowded as it is we finished at 3:30 am. Here are the things we had to get:

• official ballot
• book of voters
• election returns
• paper seal
• minutes
• other forms
• ballot box
• supplies(Ballpens, indelible ink, Etc)

This are so far I remember. As we receive them we have to guard it to our life. Can you imagine if something happens to the unused ballots. So right after getting it we can't leave our presincts. This starts our job as BET, no more sleeping for us. At 6:00 am of the Election day an old man started my day with annoyance. Questioning us for not posting the list of Voters a day before the Election. He was annoyed that he can't finish early. Well he does not know how long we have to wait before we could get what we need. And we haven't had our breakfast yet but work first before anything else. We posted the list of voters so people can already look up for their names in advance as we wait for the watchers of each parties.

An election can't start without the Watchers of both parties. There should be at least one from each of them.

What are Watchers?

Well their job is to watch and to take note any irregularities that happens. They witness the proceedings of the BET. They can also file a protest if they see any irregularities that happens.

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As we started there were no problems encounter. We finished early and there were only a few voters during in the afternoon. The election was peaceful. And here's the catch now. The procedure after voting our job is to count the number of votes cast in our predict. This was by far the longest time of standing without any interruption. From 4 pm till 10 pm, well 6 hrs is a piece of cake since I stand everyday whenever I discuss but I was too exhausted already since as third member I was the one to arrange the voters, lining them up and giving instructions on what to remember when the Poll clerk asks them.

As Third Member my task during the counting of votes will be tallying the votes in the Tally Board. Announce the number of votes casts for each candidate making sure that the score tallied in the tally board and in the election returns. After tallying all votes my feet were all numb. Eyes were about to close and my hands were shaky. But we still have to do all the paper works before we seal and put the necessary thing in the ballot box.

_{This is when we had to wait for the BBOC to finish.}

12:35 am and finally the last 4 precincts left. The rest were already in Mactan Elementary to have their ballots checked and others stuff to the Baranggay Board of Canvassers (BBOC). Fifteen minutes after the Police Escorts arrived and off we go to Mactan Elementary School. Yey we are almost done, it's when you feel that finally all your struggle is about to end. And yet I was wrong, who would have thought that it will take us 3 hours to wait for the BBOC to finish. Literally I wanted to cry, everything in me was in pain. That struggle you feel that inside of you wants to leave the situation but No this is your job to finish.

People may think that the honorarium we Public School Teachers are too much for a days work. Yes maybe if you just imagine it.

Position	Honoraruim	Travel Allowance
Chairman	6,000	1,000
Poll Clerk	5,000	1,000
Third Member	5,000	1,000

We also get a 5-day Service Credit. That means whenever we have to be absent we can use the service credit so that we won't get deducted for the absence.
Well the honorarium pretty good right but it's not tax free. The honorarium is still taxable.

3:40 am Philippine time waiting at the City Hall lining up for the the Delivery and the Transmittal Election Returns. The scenario upon my arrival was very crucial, we were all like zombies ready to attack the plants. Emotionlessly heading to one direction, hungry, exhausted, no shower for a day, a bit dehydrated and not to mention that we smell bad,didn't brush for a day and too many things to describe equals Man Eating Zomby Teachers.

Can you imagine normal people at the right mind lie down in the grass in front of Lapu-lapu City Hall. Trying get a bit of sleep before we continue to line up.
We were not star gazing guys, we were not on our comfy bed but as I felt the grass touch my skin it was like being in a queen sized bed in a fully air-conditioned room.

Do I need to describe this picture, well first is the arrival second is the departure. It was bright day light when I left the Comelec. 6:45 am to be exact, as I head home my heart was full of excitement. The happiness I felt was like living again, it was like being reborn and I was hopeful that finally I will meet My Bed.

But if you ask me if I will serve after this experience? My answer is a big YES. it is a privilege to serve my country and I will do it again until I am not able anymore.

Inspiring You,

@sawi :")