📷Officials from ACT and former ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio engaged in a dialogue with Comelec Chairman George Garcia on November 5, 2024. (ACT-Philippines | FB)
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines denounced reports from certain regions alleging that teachers affiliated with the union are being barred from serving as Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
ACT received alarming reports that a local COMELEC official in Zamboanga del Sur informed teachers that ACT union members are prohibited from serving as BEIs purportedly for supporting and collaborating with ACT Teachers Partylist.
“It is explicitly stated in the Election Service Reform Act that any public school teacher who is willing, qualified, and available may serve during elections. There is no law or election guideline prohibiting union members from serving as BEIs. Those responsible for this baseless directive must be held accountable for depriving teacher-unionists of their right to serve during elections, especially when they have fulfilled this role in previous elections. The Commission on Elections must also clarify this matter,” said Vladimer Quetua, ACT Chairperson.
“This is outright discrimination against unionized teachers and a denial of their right to serve, despite their experience and competence in carrying out election duties. Such actions not only undermine the professionalism and dedication of our teachers but also unjustly cast their union affiliation and involvement in a negative light, even though these are protected by the Constitution and essential in ensuring the welfare and rights of teachers and education workers,” Quetua added.
ACT called on the Comelec to ensure that no discriminatory practices occur in the selection of BEIs and to uphold the rights of all qualified teachers, regardless of their union affiliation. ACT also urged the Comelec to release clear guidelines as part of its commitments in dialogue with ACT regarding the welfare and benefits of teachers rendering election service such as additional compensation and service credits, support mechanisms including medical and legal expenses and assistance, and important reforms like local absentee voting rights and anti-redtagging safeguards.#
