Marquez, CA justices vie for High Court post

SEN. Juan Edgardo Angara on Tuesday pressed for the passage of the Teacher Protection Bill that aims to improve the working conditions of public school teachers.

“We must ensure a nurturing and safe school environment not only for our children, but for our educators as well,” Angara said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also raised the need to safeguard the mental health of teachers, especially those who often work extended hours.

“I am truly in awe of our teachers and amazed at their dedication, especially those who work beyond their required hours, often for very meager pay. It is no secret our teachers are often overworked,” he said. “I can only imagine the stress caused by their job — preparing lessons, teaching, and then grading papers, not to mention other non- teaching functions that they are assigned to do.”

With the death of a teacher in Leyte and in Cavite in just two months supposedly because of their heavy workload, teachers groups have urged the Department of Education ( DepEd) to look into the mental health issues of public school teachers.

According to Angara, the incidents raised the need to put in place the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Mental Health Law or Republic Act 11036 so that psychiatric and psychosocial services can be accessible to public school teachers especially in rural areas where there are larger class sizes.

“It is not enough that we assist them in terms of raising their salaries and providing trainings to strengthen their skills. Caring for their mental health is equally important,” Angara said.

He filed Senate Bill 1870 or the Teacher Protection Act that seeks to formulate policies and establish support mechanisms for teachers in matters of student discipline and classroom management.

Under SB 1870, the DepEd must ensure that there are enough guidance counsellors who would serve as support personnel to teachers in matters of student discipline.

“With the increasing burden on teachers due to large class sizes, multiple shifts each day, and heavier tasks, there is an urgent need to provide protection to our teachers, who are already deemed overworked and underpaid,” Angara said. COURT (SC) Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, several Court of Appeals (CA) justices and some judges are vying for the position of Associate Justice of the high court.

With the promotion of Teresita Leonardo-de Castro as Chief Justice and the appointment of Associate Justice Samuel Martires as Ombudsman, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) formally opened the application for the position of Associate Justice of the high court.

Marquez was previously endorsed by retired chief justice and head of the Consultative Committee Reynato Puno; Ma. Cristina Roco-Corona, widow of former chief justice Renato Corona; and the Philippine Judges Association.

Also in the race are CA Associate Justices Oscar Badelles, Manuel Barrios, Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Rosmari Carandang, Stephen Cruz, Japar Dimaampao, Amy Lazaro-Javier, Ramon Garcia, Edgardo Delos Santos, Ramon Paul Hernando and Mario Lopez.

Sandiganbayan Justice Alexander Quiroz, Centro Escolar University Law School Associate Dean Rita Linda Ventura-Jimeno, and Tagum City Branch 1 Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang are also gunning for the post.

The deadline for applications and submission of documentary requirements is on September 11.

Under the 1987 Constitution, candidates must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and should possess “proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.”

The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees for vacant posts in

- man and Deputy Ombudsman. It is chaired by the chief justice.