Deped welcomes Comelec’s decision not to file cases against teachers

The Department of Education (Deped) on Saturday, Nov. 4, welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to file charges against teachers who backed out of their election duties during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

“Deped would like to thank the commission for recognizing the various threats that confronted them during this time,” Vice President and Deped Secretary Sara Duterte said in a statement.

Deped welcomes the decision of Comelec that it will no longer pursue filing criminal charges against teachers for backing out of their Electoral Board duties during the 2023 BSKE.

In line with this, Duterte also expressed support to the Comelec in its resolve to file charges against those who “intimidated, harassed, and threatened our teachers.”

Duterte noted that such acts of violence and coercion not only “jeopardized the safety and security of our educators, but also undermined their dedication to service.”

Furthermore, she emphasized that the “perpetrators must be held accountable.”

Duterte also extended gratitude and appreciation to public school teachers for their “valiant service and significant contribution to the orderly conduct” of the BSKE.

Earlier, teachers’ groups called for the protection and rights of teacher-poll workers.

In a statement issued on Nov. 2, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed support for teachers who prioritized their safety due to potential threats and dangers as a result of their assessment of the hostility of the polling place and areas they were supposed to be serving at.

ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said that teachers have the “right to life and security.”

Quetua said that the government should understand teachers who have “legitimate reasons” for choosing to distance themselves from potential threats to their lives and security.

“It is high time that the government pay off teacher-poll workers’ sacrifices who have been serving as our primary workforce in ensuring fair, honest, and transparent elections,” Quetua added.

In a statement issued on Nov. 1, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) reiterated that

poll duties are not “compulsory” for teachers.

“If they withdrew because they felt an imminent threat to their life, health, and safety, the Comelec should recognize it,” TDC added.