180,000-strong teachers’ group backs Robredo-Pangilinan tandem

MANILA, Philippines — One of the country’s biggest organizations of teachers has vowed to carry the tandem of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo and vice presidential aspirant Sen. Francis Pangilinan to victory in the May 9 elections.

“At a time when poverty in the country is intensifying due to negligence and corruption within the government, we support candidates with a clear track record who are in solidarity with the people’s calls for higher wages for workers and safe return to school for teachers and students,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT Teachers) said in its endorsement of Robredo and Pangilinan.

“Our vote for the candidates who will not allow the thieves and liars to return to Malacañang is a vote for a better future,” the group added.

ACT Teachers, which has 180,000 members nationwide, is also pushing for the senatorial bids of former party-list representative Neri Colmenares and labor leader Elmer Labog.

Pangilinan, a former teacher, thanked ACT Teachers for their support, stressing the important influence teachers have on their students and the community.

“The teacher’s vote is for a better tomorrow for the youth. Let’s listen to their advice,” he said.

The senator said education and the plight of the country’s educators have always been on top of their agenda, citing his push in the Senate for salary increase and better social protection for teachers.

In its endorsement, ACT Teachers said Filipinos are seeking leaders who will lift up the country from the mire brought by the current administration.

“They are important to rebuild the lives of every Filipino neglected by the current administration,” the group said.

“Our votes for Leni Robredo for president, Kiko Pangilinan for Vice President and Neri Colmenares and Elmer ‘Ka Bong’ Labog for senator are a step towards a better future for our country.”