Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida V. Rueda Acosta, who had confessed she has not been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to health reasons, appealed to Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones to address the “no vaccination, no work” policy that has prevented a number of teachers from working.
“Nananawagan po ako sa inyo. Sana po, iyang ‘no vax, no work’ policy na yan huwag ninyo pong gawin dahil contrary to the law, contrary to the Constitution, contrary to Republic No. Act 11525 (I appeal to you. Don’t implement the ‘no vax, no work’ policy because it is contrary to the Constitution, and contrary to Republic Act 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021),” Acosta said in her video message posted in her social media accounts.
She also appealed to the country’s lawmakers not to push for the “no vax, no work” policy.
“Ngayon kung nangangahas po ang ilang mambabatas na gawing mandatory yan, mag-isip-isip po kayo (Some lawyers who would push for the policy would have to think it over),” she said.
Acosta explained she made the appeal after receiving numerous reports from teachers who were prevented from working because they remain unvaccinated against COVID-19.
“Ang dami pong text hindi sila makapagturo, hindi sila makapunta sa school kung hindi sila bakunado (I received numerous text messages stating they can’t teach, they can’t go to school if they remain unvaccinated),” she noted.
“Umiiyak na po ang ibang guro sa iba’t ibang lugar, Secretary Briones (Many teachers from different places are already crying for help, Secretary Briones),” she added.
“Kandiliin mo po ang mga titser na may dahilan kung bakit away magpabakuna (Support the teachers who have reasons why they remain unvaccinated),” she pleaded.
She assured the teachers of PAO’s legal assistance.
"Mga teachers nandito po lamang kami. Bukas po ang aming tanggapan. Punta po kayo sa PAO (To the teachers, we are here. Our offices are open. Please go to PAO),” she said.