Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan have garnered more support for their presidential and vice presidential bids, this time from the country’s largest organization of teachers.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT Teachers), which has 180,000 members nationwide, is throwing its support to the Leni-Kiko tandem.
According to the group, Robredo and Pangilinan should lead the country as both have the clear track record, plans and program for Philippine educators.
"Sa panahon na tumitindi ang kahirapan sa bansa dahil sa kapabayaan at korapsyon sa loob ng gobyerno, sinusuportahan natin na mga kandidatong may malinaw track record na nakikiisa sa mga panawagan ng mamamayan para mas mataas na sweldo para sa mga manggagawa at ligtas na balik-paaralan para sa mga guro at mag-aaral (In a time of worsening poverty in the country due to negligence and corruption in government, we support candidates who have clear track record that takes part to people’s call for higher wages for workers and safe return of teachers and students to schools)," ACT Teachers said in its endorsement of the Leni-Kiko tandem.
"Ang boto natin sa mga kandidatong hindi hahayaang makapanumbalik ang mga magnanakaw at sinungaling sa Malacañang ay boto para sa mas mabuting kinabukasan (Our vote for candidates who will not allow thieves and liars to Malacañang is a vote for a better future),” the group added.
The ACT Teachers is the latest among the organizations and sectors that have publicized their support for Robredo and Pangilinan.
Just recently, the two candidates got endorsements from more than 100 individual Jesuit priests, saying that they display the least self-interest” and “are most capable and morally credible” to promote the truth.
READ: Jesuits endorse Robredo-Pangilinan tandem, denounce historical revisionism
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica’s Priory, Manila also declared their full support for the Leni-Kiko tandem.
A former teacher himself, Pangilinan expressed gratitude to the ACT Teachers for supporting his candidacy, noting the important influence of teachers on their students and the community.
"Ang boto ng guro ay para sa magandang bukas para sa kabataan. Pakinggan natin ang payo nila (The vote for teachers is meant for the good future of the youth. Let us listen to their advice)," he said.
The senator cited that education and the plight of the teachers have always been on top of their agenda, among which involves the salary increase and better social protection for them.
In its endorsement, the ACT Teachers said the Filipinos are seeking for leaders who will lift up the country from its current situation brought by the Duterte administration.
"Mahalaga sila para muling maiangat ang buhay ng bawat Pilipinong pinabayaan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon (They are important to uplift the lives of every Filipino neglected by the current administration)," the group said.