Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte is calling for the protection of teachers as local elections are set next month, saying "without them, polls will not happen."

Citing the importance of teachers in the conduct of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October, Duterte on Tuesday hoped that “teachers who will serve in the elections will be protected from harassment, intimidation and other forms of threats to their lives.”

She made the call as the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Elections and the Public Attorney’s Office signed an agreement providing a system to assure teachers and other DepEd personnel of free legal assistance.

According to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), teachers serving during polls “expose themselves and their families to the dangers of being intimidated, harassed, or even killed, as violence often flares up between warring politicians.
Despite these, they continue to serve in the elections out of their commitment, courage, and love of country, Duterte said.

“This is purely because of their love of country,” she added.

Duterte emphasized the important role of teachers in the successful conduct of the elections, calling them the frontline government representatives who will ensure the smooth flow of the election process.

“Hindi po mangyayari ang isang eleksyon kung walang mga guro​ (Without them, polls will not happen),” she said, so she added, “We owe them our gratitude, assistance, protection, and legal support.”

She also called on the Comelec to release the allowances of teachers serving in the elections on time.