The country’s winningest teachers’ partylist launched its 2025 national elections bid by announcing its top nominees in a national convention in Quezon City on Thursday, September 26.
Among the celebrated partylists in the ongoing 19th Congress, ACT Teachers Party said its nominees are led by veteran lawmaker Antonio Tinio who was its representative in its first three terms from 2010 to 2019.
A seasoned advocate for teachers’ rights, Tinio was first national chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers from 2002 to 2012.
A magna cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, he was a college instructor before becoming a politician.
He was the son of National Artist for Literature Rolando Tinio and celebrated stage actor Ella Luansing.
In his acceptance of his renomination, Tinio said his commitment to stand up for educators and the Filipino remains unwavering.
“We will continue to champion a nationalistic, scientific, and mass-oriented education system that serves the interests of the nation,” he said.
Joining Tinio as ACT’s second nominee is Helene Dimaukom, a retired teacher from Mindanao.
The party said Dimaukom brings decades of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by educators in rural areas.
“I am honored to represent our teachers from Mindanao and ensure their voices are heard in the halls of Congress,” Dimaukom said.
The party’s third nominee is De La Salle University’s David Michael San Juan, renowned for his academic contributions and advocacy for progressive education reforms.
“Our education system must nurture critical thinking and foster a sense of national pride among our students. This is a battle we are ready to fight,” San Juan said.
ACT Teachers’ Party is now represented in Congress by the “graduating” public school maths master teacher and textbook author France Castro.
Castro distinguished herself by leading the campaign against graft and corruption in government agencies, particularly against the controversial confidential and intelligence funds.
Along with fellow Makabayan Coalition representatives Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Women’s Party and Raoul Manuel of the Kabataan Youth Party, she started the investigations into irregular expenditures of the Office of the Vice President.
It led to the disallowance of the said funds that helped lead into the dissolution of the vaunted “Uniteam” political alliance between the Marcos/Romualdez-Duterte political dynasties.
ACT Teachers Partylist said it remains committed to pushing for substantial salary increases, better working conditions, and a more equitable education system.
It demands a legislated minimum salary of P50,000 per month in the education sector.
In its national convention, the party said it will support to the senatorial slate of the Makabayan Coalition that also includes Castro.
It also said in a rally along Quezon Avenue after the convention that it supports call for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment for betrayal of public trust and graft in public expenditure.
Other education-based partylists have won Congressional seats in the past, such as ATeachers, but have in fact been represented by education managers and backed by private businesses. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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DISCLOSURE: The reporter was Alliance of Concerned Teachers secretary general from 2002 to 2004.
