DepEd seeks to identify members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, but for what?
Lawyer Revsee Escobedo, Department of Education’s Undersecretary for Operations, released a memorandum last June 14 directing all regional directors and school division superintendents to submit a list of teachers who are members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines and are part of DepEd’s Automatic Payroll Deduction System. This was first reported by the Philippine Star this Friday, June 23.
Why exactly will the Department of Education need a list of teachers who are affiliated with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers? What will they do with that information?
This is alarming considering the consistent red-tagging of Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Inday Sara Duterte against the organization.
Lest anyone forget, Article III, Section 8 of the Bill of Rights under the 1987 Constitution states: “The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged.” The Alliance of Concerned Teachers is a legal organization, and it is not engaged in illegal activities.
Meanwhile, Article XIII, section 3 mandates that the Philippine government “shall shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law.”
“(Workers) shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law,” the provision also added – reflecting what ACT Teachers has been doing for four decades now!
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