THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, September 25, 2020, said 900,000 teachers are ready for election duties in May 2022.
“We have 900,000 teachers. The law provides that the participation in the electoral process has to be voluntary,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said during the Senate budget hearing for DepEd’s proposed P606.5-billion budget for 2021.
“If you go by the experience of last year’s elections, practically all, except those who are unable physically to participate, volunteered to participate in the electoral process,” she added.
The official said they can count on the participation of 100 percent of the teachers because they “live up to a very high level of trust.”
“I would imagine that if there is a decision, especially if it is covered by law, our teachers will participate,” said Briones.
In May 2019, the DepEd said more than 500,000 teachers volunteered to render poll duties.
On Thursday, September 24, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it was looking into the possibility of holding the upcoming elections in two to three days to ensure safety from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Iyong date ng election is scheduled by the Constitution. So the plan is to hold the elections sa May, and then perhaps another two days kung kina kailangan to continue the elections,” Comelec Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. said. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)