The largest party of teachers in the Philippines, ACT Teachers Partylist is now accredited to run for the May 2010 elections, along with 144 other partylists, according to Resolution No. 8744 released by the Commission on Elections yesterday.

The COMELEC's 2nd Division originally denied the accreditation of ACT Teachers Partylist last November 20, 2009, due to the Division’s assumption that the party lacked national presence. The party filed a motion for reconsideration at the COMELEC, providing documentary proof of their national presence. In an en banc resolution, the COMELEC overruled its 2nd Division’s decision.

“This victory signals the start of every Filipino teacher’s more vigorous participation in the struggle for our country’s social transformation,” said Secretary General April Valentin Montes.

Montes also furthered on the importance of teachers’ representation in the Legislative body. “Teachers and education workers need to have representation in Congress, for a sound education system is a necessary component for our nation’s progress,” he said.

ACT Teachers’ Partylist highlights its three-point platform which includes improving the welfare and advancing the rights of teachers and education workers; working to improve the quality of education in the country; and advancing transparency, accountability and honesty in national and local governance.

“If elected, ACT Teachers’ Partylist will actively work to raise teachers’ minimum salaries to Php 25,000 per month, to push for the allocation of 6% of the gross domestic product for education, and to fight anomaly and corruption in government,” Montes added.

ACT Teachers’ Partylist is founded by esteemed educators such as National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, to raise the demands of the teachers and education workers in congress.##