DILG chief backs charging teachers who skipped poll duties

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government chief Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he is in favor of filing charges against teachers who backed out of serving as poll watchers in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), but only if their reasons are not valid.

During a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, reporters asked Abalos if he supports the Commission on Elections (Comelec) plan to go after teachers who allegedly “delayed” the BSKE in some areas of the country by backing out of their poll duties at the last minute.

“I support that. Bakit? Pinaghandaan ‘yan. They were trained at pinaka-importante sa lahat ay ‘yung mismong araw ng eleksyon. This is suffrage. This is the right to vote. Tapos isipin mo, just because of their act, [will you deny] people that right to suffrage? That’s unthinkable,” said Abalos.

(I support that. Why? They were prepared for it. They were trained, and most important of all was the very day of the election. This is suffrage. This is the right to vote. Think of it: just because of their act, you will be denying people that right to suffrage? That’s unthinkable.)

But he later clarified that he only supports the filing of charges against the educators if their reasons for backing out are invalid.

“Unless, of course, kapag may valid reason naman. We must also look at the reason. Baka mamaya naman ay talagang ‘yung lugar ay nakakatakot. Let me reiterate, if for no reason at all ay ganyan ang ginawa, I am with Comelec chair George Garcia, dapat lang na makasuhan. However, we should look at the reason. If there’s a valid reason for backing out, then we understand,” said Abalos.

(Unless, of course, there is a valid reason. We must also look at the reason. Maybe the place is really scary. Let me reiterate: if they did that for no reason, I am with Comelec chair George Garcia, and they should be charged. However, we should look at the reason. If there’s a valid reason for backing out, then we understand.)

Comelec previously disclosed that more than 2,500 teachers have backed out of serving as poll watchers in the 2023 BSKE, citing their previous experience of “frequent shooting” or “intimidation.”

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