ACT Teachers Party-list Condemns Systematic Election Fraud
The ACT Teachers Party-list, part of the militant Makabayan bloc, strongly criticized the May 12 elections, calling them a display of “systematic fraud and manipulation.” According to sources familiar with the matter, this election was seen as a serious setback for democracy in the Philippines.
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list representative France Castro, who also ran for senator, stated, “What we witnessed in the recent elections was a mockery of democracy.” She pointed out that the party-list system, which was intended to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, has been corrupted by political dynasties and powerful business interests. These groups allegedly exploited government resources to buy votes and manipulate election outcomes.
“Ang nangyari sa nakaraang halalan ay tahasang panloloko sa mamamayang Pilipino. Dinehado nila ng todo ang mga progresibong party-list sa pamamagitan ng red-tagging, harassment, at paggamit ng makinarya ng gobyerno para pigilan ang tunay na representasyon ng mga marginalized sectors,” Castro emphasized. (What happened in the recent elections was outright deception of the Filipino people. They severely disadvantaged progressive party-lists through red-tagging, harassment, and the use of government machinery to suppress genuine representation of marginalized sectors.)
Concerns Over Election System and Elite Manipulation
Meanwhile, the returning ACT Teachers Party-list Representative-elect Antonio Tinio highlighted how the electoral system has become a tool for the consolidation of elite power, rather than a means of true democratic representation. Reports indicate numerous irregularities, machine malfunctions, and technical glitches that cast doubt on the integrity of the automated election system.
“The automated election system once again failed the Filipino people,” said Tinio. “This flawed system was used to further marginalize the progressive bloc and deny genuine representation to the people.”
“Ang sistemang elektoral ay ginawang kasangkapan ng mga nasa poder upang panatilihin ang kanilang kapangyarihan at pigilan ang tunay na pagbabago. Subalit hindi nila maaaring pigilin ang tinig ng mamamayan na nagnanais ng tunay na representasyon,” he added. (The electoral system has been turned into a tool by those in power to maintain their dominance and hinder real change. However, they cannot silence the voice of the people who demand true representation.)
Continuing the Fight for Genuine Representation
Despite these setbacks, both lawmakers remain committed to addressing the broader societal challenges in the Philippines, especially the ongoing education crisis, which they say reflects deeper social inequalities.
“Our education crisis is a manifestation of the broader crisis of our society—where basic services are neglected while the elite accumulate more wealth and power,” Castro explained.
Tinio stressed the importance of increasing the education budget to six percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), as recommended by UNESCO. He also linked this to the larger fight against corruption and the misallocation of government funds.
For more news and updates on election fraud in the Philippines, visit Filipinokami.com.