ACT Teachers party-list's Castro to seek Senate seat in Eleksyon 2025

ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro is seeking a Senate seat in next year's midterm elections.

At the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, retired teachers read an open letter asking Castro to run in the 2025 senatorial elections.

“Matunog sa social media ngayon ang pangalan mo bilang alternatibong kalihim ng DepEd matapos ang pagbibitiw ni Sara Duterte na tanda ng ganap na pagguho ng pekeng uniteam. Alam namin na kayang-kaya mo ang trabahong yon pero wala tayong maaasahang espasyo para sa mga nais na pagbabago sa larangang yon dahil obligasyon ng kalihimn ng ahensiya ang maging alter ego ng pangulo,” part of the letter read.

[Your name is being floated on social media as an alternative Education secretary following the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte which signifies the end of the fake uniteam. We know that you are capable of the job but don't expect it since it is the obligation of a Cabinet secretary to be an alter ego of the President.]

“Sa halip, nakikita namin na mas nababagay ka sa bulwagan ng Senado. Itaas pa natin ang larangan ng pakikisangkot sa larangang elektoral sa pamamagitan ng pagdadala ng tinig ng teacher siyempre sa Senado. Panahon na para magkaroon ng senadora na isang classroom teacher,” part of the letter also read.

[Instead, we see you as appropriate being in the Senate. It is time for the Senate to have a classroom teacher.]

Castro responded by saying, “Tinatanggap ko po ang hamon [I am accepting the challenge].”

In an ambush interview, Castro also revealed that the Makabayan Coalition’s plans to field a full slate in the 2025 senatorial elections.

“Siyempre nagpaplano ang Makabayan coalition ng alternative slate. Pinaplano na rin na magbubuo ang Makabayan coalition ng 12 candidates ng Makabayan dahil nakikita naman natin ngayon, Duterte-Marcos lang ang puwedeng pagpilian,” Castro said.

[We are planning to form an alternative slate, 12 candidates. Right now, what we are seeing are the possible slates of Marcos and Duterte.]

Castro also said they are open to talking and coalescing with other political parties in the elections.

“Sigurado ‘yan na magkakaroon tayo ng pakikipag-usap, pakikipag-alyansa doon sa ilang mga partido na may the same na prinsipyo katulad ng Makabayan. Hindi namin inaalis ‘yung option na ‘yon,” she added.

[We are sure of engaging in talks, alliance with parties having the same principle as Makabayan’s. We are not ruling out that option.]

Castro’s decision comes after Vice President Sara Duterte said her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte and her brothers, Davao City 1st district Representative Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, may run in the 2025 senatorial elections.

“Dine-denounce namin itong sinasabing mga pamilyang Duterte na tatakbo sa Senado. Hindi naman family affair ito. At hindi naman family enterprise ang Senado. It is a commitment. Ano ba ang maio-offer nila sa taumbayan? Tingnan na lang natin ‘yung mga track record ng mga Duterte. So kami piniprisinta namin ang aming slate, ang Makabayan, ako bilang kandidato, talagang magiging tunay na kinatawan ng ating mga mamamayan, tunay na magtatrabaho sa kabutihan ng ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.

[We are denouncing this plan of the Dutertes to seek Senate seats. This is not a family affair. The Senate is not a family enterprise. It is a commitment. What would they offer to the public? Let us look at their track record. We are presenting our slate ... we will be true representatives of the people.]

On Wednesday, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said anyone qualified can run in the elections.

“It's a democratic nation that we live in so any Filipino has the right to, provided that they have the proper qualifications to seek for higher office,” Romualdez said in an ambush interview.

When asked about his plans for 2025, Romualdez replied, “Siguro, mananatili muna ako sa 1st district ng Leyte and I'll just do my work kasi marami pang kailangan yung tatapusin doon sa 1st District ng Leyte.”

[Maybe I'll just remain in the first district of Leyte ... I'll just do my work because I still have a lot to finish in the first district of Leyte.]

When asked if he plans to run for president in 2028, Romualdez said, “Matagal pa yon [It is still too early].” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News