Vice President Sara Duterte brushed aside the claims of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) of profiling the group after the Department of Education (DepEd) requested for a list of teachers who are members of the ACT-Union and used the Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS).
In a statement issued on Saturday, Duterte, concurrent Education Secretary, said the allegation that the memorandum was intended to profile the members of ACT Union as part of a supposed government anti-insurgency campaign is patently “absurd, distorted, and followed no logic.”
In a memorandum dated June 14, 2023, Revsee Escobedo, DepEd undersecretary for governance and field operations, ordered all regional and division offices to provide a list of all public school teachers who are members of ACT and use the DepEd’s APDS.
“The sole purpose of consolidating the list of APDS availees, from various organizations in the regions, is to centralize, connect, update, and improve the Department’s Human Resource Systems, including the APDS,” the vice president explained.
Duterte emphasized that the said request was publicly available, and proves that it did not intend to target members of the union, as alleged by ACT.
“This is especially relevant amidst the regular complaints from employees over inaccurate, questionable, and unwarranted salary deductions for loan remittances and membership dues. It is well-within its authority and even incumbent upon DepEd to look into the complaints made by its employees and to ensure that their welfare and rights are protected,” she said.
She also said that the education department is committed to delivering better services for the employees and partner organizations.
“While a memorandum sought the list of ACT Union members, separate requests were also made for the list of members of other unions, organizations, and associations of teaching and non-teaching personnel availing of the APDS. There is simply no effort or intention to purposely target members of ACT Union,” the vice president said.
APDS refers to a DepEd program officially recognizing and authorizing private entities to utilize the APDS facility for nonmandatory deductions in the Central, Regional, Schools Divisions, and implementing unit secondary schools.
