Teach Against Pork and Corruption

GOOD NEWS!
Chalk Allowance is now P2,500! Thank You ACT!

ACT Teachers Party-list Press Statement
14 December 2016

Solons laud additional chalk allowance for teachers in the 2017 budget

ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. Antonio Tinio and Rep. France Castro laud the inclusion in the 2017 budget of their proposed amendment to increase the cash allowance for public school teachers for teaching supplies, popularly known as the “chalk allowance.”

According to the Conference Committee Report on House Bill 3408 (FY 2017 General Appropriations Bill), the DepEd budget is given an additional P892 million “to provide funds for site development of public schools and additional P1,000 cash allowance to all teachers,” among other items. The budget amendment will increase the chalk allowance to P2,500 from P1,500 beginning 2017.

The solons filed their proposed amendment to increase the chalk allowance in October 11 with the House Committee on Appropriations. The bicameral budget panel hiked the increase to P2,500.

The solons have long been campaigning to increase the chalk allowance, which is granted to classroom teachers for the purchase of chalks, erasers, forms, and other classroom supplies and materials. Due to the party-list's annual proposed amendment to the national budget, the allowance increased to P1,000 from P700 in 2012, and then to P1,500 in 2015.

“This is a welcome increase, as it will ease the pain of all classroom teachers who pay for their teaching supplies and materials out of their own pockets,” said Castro, a former classroom teacher. “This is only just since, because of the dismally insufficient funds for maintenance and other operating expenses in our public schools, the teachers themselves spend for supplies and materials which they use in their classrooms.”

Tinio also urged for the immediate passage of their House Bill 474, filed in June 30, which seeks to increase the chalk allowance to P5,000 per classroom teacher per school year.

“Our teachers demand a significant increase to P5,000 of chalk allowance, or P24.75 per school day,” said Tinio, using the rate of the chalk allowance for 202 school days in the current school year. “We urge Congress to immediately launch deliberations on this bill, and approve it to give significant economic relief to our teachers who are left to augment inadequate government funds for our schools using their own money.” # # #

Continuing the unfinished revolution of Andres Bonifacio


Today is Andres Bonifacio’s birthday, leader and organizer of K*K (Kataas-taasang Kagalanggalangang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan), the patriotic organization that led an armed struggle in 1896 which freed the country from Spanish colonialism and founding of the first Philippine Republic.

The revolutionaries then were able to drive away the Spanish colonial government and their military forces. Land grabbing, low wages and forced labor were rampant during this period – the reasons why Bonifacio and the majority of the people then joined the revolution against feudalism and the foreign power and elite that ruled our nation.

That victorious armed struggle was stolen from us by deception and counter-revolutionary tactics of the US imperialists who were able to impose their colonial government to the Filipino nation. This imperialist design is still dominant today such that the challenge to end the rule of capitalism and US intervention in our land must be continued.

The “independence” granted to us is a big lie and the economic policies, treaties and agreements signed by US puppet governments thereon have aggravated the state of our own economy and worsening economic poverty. Our current struggles for genuine freedom and democracy for the Filipino people in general echoes the vision of the 1986 revolution led by Andres Bonifacio.

“We are still poor because of landlessness and stunted industrialization due to US imperialist control of the vital industries. The plight of teachers is no exemption in this situation. Our salaries remained low because of the policies dictated by the IMF-WB and instituted more schemes that have decimated the real buying power of our salaries. Even the orientation of education was geared towards meeting the needs of the global market,” Mr. Benjie Valbuena, President of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said.

The Duterte government also retained the currently narrow orientation of education to produce graduates that will serve as the global market’s army of cheap labor. They also approved the practice of subsidizing private school education instead of strengthening the public school system to make education free for all. Health and housing services are still commodified instead of fortifying them as social services.

“There is also no mention of free land distribution, plan for domestic jobs or measures to support farmers towards the route to national industrialization, “Mr. Benjie Valbuena added.

In essence, Pres. Duterte’s economic agenda will also deepen neoliberalism which may result in the removal of Constitutional restrictions on foreign capital, new unequal free trade deals and a tax system that burdens the poor majority thus undermining our country’s socio-economic conditions and prospects to genuine development.

Expectations for change as promised by the Duterte government is high and now is the opportune time to turn back on neoliberalism and take a policy independent of foreign and business dictates and start a genuine domestic industry plans. Repudiation of the continuation of neoliberal policies and free trade agreements and reverse decades of privatizing education, health, housing and other social services.

We have not forgotten the lessons from Ka Andres’ unfinished revolution. Our country have no future is such a rotten set-up of plunder and US imperialism’s control in our socio-economic, political and cultural affairs. Our brethren during Ka Andres time have proven the might of pursuing the national democratic revolution. This is our continuing task to free our nation from foreign domination and pursue just and lasting peace. # #

NO ERASURES, NO REVISIONS: Progressive and prominent leaders from the education sector say No Erasures, No Revisions, Marcos no hero! University of the Philippines, ACT Teachers Partylist, Alliance of Concerned teachers, represent! (l-r) University of the Philippines Chancellor Michael Tan, Honorable Antonio Tinio, ACTChairperson Benjie Valbuena arousing, mobilizing, and organizing for the Education Sector Against the Rehabilitation of the Marcoses!

Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?

Mga g**o at kawani ng bayan, karapatan natin ang sapat at nakabubuhay na sahod at tungkulin natin itong igiit at ipaglaban para sa mas maalwang buhay. Sa kabila ng mas mahal na bilihin at bayarin, nararapat lamang na itaas ang sahod at ibaba ang buwis ng mamamayan.

Sa muling pagbubukas ng kongreso, ipagpatuloy natin ang limang taong paninindigan!

Gamitin ang ating opisyal na mga hashtag para sa ating selfie, groupie at posts.

Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?
Mga g**o at kawani ng bayan, karapatan natin ang sapat at nakabubuhay na sahod at tungkulin natin itong igiit at ipaglaban para sa mas maalwang buhay.
Sa kabila ng mas mahal na bilihin at bayarin, nararapat lamang na itaas ang sahod at ibaba ang buwis ng mamamayan.

Sa muling pagbubukas ng kongreso, ipagpatuloy natin ang limang taong paninindigan!

Gamitin ang ating opisyal na mga hashtag para sa ating selfie, groupie at posts.

Ngayon na ang para sa Salary Increase nating mga g**o at kawani. Tama na ang forever na salary freeze sa panahon ni Aquino. Sama-sama nating ipaglaban at ipagtagumpay ang makatarungan at nakabubuhay na sweldo!
This is a call to teachers, families, and friends. To support, please post your selfie on FB holding a poster.

Ngayon na ang para sa Salary Increase nating mga g**o at kawani. Tama na ang forever na salary freeze sa panahon ni Aquino. Sama-sama nating ipaglaban at ipagtagumpay ang makatarungan at nakabubuhay na sweldo!

This is a call to teachers, families, and friends. To support, please post your selfie on FB holding a poster.

Pagbati para sa mahuhusay at makabayang kaguruan sa buong kapuluan! Sa pagdiriwang ng World Teachers' Day, pinagpupugayan ng ACT Teachers Party-list at Alliance of Concerned Teachers ang militante, progresibo at makabayang pagkilos ng mga g**o para sa trabaho, edukasyon, karapatan at kalayaan!
Ngunit sa kabila ng rekognisyon sa ating hanay bilang mga bayani ng bansa, hindi lubos ang ating pagdiriwang sapagkat patuloy isinasantabi ng DepED at ng pamahalaan ang ating mga hinaing:
Una, matagal nang panawagan ang karagdagang sahod ngunit mabagal at kung mayroon man, nababalitaang napakaliit lamang ang aaprubahang umento sa sahod natin na mas lalo pang liliit dahil sa mga kaltas ng buwis, GSIS at mga katulad.
Ikalawa, hangad nating mga g**o at ng malawak na hanay ng sektor ng edukasyon na magkaroon ng isang sistemang pang-edukasyon na tunay na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng bansa ngunit pahirap at makadayuhang K to 12 ang inihain ng DepED at ng pamahalaan. Ibayong kakulangan sa mga kagamitan at pasilidad ang ating kinakaharap.
Ikatlo, hindi na nga nagagawang tugunan ng pamahalaang ang pangangailangan ng mga katutubong Lumad at iba pang mga komunidad sa Mindanao at iba pang bahagi ng Pilipinas, pagpapabaya at agresyong militar ang ipinalalaganap nito sa mga paaralan at komunidad.
Sa pagdiriwang ng World Teachers' Day, ipinagluluksa natin ang lubusang pagsasantabi ng pamahalaang US-Aquino sa nakapanlulumong kalagayan ng mga g**o at ng sektor ng edukasyon!
Dumalo sa ating "Walk fo Peace and Justice" sa October 5 at ipanawagan ang sapat at nakabubuhay na sahod, makabayang edukasyon at pagpapalayas sa tropang militar ng AFP sa kanayunan at hayaang makapag-aral ang atutubo sa mga paaralan.

Ipasa, pagkabasa!

Pagbati para sa mahuhusay at makabayang kaguruan sa buong kapuluan! Sa pagdiriwang ng World Teachers' Day, pinagpupugayan ng ACT Teachers Party-list at Alliance of Concerned Teachers ang militante, progresibo at makabayang pagkilos ng mga g**o para sa trabaho, edukasyon, karapatan at kalayaan!

Ngunit sa kabila ng rekognisyon sa ating hanay bilang mga bayani ng bansa, hindi lubos ang ating pagdiriwang sapagkat patuloy isinasantabi ng DepED at ng pamahalaan ang ating mga hinaing:

Una, matagal nang panawagan ang karagdagang sahod ngunit mabagal at kung mayroon man, nababalitaang napakaliit lamang ang aaprubahang umento sa sahod natin na mas lalo pang liliit dahil sa mga kaltas ng buwis, GSIS at mga katulad.

Ikalawa, hangad nating mga g**o at ng malawak na hanay ng sektor ng edukasyon na magkaroon ng isang sistemang pang-edukasyon na tunay na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng bansa ngunit pahirap at makadayuhang K to 12 ang inihain ng DepED at ng pamahalaan. Ibayong kakulangan sa mga kagamitan at pasilidad ang ating kinakaharap.

Ikatlo, hindi na nga nagagawang tugunan ng pamahalaang ang pangangailangan ng mga katutubong Lumad at iba pang mga komunidad sa Mindanao at iba pang bahagi ng Pilipinas, pagpapabaya at agresyong militar ang ipinalalaganap nito sa mga paaralan at komunidad.

Sa pagdiriwang ng World Teachers' Day, ipinagluluksa natin ang lubusang pagsasantabi ng pamahalaang US-Aquino sa nakapanlulumong kalagayan ng mga g**o at ng sektor ng edukasyon!

Dumalo sa ating "Walk fo Peace and Justice" sa October 5 at ipanawagan ang sapat at nakabubuhay na sahod, makabayang edukasyon at pagpapalayas sa tropang militar ng AFP sa kanayunan at hayaang makapag-aral ang atutubo sa mga paaralan.



Ipasa, pagkabasa!

SC Justice Carpio:
“Since the President and the DBM Secretary approved and issued NBC (National Budget Circular) 541, they are considered the authors of the unconstitutional act. As a consequence, neither the President nor the DBM Secretary can invoke the equitable doctrine of operative fact although they may raise other defenses,”

Carpio, Brion want Aquino, Abad held liable for DAP MANILA, Philippines—Two senior justices of the Supreme Court said President Benigno Aquino III and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad should be held liable for unconstitutional acts under

He was responding to questions raised by Rep. Antonio Tinio of party-list group Alliance of Concerned Teachers.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/26/15/2-state-firms-pork-scam-abolished

2 state firms in 'pork' scam abolished MANILA - Two government corporations under the Department of Agriculture (DA), which the Commission on Audit (COA) has linked to the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam, have been abolished.

State auditors has slammed the Aquino government for alleged violations of constitutional provisions on transparency when it allegedly failed to disclose contingent liabilities reaching P1.3 trillion as of December 2013.

COA: Aquino gov’t fails to disclose P1.3 trillion in contingent liabilities | mb.com.ph | Philippine News Manila Bulletin, the nation's leading newspaper, brings you the latest news and current events in the Philippines and abroad daily, since 1900.

State auditors have directed officers and accountants of concerned regional offices (ROs) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to submit the required documents to support P167.05 billion in fund transfers that the agency made.
In a 2013 audit report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said the transfer of DBM Administered Funds to local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies totaling P167,052,837,290.68 was not covered by required documents.

http://www.manilatimes.net/p167-b-dbm-fund-transfers-illegal-coa/184914/

P167-B DBM fund transfers illegal – COA - The Manila Times Online State auditors have directed officers and accountants of concerned regional offices (ROs) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to submit the required documents to support P167.05 billion in fund transfers that the agency made. In a 2013 audit … Read more »

‘Even as we seek truth and accountability with regard to the Binays, we reiterate our demand -- ‘Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot (Everyone involved should be held accountable)’,”
“Those who have long misused public funds and/or juggled the national budget for illegal and self-serving ends should also be held accountable, from President Benigno Aquino III (and) Budget Secretary (Florencio) Butch Abad as well as the administration allies who have been tagged as clients of Janet Napoles,” Bayan said.

Get Binay ... and PNoy, Abad, allies too - Bayan Vice President Jejomar Binay should be prosecuted for plunder over allegations of amassing illegal wealth, but doing so 'should not be used to cover-up the far bigger systemic corruption' perpetuated by the administration, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Saturday.

What we need is an increase in our monthly pay and not a sham and deceptive performance-based system. We reiterate our call for the immediate granting of P25,000 for teachers and P6,000 for employees as entry monthly pay. We do not believe that the government has no enough budget for this as seen in his huge chunks of amount allocated for his BS Aquino’s own pork barrel and other anomalous program and over his recent pronouncement seeking an increase in the perks and bonuses of the executives of the Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs). Tiba-tiba na nga ang executives na ito sa milyunes na bonuses nila taun-taon, dadagdagan pa. Hindi sila ang nangangailangan ng dagdag benepisyo pagkat busog na busog na sila. Kaming mga malilit, kaming mga g**o at kawani ang higit na nangangailangan ng dagdag benepisyo at sahod,” ended Mr. Valbuena.

Teachers hit BS Aquino’s another sham incentive system for teachers and government employees,... Teachers hit BS Aquino’s another sham incentive system for teachers and government employees, reiterate calls for salary increase instead PRESS STATEMENT May 17, 2015 For Reference: Mr. Benjie Valbuena, National Chair +63 916 -229 4515 Quezon City, Philippines – The militant Alliance of Concerned Te…