TEACHER FRANCE SLAMS INC RALLY AS ATTEMPT TO SHIELD SARA FROM ACCOUNTABILITY

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro criticized the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-sponsored rally planned for January 13, calling it a deliberate attempt to shield Vice President Sara Duterte from accountability regarding corruption allegations.

"This rally is not about peace and unity. It's a calculated move to protect Vice President Duterte from answering serious allegations about her misuse of confidential funds and her accountability for the deteriorating quality of education in our country," Castro said.

The lawmaker highlighted the rally’s timing, noting that it coincides with increasing public calls for accountability. She pointed to a recent Social Weather Stations survey, which revealed that 41% of Filipinos support the impeachment of VP Duterte.

"The Filipino people deserve answers about the unexplained use of confidential funds. As a former Education Secretary, VP Duterte must also answer for the alarming decline in our students' performance in international assessments for math, English, and science during her watch," Castro added.

Castro further emphasized that true peace and unity cannot be achieved by stifling legitimate calls for accountability.

"Walang rally ang makapagbubura sa katotohanang dapat managot ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno sa kanilang mga ginawa. Ang milyong Pilipinong sumusuporta sa impeachment ay humihingi ng hustisya at pananagutan, hindi political theatrics. Walang tunay na kapayapaan kung walang hustisya," Castro concluded.