Alleged replacement of DOST-trained teachers for elections in Cotabato under investigation

Over 200 public school teachers were protesting at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Thursday as Electoral Board (EB) members in Cotabato City were allegedly replaced by Islamic teachers from Madaris schools who did not receive training nor certification from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). To recall, DOST oversees the upskilling activities and certification of teachers working in the polls on Election Day, this in accordance to the Automated Election Law (Republic Act No. 9369).

“The teachers were surprised upon learning that they were removed and others were designated to handle the Vote Counting Machines (VCMs),” Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said in a Radyo Pilipinas interview.

Speaking in the same interview, COMELEC–BARMM Director Rey Sumalipao explained that the issue can be traced from an earlier memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTE-BARMM) and retired COMELEC chairperson Sheriff Abas. The MBHTE-BARMM have not yet released a statement as of writing time.

The said MOA gave authority to the regional education office “to recommend” teachers to serve the polls. Nonetheless, Sumalipao agreed with the mayor that untrained teachers “cannot serve as election board members.”

In a press briefing on the same day, COMELEC Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said verification of the report is under way. They are also looking into grounds to actually replace the teachers since there are existing procedures.

“Kasi one of the requirements para makapag-serve ‘yung isang electoral board, one of the members or electoral board must be certified by the DOST,” the commissioner said, “So kapag pinalitan yun ng di certified magkakaproblema tayo doon.”

As of April 2022, two areas in Lanao del Sur (Marawi City, Maguing) and six areas in Maguindanao (Buluan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, Mangudadatu, Pandag, Sultan Kudarat) are currently under COMELEC control. Both provinces are part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).