INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he favors the filing of charges against teachers who skipped poll duties during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections but only if they have no valid reason.

Over 2,500 teachers backed out from serving, the Commission on Elections said.

“I support that. Bakit? Pinaghandaan ‘yan. They were trained at pinaka-importante sa lahat ay ‘yung mismong araw ng eleksiyon. This is suffrage. This is the right to vote. Tapos isipin mo, just because of their act, [will you deny] people that right to suffrage? That’s unthinkable,” Abalos said.

However, he clarified that if the teachers had valid reasons then filing charges will not be necessary.

“We must also look at the reason. Baka mamaya naman ay talagang ‘yung lugar ay nakakatakot,” the DILG chief said.

“Let me reiterate, if for no reason at all ay ganyan ang ginawa, I am with Comelec chair George Garcia, dapat lang na makasuhan. However, we should look at the reason. If there’s a valid reason for backing out, then we understand,” he added.