The Ating Guro-Teachers Dignity Crusade (Ating Guro-TDC) Partylist has condemned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for blocking their participation in the 2025 partylist elections, vowing to challenge the decision before the Supreme Court. 

The group claims this decision undermines democratic principles and the representation of marginalized sectors.

“This was Comelec’s chance to uphold the true spirit of the partylist law providing a voice and representation in Congress for ordinary citizens,” said JR Dona, secretary-general of Ating Guro-TDC, expressing disappointment over the denial of their petition. He said the party fully complied with Comelec’s requirements. 

“Teachers and workers in the education sector know full well that Ating Guro-TDC is a genuine party that has consistently represented the concerns of teachers, employees, and ordinary citizens,” Dona said in a statement.

The party criticized Comelec for focusing on technicalities while ignoring significant issues. 

In its August 2 decision, Comelec dismissed Ating Guro-TDC due to alleged deficiencies. 

Dona argued that the group submitted all documents required for clarification, “promptly and in full compliance with their directives after the hearing.”

Since its founding in 2010, Ating Guro-TDC has fought for the rights of teachers and education workers. 

The party nearly secured seats in the 2013 and 2016 elections but faced obstacles due to technicalities. 

In 2022, they added “TDC,” or Teachers Dignity Crusade, to their name to reinforce their commitment to teachers’ rights.

Despite the setback, Ating Guro-TDC thanked Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia and Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. for supporting their petition. 

“The support from the Comelec Chairman and another commissioner known for his vigilance against bogus partylist groups is a moral victory for us,” Dona added.