Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Representative France Castro announced on Wednesday her candidacy for the 2025 senatorial race, aiming to become the voice of the teachers and education sector.

In an interview with The EdLines, Castro expressed gratitude for the support she received from retired teachers, who recently urged her to run for the 2025 elections during the ACT Partylist’s 42nd anniversary event. 

“So, mukhang ang hirap hindi-an at ang hirap din silang biguin sa kanilang expectation sa akin. [Their encouragement has made it difficult for me to ignore their expectations,” she shared. 

Having served as the representative of the ACT Partylist since 2016, Castro highlighted legislative efforts aimed at addressing challenges in the education system – including reforming K-12 education, increasing the education budget to at least 6% of GDP, implementing a class size limit of 35 students and improving teacher benefits.

Castro emphasized that despite bills passing through the House of Representatives, education-related issues often fail to gain traction in the Senate.  

“Nakikita natin ang pangangailangan na mayroong boses ang mga teacher, ang education sectors sa senado dahil napapansin namin na iyong aming mga panukalang batas na kahit nasa senate na ay matagal itong dini-discuss. [We see a critical need for teachers and the education sector to have a strong representation in the Senate. It’s evident that some of our proposed laws, even after reaching the Senate, languish without discussion,” Castro lamented.

“We have concrete solutions for our education system reflected in bills we’ve championed through ACT Teachers Partylist and Makabayan in the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, some have not received the attention they deserve in Congress and the Senate,” she added.

On the speculation of her potential appointment as the secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), Castro clarified her stance against the current administration.

“Ako ay natutuwa sa ating mga kaguro, mga administrador at mga netizen na nakita `yong ating kakayahan para maging secretary ng education [I am delighted by our teachers, administrators, and netizens who have seen our capability to become secretary of education],” Castro said.

“Ang appointment naman ng cabinet member ay prerogative, discretion `yan ng ating Pangulo [The appointment of a cabinet member is the prerogative and discretion of our President],” she added. 

“Hindi compatible ang mga paninindigan namin ng present administration so imposibleng mangyari iyon. [Our principles are not compatible with the present administration, so that is impossible to happen].”