On December 10, Manila Public School Teachers Association (MPSTA) members picketed before the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, to file an administrative case against Department of Education (DepEd) Manila Schools Division Superintendent Rita E. Riddle. The case for grave misconduct and gross abuse of authority stems from Riddle’s harassment and intimidation of teachers.

MPSTA president Hogier Villarias said they went to the Ombudsman to hold Riddle accountable. The case is based on Riddle’s harassment of around 200 teachers who participated in a protest on May 15. The protest was against Riddle’s Division Memorandum 219 s. 2024 which canceled the 30-day break for teachers in June.

Riddle filed cases against 22 teachers in the Professional Regulation Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman, citing alleged “violation of ethical and professional standards for professional teachers.” The MPSTA believes that these cases clearly aim to suppress the legitimate right of teachers to organize and express their concerns.

“Why retaliate with harassment and intimidation when teachers speak up for their rights? Defending teachers’ rights and education is not a crime,” said Villarias. The teacher leader added that criminalizing resistance to the abuse of power must cease.

According to the MPSTA, Riddle’s actions reflect a broader pattern of state attacks against progressive organizations and individuals who stand up for their rights. “In times of severe economic and educational crisis, teachers more urgently need to speak out and fight for their rights. We will not be silenced by these intimidation tactics,” stated Villarias.

Before the protest at the Ombudsman’s office, MPSTA members picketed before the DepEd Manila office on Arroceros Street to hold the division and its officials accountable. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) NCR Union and ACT Philippines joined the protest and supported the MPSTA.

ACT Philippines called those in education sector, human rights advocates, and other democratic organizations to support the MPSTA’s fight. “The right to organize and protest is not a crime,” the group added.