Francisca Lustina Castro (born May 24, 1966) is a Filipino educator, trade union activist, and politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines for the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).
France Castro | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for ACT Teachers | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2016 Serving with Antonio Tinio (2016–2019) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francisca Lustina Castro May 24, 1966 Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, Philippines |
| Political party | Makabayan (2016-present) ACT Teachers (partylist) |
| Alma mater | Philippine Normal University (BSE[a]) |
Early life and education
editCastro's father was a driver and her mother was a housewife. Castro and her four siblings all graduated from public schools.[1]
Castro took BSE[b] Math at the Philippine Normal University where she graduated cum laude. She had intended to become an accountant but her family could not afford to send her to a private school. In college, she was a member of the League of Filipino Students.[1] Castro is the former secretary general of the ACT.[2]
Political career
editHouse of Representatives (2016–present)
editCastro was first elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 2016, as a party-list representative for the Alliance of Concerned Teachers.
In 2019, Castro co-authored an anti-endo bill that sought to give workers security of tenure by the ending the practice of labor contractualization.[3]
In 2020, Castro joined fellow lawmakers in protesting the passage of House Bill number 6875, which eventually became the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.[4]
In 2022, Castro was appointed as a deputy minority leader.[5]
2025 Philippine Senate campaign
editOn June 26, 2024, during commemorations for the 42nd anniversary of the ACT, Castro declared her candidacy for the 2025 Philippine Senate election.[6]
Political positions
editCastro supported the franchise renewal for broadcast company ABS-CBN in 2020.[7]
Criminal charges
editOn November 28, 2018, Satur Ocampo, Castro and over 70 others were arrested on kidnapping and human trafficking charges over the transport of Lumad minors from the town of Talaingod, Davao Del Norte. Ocampo's group was released after posting bail of PHP80,000.00 each.[8]
In July 2024, Tagum City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 Jimmy Bustillo Boco, in a 26-page judgment sentenced Satur Ocampo, ACT-Teachers Castro and 11 other convicts to an indeterminate penalty of 4 years to 6 years imprisonment, including P10,000 as civil indemnity and P10,000 as moral damages.[9] The accused known as “Talaingod 18” violated Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610, for endangerment of 14 Lumad students of the Salugpongan Ta Tanu Ingkanogan Community Learning Center Inc. in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.[10] In December 2024, the Talaingod Ata-Manobo Tribal Council filed an ethics case with Philippine House Committee on Ethics and Privileges against Castro, based on her 2018 Court conviction.[11]
Awards
editIn 2019, she was awarded the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights for her work organizing teachers[12] and the Febe Velasquez Trade Union Rights Award for her work in defense of trade unions and human rights.[2]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Umil, Anne Marxze (October 11, 2011). "France Castro: teacher, friend, activist". Bulatlat. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ a b "France Castro of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers: "President Duterte is scared of the words 'human rights'"". Equal Times. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Cepeda, Mara (2019-08-05). "Despite Duterte veto, Makabayan bloc refiles anti-endo bill in House". Rappler. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
- ^ Cepeda, Mara (2020-06-03). "'Draconian' anti-terror bill, feared to be used vs gov't critics, hurdles Congress". Rappler. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
- ^ "House minority bloc officers bared; here they are". Manila Bulletin.
- ^ Balancio, Joyce (2024-06-26). "Rep. France Castro to run for Senate in 2025". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ Yap, D. J. (2020-01-28). "Makabayan bloc files bill seeking ABS-CBN franchise renewal". Inquirer. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
- ^ LOOK: Satur Ocampo, lawmaker charged with kidnapping, human trafficking - ABS-CBN News
- ^ Laqui, Ian (July 15, 2024). "Rep. France Castro, Satur Ocampo guilty of 'endangering minors' –court". Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ Tejano, Ivy (July 15, 2024). "Tagum court convicts Rep. France Castro, Satur Ocampo of child abuse". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ Barro II, Dexter (December 10, 2024). "Castro faces ethics complaint from IP leaders, claims it's 'revenge". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "France Castro of the Philippines set to receive Arthur Svensson Prize 2019". ITUC CSI IGB. April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2022.