Screengrab from DepEd Teachers Union

The DepEd Teachers Union (DTU) is making some serious waves with their latest call for action. As we gear up for the 2025 midterm elections, the union is stepping into the spotlight, urging a big change in the way we handle our voting technology. Their main target? Smartmatic.

The DTU, which has always championed the rights of public school teachers, is raising alarms about Smartmatic’s voting technology. These teachers are on the front lines during elections, not just as educators but also as election workers. They’re calling for a system that they can trust to be as reliable and transparent as they are in their roles.

So, what’s the fuss all about? Well, Smartmatic has had its fair share of controversies. Remember the 2022 elections? Over 1,800 Smartmatic machines malfunctioned, affecting around 1.1 million voters. That’s a lot of people left waiting and wondering if their votes were counted.

And it doesn’t stop there. Recently, Smartmatic has been under a cloud of suspicion after the US Grand Jury indicted its executives and former Comelec Chief Andres Bautista for bribery and money laundering. This scandal allegedly helped Smartmatic secure and keep their business, which some believe influenced the 2016 elections.

The DTU is calling on the government to step up and make sure our election systems are not only fully functional but also secure. They’re pushing for Smartmatic to be kicked to the curb, advocating for a system that guarantees our teachers and election workers can do their jobs without any tech hiccups.

As we look ahead to the elections, the DTU is rallying all teachers, election workers, and the public to stay alert and engaged. After all, the integrity of our democracy depends on all of us working together to ensure a fair and transparent process.