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France Castro

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Lustina and the surname or paternal family name is Castro.
The Honorable
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

(1966-05-24) May 24, 1966 (age 58)
Philippines
Political partyACT Teachers (partylist)
Alma materPhilippine Normal University (BSE)

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).

Early life and education[edit]

Castro’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 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[edit]

House of Representatives (2016–present)[edit]

Castro 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

Castro supported the franchise renewal for broadcast company ABS-CBN in 2020.[7]

Criminal charges[edit]

On November 28, 2018, Satur Ocampo, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Castro and over 70 others were arrested on allegations of 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]

Castro in 2024 mobilization to denounce the Tagum City court conviction.

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]

Awards[edit]

In 2019, she was awarded the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights for her work organizing teachers[11] and the Febe Velasquez Trade Union Rights Award for her work in defense of trade unions and human rights.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Umil, Anne Marxze (2011-10-11). "France Castro: teacher, friend, activist". Bulatlat. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  2. ^ a b "France Castro of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers: "President Duterte is scared of the words 'human rights'"". Equal Times. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  3. ^ Cepeda, Mara (2019-08-05). "Despite Duterte veto, Makabayan bloc refiles anti-endo bill in House". Rappler. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  4. ^ Cepeda, Mara (2020-06-03). "'Draconian' anti-terror bill, feared to be used vs gov't critics, hurdles Congress". Rappler. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  5. ^ "House minority bloc officers bared; here they are". Manila Bulletin.
  6. ^ Balancio, Joyce (2024-06-26). "Rep. France Castro to run for Senate in 2025". ABS-CBN News.
  7. ^ Yap, D. J. (2020-01-28). "Makabayan bloc files bill seeking ABS-CBN franchise renewal". Inquirer. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  8. ^ LOOK: Satur Ocampo, lawmaker charged with kidnapping, human trafficking - ABS-CBN News
  9. ^ Laqui, Ian (July 15, 2024). "Rep. France Castro, Satur Ocampo guilty of 'endangering minors' –court". Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Tejano, Ivy (July 15, 2024). "Tagum court convicts Rep. France Castro, Satur Ocampo of child abuse". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "France Castro of the Philippines set to receive Arthur Svensson Prize 2019". ITUC CSI IGB. 2019-04-29. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
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