Manila, Aug. 12 -- Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to remove the expiration period for service credits earned by public school teachers from election-related duties.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 11212-A, teachers may now claim and utilize their earned service credits at any time following their poll duties, repealing the previous rule that required credits to be availed of within three months.

Angara commended the poll body for responding swiftly to the concerns of educators nationwide regarding the need for flexible leave entitlements.

"Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga guro. Hindi biro ang magsilbi sa halalan-dinaranas nila ang matinding puyat, pagod, ...