Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Tuesday hit back at Malacañang over remarks by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro that appeared to link some teachers to the country’s culture of violence following the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga High School that left two students dead.Castro, while discussing the shooting incident, said some teachers themselves violate standards of morality.“Minsan na po nating nakita, mismong ang ibang mga guro, ay lumalabag sa ganitong klase ng moralidad. Sila minsan ang nagtuturo sa kanilanh mga estudyante kung paano maging walang modo, lalong-lalo na sa mga nakatatanda o sa ibang mga tao,” Castro said.ACT condemned the remarks, describing them as a “reckless and insulting tirade” and accusing the government of shifting responsibility for the broader culture of violence onto teachers.“Malacañang is pointing fingers yet again, shifting the blame for the country’s culture of violence onto teachers and accusing us of failing to instill good manners among learners,” the teachers’ group said.ACT said the remarks were an attempt to make teachers the scapegoats for problems that, it argued, are rooted in deeper failures within the government and the education system.“We, teachers, are among the victims of this culture of violence. For decades, we have suffered chronic government neglect, inadequate support, deplorable working conditions, crushing workloads, and attacks on our rights and freedoms,” the group said.It also said teachers have experienced what it described as “festering state violence,” including alleged human and trade union rights violations, repression, intimidation, and the silencing of dissent.Rather than addressing these issues, ACT accused the Marcos administration of diverting public attention from its own failures while publicly emphasizing values and discipline.“Instead of confronting these realities, the Marcos Jr. administration once again diverts public attention from its own failures,” ACT said.The group also criticized government spending priorities, alleging that public funds continue to be directed toward corruption, and what it called the “machinery of institutionalized state repression.”ACT said these priorities have left schools, teachers and learners without sufficient resources and support.“The administration’s priorities are painfully clear: there is money for projects that serve political interests and consolidate power, but never enough for classrooms, teachers, education support personnel, learning materials, and the protection and welfare of learners,” it said.The teachers’ group called on the government to address what it described as violence, neglect, inequality and impunity instead of blaming educators.“The government cannot lecture teachers about the values it has repeatedly failed to uphold itself,&quot; ACT said.The shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga High School, which killed two students, has renewed scrutiny of school safety and the broader factors contributing to violence in educational institutions.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Tuesday hit back at Malacañang over remarks by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro that appeared to link some teachers to the country’s culture of violence following the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga High School.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Tuesday hit back at Malacañang over remarks by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro that appeared to link some teachers to the country’s culture of violence following the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga High School.

ACT hits back at Malacañang over remarks linking teachers to culture of violence

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ACT hits back at Malacañang over remarks linking teachers to culture of violence

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2026 09:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Teachers

Alliance of Concerned Teachers

Zamboanga Shooting

Malacañang

Education

Claire Castro

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