Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro fired back at Senator Imee Marcos, advising her to thoroughly examine the complete facts and context before weighing in on the issue that sparked backlash from educators following the recent shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
Castro asserted that Marcos should have watched the entire press briefing prior to offering criticism, clarifying that her statements addressed a broader context regarding how adult influences affect youth behavior.
Responding to earlier backlash from the ACT Teachers Party-list—which accused her of assigning blame to educators—Castro clarified that her comments were aimed strictly at a minor subset of teachers who allegedly teach students disrespectful and offensive expressions.
“Kailangan po talaga natin ipakalat ang kahalagahan ng ‘critical thinking’,” Castro said. “Matututong makinig at intindihin ang mga sinabi ko. Panuurin muna ang buong briefing bago sumawsaw sa issue.”
She further warned the lawmaker against uncritically delivering prepared talking points from her staff.
“Huwag basta sumunod lamang sa ginawang script ng director or staff niya dahil mapapahamak siya,” she said.
Castro also called out Marcos’ line of attack, maintaining that high-ranking public officials ought to model appropriate conduct.
“Hindi dapat sa isang senador nagsisimula ang pagpapakita ng kawalang-modo o kagaspangan ng ugali,” Castro said.
The dispute erupted after Marcos came to the defense of teachers, questioning Castro’s focus on adult influence by asking, “Ano namang malay ng mga teacher?” and asserting that educators should not be held responsible for violent actions committed by minors. Marcos urged authorities instead to investigate alternative factors influencing youth behavior, such as violent media and online video games.
Maintaining that her original statements had been misconstrued, Castro countered by accusing Marcos of turning a blind eye to offensive conduct among her political companions.
“Unahin na rin niyang turuan ang mga kaalyado niyang katabi lang niya ng kagandahang asal kaysa kunsitihin ang pagmumura nila,” she added.
The heated exchange comes while investigators probe the August 18 attack at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School, where a student shot a schoolmate dead before taking his own life.
Following another fatal campus shooting in Tacloban City in June, the tragic incident has intensified national debates on gun control, campus security, and the factors driving youth violence.