A GROWING number of public school teachers took to social media Friday, November 22, to air their disappointments on how broadcaster Raffy Tulfo “humiliated” a 55-year-old teacher in his program.

“Let’s defend and fight for our colleagues,” said Cecila Olimberio, after signing an online petition in support to teacher Melita Limjuco of Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Manila.

As of Friday evening, November 22, the petition already reached over 56,000 signatories.

“Disappointing, humiliating,” added Fidelino Josol, a 51-year-old high school teacher in Leyte.

In his TV program, Tulfo asked Limjuco to either give up her license or face criminal charges after a grandmother complained the teacher for alleged child abuse.

The grandmother insisted that the teacher should quit her job after she sent her grandson out of their classroom for failing to return his report card.

The teacher asked a public apology to the grandmother, adding that she only wanted to discipline the student.

Benjo Basas, chairperson of Techers’ Dignity Coalition, also asked the teachers across the country to support Limjuco.

“What happened to her might also happen to all of us,” he said.

“Nasaan ang DepEd sa mga pangyayaring ito? Bakit tila walang statement na pagsuporta sa teacher? Teacher ang taga hubog ng ating kabataan ngunit bakit tila lagi itong napag iiwanan sa benepisyo, karapatan, pari ba naman sa hustisya?” asked another teacher Maricel Herrera.

Tulfo has yet to issue a statement over the issue.

Meanwhile, public school teachers, now reaching over 900, 000, have also raised concerns over their low pay and the implementation of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670) for their welfare and protection. (SunStar Philippines)