Actor Jake Ejercito has strongly criticized the Philippine government over a now-viral video of teachers in Sarangani province crossing a raging river due to the absence of a bridge—calling it not heroism, but a sign of “neglect and betrayal.”
The video, originally posted by public school teacher Jailene Tusan, showed educators from Akbual IP School in Barangay Upper Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani, risking their lives to get home after classes were suspended due to heavy rains.
“The teachers in the mountains will be swimming in floodwaters again. Welcome to Akbual IP School during the rainy season,” Jailene captioned her post (translated to English).
The clip, which was widely shared by news outlets and hailed by some as a display of “modern-day heroism,” drew criticism from Ejercito.
“Just calling this ‘heroism’ lets the gov’t off the hook. This is plain neglect and betrayal,” the actor posted on X (formerly Twitter). “These teachers and many others across the country need more than praise — they need basic dignity and real solutions.”
Just calling this “heroism” lets the gov’t off the hook. This is plain neglect and betrayal
These teachers and many others across the country need more than praise— they need basic dignity and real solutions https://t.co/9iVa52rlr5
— jake ejercito (@unoemilio) June 22, 2025
Ejercito’s comment quickly gained traction online, resonating with netizens who echoed his call for systemic change.
Jailene later confirmed that she herself had crossed the river after filming her fellow teachers being helped by concerned residents. According to her, during low tide, they rely on habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) to cross the riverbed.
The Department of Education classifies Akbual IP School as one of its “Last Mile Schools”—institutions in geographically isolated and underserved areas that often lack basic infrastructure, technology, and government support.
Meanwhile, PAGASA attributed the heavy rains that caused the flooding to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which brings frequent and intense rainfall to parts of the Philippines.
