Principal Speaks Out on Bretman Rock Donation Controversy
The principal of Sanchez Mira Central Elementary School released a public statement denying accusations that he pocketed the ₱555,000 donation sent by former pupil Bretman Rock.
He explained that the money was sent to his personal account through a team representing the donor, not directly from Bretman himself. Because of this, he became cautious and wanted to make sure the transaction was legitimate. He said he received a document related to the donation and chose to consult a lawyer first so he could fully understand the terms and avoid any legal issues. The process took time because he wanted to be careful and responsible.
To confirm the truth about the donation, the principal also contacted a faculty member who had a connection to Bretman’s family. At first, the family was not aware of it, so it took a few weeks before everything was confirmed. Once they verified that the donation was real and that the money had already been transferred, he informed some teachers but asked them to keep it private while the school planned how to use it properly. The school then discussed possible projects and decided to coordinate with the local government’s engineering office to prepare a plan. They initially wanted to use the money to continue building a classroom because the school needed more space for students.
Later, when a project was finalized, the principal withdrew the full amount and turned it over to the PTA treasurer for proper handling and implementation. He said he has records to prove that the money was not kept for personal use. He added that the accusations affected his reputation and his family, and he maintained that his conscience is clear and that the donation was used for the benefit of the school.
The issue started when Bretman Rock shared in a podcast that he donated ₱550,000 to his former school to give back. Some teachers were unaware of the donation and began asking questions, which caused confusion. Bretman then contacted his cousin, who works at the school, and his mother also stepped in to help clarify the situation. In the end, the matter was settled, and the donation was properly acknowledged.