Following her remark that irked many teachers in the country, controversial actress Rosanna Roces has issued an apology.

In an interview with ABS-CBN's TV Patrol World aired last night, January 12, the former sexy actress said that she is saddened that her comment on Showtime resulted in a 20-day preventive suspension of the program. She pointed out the "self-regulation" that the Kapamilya network already imposed on her even before the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) could call its attention. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)

ABS-CBN immediately removed Rosanna as one of Showtime's celebrity judges after blurting out offensive comments against  teachers. The announcement of Rosanna's removal was made on SNN that night, January 7.

The actress reiterated that she was not criticizing all teachers. She also argued that she has the liberty "to say whatever I want to say."

Rosanna expessed her gratitude to ABS-CBN for giving her an opportunity to explain her side of the issue: "Nagpapasalamat ako sa ABS-CBN dahil binigyan nila ako ng pagkakataong humingi ng paumanhin sa aking naging pahayag sa Showtime. Naramdaman kong nakahanap ako ng tunay na kapamilya sa ABS-CBN dahil hindi nila ako iniwan sa ere. Kung sa ibang network, gaya ng naranasan ko noon, ay iniwan ako at pinabayaang magpaliwanag mag-isa."

MORE TEACHERS CRY FOUL. Although Rosanna already apologized for what she had said, many teachers are still reacting to her statement after one of the contestants failed to answer her question about National Hero Jose Rizal.

After the performance of the group from Calamba, Laguna, the celebrity judge asked one of its members why Rizal's full name is Jose Protacio Rizal when his father's name was Francisco Mercado and his mother's name was Teodora Alonzo.

When the contestant couldn't answer the question, Rosanna told him: "Murahin mo yung teacher mo, ha! Ako, minura ko yung teacher ko nung hindi niya sinagot sa akin 'yan. Oo, walanghiya 'yang mga teacher na 'yan, hindi sinasabi yung totoo sa atin, e! Ikaw, taga-roon ka hindi mo alam."

In a report by GMA News.tv, Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) national chairperson Benjo Basas said, "How come a very influential entertainment figure would utter such comment against teachers [on] national television?"

Basas added that Rosanna's statement is an insult to all educators in the country. Basas emphasized the second statement of Rosanna: "Pero mga kabataan, huwag kayong makuntento sa itinuturo ng libro at ng teacher. Magtatanong po kayo, hindi masama iyon. Oo, dahil ang mga teachers, they were just repeaters. Itinuturo nila kung ano ang itinuro sa kanila. Hindi na nila itinuturo kung ano ang gustong malaman ng mga bata."

The TDC head explained, "The first two sentences of her comment may be true in a given context. However, we could not pardon the third, which gives the entire message of the remark—teachers do not have the capacity to critically analyze the teaching and learning process."

The group also commended MTRCB for imposing a 20-day suspension on Showtime. However, Basas believes that ABS-CBN's decision to pull out Rosanna from the celebrity judges' panel is  enough, and the suspension order should be lifted. 

Basas's opinion was echoed by Quezon City Public School Teachers Association (QCPSTA) president France Castro, who said in a separate interview with TV Patrol World that the sanction should be given only to the actress and not on the show. 

"Di ako pabor na masuspindi ang Showtime, si Osang lang," said Castro. "Dapat siyang humingi ng public apology sa hanay ng kaguruan at pamilya namin. Ibu-boycott namin siya. Napaka-iresponsable ng ganung pahayag ni Osang, dapat siyang bumalik sa school at nang maturuan ng GMRC [Good Manners and Right Conduct]."

ABS-CBN APPEALS. The Kapamilya Network filed an appeal before the Court of Appeals yesterday, January 12.