Principal of Bretman Rock’s former school in Cagayan addresses donation controversy

February 5, 2026 – 9:08 AM

Screengrab of Miss Kaaaye (left) and Bretman Rock (right) from “DaBaddest Radio” podcast on Jan. 30, 2026 (DaBaddestRadio via YouTube)

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The principal of

Bretman Rock’s

former elementary school in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan, addressed allegations that the money donated by the Filipino-American content creator was nearly pocketed.

Adelino Pacris

, the school head, addressed the allegations against him, saying he has “no intention of pocketing” donations from the pupils of

Sanchez Mira West Central Elementary School

In the 24th episode of Bretman’s podcast

“Da Baddest Radio”

Miss Kaaaye

that he sent the money directly to the principal.

The vlogger, who has a cousin teaching at the school, later learned that the principal was “being hush-hush and being petty about it.”

Bretman said that many people at the school were asking about the donation.

Bretman said that the principal “got scared” of his mother and went to the school treasurer.

and in Reddit communities such as “

r/Philippines

” and “

r/ChikaPH

“Nakakahiya,” a

“Hindi lang mga politiko ang corrupt,” another

wrote

“Grassroot program ng corruption, ahaha,” a different

“Kulang na sa Pinoy ang integrity at honesty,” another

saidf

“Grabe corruption, pati sa schools. Nakakalungkot,” a different

Principal Pacris, however, explained that there was no corruption, saying that the huge amount remitted to his account was offered not personally by Bretman, but “by a team who acted for him.”

“I was cautious, considering that I may fall prey into a scam. So when a document was sent to me by this person with denomination, ‘Release and Agreement’, I sought the advise of a lawyer since I was not [an] expert on the matter and it contained provisions that I understand but I was afraid I could not correctly comprehend,” Pacris said.

“It took me a week or more before I signed it after fully understanding the contents of said document and consequences I may face if I violate any of the provisions therein. Also, I reached out to a faculty member, related to the family of the former pupil by affinity, to confirm with the pupil’s mother whether or not the donation was true. The mother answered in the negative but told her that she will ask her child,” he added.

“It took weeks before they confirmed that the donation was indeed true and informed us that the money had been sent to my account,” Pacris said.

The principal acknowledged that the donation was remitted to his account.

“But it is not true that I chose not to publicly disclose its existence. I informed members of my faculty about it with the information that they cannot disclose it just yet. We took the necessary steps to discuss as to what project will be implemented that will be funded by the donation,” Pacris clarified.

The principal said the amount was turned over to the Parent Teacher Association for its implementation, “only to be informed that the classroom project will not push through.”

“Instead, a different project has been decided upon. Thereafter, the total amount of Php 555,000 was withdrawn from my account and I turned over said money to the Treasurer of the PTA. I have proof to support my claims,” Pacris said.

Given this, the principal said he wishes to clear his name for his family.

“I want to clear my name as it has affected not only me and my reputation, but most importantly, my children and my wife. Again, my conscience is clean. The money was never mine to begin with,” he said.

“As school head, I would never do such [a] thing. Since I have been assigned to my present school, I thought of nothing else but to better the school, to promote and encourage the PTA to implement projects that would benefit the pupils and the school in general,” the principal said.

“Lastly, the agreed project was implemented well and the school is already enjoying the best ever project first in the district,” he concluded.

Bretman’s roots

Bretman spent part of his childhood in the Philippines before his mother took him to Hawaii when he was seven.

Despite immigrating to another country, he has maintained close ties to his Filipino roots by occasionally visiting the country, proudly wearing a “

bahag

“, and

speaking

up on some of the country’s national issues.