Malacañang reacts to a cellphone restriction in Dumanjug, Cebu, where a school rule effective June 29 allows students to bring phones to school but subjects them to confiscation. According to the policy described by local reports, school authorities seize any cellphones brought by students and return the devices only at the end of the school year. At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro says the measure aims to help students concentrate and that the intention is “good.” However, she does not rule on the overall ban and instead says she cannot determine whether the penalty is appropriate or reasonable, given that confiscation lasts for the rest of the academic year. The Palace position therefore focuses on the proportionality of the punishment rather than challenging the objective of limiting distractions. The government response reflects uncertainty about the rule’s effect on students and families, even as it acknowledges the stated goal of improving classroom focus.