CEBU, Philippines - This time, it is Saint Theresa’s College that is filing charges.
The school yesterday filed, through lawyer Joan Largo, a criminal complaint for a violation of Article VI, Section 10 of Republic Act 7610 or child abuse in relation to Article 59 of Presidential Decree 603 or child and youth welfare code before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
This an off-shoot of the case filed by parents of three graduating high school students, who were barred from the graduation rites for alleged violation of school policies.
The complainants were Sister Ma. Purisima Pe, directress of STC; Mussolini Yap, assistant principal; Salome Lape; Maria Teresa Atienza; and Jo-ann Zaldumbide.
The FREEMAN is withholding the name of the respondents.
In their complaint-affidavit, Pe and others alleged that the parents of three minors committed a violation of child abuse for their failure to supervise their children.
“That these minors were able to enter the bar, be served with and drink hard liquor and smoke; that these minors were indecent in their actions as evidenced by the lack of restraint in displaying the private parts of their bodies and in roaming around town showing off their undergarment, are conclusive evidence of lack of parental control and supervision,” the complaint-affidavit read.
They added that the negligence of the parents to guide their children is leading to “immoral and dissolute lives.”
Made at fault
Pe and others said when they called the parents of the minors over a violation of posting “obscene” photos in a social networking site; they were made at fault and in fact filed cases against them and the school.
They argued such photos uploaded were contrary to the teachings of the school and its rules and regulations.
“They caused and encouraged these minor children/wards to engage in immoral and dissolute life when respondents sued the very persons who disciplined and called the attention of these minors to their unlawful, immoral and dissolute ways, thereby sending the unlawful message that there is nothing wrong in the illegal and immoral ways of their children/wards,” the complaint further read.
Moreover, complainants said one of the parents issued a statement before the media that they see nothing wrong with the photos.
“The effect now of the failure of respondents to discipline their children and to call the attention of these minors to their immoral and dissolute ways is that these children see nothing wrong with their act of drinking, smoking and exposing their bodies to the public.”
Largo and co-counsel Bernardito Florido, in their press statement, stated the parents were the partners of the school of molding the students to a decent life and to attain the vision-mission of the school.
“The school and the parents have the same goal -- that of forming the child to become whole, mature, happy and fulfilled individual who will live responsibly in society to which she belongs and is called to serve,” they said.
They added as Christians, the school and its administration are willing and ready for reconciliation, but parents must uphold the “primordial requirement of parental responsibility.”
Meanwhile, defense counsel Cornelio Mercado said in a text message “tsk..tsk…very interesting must be very restless and disturbed eager to hear her (Pe) testify in court.”
TRO
Earlier, a day before the graduation, Judge Wilfredo Navarro issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the school. He directed the respondents of the civil case for injunction and damages to allow the said students to fully participate in the commencement exercises.
Unfortunately, the school and its administration did not heed the order citing two reasons — there was a standing motion for reconsideration pertaining to the granting of TRO and the order itself was defective of not requiring the petitioner to put up bond (money) to cover whatever damages. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)