No media coverage of STC habeas data hearing

CEBU, Philippines - Starting today, the public will no longer get updates on the writ of habeas data filed by the parents of two minors against Saint Theresa’s College (STC).

Regional Trial Court Branch 14 Judge Raphael Yrastorza informed the media prior to the hearing yesterday that he will not allow coverage in his courtroom.

He asked the media to leave before he started hearing the case.

The legal counsel of the minors Cornelio Mercado as well as STC’s lawyer, Joan Largo also refrained from talking about the case after the hearing.

“We will wait for the ruling of the court. Since it is a speedy trial, maybe next week or early early next week the court will decide on it,” she said.

Largo said if she will talk about the merits of the case, she may be cited in contempt.

The writ of habeas data was filed by the parents of the minors who were barred from joining the graduation rites last March 30.

This is to compel the school and computer teacher Mylene Rheza Escudero to produce the Facebook photos of the minors, which are in their possession.

In their reply, the respondents said the photos of the minors drinking liquor in bikinis and others were merely downloaded from their Facebook accounts in their presence.

Originally, there were five graduating students who were barred from joining their graduation rites but only four went to court.

The court granted their plea and issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the school to stop them from enforcing the sanction and allow the minors to particiapate in their graduation rites.

However, the school defied the order.

Almost three months since the filing of case, two of the complainants entered into a compromise agreement with the school not to pursue the case. (FREEMAN)