STC cleared of child abuse

CEBU, Philippines - The child abuse complaint filed against Saint Theresa’s College President Sister Purisima Pe was dismissed because the complainant was no longer interested to pursue the case.

Prosecutor Gandhi Truya said that since the complainant issued an affidavit of desistance, he found no reason to proceed with the investigation.

 “Wherefore, premises considered, it is respectfully recommended that the instant case be dismissed,” the one-page resolution reads.

City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon approved Truya’s resolution.

One of the five students who were barred form attending their graduation rites filed a complaint before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

She said the school “unjustly” imposed sanctions on them for excluding them in the commencement exercises last March 30, 2012.

The minors were sanctioned after they violated the school rules for posting “obscene” photos in a social networking site, Facebook.

Judge Wilfredo Navarro of Regional Trial Court Branch 20 issued a temporary restraining order directing the school to allow the minors to fully participate in the commencement exercises.

However, the school defied the order.

STC’s Counsel Joan Largo said the resolution of the City Prosecutor’s Office “is a welcome development.”

She said the complaint was dismissed based on the statement of the minor that Pe “did not commit the offense charged.”

“It sends a clear signal to the different parties involved that it is time to put the issues behind us and derive valuable lessons on the joint obligation of parents and schools to mold a child into responsible and mature citizen,” the text message reads.

Lawyer Cornelio Mercado told The FREEMAN that the minor and the school arrived at a compromise agreement that the school will not file a countercharge if the minors will withdraw their case.

Mercado however clarified that he is no longer the legal counsel of the minor.

Meanwhile, the complaints of unjust vexation and child abuse filed by another minor against STC is still pending. — (FREEMAN)