RTC approves agreement of STC, students

 CEBU, Philippines - The court approved the compromise agreement entered into by St. Theresa’s College and its high school students who were barred from joining the graduation rites last March.

In a September 17 order, Judge Silvestre Maamo of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 states that “finding the said compromise agreement to be not contrary to law, customs and public policy, the same is hereby approved.”

Maamo however, reminded the parties to “observe and comply with the terms” of the agreement.

The agreement states that “parties are desirous of putting an end to litigation.”

On the other hand, the school agrees to waive their counterclaim against the parents of the minors.

In a press statement, STC High School Department welcomes the development.

“STC takes the dismissal of the civil case as judicial imprimatur for the parties to put a closure to this issue, while keeping in mind the valuable lessons learned therefrom of parental responsibility and good cyber citizenship,” STC’s press statement reads.

Lawyer Joan Largo of the STC said it was only yesterday that they received a copy of the order.

She said the approval of the agreement means they will have closure to the issue.

Largo said with the approval of their compromise agreement, the court dismissed the civil case for damages.

On March 30, 2012, five minors were banned from attending their graduation rites for violating school rules by posting “obscene” photos on a social networking site, Facebook.  (FREEMAN)