Ombuds suspends teacher for one month

CEBU, Philippines - A public school teacher in San Remigio town was suspended for one month without pay after she was found guilty of simple misconduct by the Office of the Ombudsman for pinching her student.

Leah Velez was accused of physical abuse by one of her pupils at San Remigio Elementary School. The incident happened on June 11, 2013.

Teresita Tuico, grandmother of the victim, said her grandson, Lyle, showed to them marks on his chest claiming it was caused by maltreatment of his teacher.

The victim said he was lying on the chair while the teacher was having her discussion, prompting her to hurt him.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Irish Inabangan-Amores said Velez is guilty of simple misconduct and is being meted the penalty of one-month suspension without pay.

“During the clarificatory hearing and in the presence of respondent who was seated just across his place, Lyle was straightforward in telling his story and accusing the respondent to have physically harmed him. There was no manifestation that he was coached of his statement,” the anti-graft body decision read.

 Velez denied pinching the victim. She said the victim was hyperactive and uncontrollable, the reason why she requested Tuico to stay within the premises of the school because it was only her who can control her grandson.

 She said she was shocked when Tuico confronted her about a bruise on the pupil’s chest after she dismissed her class in the afternoon.

Velez alleged that the pupil denied he was pinched by her when asked by another teacher. The pupil allegedly claimed it was his classmate who pinched him.

But the anti-graft investigator gave credence to the testimony of the victim because it was done in a straightforward manner.

The Ombudsman has directed the division superintendent of the Department of Education in the Province of Cebu to implement the decision.— (FREEMAN)