Cebu bishop backs Catholic school's stand on 'bikini students'

CEBU CITY, Philippines  – Archbishop of Cebu Jose Palma praised yesterday the decision of a Catholic school to bar five high school students from taking part in graduation rites for posting photographs of themselves in bikinis in their Facebook accounts.

“I affirm and I salute the decision of the STC (Saint Theresa’s College), even as I also try to understand the life of the young people,” he said.

Palma said Catholic education tries to provide solid academic education as well as Christian values to students.

“I understand the STC policy,” he said. “Practically all schools have their policy regarding what’s the proper conduct. And I appreciate STC for trying to enforce the policy.”

It is “unfortunate” that the matter was elevated to court as it might cause a negative implication to the students, Palma said.

Former Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Mienrado Paredes’ temporary restraining order (TRO) is effective with or without a bond.

“Putting bond is within the discretion of the court if the defendant of the case asked for it,” he said.

Paredes said a bond is not necessary for a TRO.

It is a must for a preliminary injunction and permanent injunction to cover whatever damages, he added.

Paredes said a TRO that an RTC issues normally last for 20 days.

It temporarily directs the subject to cease and desist from making further action, he added.

Paredes said the defendants expect the judge to issue a show cause order to explain why they should not be cited for indirect contempt.

The petitioner can also file an indirect contempt charge before the clerk of court and pay the docket fee, he added.

Romeo Balili, Saint Theresa’s College lawyer, said the court order was “deficient” and the school could not just obey it.

Judge Wilfredo Navarro of RTC Branch 19 committed a “grievous act” when he did not require the petitioner to put up bond, he added.

Without the bond, the school has reason not to comply with the TRO, Balili said.

Enrique Lacerna, counsel of the petitioner, said they will be filing criminal complaints against defendants STC, Principal Sister Celeste Ma. Purisima Pe, Mussolini Yap, Marnie Racaza, Kristine Rose Ligot and Edita Josephine Yu.

“Probably on Monday we will be filing criminal complaints against the school and its administration for child abuse and others before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office,” he said.

Lacerna said imposing a bond is the discretion of the judge.

“We were not required by the judge to put up a bond, and in fact the defendants did not ask for it,” he said.

“If they ask for bond how much?”

Lacerna said the defendants must prove their allegations that his client was into excessive drinking of liquor and smoking.

“It’s their burden to prove the same in court,” he said.

The mothers of two of the five students sought the assistance of the court to allow their daughters to participate in the commencement exercises. – Niña Sumacot, Mylen Manto