Salutatorian seeks CA help to get school certificate

MANILA, Philippines - A salutatorian who criticized her high school in her graduation speech in March has asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to help her get a document she needs to go on to college.

Through the public attorney’s office, Krisel Mallari and her father, Ernesto, asked the CA to compel the Santo Niño Parochial School (SNPS) in Quezon City to release her certificate of good moral character to be able to enroll at the University of Sto. Tomas, where she has qualified for admission in the accountancy program.

“Without a certificate of good moral character my education will be put to a halt and my future will be in jeopardy,” read the petition.

Named respondents in the petition are the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 216 Judge Alfonso Ruiz, SNPS and school registrar Yolanda Casero.

The 16-year-old graduate also asked the CA to reverse an earlier ruling by Ruiz dismissing her complaint for injunction with damages against the high school.

Mallari said the judge erred in ruling that SNPS was reasonable in withholding the certificate since her actuations during the commencement exercises “did not at all taint her good moral character.”

Mallari asked the CA to issue a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction enjoining the RTC from implementing its order and a writ of mandamus compelling the SNPS to release the certificate.