Salutatorian asks CA: Cite school for contempt

MANILA, Philippines - A salutatorian, who became controversial after criticizing her school in her graduation speech, asked the Court of Appeals (CA) yesterday to cite her school for contempt after it refused to issue her certificate of good moral character despite a court order.

In a 10-page very urgent motion, Krisel Mallari asked the second division of the appellate court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Santo Niño Parochial School (SNPS) registrar Yolanda Casero and other officials.

Through Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta, Mallari told the CA that her former school still refused to issue the certificate despite the injunction order issued on Tuesday.

Mallari and her father Ernesto went to the school last Wednesday after getting the CA order and learned that the SNPS has also received the order.

But the SNPS refused to comply with the CA resolution, reportedly upon the advice of the school lawyer, a certain “Attorney Resurreccion,” who was planning to appeal the order.

Mallari also asked the court to issue the bench warrant effective until school officials comply with the CA order.

She told the CA that there are only two working days left for her to process her enrollment with the University of Sto. Tomas to be able to avail of the scholarship offered by UST.

In its eight-page resolution, the CA ordered the SNPS to release Mallari’s certificate of good moral character to allow her to enroll in UST.

The CA held that Mallari should not be arbitrarily punished for exercising her freedom of speech.

The court saw the need to immediately issue the order, saying “time is of the essence” in this case.

It explained that the school’s refusal to issue Mallari’s certificate was “unreasonable” and showed “chronic lack of concern to a child who it has reared for 11 years under its care.”

The CA pointed out that while Mallari’s actuations during the graduation rites held on March 21 cast doubt on the credibility and integrity of the school, it was not sufficient to justify the withholding of her certificate.